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!
He may as well have been a dog whimpering to go outside. Feral was lingering in the hallway, looking outside one of the larger windows to see a fresh layer of snow on the ground. If not being allowed outside wasn't bad enough, the fact the fuckers thought it was funny to force him to a wheelchair was even worse. Of course they hadn't appeared to be laughing, in fact they tried to convince him it was for his own good, but Feral didn't hear any of it. Despite that though, he still remained in his chair. As stubborn as he was, even he recognized the good reason behind it. Such as the fact he got rather tired easy and standing up for so long somehow made him feel dizzy. Perks of dying, he supposed, growling at the thought.
He just hoped he got over it soon as he was getting tired of being so weak. Then again, at the same time he wasn't exactly eager. He knew Benici had something planned for him and knew it was only a matter of time before he'd have him sent to the examination rooms again. After all, he wasted no time in getting a new collar on him. And after all the work he'd done to weather down the old one! His brows furrowed as he reached up to the shiny new device, trying to reach beneath it. Another use for the collar was that it kept him from scratching at his neck. The injections were still healing and the skin was both tender and itchy there, just out of reach behind the collar. He soon gave up on it, looking back out the window as he scratched his chest, above his heart. It needed to get with the program. He wasn't dead so he needed to stop acting like it. But it was a matter of allowing himself time to heal and unfortunately Feral was not exactly patient. They'd even added another device to him temporarily, to monitor his heart rate. He was half tempted to rip it off, but he knew it'd only bring them rushing to him and he'd much rather not have to deal with them for as long as he could, this feeling like the first break he had away from the faculty since the incident.
As he continued to watch the snow fall outside, desperately wanting to feel the cool winter air, he heard footsteps approaching from behind and growled. Less likely to attack, but not any less hostile it seemed. He was just grumpy about being strapped to a wheelchair, among other things. "Get lost." he muttered, not even looking to see who it was as he focused on the 'outside' world.
"That is very rude." She hadn't even said anything to the freak and she was already being told off? Unacceptable. Michelle didn't take his comment personally as she came alongside him. She was bundled up in a jacket and snow pants, the gloves and woolen scarf a clear indication she had been enjoying the outside weather. As 'dignified' as she liked to act, who didn't love to go romp in the powder? "Have you been outside yet? The snow's really nice. It's about this high on me." She placed her hand at her hip before tugging off the scarf. Pieces of white lint clung to her hair and she relentlessly plucked them out one at a time.
The overnight snow had graced the compound exterior with a nice fresh blanket. Everything outside was so still and quiet...or it had been before their free time had begun. In no time, the fresh powder was marred by a dozen tracks and body indents as snow angels and snowball fights dragged the patients outside. Feral wouldn't be the only one to miss out, there were a few others either too sick or unstable to enjoy the nice weather. Fortunately, she wasn't one of them.
"By the way," she added as she unzipped her jacket, lifting her arm to reveal she'd been carrying something. "I have something for you." This was the whole reason her play time had been cut short. Pulling the box from beneath her arm, she extended it to Feral before dropping it on his lap. The box was made of a soft black material, a nice red bow adorned the top. It was longer than it was tall but Michelle already knew what was inside.
A few of the staff women - assumably- had knit woolen scarves for all the patient's. It was very, very unoriginal, and Michelle would be lying if she said she hadn't swapped Feral's scarf with her own. The color pink might even suit him, but she would not be caught wearing it. She had no doubt the freak wouldn't be impressed with the pink scarf and had no intentions of taking credit for it. "It's not from me by the way." As if she would knit him anything!
She'd dropped the parcel off as she'd been asked to, but Michelle didn't intend to leave. There had been a great big fuss about Feral lately. Michelle had been informed her superiors wished to know more about him, his habits, his treatments, and his 'condition' as they called it. Eying him from the side, Michelle pulled the red jacket over her head. "You know, you looked a lot taller in the dark." Her voice was muffled for a few moments. Dropping the jacket alongside her scarf, she removed her gloves adding them to the nice pile that had gathered at her feet.
Rude? He scoffed, not seeming to be too bothered by that observation. He was however slightly annoyed that he recognized who it was. They hadn't seen much of each other since isolation and Feral hadn't cared to pursue her. He especially wasn't too keen on being seen like this by anyone, let alone someone he'd threatened. Not too threatening now, was he? The beast had even managed to lose some weight and beneath his clothes his ribs were starting to stick out a bit. He was still convinced he could do some damage if he really wanted to. He just didn't want to waste his energy and risk getting scolded again was all it was.
