1: HATRED

Pain

That was all I could feel. A constant reminder that I was still alive. And that I wasn't dead yet...

Not that death will come willingly if I ask for it, I know I can't die. They know this too because I am different, unlike other species.

The special breed.

That's what they call me, and how they treat me ‘specially’ compared to others. If others are getting one dose, I get triple, just like now...

There's a cage in front of mine where number 418 was. Number 418 is a girl whom they just brought in some days back. She looked healthier than most but I knew she wouldn't last long, she would die soon just like the rest. They always do at some point when they've reached their limits.

Naked just like every one of us, 418 thrashed on the ground while screaming out her lungs, scratching at her skin. They have injected her with their ‘new invention’ as they call it.

They were preparing her body for something. I could tell it was something big as they kept adding little doses into her every hour. They wanted to see if she'd survive.

You may be wondering what's happening, and where I am. To be honest, even I don't know where I am. I've only ever been in this cell since I was but a child.

They call me 205 because out of all the two hundred and five kids they kidnapped when they found me, I was the only survivor after their first experiment.

But a long time ago, someone gave me a name. An angel that promised to take me out of this hellhole. She told me I'd be able to see what humans called the moon and stars. She named me Ruby. A red precious stone because you're a precious little thing. The name also matches your pretty red hair, she had said smiling. I was only six years old at that time... Or was it seven?

I may not know what ‘red precious stone’ means but the name Ruby sounded nice.

Unfortunately, I was transported to another facility before she could fulfill her promise. The only thing I was left with was a vague memory of her. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder if I'll see her again or if she is real. Thinking back, it seemed like a dream.

My attention was drawn back to the girl as her screams got louder until suddenly she stopped moving. I sniffed her from where I bent looking out and to my greatest surprise, she is alive!

I froze instantly because I knew what that meant for me. They've succeeded in their test! It also means that they'll be coming for me next. Oh heavens! Nothing ever comes good with their experiments only unending pain and torture.

My hands started getting clammy in fear of what was to come but my thoughts were quickly interrupted as men in white coats rushed in ignoring the growls and snarls coming from the males in the cells. They quickly removed all the giant needles and straps that held 418 down.

I didn't get the chance to see what next happened to the girl as two gigantic human males stopped in front of my cell blocking my view. They unlocked my cell and...

“Hey, Kitty Kitty. Come out now.” the one at the left called out.

Heart thudding, I found myself crawling towards them. Apparently, this isn't the first time it happening but years in this hellhole taught me how things work and I, of course, learned things the hard way.

You may wonder why I haven't escaped myself.

Well, it's not like I haven't tried, this place is like a maze, a huge one, and above all, the security is top-notch. You can't even get past anything without a series of codes and locks.

Secondly, unlike those males in cells whom they sometimes refer to as werewolves/ animals, I was but a human! Not in the literal sense though.

Everyone in this facility knows that I hardly had any physical strength or supernatural powers. The only thing separating me from others is that I haven't died yet. I've been able to survive what many others couldn't. Other than my sense of smell and hearing things from a distance, I would say I'm practically human. The fact that they still keep experimenting on me means they are curious about what I am. Or should I say, what special breed they've kept as treasure?

Grabbing me by the hair, the one called Chase pulled my bare body to him, “You're all grown up, girl.” his rough hands ran down my body as he grabbed my breast roughly.

I didn't dare to flinch or meet his eyes.

This isn't the first time anyway, it's been happening since I clocked fifteen. Being a late bloomer, I never experienced being molested until I came of age...

Chase and Greg would never do anything out of normal because they weren't allowed to but they made sure to molest me at any slightest chance they could get.

This time, thankfully, Greg cleared his throat from behind, “Chase. There's no time for this.”

He grunted, “But she's fuckin' ripe bro! If I could just have one night with her...”

Chase pinched my nipples so hard that my eyes watered. I didn't bother hiding the gasp that left my mouth because it hurt so bad.

Satisfied with the result, he let go of me and walked ahead. “Come on, girl.”

I stumbled due to the way he shoved me while breathing through the pain. This was nothing compared to the pain I usually experience, I only follow quietly behind them, my heart thudding fiercely in fear of what was to come.

I've only just witnessed what happened to that female, if hers was that painful then how would mine be?

Upon entering the laboratory, the men in white strapped me to the bed and inserted some wires into my head and arms.

They hadn't done anything yet but my body was trembling, my hands were clammy and my breath came in short pants.

I was scared. Petrified beyond words.

Gigantic needles were set in place after everything was ready, and the scientists glanced toward the screen waiting for orders.

That's right, all these activities are being controlled by one person in the dark. I've never met him physically but I know he's always there, watching.

Always in a black veil that covers his entire body.

Anyone could tell he was powerful. His voice alone is enough to send goosebumps crawling up one's skin. Just like now... “Begin!” he uttered.

Immediately, a single needle pierced into my skin earning a whimper from me.

At first, I felt nothing until they increased the tempo. It didn't take long before it hit me. Pain.

Blinding pain consumed me, leaving me gasping for breath.

“Increase it.” a cold voice echoed from the screen.

W- what?

Before I could process what he said, another wave of pain crashed into me leaving my body jerking in torment. Agonized cries and screams could be heard in the room, one that belonged only to me but I couldn't stop.

It felt like my whole body was on fire. An unbearable stabbing that could leave one withering and broken.

I wanted it to stop.

“Increase it.”

“What?”

“To the fullest.”

“But sir, we've never gone past this limit in the past. She... may die.”

There was silence from his end at first and then...“Do it.”

I couldn't hear their discussion, at that point, I just knew that I didn't want to die. Not like this anyway. I haven't archived anything, and haven't seen the world...

The moment they increased it to the fullest tempo, I went numb. Like literally.

