Intertwined

Chapter 2

The scientist grimaced as he put down the phone with a click. Something must have happened up in the Director's office for him to be in this much of a bad mood.

"Oi! Channing! What's the deal with the boss? Where we put her?" Called out a handler.

Doctor Robert Channing just sighed and stared sadly at the frightened doe on the other side of the glass. She really was a beauty, all long and graceful limbs, strong muscles and wary eyes that held his gaze. She was of good stock and had a strong head on her shoulders- and it was a pity that her life was going to make a sudden stop.

Channing leaned down to press a button, not enjoying what he had to say next: "Send her to NaM14. Director's orders."

The look of confusion and disbelief painted the handlers' faces, before changing to horror and pity. It was a heartbreaking look, one the scientist had seen many times before. Prey breeds such as this one were never really given a chance to prove themselves; people didn't want prey to have emotions and thoughts of their own. The people wanted eye candy, without the guilt of sending something humanoid to their deaths.

"Sir? Are you sure? We haven't even tested her yet-" said a younger handler. A woman, fresh out of college.

"Doesn't matter." Channing cut her off, his gaze still kept on the doe. "He wants her sent to NaM14."

There was a choking silence on the other side of the glass, as the handlers watched the doe. She seemed to be becoming aware of the danger she will soon be in, as she shifted nervously on her hooves. Her ears flicked anxiously, her large eyes watching them all as she waited.

"You know the drill. Clean her up." Channing said into the comms, before turning away to log the new information down.

NaM14 won't need his monthly feeding for next week.

--

The handlers let out soft sighs of disappointment as the looked over to the confused creature. It really was a shame, the handlers thought, as they closed in on the young doe, readying their nets and ropes. They began leading her to one of the double doors which Doctor Channing had just buzzed open.

The doe, skittish and nervous, raced to the only opening. She knew full well what might await her, but in her panicked mind, she only sought out an escape- to run and flee.

Only this new room was slippery. It was smooth and unnatural to walk upon- similar to ice, but different, and smelled of water. Not river water- no, this was stale, like the nature of it had been stripped away. It wasn't a smell that comforted her at all.

The handlers suddenly began trying her up with leather ropes and chaining them to the walls, holding her tight so she couldn't escape their grasp. She made a strangled noise in the back of her throat, as a low but loud noise filled the room, sounding like a waterfall that was rushing towards her.

She shook and strained against her bindings, eyes wide and breathing panicked as she watched the humans aim foreign objects at her. Suddenly, harsh bursts of water shot out if the tubes and pelted against her being, making her cry and thrash out in pain.

She tossed her head wildly, hoping to catch a human with her antlers, cursing when they all stepped out of her reach, the water obscuring her view of them. Heart racing, she did all she could to get loose, wailing as they stripped all the grime and dirt off her hide.

And just as suddenly as it had started- it stopped. The room fell silent save for her panicked breathing and rough coughing, her lungs trying to expel the liquid that had slipped through. She whined in pain at a particularly hard cough, her hand reaching up to cup her throat.

Her strong legs trembled weakly, goosebumps prickled her delicate skin as she felt her binds tug her forward. Eyes still stinging from the water, she staggered and strained against the humans in a desperate attempt to escape once more. It was futile, as she was shoved into a small and cold silver box, thick bars clamped shut behind her, making her lash and buck out instinctively, calling out and wailing in desperation, her voice breaking as she struggled to escape the enclosed quarters.

The handlers, however, watched with heavy hearts as the steel doors closed shut behind the poor creature, the elevator making it's way up to NaM14's habitat. The youngest handeler let out a soft sob, before turning away and leaving the sterilization room.

Doctor Channing looked wearily at the surveillance screen, the young doe crying and searching for a way out. He sighed, shaking his head at the lost potential, before pressing a button that would activate the elevator. A loud noise sounded, as the metal gears shifted into movement, slowly moving up to its destination, taking the frightened creature with it.

~~~~~~~~~

Hello!

It's been a while, no? So sorry about that...

It's a lot shorter than I'd like, but I liked the little cliffhanger, so I guess that's really my only excuse?

I know y'all have been waiting for this for like, ages. I can't remember when I last posted...

Almost a year ago? How pathetic.

Anywho, I hoped you like it?

We'll most likely meet our lovely Naga friend in the next chapter.

Speaking of which! A lot of you liked the 'Scary Boi' type, and I gotta say- y'all are edgy as fuck lol

I'm not sure if I'll make him completely broody or edgy as you all would like, but we'll see once I write him (which will hopefully be soon. I'm a turd who never actually writes as promised lmao)

Anyway! Thank you all for the wait, as well as all the support! Gods know I need it.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, or whatever you celebrate!

I love you all!