The Virus

Chapter 12

I could see the imaginary smoke rise from Kaliver's ears. "What did you call me?" He was shaking.

Lorcan shrugged as if he was careless of the target. "An experiment."

"I can't tell you what I am," Kaliver growled, blue eyes somehow flaming with rage. "But I can tell you what I am not. I am not an experiment."

"Oh sure!" Lorcan said sarcastically "I'm sure that's true."

"Lorcan. Drop it." I demanded.

He ignored my attempt. "All those years spent in the Lab, I'm willing to bet you were born there."

"I have a past, I have a family I just-" Kaliver stopped. "I don't know why they would give me up." I felt bad for Kaliver, it was possible he would have never known his family.

"Guys!" I yelled, getting their attention. "I hate to break it to you Lorcan but this time I think Kaliver will lead us to victory." Lorcan mumbled upset gibberish and Kaliver crossed his hand over his chest.

"Perfect. We go this way, that is...if you want to survive." Kaliver said, starting to walk. To my surprise, Lorcan started walked after me.

"Lorcan," I started "You're from here, what are Analyzers?"

Lorcan shrugged, I turned around so I could see him better. "Sick people."

"What do they do?" I couldn't help look at Kaliver, who was avoiding the conversation completely, pretending to scout ahead.

Lorcan once again shrugged. "They're terrifying, they work for the TESTERS, they're the scientists' slaves basically. Some of them guard the Lab, some watch the prisons." He sighed. "They can analyze things about you, hence the name Analyzer. Some can analyze how fast your heart is beating based on your steps, from what I've heard. Some can tell if you're lying, some can even sense if you're awake or conscious." I thought back to what had happened earlier. "Some have special strong hearing, or vision that can see through things. The point is, they are disgusting, sanka, they want nothing more but to terrorize Zemirans. How did you hear of it?"

"I heard of it before I came here, but I never knew what they were." I lied.

"And you don't want to."

"Why are they so bad?"

"Is that really a hard question? They are in the Lab!"

"Quiet." Kaliver ordered.

"Why?" Lorcan didn't listen. "Is it because-"

"I said quiet, the TESTERS used to patrol this woods, but now they don't, if you want to stay alive, I suspect you follow my commands."

"You're not Comridian."

"I am now. Now quiet!"

Something rustled the leaves of bushes, and it wasn't the wind. My heart pounded. What if Lorcan was right, what if Kaliver led us straight back to the Lab? He wouldn't do that, would he?

An arrow flew past me and I jumped in surprise.

"Who's there?" Kaliver yelled. "I demand to know."

A girl stepped out of the rustling bushes.

Sorry this is so short!!