He slumped into the chair as she mentioned to snow, giving her a quick glance as she mentioned how high it was before simply grunting in displeasure. Way to rub it in. He crossed his arms and didn't say a word as he continued looking out to the snow. Perhaps if he'd ignore her she'd simply lose interest and find something better to do. That, of course, wouldn't be the case as she'd speak again, dropping off a box into his lap. That distracted him from the snow long enough as he looked down to the present, a look of confusion crossing his face. He hesitates at first before tearing it open, not exactly impressed. Not necessarily because of the color, but mostly because he didn't need it. Or, didn't usually. He had felt a little colder these days, but he wasn't about to admit to it. "Thanks for nothing." he states, not even really being sassy since she had admitted it wasn't from her.
Feral kept it though, not really having much of a choice since there was really nowhere else he could put it at the moment, and he expected her to leave after that now that she was done passing out gifts. Didn't happen. Seriously, what was with everyone's obsession with height? His brows furrowed as he growled. "And you looked a lot more attractive." he states. Wow, rude. Well they'd already established that. Course he was lying, especially since he had night vision and she was actually kind of pretty, but he was moody and willing to be a total ass. "What do you want?" he asks, not wanting to really beat around the bush. Sooner she said her piece, the sooner she could leave, right?
And the asshole of the year award goes to Feral! Michelle's mouth dropped at the unexpected retort. Despite the wounded look she offered, her shock was more due to the fact that he could think that quickly then that he had insulted her. "Touché," she chuckled, crossing her arms over her chest. Her height aside, Michelle was quite comfortable with the way she looked and by now, comments like that didn't hurt near as much. Besides, she still got the satisfaction of being taller than him now that his wheelchair had pegged him down a few inches.
Peering down at him, Michelle arched a brow in question. "You're not even going to try the scarf on? I think hot pink would really compliment your...your...aura," she decided, waving her hand as if to point out some invisible field. "Cute, bubbly, andspunky." If anything, she was trying to aggravate him. Two of the three words weren't even true and to this day she had yet to meet a guy who enjoyed being called 'cute'. She might as well get him a handkerchief or lace panties while she was at it.
All joking aside, Michelle flashed him an apologetic smirk. She never meant what she said, it was all poking fun. Feral's stinging comment from earlier would remind her to be a little more careful as to how she insulted him. Clearly he wasn't as stupid as she'd desperately hoped. "So what happened to you?" It wasn't an uncommon question to ask, after all, he was in a wheelchair. The great and mighty Feral was a cripple! It was both hilarious and mildly concerning. What were they doing to him?
Yeah he might not be able to fight physically, but there was nothing stopping him from using that mouth of his. If he was going to be insulted for his height or lack thereof, he thought it was only fair he return the treatment! So he was just a bit satisfied by glimpse he'd gotten of her shocked expression, though it didn't really do much to get her to leave. In fact she almost treated it as if it were a game, claiming 'touché' at his remark and even chuckling! He rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to the snow. She could stay as much as she wanted, didn't mean he had to acknowledge her.
And he probably wouldn't have but when she spoke, he simply responded. After all, he wasn't going to stand for this slander! "I'm not fucking cute..." he snarled. If he wasn't bearing his teeth and growling all the time, he could probably pass off as mildly attractive, but cute was going too far."I don't need a stupid scarf anyway." he huffed, slinking back into his chair. He hated this. How was he supposed to be scary when he was weak like this? He could barely stand on his own without tiring himself out! And yet despite all his complaining, he still kept the box and all. Did he like it? Well no. But it could come in handy. He was sure he could find some use that wasn't the traditional 'keep warm'. Strangle someone, perhaps. He was rather resourceful in that regard.
She gave him a smirk that looked odd, the beast's head tilting slightly before he turned his attention away once again, not caring to ask. Instead the girl would ask the questions, reminding Feral why he found her so annoying in the first place. Quite the curious girl, wasn't she? With no signs of her leaving though, Feral resigned to her being here a bit longer, even going so far as to humor her. "I died." he stated casually with a shrug. Well it was kind of true. His heart had stopped but he was fortunately (or unfortunately) revived. Waking up was absolutely awful, especially since he had to readjust to functioning of all things. That and having the faculties attention on you was never really a great thing. He was just eager to be left alone again.
