The Shifters

The New Arrival

///// Hi guys I just wanted to give you a heads up and let you know I'm new to writing! I hope you will still read with an open mind. If you have any questions because my wording is weird please let me know! Anyways, I hope you enjoy it!/////

  I don't remember life beyond the glass, nor do I recall the taste of freedom. I am an animal, a monster meant to be caged. At least that's what the "doctors" tell me. I am a tool. I alone can topple countries, I alone can start an uprising.  And soon the people will know my power.

    I wake up to blinding lights, hissing at the sting in my eyes.  When they finally adjust I see the same room I've been stuck in all my life. Plain white walls with scratches littering them, the white floor stained with old emotions and history. The door to my left always locked tight and the thick window in front of me leaves me exposed, always. 

  "Ah, I see you're awake 002, the staff will bring in your training clothes shortly. Then we can get started on the normal procedures. "  Dr. Jones announces over the speakers in "my room." I quickly hop out of bed and tidy it up. I stretch my bones, satisfied after popping a few joints sitting in the middle of my room to wait for my clothes. A safety precaution for the staff to feel safe.

    The door unlocks with heavy clicks here and there, the end to my wait. cloth and my bulky metal collar on the bed behind me.  When I hear the door lock behind me I get up and get dressed. I sigh with dread before I muster up the will to put on the collar.  After I finish I stand in front of the door to be escorted to the training room.

   The training room is a big concrete structure filled with weights, treadmills,  a boxing ring, punching bags, and a big foam mat in the center.  After I completed the usual drills and exercises they brought me to the bathing chamber. Which is a tiled room with a hose that only shoots out cold water? It also happens to be the only time I get to be truly alone.

  When the shower is done I eat. After I eat they take me in for experiments where I am poked and prodded. My blood is drawn and they inject me with serum. After I visit the 'doctors', they educate me about the current global situations.  That is my only connection to the outside world. 

  "The economy in the U.S. is-" My educator is cut off by Dr.Jones. He is dressed in age and a lab coat.  He looks at the screen, then he looks at me. His gaze is steady and observant. 

    "002?" He asks, waving a hand for me to follow. I get up quietly, thanking my educator with a nod. I follow Dr.Jones down to my cell noticing a second bed. He escorts me into my room and takes the heavy collar.  I sigh in relief, rubbing the sore spot of my neck.  He steps out but I have a feeling he's going to talk to me over the speakers, so I wait patiently. 

    "Thank you for your patience Project 002, while I speak please don't be afraid to ask questions.  A college and I have decided to work with each other to further enhance our understanding of science. We have decided to conduct a social experiment between you and her project. Seeing as the to of you are trained to be vicious but obedient, we became curious as to how you'd interact with your kind.'

  I nod in understanding, another shifter is coming to the compound.  I cringe, "my kind." It didn't sit right with me, but I was always aware that I am less than human. I shake my head, confused as to why I was offended.  I continue listening.

    " Today my college's project will be arriving, she will be staying with you as your cellmate. You two will train together, eat together, and sleep together. If everything goes well the two of you will go on a mission together. However, if the experiment fails there will be no need to keep the two of you together. And there will be no mission, is that understood 002?"

   I nod quickly, I have never been outside the compound or on a mission. Hope fills my chest, and I realize I have never met someone like me. What will she be like? What can she sift to? I sit in my room, brewing in my thoughts.

  I was finally brought to reality when I hear footsteps down the hall,  I could also hear the rattling of chains. As they get closer I walk to the glass, hearing the sound echo through the hallway. Two of the staff members carry a set of chains, the chains are attached to a set of bulky handcuffs. The handcuffs contrast heavily against her dark smooth skin. Her hair is like a cloud, spiral curls encase her face.  Her eyes are darker than her skin, matching the color of your hair. I've never met someone as beautiful as her.

 She keeps her head down the entire time, she looks exhausted.  Dragging her bare feet against the concrete.  The staff stops, waiting for me to sit in the center, I sigh and obey.  I hear the door unlock and creak open, the sound of falling chains fill the stale air.  The sound of bare feet against the concrete fills the room. The door locks and I quickly climb to my feet and turn around.

  She sits on the opposite side of the room, crouching over her bed protectively. A low growl rips through her throat. Her eyes glow a light yellow color before ears pop out of the top of her head. The ears barely sprout through her hair. A tail hides under her body and her ears lay flat against her head. I back away slowly, allowing my ears and tail to sprout also.

  Her smell fills my nose, smoked wood, and lemons. The smell wraps around the room, encasing my only safe place. She doesn't belong here, this is my room. My tail flips back and forth aggressively. I let my ears fall back and release a howl.I take a step closer, this is my space. She gets down lower, growling once again.

  " Sit girl." I hiss, demanding respect.  My tone low and rough, she slowly obeys. She is aware this is my room, she knows she's in my room.  Her ears fall forward, and her ears vanish. She lowers her head in respect and submission.

   "I mean no harm. Truce?" She asks warily, her voice is smooth and soft.  She puts her hand out in an attempt to make it official.

"What are you doing?" I ask, why is her hand just out there. I copy her, awkwardly sticking my hand straight out.  She laughs, grabbing my hand and shaking it. I pull it back quickly, ripping it from her grip aggressively. "What are you doing?!" I shout holding my hands close to protect them. She laughs again, holding her stomach with tears in her eyes, but she smells like joy.

"I'm shaking your hand!" She laughs, shaking her head in her hands.

"Why?!" I ask she's starting to get on my nerves.

"Because that's how you make something official." She explains with the brightest smile. " It's like making a promise."

I nod in understanding, soaking in the new information. A promise is unbreakable, a truce means peace. Shaking hands means it's official and unbreakable.  I sigh, I think I get it now! I grab her arm and shake her with it.

 "No harm will come upon you as long as you're in my care. You have my word." I stop shaking her after I finish speaking. She smiles at me pulling me in her arms.

 "Is this another handshake thing?" I ask falling limp in her arms.

"You have so much to learn." She sighs, smiling kindly at me. 

//// Well that's all I got so far! If you made it this far: Thank you for lasting this long, it means a lot. Have a nice day love. Bye! <3////