Subject to Hate

Ch. 2

     "This is Subject 001. It's...really aggressive...He was the first failed attempt at this facility." I looked through the glass, then noticed the metal door on the left.
     "Do you let them out?"
     "Heavens no! Well, sometimes we do...but, not a lot." I nodded, watching as he popped up. His orange face didn't match his blue body, but I guess that was why he failed? He yelled, then slinked down. He crawled to the back wall, then his mouth opened. A blue head popped out, it's brows furrowed. I shuddered, glancing down the hall. S-24 was already walking off, and I ran to catch up with him.
     "This is Subject 003. He...well he was a way off. This demon looking creature-" He was cut off when the subject rammed itself against the wall, trying to dig out. "Anyways, he is gentle...at times, but shows signs of aggression, like Subject 001." Again, S-24 walked off, me slowly following behind.

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     After a while, we made it to 029. The numbers weren't in order, so it would be hard to keep track of them all. The creature looked up, then gave a wave with a smile. "Subject 029. He shows more humanity than the others. He's...better. But, still, he can't show himself around others. He has a bad way of coping...with bullies and such."
     The subject's red eyes gleamed, showing happiness and fear in them. I smiled, waving back. He had a doll in there with him, which he hugged tightly. "He acts like a child...but...we don't understand what he wants. He...only screeches and clicks. Sometimes, there might be a cute purr to follow along."
     As if on time, the creature screeched, a series of clicks could be heard beyond the deafening sound. He tilted his head, as if waiting for an answer. He screeched again, this time quieter. S-24 ignored it, moving on. Before I followed, I smiled, waving bye. Subject 029 gave a small smile, screeching and waving. His eyes gleamed with happiness.
     "Never, and I do mean never, walk through this door." He pointed at the rounded door, then pointed at the sign. "It's Subject 1000. He's never been seen before, and should never, EVER be seen. Got it?" I nodded, gazing at the sign. "Great. Now, follow me to the control room. That's where we'll be spending most of our time."

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     I sat down in the chair, flicking through the cameras. When I landed on Subject 029, I couldn't help but give a small smile. He was hugging the doll, then ran around in circles. Well, the running was more of a four legged, squat and crawl, but it was still adorable. After a while, I saw a guard step through the door, a harness in hand. Subject 029 opened his mouth, which I think was a screech, then turned his back. He waited, waited for the harness to slip on.
     The guard tapped his back, letting him know it was done. S-24 was leaning over my shoulder, watching. "Those two don't like each other, but he still offers to take 029 out. I'm not sure why, or where they go, but they as long as 029 is back and safe, it really doesn't matter." I glanced up to him, seeing his eyes fog over. He shook his head, going back to his seat. "I'll stop talking now." I opened my mouth to object, but stopped. It would've sounded weird if I told him I loved his voice.
     I turned around, scanning through the other cameras. I sighed, stopping on a weird subject. He was sitting at a table, speaking to himself. It was low, and quick, surely enjoyable to anyone's ears. I glanced to the bottom left of the screen, squinting my eyes to look at the subject's number. "Subject...Subject 667?" I heard S-24 stand up, walking over to me. He leaned over, giving a small chuckle.
     "Subject 667. I guess I forgot to tell you about him. He's a quick speaker, talks quietly, too. Sophisticated and loves a good tea. Really wise, too. Almost too wise, if I must say." I nodded, watching the bug like creature take a sip of the liquid. S-24 sat back down at his desk, scanning through a packet.
     "What are you reading?" I looked over to him, picking up a camera monitor. He hummed, spinning to look at me.
     "It's a thing to tell us what to do and what not to do. Only thing I can read at this moment really." I nodded, putting the monitor back down.
     "Are we able to leave this place?"
     He glanced at me over the top of the book, then glanced back down. "As long as you keep this place a secret. If one word is spoken about this place, you'll have to be locked up...somewhere..." I slowly nodded, looking towards the doorway.
     "What do we eat here?" I glanced to him, then checked another camera.
     "Whatever you normally eat, I guess. We just have turns to go to the store. Some days, we'll even go to a restaurant together." I blushed a little, glancing to him. He sounded contented, happy. He was okay with this life.
     "Who's going to the store next?" I looked up, watching as he pointed to himself. Again, I nodded, smiling. "Why am I S-25 when we have a S-29?"
     "He's the twenty ninth in another place. He comes from an arctic area. Hint? The clothes." I nodded, flicking through the cameras again. Subject 029 had returned, and he was playing with his doll. I smiled, leaning back. This just might be fun after all.