"Can't even escape that way." he chuckled bitterly. He should be happy to be alive, but in the state he was in now, he felt miserable. It'd wear off eventually, he hoped, once he regained his strength.
Feral's snarl would only make her smirk grow. With a shrug of the shoulders, Michelle watched him return to the confinement of his chair. "I dunno, you are pretty cute." She chortled. There was the sudden temptation to pat him on the head, but she valued keeping her fingers attached to the rest of her, thank you very much. Returning her gaze to the outdoors, she watched the fresh powder with mild excitement. It was unfortunate for the older and stronger patients; they'd be out shoveling the walkways for sure. Sometimes there were advantages to being smaller and weaker, not that Michelle would admit it.
By now she was so used to Feral's griping she only listened to half of what he said. Couldn't be all that important if he was- wait, he died? This was news to her. Did her superiors know about this? "What?" The shocked expression looked completely genuine. What patient wouldn't poke and prod for information after hearing something like that? It was under this facade Michelle continued to push for more information. "Like on the table?" She took a step back to look down on him with new eyes.
"What did they do to you?" It genuinely concerned her he'd died. She didn't care about him of course, but the death of a patient was never celebrated, no matter how grumpy they might be while alive.
She was just looking for a hurting. The temptation to deal with the inevitable retaliation was growing, Feral willing to deal with it to get her to shut up. But he remained, grumbling curses that were too muffled to really make out. Fortunately she backed off after that and returning his attention to the snow, he eventually calmed down enough to where his growls had turned softer, almost like a purr. Up until she opened her mouth again.
She seemed shocked, though he supposed that wasn't really too surprising. Most patients that died didn't actually come back, after all. Still, he merely shrugged when she asked him what he meant. There really wasn't a better way to explain. "Uh... yeah?" he responds. Otherwise he was sure everyone would have known. It wasn't surprising that they tried to keep it hush-hush, but that didn't mean he had to right?
What did they do? He didn't fucking know. He still didn't even understand it. "They gave me these shots..." he cringed slightly at the memory, swearing he could still feel those large needles buried in his neck. "And... I don't know. I died, I guess." he shrugged again. It all got rather blurry after the injections themselves, he just remembered waking up in the infirmary afterwards, strapped up to various machines, his entire body held down by straps to keep him from breaking out or attacking anybody. He, of course, was too weak to do much of anything anyway, and extremely disoriented. He still couldn't say he'd gotten completely over it, which was probably his excuse for carrying on this conversation.
"Do they really need an excuse to kill anybody?" he questioned sarcastically. That was how his friend went, after all. He'd nearly met the same fate.
Michelle kept a mental record of their conversation, careful to show only the emotions anyone might: sympathy, concern, fear. At his question she pressed her hands against the window, fingers splayed as she leaned against them. "They don't," she murmured quietly. It's not like they hadn't killed patients before, she just liked to think it didn't happen.
Her superiors always promised once they were done here, they could all go. It was ironic Michelle in all her skepticism would trust such an obvious lie. But why wouldn't they let them go? They'd have no more use for them. As far as she was concerned, freedom awaited any patients who could stick it out. Little did she know it wasn't the kind of freedom she or any of them would expect.
"Are you holding up alright?" The wheelchair and haggard look aside, he didn't seem too bad. Of course, if anyone was going to act tough it would be Feral. Since there was no more information to glean - or none that she deemed helpful - regarding his treatment, she moved on to his current condition. "You're not going to go fainting on me are you?" If he did he would certainly come to wearing that glorious new scarf of his.
She seemed to agree with him at least, not appearing to be as naive as most of the patients here. Ignorance is bliss, they say. He couldn't necessarily be surprised the pathetic fuckers liked to hope things would get better. He, on the other hand, would do his best to get out of here. He wasn't going to wait for freedom, he was going to take it himself. Of course he was forced to wait it out, knowing that if he didn't have much of a chance before, he certainly wouldn't now.
He honestly through she was just being plain nosy, but now she was asking if he was okay, showing some concern. He doubted it was genuine, but even then it was a bit surprising. Before he could really respond, she ended up going even further, her final comment making his eyes narrow. He wasn't that bad. Except, he kind of was. The realization frustrated him and made him insist otherwise.
