The Dome [O L D]

Chapter 12

Since the chapters will be longer and more edited, I'm going to post once every few weeks. No specifics, though, sorry!

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Location: Unknown, US

Subject: Ash Hise

Date: April 16

My father stands before me, his eyes pleading. He's screaming. I feel the silver knife in my hand. Dark blood glistens on the blade.

I again look up to my father. His face bears a very different expression.

An eerie smile contorts his face, and his eyes glow red. Behind his smile are rows of fangs, like a shark's mouth. His skin is burnt black.

A horrible laugh echoes through the room with no walls.

I hear a soft voice. "Ash..."

My father's mouth never moves from the grin. He steps toward me, and I slam the knife into his neck.

"Ash..." the voice calls again.

The monster of my father takes another step, then another, until I can feel his hot, sticky breath on my face.

"Ash!"

My eyes snap open. I take a heavy breath.

It was a dream.

Cameron stands over me, a worried expression on her face.

"Ash, are you okay?"

My heart pounds, and my hair is matted to my forehead. Of course I'm okay.

"No, Cameron! Of course not!"

Her eyes narrow into slits, and her wings shudder. My eyebrows shoot up.

"Your wings, Cameron! What happened!"

Her once-beautiful feathers hang in shreds, blood dripping onto the hard floor. Pink flesh is now visible where the feathers once were.

Cameron looks at the floor. Sensitive topic.

I decide to avoid it.

"Where's Clove?" I ask.

Her hands begin to shake and her eyes well up with tears. She looks up at me, tears running down her cheeks.

"Ash, we have to get out of here. Clove..." she cries.

My eyes widen.

"What happened?" I try to keep my voice level. My curiously non-shredded wings twitch, giving me away immediately.

Cameron shuts her eyes, shaking her head. She points to a black camera mounted on the wall. I see it zero in on me.

She puts a finger to my lips. After a few seconds, she slowly begins to make her way to the door.

The second she reaches the door, it bursts open, knocking her against the wall. She utters a string of curses and cups her hand around her bleeding nose.

Someone enters the room. He doesn't wear the camouflage of a soldier, but only a ripped t-shirt and shorts. A long cut on his chest drips blood. He looks like he hasn't shaved in a week.

He takes one look at Cameron and sighs, relieved she's alive. "We need to get out of here. Now!" he shouts.

"Why?" I ask.

"No time to explain. Just follow me. I'm on your side."

I have to believe him. He may be our only chance to escape.

I follow him out the door.

Cameron does the same.