It all started with Ahmet Benici. The World's lead scientist published his findings that the laws that govern our world would change so drastically human life would not be possible. It was his findings that urged the U.S government to begin a secret project, Project New World. The purpose of this project was to save humanity from its impending doom. So I invite you visitor, whoever you are it doesn't really matter. Come, sit down at your keyboard and tell me, what role are you going to play in this story?
Setting
There are many rumors and stories to be told about the city of Chase. Stories and tales rise from the mysterious forest that borders its northern side. There's big talk of some government project happening on the other side, but no one can know for sure. The small town has a rather sparse population of 20,000 people and is kept isolated from its neighboring town by Wyers lake.
In terms of time, this site will follow real time to accommodate for the short life expectancies of compound patients. The current month is December, the year 2062.
Note: Please note this site is rated PG-13.
Disclaimer: All pictures and images on this site belong to their rightful owners. We do not and will not claim to own them. However the site plot and idea belongs to Time Lapse, please do not steal!
Checkmate? This roused Ephraim enough for him to sit up straight and rigid in the wheelchair. Had the freak really just called checkmate on him? Drawing the back of his hand gingerly over his eyes, he strained once more to see, mind replaying Feral's move. There was silence on his end, despite the hesitant question from the boy. Had he beaten him in chess?
Well, Ephraim had done most of the work up until the last move. He could sit there and blame the drugs for making him whoozy, or the fact that he had played most of the game himself. But it didn't hinder the new light of respect that dawned in his eyes. So the freak didn't have an IQ below zero then. That was good to know. A timid smile fluttered across Ephraim's face, tugging at the stitches until his expression melted back into a scowl.
"That was...well done," he offered a few moments later, leaning back in his chair. He would've liked to begin another round, but he didn't feel so well. Maybe in a few seconds? Once the room stopped swaying back and forth and the ground ceased rolling beneath his feet. He felt like he was at sea. Only, Ephraim had never been at sea before. He'd read books about it and he imagined this is what it must feel like.
Blow chunks? Resisting the urge to arch a brow, Ephraim covered his face instead, hoping if he minimized the light his queasiness would fade. "I'll be fine," he mumbled quietly. Though maybe he should grab a bucket just in case. The prospect of throwing up was in no way appealing. He wasn't too concerned with puking all over himself, that couldn't be helped. But it was the stress on his stitches he was worried about. He'd probably rip himself to pieces. So, for the sake of his own little world, Ephraim took slow deep breaths, trying to sooth his nausea. But bloody hell his body was starting to hurt.
For a moment, Ephraim smiled and Feral looked a bit confused and suspicious. Naturally, he assumed it must have been a bad sign, though he went back to scowling soon enough. His comment didn't really help none though and the older teen was just left unsure how to respond, especially since the kid didn't normally give him such compliments. So Feral simply leaned back and relaxed, brushing it off like it was no big deal. Really? It wasn't. He could take credit, sure, but he only moved one piece. He wasn't that arrogant. Or maybe he just knew better than to challenge this guy and risk another round. He probably wouldn't be able to win without a handicap.
He watched Ephraim, noting the way he looked which was not good in the slightest. So when he insisted he was fine, Feral of course didn't appear to be convinced. Why did he care? Obviously because he didn't want to have to smell that shit. Or was that it? Nah, Feral wasn't soft, especially towards this kid. He just kind of felt obligated to give him a bit of a break. Were he not wheelchair bound and looking like he may literally fall apart once those stitches were loosened, he might have been his usual harsh self.
The more he watched him, the more he swore he could feel it. Just looking at him made his body hurt. He groaned at the thought, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're such a pain." Even when he wasn't trying to piss him off, it seemed. "Am I gonna have to get somebody?" he asked. Obviously the guard wasn't going to do much about it, opting to completely ignore the two. Of course, he personally would rather take his chances than rely on someone, but he'd much rather not have to see the kid in such a pathetic shape.
So he was annoying when he tried and he was annoying when he didn't. Was he just always annoying then? He contemplated this for a few seconds, peeking at Feral between his fingers. Sure he'd asked him to do a few things for him, but really? Or was the boy simply trying to disguise the gentle offer that followed a few seconds later. Shaking his head slowly, Ephraim lowered his hands until they brushed against the crooked wheels.
