Embers & Ice

Chapter Six

The strong smell of antibacterial ointment crept into Hunter’s mind as she slept, and suddenly she was waking up shivering and clammy.

She lay on an adjustable bed covered in plastic, slick with her own sweat. Her hands and feet were strapped to the bed like a mental patient in an asylum. She began to panic. A bright light beamed down on her. The rest of the room was dimly lit and lined with cupboards and tools and machinery.

There was a man standing beside her. Hunter had never seen someone so unearthly and sick-looking in all her life. It appeared as though he’d been on a long journey battling Leukemia. His cheekbones were hollow and his eyes glinted like slimy oysters. His bald head shone brighter than the florescent lights around her, dotted with age spots. Blood splattered his coat and he wore black gloves over his hands. When his eyes fell upon her, they brightened instantly and Hunter was hit with déjà vu.

Oh God. I know him from somewhere.

“Hunter Harrison,” he said with a grin as though she was someone he hadn’t seen in a long time. “I am so delighted to have you here.”

Too afraid and uncomfortable to move, Hunter stared at him with her lips pursed shut. She knew she had made a huge mistake when she attacked Jet. Her moment of satisfaction would surely not be worth the punishment, not after all she’d heard that morning.

“I apologize,” said the doctor, “that I could not meet with you sooner. I have a morning appointment that I hate to miss, and I wanted you to have something to eat before we were introduced. Though I didn’t expect it until later in the morning, and was quite disappointed to hear of the attack in the breakfast hall.”

Hunter’s throat went suddenly dry. She wanted to defend herself, but the very presence of the doctor made the fire cower so deep inside her, she could feel no warmth whatsoever. Beads of sweat dripped down the side of her head and she squirmed uncomfortably on the table, clenching her fists.

“Never mind that for now,” he continued and pushed himself away from the desk, walking closer to her. “I suppose you’re wondering who I am?”

Hunter managed to nod.

He rolled back on his heels and clasped his hands behind his back. “My name is Dr. Winston Elroy Wolfe. I was born in the wonderful countryside of Northern Ireland, just outside of Belfast. I moved to England when I was a lad and travelled around with my father and three brothers. I studied well at the University of Oxford, surrounded by great writers and minds and dreamt of becoming a chief surgeon at a hospital in America. When I graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Surgical Anatomy and Medical Science, I worked for many companies but mostly hospitals and laboratories. I soon stumbled upon unique DNA and genetics in a very select few, and set about researching them. I became aware that I needed a place to study their biology in private, where no other doctor or scientist would be able to discover what I was doing. This institution was my starting point. From the very bottom, I built it up until it became this, what it is now-” He spread his arms out, gesturing to ICE as a figurative whole. “I have done many great things for this company, and my research into genetics such as yours has opened a door to a world no one knew existed. I plan to document the life and genetics of every mutated being in this institution, and those who are still trapped in the wild. For you, my dear, are the future of science. Does that answer your question?”

Hunter’s mouth hung agape. This man was possibly more insane than Joshua. Dr. Wolfe talked about experimentation and imprisonment as though he were explaining the itinerary of his next vacation.

“I presume your answer is yes,” he said. “Now. I’ve reviewed the information we had on you here in our system, and Joshua’s files as well, and it seems-”

“Wait,” she croaked, finally finding her voice. “What files? How did you get information on us?”

Dr. Wolfe had his back to hers and she could hear him fiddling with instruments on a tray. “He never told you? Well, I suppose you were only young.”

“Told me what?” she pushed, pulling on the restraints.

Dr. Wolfe’s face was shadowed from the lamp when he turned to smile wickedly at her.

“Why, you’ve been here before Hunter,” he said. “You and Joshua.”