The Prison of Deviants

Chapter 38: Dagur's Resolve

"You?!"

So, that is why Dagur and the warden looked so similar - they were the same person! How could I not guess everything up until now? All matched - the snow leopard fur, the black hair and blue eyes, the shabby white t-shirt, the mannerisms, the smile! Even the scars I saw on the warden in those photos before were the same as those of Dagur! Ugh, how stupid I've been! He fooled me, and I fell for it!

"How could you?!" I snarl, "You lied to us - to all of us! Wait, did Knut know about this? Don't tell me he was with you too?! You both deceived me, together?"

I can't describe how furious I am - Knut too, took part in this? Had they actually devised the entire plan together even before Knut would declare his love to me?!

"Just what game are you playing at?" I yell now, "You trampled on my fellow prisoners' and my feelings! Ugh, I made a mistake - I should've warned everyone about you, and they'd tell me you were not to be trusted! We yearned for freedom, yet you've deceived us! Is the plan even fulfilling, or is it all a scam to later catch us, torture us for escaping, and laugh into our faces as you have fun watching our misery?!"

"Keep your voice down! The others might hear us..." Dagur frowns, "I never lied to you. It was all your assumptions, and I played along. The plan is real, and your friends are safe."

"You did lie! You never told me you were the warden!"

"As Dagur, you never asked me what my occupation was, and as the warden, you never asked my name." he smiles. "You assumed I was different people, just as I wanted you to. Think of it - if I told you I was the warden, would you ever listen to my advice? But this way, you did. So, the plan is going to succeed."

"What a humbug! You're the warden - the monster everyone spoke of! Why would you be helping us out of your free will? It makes no sense!"

Now, Dagur's frown deepens, and his feline eyes sparkle with incense. I'm not going to apologize, though. He's got what he deserves. I'll never forgive him for deceiving me in such a shameless manner! Oh, and while I'm at it - I'm going to break up with Knut, who's been on his side all along!

"Unlike you whiny humans who've got infected and gained superior genes, were shoved in here but permitted to hunt and mate, had all the powers of your respective deviant blood, yet still continued to complain because you lost your human families and habitats you had always counted as miserly while you still lived there, I've indeed lived like a monster locked in a cage, for my entire damned life! Born a weakling - a snow leopard with a plant organism and firepower, hence to be burnt every time I utilized my element! Considered a monster by my mother, doomed to be slain by my father! I killed him in time, or else he'd raise Knut in his bastardly image... Charged with upholding order in this prison, I was to use my powers over every petty matter, and be burnt while doing so! My only consolation, the only light in my life, was Knut - that kind little kitten who saw me as I truly was... And now, you - a prisoner - have stolen his heart, to such an extent that he begged me to look after you when he was to leave to gather food from the deviant kingdoms! You thought I wouldn't be interested in that maiden he had thus fallen for? When I met you, though, I realised Knut was right - you weren't like everyone else. Only that vampire - Annabelle Roux - could be compared to you. You both are fearless and self-confident, but you are even more so - you are daring and a little careless, too, which is rather beneficial for the leader of a mutiny.

"When I heard of your escape plan you talked with your friends about, my lust for freedom rekindled. The will to give freedom to Knut - my beloved cub, who never deserved to live confined to these decayed walls... So, I figured I too, would lend you a hand - the girl who had made my brother so happy and uplifted. I introduced myself to you as I truly was - Dagur, the guy who hates this prison and its stupid rules, loves chilling in cold baths, enjoys Michael Jackson's songs, and loves his little brother deeply. Dagur van Irbisen is who I am, not the bloodthirsty 'Lord Warden' who's keen on torturing prisoners and upholding the order! I don't give a damn about this prison, its rules, its administrators, or the prisoners. I only want a peaceful life...