"I'll be fine," he repeated though he really wanted to say, 'it's okay, I'll get out of your way now.' After all, that's what he intended to do. Perhaps he was a little sensitive to Feral's harsh words, more than usual considering they hadn't been so bad lately. With one hand clutching his stomach, he slowly tugged on one of the wheels, turning himself away from the table. They'd told him not to come back until he was sent for but he really was worried he might just die here. His world was spinning and in his vision he was seeing doubles. Although some doubles were quite unlike the other. He saw one patient walk by him glowing red as though his skin was on fire, but his duplicate seemed to be quite unaware.
Casting a startled glance at Feral to see if he'd seen to, Ephraim's mouth dropped. Feral wasn't even there anymore. No, instead there was a massive beast. There was no way for him to decide whether it was some sort of animal or just a monster, but it bore an acute resemblance to Feral aside from the fact it was genuinely terrifying.
Was he hallucinating? Even his own brother who he spotted across the room, deeply engrossed in his own little world wasn't his usual self. Something blue and thin was glowing, but not in the air around him, it was inside him, as thin as a sheet of paper though it waxed and waned like a light.
Shooting a quick look at Feral's direction, he was met by an intimidating monster once more. Clearly the drugs were altering his vision in some way, but was there some truth to what he was seeing? "Um, why do they call you Feral?" The question was hesitant and ill spoken as if he had been forced to ask under some unbearable pressure.
He insisted he'd be fine once again and Feral, though still incredibly skeptical, decided to give up on it. So long as he didn't throw up on him, he'd be fine... Mostly. So with that settled Feral went back to trying to relax, watching Ephraim as he maneuvered about, leaving the table. But no sooner did he turn around did Feral sense an odd fear, coming from the boy. He quirked a brow at the realization, about to ask when the kid had turned back to him with a startled expression. What's gotten into this kid? He looked like he'd seen a ghost.
Though Feral would like to think he was a very scary person, he doubted after this kid had boldly messed with him times before that he now suddenly was afraid, so he looked over his shoulder to see if there was someone behind him, finding no one. It wasn't just him Ephraim was eyeing strangely though and he watched him look around, sitting up a bit as he tried to figure out what was happening, when he turned back to face him again with a rather odd question.
"Hmm?" Where'd that come from? Feral's brows furrowed, still rather confused by what was happening. "Why do they call you annoying?" he shot back. It was as simple as that, really. Feral was him, it was how he behaved, what he'd become. "I'm a monster." he stated so casually, not seeming to be bothered by the term anymore. He thought it was fitting. "You finally figuring that out?" he asked with a tilt of his head. Not as if biting a chunk out of him would make it obvious, he supposed.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he went on, sounding a tad frustrated by that growl. Shouldn't he be enjoying this? Well it was odd, really, coming from Ephraim when he normally seemed brave when facing him. Now he looked so timid and afraid that he was left wondering if it was the same kid. "I haven't even done anything yet." Not as if he intended to attack the boy today, of course, but he was staring at him as if he just might. And, admittedly, that fear was making his more feral side a tad anxious, aggressive, even.
Seeing the beast was shocking enough, there was no way to describe fright it gave poor Ephraim as it began to speak! His eyes because wide, round circle, knuckles turning white as he clenched the armrests. Clearly Feral was not seeing what he was seeing. But when the monster stated the obvious - he was a monster - Ephraim shook his head. Did he realize the verity of his statement? Probably not. The Feral's growl sounded louder than normal. Ephraim could feel the vibrations rumbling in his own chest. Now he felt sick, sicker than before. The pain was becoming unbearable, his jaw clenched to hold back the agonized groans and...other things.
It was easy to discount what he saw as a hallucination, if only for the fact that this was a fragment of reality, wasn't it? Before he could think much further or even give Feral a decent reply, the boy doubled over in pain, hand reaching to cover his mouth seconds too late. Lights flashed behind his eyes and he was hardly aware of the vomit that now covered his clothes and the floor. It was mostly chemical syrups and the small snack they'd given him before, but in no way did it taste pleasant.