"I'm only in this stupid thing cause they insisted." he snarled. Didn't fight it? Oh he certainly tried! And then nearly passed out. He wasn't too eager to try that again, especially not out in the open like this where everyone could witness it. Of course he was already starting to feel a little tired and he hadn't even really done anything yet! "I'm fine." he assured, as if she actually cared. He was hardly going to admit to feeling like absolute shit, admit to being completely weak.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" he growled, slouching a bit in his seat. Why was she still here? Did she enjoy seeing him like this? He wouldn't doubt it. The guards were getting a kick out of it.
The only kick Michelle would get out of his current situation was for once he was all bark but no bite. Not to say he wouldn't try to attack her, but Michelle liked to think she could kick his butt -not likely-. But other then socialize with him, she didn't have anything better to do. "Not really," she confessed, turning her back to the window so she could watch him instead. "What about you? You just gonna sit there and stare at the snow all day?" Her gaze strayed to the scarf in his lap wondering what possible use he could have for it. It's not like he was going to wear it - though that would make her day - and he didn't appear to be in the process of destroying it. He wasn't really going to keep it was he?
"I mean if you need someone to push your chair, I'll take you." The offer was made a little grudgingly. There was nothing worse than having to stoop down to someone's level and help them, but her superiors had made their wishes clear. "But if you get stuck in a snowdrift I will leave you." She added just so he wouldn't get the wrong idea. "And you have to wear your scarf..or you'll get sick." And even smirk flickered across her face. By now Michelle felt she'd done all that was required to balance out her kind request.
Just his luck. Feral would continue to sulk, staring out longingly through the window. He'd been looking forward to the snow for a while. Figures that when it finally started, he'd be too weak to even go out and enjoy it. So when she asked about his plans, stating the answer herself, he gave a shrug. "It's this or hang out in the infirmary all day." he growled. The smell of fear was so strong when he was there, all the doctors and nurses watching him warily. It might have been amusing had he not been easily annoyed at the moment. So he wheeled himself out here, finding the action more tiring than he'd like to admit. He might have felt a bit more sympathetic towards Ephraim for having been stuck in one now.
He had moved back to ignoring her when she spoke again, his interest peeking a bit as he looked over to her out of the corner of his eye. He wasn't too thrilled on the idea of needing help but... Looking back inside, he couldn't deny finding the offer quite tempting. "That'd be the way to go. Freezing to death." he shrugs, not seeming to be too bothered by the threat. He was however annoyed by her other condition, mostly because of that smirk. "I wont get sick, I don't need a damn scarf." he muttered. Well he didn't normally, his own body temperature evening it all out, making him more adept at surviving in the cold, but he was definitely more likely to catch something in his current state. He still didn't want to admit to it.
But sensing she wouldn't back down from her stance, and kind of desperate to get out, the beast snarled before tearing out the scarf, hanging it haphazardly around his neck. He... clearly didn't wear scarves too often, not seeming to know how to properly wear one. But he was merely trying to appease her, which was surprising in itself. He must have really wanted to go outside.
He was wearing it. Her day had been made. A little warily in case he decided to snap off her fingers, Michelle righted the scarf until it hung on his neck probably. "It really does compliment you Feral, you look really cute." There was that urge to pat him on the head, but instead, Michelle took a safe step backward. Part of her couldn't believe he wanted to go outside that badly. It might wound his pride, but the scarf didn't look bad. In fact, it did suit him in an odd way, the same way a rose might compliment a headstone, something so out of place and yet...nice.
Despite his snarky attitude, Michelle gathered her jacket fro the floor. She wouldn't force him the humiliation of wearing it, even though red wasn't a terrible color. Instead, she would tuck it around him like a blanket, working in silence. She might think he was a hostile son of a bitch, but she wouldn't risk him getting sick. "Don't say a word," She warned, taking one of his hands in her own and scooping up her gloves. For the next few moments, Feral was her doll as she carefully worked her gloves over his fingers. At least, he would stay somewhat warm and with the jacket draped over him, no one would even see the scarf.
Tugging on her own scarf, she lifted up her snow pants with both hands before eying his legs. "What are the odds, you'll wear these?" They'd be a little small considering he was taller than her, but it might offer his legs a little more warmth. Then again if he refused, she wasn't going to complain. She'd already be cold without her jacket, the thermal long sleeve would keep her warm for about a second.
Despite her latest acts of benevolence, Michelle wasn't trying to make friends. She didn't like him that much. But if she pretended she did, who knows, she might get a decent piece of information to make it all worth her while.
