Experiment 002

Four: Testing

The next morning.

I woke up to the distant hum of machinery, the soft glow of artificial lights filtering through the glass of my enclosure. For a moment, I don't move. My body is stiff, my mind sluggish, caught in a haze.

Then it hits me.

Last night.

I sit up abruptly, heart pounding as the memories come rushing back, Axel pulling me out, the vending machine, the chocolate, the quiet conversation. I glance around quickly, half expecting to see Eric standing over me.

But the lab is empty. Well mostly.

Axel is still here, though. Slumped in the chair near the monitors, arms crossed, head tilted to the side as he sleeps. His breathing is slow, steady, completely at ease.

I shift, rubbing my arms as I glance toward the door. Eric still isn't back. The lab feels eerily still without him, like it's holding its breath, waiting.

Axel stirs suddenly, mumbling something under his breath as he shifts in the chair. Then, with a groggy sigh, he blinks awake, squinting against the artificial light. His eyes land on me almost immediately.

For a second, he just watches me. Then, a slow smirk tugs at the corner of his lips.

"Morning, trouble."

I glare at him. "Don't call me that."

Axel stretches, groaning as his joints pop.

He rubs a hand over his face before glancing at the monitors. "Damn. I actually fell asleep."

I tilt my head. "You were supposed to be working."

Axel grins. "Yeah, well, babysitting you took priority."

I scowl. "I don't need a babysitter."

He snorted.

I glance at the door again. "He's not back yet."

Axel follows my gaze, his smirk fading slightly. "Nope. Guess he had a long night."

"Anyways you slept alright?" He changed the subject.

I hesitate, still watching him warily. "I guess."

He nods, "Good.

I shift slightly, my arms tightening around myself. "You... stayed."

Axel raises a brow, like he's surprised I even brought it up. Then he shrugs. "Told you I would."

I don't know how to respond to that.

Axel studies me for a moment, then tilts his head. "Hey you alright?"

I hesitate. The weight in my chest is still there, pressing down hard. But I nod anyway.

Axel doesn't look convinced. "You're thinking too much again."

I scowl. "No, I'm not."

"Yeah, you are." He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

I glare at him, but he just watches me steadily. Not mocking, not smirking, just watching.

It makes something in my chest tighten.

Before I can come up with a response, the sound of a door opening echoes through the lab.

My blood runs cold.

Axel's expression shifts instantly, the lazy ease in his posture vanishing as his eyes flick toward the source of the sound.

Footsteps.