Pain flickered across his stomach and he could only pray none of the stitches had been torn. When he had finished being sick, the patient forced his gaze open, bracing himself for any insult and scorn he was surely to receive. It hurt to breath, to think, even wiping his mouth was done in a slow tentative gesture. Shyly tossing a glance in Feral's direction and relieved to find the freak was back to normal, he offered a sheepish smile. "I think I'll go look for that bucket now,"
Oh yeah. Ephraim was definitely afraid. For what reason now, he wasn't sure. He should have been afraid of him back then but strangely enough was just now catching up to the fact he was worth being afraid of, just when the beast was actually behaving for once. It actually kind of irritated him how confusing this all was, not realizing what the boy was actually seeing, nor aware of the fact he was making matters worse.
He figured it out soon enough when the kid doubled over, the sound and smell hitting him almost instantly. "Motherfucker!" he hissed, covering his own mouth and nose. The scent burned his nose and he was certain it did no better for the poor guy's throat. Feral wasn't too keen on potentially spewing himself, stomach already feeling a bit queasy by all the sensations. Just looking at the mess he made threatened the boy to cause more. Fucking hell. He swallowed hard, averting his eyes for a moment as he tried to regain some form of composure.
Feral only looked back when the boy spoke, wearing a non too amused expression at his words. Now he wanted a bucket. Figures. "Do you even have anything left?" he growls eyes catching the vomit all over his clothes and the floor. Honestly? He wouldn't chance it. And unsurprisingly, the guard still did nothing about it, almost as if he was more than willing to let the kid suffer in it. Feral snarled at the thought, hoping over the back of the couch to avoid stepping in any of the mess Ephraim made before grabbing an empty plastic bin and chucking it over to where the boy sat. Awfully helpful today, wasn't he? It was for his own benefit, he'd assure you.
He hadn't stopped there though, crossing over to the exit where the guard was blissfully ignoring everything. "Hey, shithead! How about you go find a nurse and quit sitting here with your thumb up your ass?" he politely suggested, not in the mood to deal with all this and certainly needing no excuse to fight the guards over something. At least this one was mildly reasonable? But the guard ignored him with a grunt which naturally didn't fly well with the beast who reached up and grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt, tugging him downwards a bit to meet the shorter male's angry gaze. "We can get a nurse for you too, if you'd like." he went on, that much actually getting the man's attention... As well as a punch to Feral's face. Ow. That had effectively dazed the teen, giving the guard enough time to shove him off and granting him a bit more room to see the state Ephraim was in. Namely the vomit all over the place. The guard growled in frustration, casting Feral an irritated look before he walked off, presumably to get that nurse or someone to clean up the mess that wasn't him.
With him gone away, Feral rested against the door frame, wiping away at the trickle of blood coming from his nose. Just what he needed, more blood loss. Oh well, he'd survive like always.
Ephraim whimpered a little in response. He didn't expect kindness from Feral, especially not after he'd thrown up all over the place. Considering Feral's unique characteristics, he imagined the experience was unfortunate for the both of them. But Feral didn't have to suffer the steady popping that rippled up the length of his back. It hurt like hell but as Ephraim felt a release of tension as several stitches snapped in his sudden motion.
For a few moments he was scared to move, worried that should he sit up, his entire spinal cord might just...fall out. Of course it didn't really work that way, but the sudden feeling of moist warmth between his legs was enough to worry him. Blood nibbled mercilessly at his clothes spreading across his back and dripping into a pool that gathered beneath his legs. The patient tensed, just waiting for the explosion of pain. But it never came, at least not until he hurriedly sat up to avoid getting a bin in the face. Thanks Feral. Fumbling with the container, he would have shot Feral another look had another wave of nausea not gotten to him first. Gripping the bucket like it was the only thing keeping him alive, he wretched into the bin. Sometimes nothing came out at all and he was left hiccuping meaningless. Despite the blood pooling beneath his legs, the damage done was relatively minor. A few loose stitches here and there and a few sections of skin that sagged openly, but he was surprisingly still intact.
