Unknown

Chapter Three

Zara Bonaventura

Cold. I woke up feeling cold. My whole body was aching and my head was throbbing.

I opened my eyes only to be blinded by light. I tried to cover my eyes with my hand, only to see that both of my hands were tied to the chair's arm rests. My feet were bounded together as well.

I took a deep breath and I opened my eyes again. I'm in a lab, the kind of lab where everything's expensive and such. It was fancy and if it wasn't for my predicament, I would be marvelling at the grandeur of the lab. It was futuristic and fancy.

"I see you've woken up," a voice said. It sounded like it came from an intercom and I furrowed my eyebrows, confused. Where was I? I know I'm in a lab, but where is the lab located exactly? And the biggest question of all: Why am I tied to a chair?

I didn't hear anything else after that and my eyes roamed my surroundings. Serums and injections were scattered on the table beside me. Along with knives, scalpels, and tweezers. Above me was a lamp connected to the table. It looked like I was in a dental office but I knew better.

On another table, farther away from me, were microscopes and papers. Beside it was a whiteboard with formulas written on them. I didn't understand what I was seeing and my headache was getting worse by the minute.

I looked around one last time and nothing could've prepared me for what I saw next.

Bodies were enclosed in giant tubes. They were floating in some gooey liquid and I bit my lip hard to supress the scream I so badly want to bring out of my mouth. I didn't stop the tears from flowing. I am in danger and I don't know what to do. I don't know where I am and I'm scared out of my mind.

The computer-controlled doors were opened and a man entered. He was wearing a lab coat over his clothes and he had unruly grey hair. He looked mad – not angry mad – but crazy mad. He looked like Einstein, only he was the evil version.

"I'm Doctor Magnus," He smiled evilly and he went to get some papers from the table. I didn't speak, I can't even open my mouth. Everything that was happening to me was too much to take in. I didn't expect that at such a young age, I'd be experiencing this. I didn't expect people were this cruel – cruel enough to victimize a three year old girl.

But I guess, I had it coming. My dad has enemies. Surely they would want revenge and what more than to kidnap his helpless three year old daughter who, even though underwent training, still can't protect herself from fully grown men.

"I'm a mad scientist," Magnus began once more. I don't want to call him Doctor since that's basically showing him respect. He doesn't deserve any ounce of respect from me.

Magnus went over to the board and flipped it over, revealing a clean slate. He started to write more formulas and I kind of zoned out since I don't know what the heck he was doing. When he finished though, I turned to look and my eyes widened in surprise. At the very bottom of the board, this was written: Zara = mutant.

I had no idea what that meant but I don't want to find out. Unfortunately, I'm not lucky and Magnus walked over to me and sat beside the chair I was sitting on. It was inclined and I was facing upwards slightly.

"I've been working on a special serum, you see," Magnus began, looking at me like I was some sort of experiment. His hands grazed the serums and needles on the table as he spoke. "I experimented on animals, but they wouldn't suffice. That's why you're here." He grinned, showing off two golden teeth and one silver one. I internally cringed and tried to look away but he huffed and made me look at him. His hands gripped my cheeks and chin tightly and I looked at him, scared. I'm showing weakness but I'm only three, so cut me some slack!