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!
Was this the same kid he was talking to before? Feral eyed him curiously as he stood his ground, almost tempted to test how brave he was, but not really wanting to risk losing his cooperation either... He growled at the thought before offering a shrug. "Can't make any promises." he admitted, which was truthful. It was in his nature to act dominate, and to expect any less was stupid. "But if you help me escape, I'll try to play nice." Which was about as good as he was going to get, but it was really a lot coming from him!
And as if testing that willingness to cooperate, Flint was already ordering him around. Immediately he felt like telling him to do it himself, but he bit his tongue before the words got out. Honestly though, the cat was making so much racket, even if he wasn't trying to play nice he might have done it anyway just to spare himself the headache. So without a word, he walks over to the door, watching the cat's back arch as he approached, the fearful creature hissing at him. He returned the favor with a growl of course, baring his fangs to the furred creature till he reached the door and let it slide out.
Once the major annoyance was out of the room, he shut the door behind him again and looked back to Flint. "So... Got any plans, Genius?" Since he insisted Feral was so stupid, surely he had something in mind. And hopefully something soon as Feral wasn't really a patient fellow.
Flint hadn't meant to boss the other boy around. He could've probably gotten out of bed to get the cat out himself, but Feral was already standing so why not just ask? Watching his interaction with the cat, the Shield couldn't help but find himself amused. He worried conspiring with Feral would only end in disaster but if he turned his back on his plans, the other freak would go do it anyway. If it worked, Flint would've desperately wished to have gone with him. If it failed, he would've desperately wished to have stopped him. Up until that point, the Shield had looked down on Feral not only physically, but intellectually. He was always looking out for tricksters and deceivers, never able to truly tell when someone was just stupid and when they feigned ignorance. In Feral's case he was tempted to designate the individual as 'just stupid', but underestimating the other freak would be a costly mistake he couldn't afford. At Feral's snide comment, the Shield frowned, crossing his arms. "One that would work? No." He shook his head honestly. "But I would suggest in coming up with one, we gather as many resources as possible. Texts, documents, snippets of conversations, blueprints, anything to help us figure our how the Compound works. Once we've figured out the compound, if we can get a layout, a detailed map of everything then we can plan our escape. Once we've infiltrated the security, the guard system, gotten rid of our collars, found a way to cover our tracks, get past the cameras, the sensors.." He trailed off hoping his point had been made. There would be no successful plan until they outsmarted the faculty. They would never outsmart the faculty if they couldn't acquire as much knowledge as they had. But getting half of this information wasn't even realistic. Not only that but it would take a long, long time and the Shield was desperately hoping Feral had clued in that it might very well take more then just the two of them to pull this off.
He really shouldn't have asked. Not because it seemed bleak, but he said so much that Feral could hardly keep up and it might have been obvious by he perplexed expression on his face. He lost him pretty quick, the rest of his suggestions kind of drowning out into nonsense he couldn't understand. He was just making this far too complicated!
"Or..." he began. "You just take our collars off and we make a break for it." Seemed like less of a headache to him. "You're a fucking shield! You just cover my back and I'll take care of the rest." Honestly, he probably could take out a couple of guards with that plan, but most certainly not the whole facility. And even without the collars, they surely had some other weapons in their arsenal that could take him down before he got too far. "Hell, I could get a riot started and we can just leave while they are distracted." he shrugged. Obviously his plan, though quicker, did not include bringing anyone else. That and it was quite dangerous compared to this monster of a plan Flint had offered.
"A lot easier than... whatever that was." he mutters. It was a smart plan, what he gathered from it, but it'd take far too long for his liking. He'd like to get out of here within the year, preferably.