She was wise to be wary as his snarl said it all. But he didn't try to bite her, as tempting as the thought was, but he probably should have since she practically took that as an invitation to play dress up. How humiliating! He was just fortunate no one else was nearby at the moment. That didn't stop his face from growing a bit red, showing an expression that wasn't his default anger. Even the beast could get embarrassed! "I'm starting to think you've lost your goddamned mind." he continued to snarl, not particularly pleased with this. He agreed to the scarf, not all this! But regardless of how he felt about it, he ended up wrapped in her jacket, gloves on his hands that he was quite tempted to tear off. He said nothing more though, simply growling instead. Wasn't a word, was it?
She wasn't exactly done though, wielding a pair of pants and eyeing him, intentions obvious. "About as good as the chances of me not killing you." he states. Which, given what he endured already, was looking pretty good. But it was probably best not to push it. A guy could only take so much, after all. "Your shit stinks." he muttered as he scrunched up his nose, her scent strong, almost overbearing now that he was wearing her stuff. Of course he was only shit talking because he was moody. That and he could try to save some face. He already felt humiliated being treated this way, so he had to counter somehow.
"Let's get going before I change my mind..." he mutters, already beginning to roll himself off before she could try anything else. He could at least make it to the door on his own, right? It was just getting outside that'd be the problem. But until then, he'd try to prove he wasn't totally helpless.
Arching a brow, Michelle sighed. "Okay grumpy gills, calm down." Grateful she got to keep some article of her snow gear - though he'd probably return it all if she asked - Michelle wiggled into her snow pants, buttoning them up. She shot Feral a furious look at his comment. Her things did not stink and she took that insult very personally. Eyes smoldering, Michelle looked on the verge of a temper tantrum before Feral would wheel himself away, ordering her to get a move on. "Why the hell am I helping you anyway? I'm going to turn you into a popsicle." She muttered beneath her breath, stomping behind his chair until she'd caught up.
Taking hold of the handles, Michelle gave an experimental push. Somehow she'd assumed he'd be light as a feather, like her. But no his fat ass probably weighed more than an elephant! She wasn't about to admit she was incredibly weak. "Feral?" She was huffing before they'd even got to the door. "You need to lose some weight." Pulling the door open, she held it open just long enough for him to wheel himself out. Then, taking hold of the chair once more, Michelle steered them carefully along the path.
The wheelchair moved painfully slow mostly he was so heavy! Or...because Michelle was incredibly weak. It didn't help there were a few inches of snow to plow through. With a mighty heave, Michelle gave a startled cry as the inevitable happened. One moment she was on her feet pushing his chair and the next she'd dumped herself on the ground, feet having slipped out from beneath her. But of course, she'd attribute it to his unbearable weight as she scrambled back to her feet. "There was ice," she growled, just daring him to say something nasty.
He had to adjust to having the gloves on, the grip a bit more different and his hand slipping over the wheel before he'd end up getting traction and moving. He didn't go too far to where he couldn't hear her complaining though. She was helping because she offered. He didn't fucking know why! But he was going to take advantage of it anyway. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." he calls back as he continues down the hall, eager to get out. He'd accept a popsicle fate. The air inside the compound was far too stuffy for his liking, and maybe the more rebellious part of him wanted to be outside, despite being advised against it.
He was rolling along when he felt a bit of a push, causing him to look back as she'd caught up and grabbed the handlebars. She appeared to be struggling though and the asshole he was decided to let her, freeing his hands from the wheels and enjoying the snail-paced ride. She insisted he needed to lose some weight and the beast could only roll his eyes. "I'll work on that right away." he stated sarcastically, "Doesn't help that you packed on the pounds with all this shit." he addressed the winter gear she'd forced him to wear, taking the liberty to handle the rest of the way out while she held the door. He'd honestly probably be better off doing this by himself at this rate. And she proved him right as they barely got out in the snow before she cried out, causing Feral to cringe before looking back to find her on the ground. "There was ice," she'd excuse, and Feral gave a shit-eating smirk. "No shit, Sherlock."
"How are you supposed to be any help if you can't even stand on your own?" he shook his head, reaching for his wheels to start heading forward and, succeeding... Kind of. Problem was, it being difficult enough to begin with, he couldn't exactly steer too well and didn't get far, growling in frustration. "Fuck me..." he hissed, grunting a bit as he tried to maneuver the wheelchair around. Neither of them really thought this thing through. He'd blame the gloves and already was working on pulling them off. He'd get more of a grip with his claws, he was convinced. Then maybe he could get away from this girl while she was trying to remember how to walk.
