The Inception (Book #1 of The Inception Trilogy)

chapter eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

WHAT IS HE DOING? He's killing others like him. Why is he so different? He wishes he knew. Is it so wrong to be offing experiments? He likes to think it isn't. He's protecting humans because he once was just that--human.

Now he's a monster.

He hates what he is now. Resembling some supernatural creature that used to frighten people from going outside at night in the medieval days. He can go out in the day, obviously. And clearly he isn't the undead. He's very much naturally alive yet with unnatural alterations. Like these stupid, stupid teeth and these unnecessary red irises. The strength and hearing and speed may be a plus, but he wishes he never became this... this...

Monster, right.

He hears Eve's footsteps behind him, but thankfully she doesn't speak. He can speak if he wants, however, his lengthy canines make it a bit awkward. Not to mention no one listens to him when he does. So many experiments that could've helped him prevent all this and save themselves if only they would've listened to him...

So he stays mute; it's easier that way.

Sure the people he saved might think otherwise, but for him silence is easy. It's a choice, which is something he's never had. Silence is a comfort.

The girl with the injured thigh--Delia, he thinks--put him behind schedule. He planned on leaving yesterday either with or without Nivedita and Sasha. His destination is the lab where he was created. Stupid, stupid Doctor Stevens snatched his memories when he was toying with his head, trying to drill in everything war related. He wants his memories back to feel human again. He wants to know his family, assuming he had one.

But everyone has a family, don't they? Even if it's not the best family, it's a family. He just wants to remember, no matter how painful or disappointing the memories may be.

Harry glances over his shoulder at Eve. Something about her makes him feel weird inside. Maybe because she's beautiful or because she's strong or because she gave him a name that's normal. A name that feels right. He doesn't have a name, or at least not one that he remembers. He's always been Experiment 748.

Not anymore.

He's leaving that as far behind as he can.

When they reach the barn, Eve looks back over towards the woods. She hadn't done what she wanted to, but he's hoping she's smart enough to stay out of them. If there's one experiments around, there's bound to be others. He can only guess the female had been lingering, waiting for them. Who knows how many others she had alerted.

She is smart enough. She follows Harry inside the barn and quietly asks if she can go get something to eat. She nearly grumbles it, like she's annoyed that she has to ask. It's clear as day she's independent and relying on someone else isn't her style.

He nods and she scampers up the steps. The little boy Robbie and his dog Poppy are awake, and they've already got food themselves, as well as Nivedita and Sasha. He frowns a little when he thinks about Nivedita's baby. She's a couple months from being due, and he has no idea how to deliver an infant. She was crying a couple of night ago when he found her because the baby had become fatherless.

They'll figure something out, he supposes. He's not one to abandon other people, and he doesn't plan on starting now.

Eve comes down empty-handed, so he figures she ate upstairs. She tosses him a look then goes for the door again. He contemplates stopping her, however, she leaves the door open on her way out. She must not be going far, and it's not like he can keep her locked in a barn. It's not like that's his intention anyways.