My body felt like it was tearing apart inside out until suddenly, something deep inside of me, exploded.

A loud boom went off inside the laboratory.

“Not, good! Run!” I could hear the distant cries of the scientist, however, I couldn't stop now.

Something deep inside me had already exploded, and I couldn't stop it. Not now.

Not when I felt it took the pain. Not when I felt powerful for the first time.

Of course, I had no idea the destruction I had caused nor how long it lasted.

My eyes were blurry when I opened it only to find out that I was no longer strapped and was curled up on the ground. Nevertheless, I could see someone's shadow hovering over me.

Fighting exhaustion that threatened to take over me, I squinted my eyes, and... that was when I saw it.

It's her!

My Angel!

“We meet again, Ruby.” her angelic voice washed over me.

Wait, what?

Is this what death feels like?

...was the last thought I got before everything went black.

~~~

Ugh.

Why the hell does my body hurt so much? I groaned rolling to my side.

Just then, memories of everything that happened flooded into my brain making my eyes snap open in shock. I quickly shut it back due to the piercing light that almost blinded me while registering... I'm alive!

But then, something is different.

I couldn't hear beeps from machines nor the usual snarls and grunts from werewolves. Everywhere was silent.

My eyes opened again and the only thing I could see above me were lights, it was so bright I could feel the heat radiating from it. Of course, I didn't know that humans call it the sun. I could only marvel at it trying to understand how the light could radiate heat. The ones in the facility don't do that, it was oddly strange. Could this be my afterlife?

Forcing myself to sit up, I was shocked to see my surroundings covered up in smoke. Even the grounds were as black as the night as if some explosion happened. The smell of coal somehow filled me with pleasure which is strange cause no one takes pleasure in inhaling smoke.

Fear washed over me again when I didn't see anyone around, nor cells or cages.

I remembered having a feeling of something exploding from deep within... It can't be that I did all these, right? And if I did, does that mean, I have supernatural powers or I'm free?

“I see you're up, sleeping beauty!”

I spun quickly at the sound of the voice and froze, my eyes widening when I saw the person. It's her!

Angel.

It wasn't a dream.

She was hanging on top of a tree far away from the burnt grounds. “It's been four days! Thank goodness, I wasn't burnt.” she skillfully jumped to the ground and made her way to me— eyes, taking me in curiously. I couldn't speak and was instead focused more on her. She is the most beautiful person I've ever seen. What's more surprising is that she hadn't aged since the last time I saw her, and was in fact, looking younger.

The moment she stopped in front of me, she stretched out her hand, and then suddenly, flames erupted from them. I quickly shuffled backward, tripping over my feet in fear. Is this another test?

The beautiful image I had of her all these years disappeared in an instant, replaced by something else. Doubt. Hatred.

What if she's one of them? What if she changed over the last few years and is here to harm me?

Her voice cut into the myriad of thoughts I was having. “See this? I'm a fire elemental, I'm usually not afraid of fire but you...” She put the fire out. “I couldn't withstand yours. The fire ate at everything it touched. Just, what the hell are you, Ruby? You remember me, don't you?”

I didn't answer, instead glanced out to the field where half of the facility used to be.

“Oh, that's right. We need to get out of here. This is the human realm, they've been unable to get close because of the fire outbreak, it doesn't mean they won't send drones once the smoke clears up.”

She took off her jacket and passed it to me – I merely stared at it and then back at her...she was putting on a black singlet.

Snapping her fingers, she nodded. “Okay, this is a jacket. You wear this in the human world to cover your nakedness.”

After a few explanations, I was able to grab what she meant after all, I've seen those scientists wearing it a few times. I am puzzled that she'll let me put on ‘clothes’. Could she be different from them?

~~

As someone curious about everything, I was able to learn a whole lot in a short period spent with Delaney. Although I didn't speak much, she managed to explain several things as if she could read my mind or it could be that she has done this rescuing job a lot.

She told me her family is now in the human world since there is peace in Asteroy. They only go there once in a while whenever an issue is being reported. Oh, she told me, she's adopting me as her daughter, that it is fate that made us cross paths twice... No matter how cliche that line may be, I had no option but to go with her, after all, I had nowhere else to go.

We soon arrived at a penthouse, I watched as Delaney got more and more excited as we crossed all entrances while taking note of the exit because, I needed to know if this was another cage she was taking me into.

It didn't take long before we heard excited voices around the corner. Soon, I was faced with a whole scene... A heavily pregnant lady throws herself into a full-blooded vampire, “Daddy!!”

A quick sniff quickly told me that they were kin.

“Yeesh, careful now. You're with a child, you have to stop acting like a child yourself,” whispered Knox.

It didn't take long before our presence was known by them, Delaney threw herself into two males' arms while I remained standing staring at them with different emotions bombarding me. It was my first time seeing our kind this plenty and not in a cage and they were happy... It made me feel weird and jealous.

Suddenly a low growl sounded from behind them making me freeze. It instantly felt like I was in danger. The moment I got here, I knew these people weren't just puny werewolves, they were Alphas! I could even detect Hybrids here making me wonder if they were once experimented on before. Their auras were enough to crush omegas, but somehow, I didn't feel oppressed by it except for the two auras drawing close.

Without thinking, I took two steps back, my head rising just in time to see two identical Alphas drawing near. They were not entirely identical, one looked cute, with his silky black hair falling onto his face. The other, however, had a thick scary scar across his face and his eyes...

His eyes were like a pool of black with a tinge of yellow...like flames twirling in them... They were not just locked onto mine but they were filled with hatred!

“Mom? Who is she?”

A cheeky smile appeared on Delaney's lips. “Oh, right. Everyone, this is Ruby.” she pointed at both Ian and Ivan and then... “Your new baby sister.”