Raze {Wolf Rebellion II}

Chapter 17~What You've Done~

Look at what you've done.
-Ellie Goulding, "Outside"

Chapter 17~What You've Done~

Red Headquarters, present time

Cherise was busy looking at a microscope when she heard the laboratory door open. She knew who it was as soon as they started toward her, but she kept her attention on the slide in front of her. If she could just figure this out...

"Any new developments?"

She paused, looking over her shoulder to see the executive of Red staring at her.

She shook her head, hoping Claret wouldn't be too angry. Ever since the breakout two day ago, it'd been like walking on glass around her. Yesterday she had killed one of the carriers simply for not amplifying during a fight. Of course, that made her job harder, but she didn't dare say anything.

She stood from her chair and went to retrieve the data she'd charted earlier. Maybe it would keep Claret off her back for a few days.

Meanwhile Claret waited impatiently. She was furious with herself, and that made her furious with everyone. She'd worked too hard and far too long to have everything go down the drain because of one man.

She'd made sacrifices to ensure he wouldn't escape the compound, and yet somehow he still managed to slip through her fingers. And on top of that her best lead on forcing the shift had waltzed right out the door with him.

At least she still had Roth. Yes, his tech was definitely going to prove useful in the next few days.

Cherise returned, placing a packet of papers into her waiting hands. "It's still too early in development. There's no differentiating between which cells it attacks." Cherise turned and glanced back through the microscope at the blood sample. "I might have some ideas on how to get around that, but-"

Claret cut her off. "Good. Keep working." She would transfer all available resources to this new project and put the carriers on hold for now. "I want the serum trial ready by the end of the week. And then I want John Kitler's head."

~R~

I woke up back in my room, under a pile of blankets and pillows on the bed. My first conscious thought was that I hoped to hell I hadn't hurt anyone.

I rolled over, groaning as my stomach flipped and my vision went dark with nausea.

"Cas was right, Ruby. You do look like shit."

I sat up, looking across the room to where someone sat on the floor against the wall.

Shani.

I threw the blankets off, noticing for a split second that someone had dressed me in a new shirt and pants, and then I was in front of her.

"Damn girl. You know you don't have to move that fast all the time?" She laughed as she shook her head. "We're gonna have to work on-" She gestured up at me. "All of that."

I frowned, glancing down at myself. I hadn't thought I was moving that fast...

She stood up, grinning. "Well?"

I couldn't help grinning back as I stepped forward to hug her. For the first time in a long time I felt relaxed.

"I've missed you guys. I'm glad you're okay." The sudden smell of strawberries and something harsh burned my nose, and it took me a moment to realize I was smelling her shampoo.

It was gonna take awhile to get used to this.

Shani laughed again, but this time I could hear the strain behind it. "Yeah, well it's been a hell of a couple of months."