When he was finally able to pull his head from the bin, the room swam with black dots, unconsciousness just on the other side. Luckily he didn't miss Feral's antics? He'd never forgive himself if he had. Was the Feral actually getting him help/? This would be the third kind thing the individual had done for him, well fifth if you considered holding onto his pen and finishing off the round of chess.
Ephraim, who hadn't thought Feral capable of such actions, watched for a few moments before resting his head against his shoulder. Help would come soon...he hoped.
[OOC: Don't ever say that to his face because he might just beat you up :posh: ]
Oh he smelled the blood alright, which might have been the cause for his urgency to get the kid a nurse or someone who could take care of it. Feral was the cause of bleeding most of the time, never really the cure, so the idea of him helping other than by riling up attention was a foolish notion. But his attempts didn't appear to be in vain, he hoped. As fucking awful as the guards were, he doubted the guy was stupid enough to completely ignore what was going on, not unless he wanted to risk losing his job. So he was going to ride on that bet as he remained at the door, watching for any nurses while he was there and more importantly, trying to ignore the smell of blood and vomit that filled the air, assaulting his poor nose.
"Don't say anything." he growled in warning once the kid had finally stopped, still keeping his eyes off of him. "Not a fucking word." He doubted that'd be too much trouble though, given the fact his throat must have been hurting like hell right now, among other things if that strong stench of blood was anything to go by.
It wouldn't be long before a couple of nurses were rushing down the hall, accompanied by a couple guards as well. Soon as they arrived, Feral was roughly shoved aside to make room, the boy barely fighting the urge to fight back. Of course he might have changed his mind just a tad bit when the guards approached him, backing him up to a corner. "Attacking a kid in a wheelchair. Should have known..." One said with a tsk, implying Feral was the cause of the trouble. Yes, because if he wanted to attack anyone, he'd certainly do so by popping off their stitches carefully, one by one. But they weren't looking for reasons to clear him, they were looking for reasons to punish him, the one guard especially who seemed to be holding a grudge, not having enough it seemed from just busting his nose.
"Is that why you had to run for help? Cause you couldn't handle me by yourself?" he taunted, not helping his case any. Honestly though? He'd much rather take the heat than admit to trying to help Ephraim. Last thing he needed was these meatheads thinking he'd gone soft. They didn't seem to question it though, the same guard going to strike him again though stopping almost immediately at that vicious snarl on the boy's face. Just because he was weaker than normal didn't mean he was going to let them shove him around. And if the man dared to lay another hand on him, he'd certainly be coming out of this situation with a bit of bleeding of his own. "Try me." he dared, though surprisingly made no move to make the first attack. Perhaps mostly because he knew he wasn't in the state to do so.
Meanwhile the nurses had gone to examine Ephraim with urgency upon noticing the blood, certain that the guards would prevent the beast from attacking them. How troublesome, nearly all of the stitches in the boy's back had been busted. Fortunately it didn't appear to be too serious, though that didn't necessarily mean they could simply overlook it. They'd have to tighten some stitches and add new ones, though perhaps this time they might take better care of making sure he could do nothing strenuous to tear them again.
[ O.O.C: O.O Well...at least we could bond over our shortness xD]
Feral's logic was a little hard for him to understand. Why would he say anything? As if the nurses or whoever would pay attention to a single thing he'd say. But since Feral so forcefully insisted, Ephraim dipped his head submissively, making a face as he tasted bile. Wasn't this just a dandy afternoon?
Taking slow breaths, Ephraim closed his eyes. Watching the world spin and do tricks was growing less appealing if it had ever been. Couldn't someone just inject him with a...well anything? He had half the mind to consider grabbing hold of Feral's shock collar and activating it himself. Oddly enough he'd figured how to do such a thing though it had been quite by accident. Though taking such action would hardly earn him Feral's thanks, he might just get a broken neck out of the deal. Electrocution would probably do a little more than knock him out. He just might end up dead. That was the outcome for them all eventually though wasn't it?
The sound of footsteps caused his weary eyes to flutter open. The black dots remained permanently engrained in his vision. A dull ringing seemed to fill his ears, but he could make out what the guards were saying. They were accusing Feral of hurting him? Still clutching his bucket, Ephraim attempted to sit straighter. The single motion sent an explosion of pain from his lower back to the base of his skull as if someone was literally trying to rip it out.
Feral hadn't done anything wrong! This was the first time anyone had really gone out of their way to show him kindness. Flint didn't count of course. Ephraim didn't want Feral to go back to being as hostile as before for being punished for what he'd done.
Ephraim was fully prepared to leap to the freak's defense when he remembered his earlier words. Did he just expect Ephraim to sit by and let him be unjustly hurt? Didn't that make him no better than any of the faculty?
But the nurses were more than distracting, his hollow gaze following their every movement. He tried uttering a few words, something about wanting to go back to the infirmary. Maybe if he was lucky his further treatments would be postponed? Or at least they could put him out, just for a bit?
The moment the boy tried to move, the nurses where on him, attempting to make him sit still before he could do any further damage. Unfortunately they weren't fast enough to stop him before he could cause pain to himself, but they at least prevented him from making matters worse, for them anyway. He'd hurt a bit, but so long as he didn't tear them all open, they wouldn't have to spend an even longer time removing the ruined ones and starting from the very beginning again. "Don't move, please. You're going to make it worse." one of them had advised. If they could avoid any further work needed, they might still be able to make his later treatments in time. Of course, at this rate, it'd really be pushing it.
The guards wouldn't do anything to major just yet. They didn't necessarily try and go advertising their treatment of the patients and kept it to themselves. Once the nurses had removed the injured patient, they'd take care of him and, fortunately, the nurses seemed to have come to the conclusion they'd be moving him back to the infirmary, mentioning something about painkillers and other medical jumbo that Feral couldn't quite understand. As much as he hated all their guts, he could at least be sure they'd keep him from dying... Course, that was difficult to tell whether it was mercy or cruelty sometimes.
He was fully prepared to take whatever they dished out at him though, not appearing too bothered to be accused. As shitty as being Benici's favorite at the moment was, it did at least have a certain perk that he wouldn't be busted up too bad. Not that he couldn't take it in the first place. After all, this wouldn't be the first time, and hardly the last.
The nurses began to wheel him out, trying to ease the boy's pain as much as possible until they could give him something more efficient. As they passed by, Feral glared through the two guards to look at Ephraim's condition. He really didn't need to, the smell saying it all. He didn't need to worry too much though. With his luck, the little prick would be back to normal and pissing him off after a week no doubt. Was it weird that he hoped so? His brows furrowed at the thought, dropping it all together as he looked away from him and back to the guards.
As soon as they were a good ways away, the two would set their eyes back on him, one producing that damned button. Figures the one time he actually does good it comes back to bite him in the ass. Of course he knew that all along. He growled, lunging at the guard in hopes of knocking the remote right out of his hands. It was too quick for him. A lengthy electrocution later and he was down on the ground, receiving a few good kicks to his side to 'subdue' him. Once he was compliant, they lifted him up and dragged him off to lock him away for a couple hours to make sure the lesson stuck.
"But...he didn't do it," Ephraim whimpered in response to those bustling around him. His voice was still raspy and hoarse, coming out as a strained whisper if anything at all. It had been a blessing Feral could hear them, it would be a miracle if they could, or at least if they could make sense of it. Though perhaps it was for the best, if this is what Feral wanted anyway.
Suddenly he was in motion again but Ephraim couldn't muster the strength to place his arms back on the armrest. He simply clutched his little bin of puke, head limply lolling to the side as he prayed he wouldn't fall forwards. Just maybe if he was lucky a few rounds of sedatives would be coming his way? Preferably sooner than later.
As he passed Feral, Ephraim's gaze flickered to meet his. Under the influence of the pain, his eyes had been unusually bright withholding a sheen that threatened to spill out as tears. But as Ephraim found Feral's gaze for just a few moments, his own softened with gratitude. He would have verbally thanked him if he thought it would have been appreciated. But he only held the freak's gaze for as long as he could before allowing his eyes to drift shut.
He would owe Feral after this. And hopefully, when it came around to seeing him again, he would be more than capable of paying him back.
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