The Shield bit his lip to keep from laughing. Feral was being serious so he wasn't going to outright make fun of him. That was just asking to get punched, no, begging. Smoothening the wrinkles in his blanket, Flint shot Feral a look of raised brows. "Okay let's just do that. One problem though, I can't create shields on demand..I mean I can but...they don't last. I can't control what they let in and out. And where would we go? Just start running? What happens when we get to the gates, walls, or whatever it is that's closing us in here and realize we're stuck?" Easier? Yes, more room for error? Probably. On many occasions the Shield had wondered if there even was a gate out there. What if there really was nothing, and the only thing that kept them from walking out of this place (aside from the security and their collars), was the belief that escape was futile? It was a tempting idea, but not worth the risk of exploring.
Feral kind of expected him to point out any issues, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Once again though, he'd bring up some valid points and while Feral wanted to argue against them, he didn't really have anything to offer. He frowned at the thought, scratching the back of his head. "You're a real buzzkill, you know that?" he growled. Part of him appreciated his ability to point this stuff out, but the much louder part of him just felt frustrated. When he finally thinks he's getting somewhere, he realizes there's so much more to be done. It was fucking awful.
"Fucking nerd." he scoffs, making himself comfortable on the floor, resting his back against the door as he tried to think. He really didn't want to go for Flint's plan, even though it seemed like it would have been a bit more foolproof. It would just take too long, and the amount of stuff they needed would not only take them even longer, but could be outright impossible.
He grips at his collar again as he's thinking, a habit he'd been forming lately. So he pretty much let his ass get beat by guards for nothing? Well not exactly. He just wouldn't be getting what he wanted anytime soon, and the impatient guy just wasn't looking forward to having to wait even longer. "So we find a map, figure out an escape route..." he thinks out loud, trailing off. Essentially just going back to Flint's plan. Perhaps it didn't have to be as thorough, though? He didn't know. Thinking this much was just giving him a headache. Where did they even start?
Well someone wasn't being very nice. Although given the amount of times the Shield had already insulted the other boy, he took his insults in stride only rolling his eyes. Lacing his fingers together, he closed his eyes, reaching out mentally for his own shield. He was faintly aware of Feral's new and improved plan that still wasn't much better. It was like sticking a mouse in a room full of mouse traps, a block of cheese at one end, giving it a map and say 'here you go, find an escape route'. Sure they would benefit from a map, but they wouldn't have the means or knowledge to disarm any obstacles they came across. But to avoid being even more of a 'buzzkill', Flint merely sighed. "Okay. You do that." His tone suggested he was tired of arguing but wasn't completely satisfied. The Shield wasn't one to be bossy. He didn't want to implement his way or the highway. But Feral had yet to convince him his way was worth paying attention to. Part of him hoped Feral would grow discouraged and quit, but another part of him, the part that had his mind racing at his newest puzzle wanted to see this through to whatever end. A faint hum surrounded the boy's fingers and a small halo of light winked into existence. Flint could feel the presence of the shield, it's pulsating warmth and life as it hummed between his fingers. His collar beeped and without warning the shield exploded outwards. It's translucent membrane rippled away from Flint until it nearly encompassed the whole room. But Flint's victory was short lived as he saw the shield was hardly solid. Part of the bookshelf at the far end of the room was halfway inside the shield and half outside of it, thus leading him to believe any object could penetrate it. Not only that but the shield suddenly winked out as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Flint panting at the unexpected draw of energy. Where his gift came in handy he had no self-control. Perhaps for now that was a good thing. "Looks like we won't be getting your collar off anytime soon," he tossed Feral a sheepish and apologetic look.
He didn't know what was worse, the guy shooting down his plans or condescendingly encouraging them. Either way, he decided he needed to just "Shut up." before Feral got too frustrated and forced him to. Really though, he wasn't in the mood to fight anybody at the moment, even though it might relieve him of his frustration. He just wanted immediate results to a problem that needed time more than anything to solve. He didn't have the time, or at least didn't think so. He was convinced he needed to get out and he needed to get out now or else he'll never have the chance to escape.
While he thought over these plans, he hadn't even noticed Flint messing with his shield again, at least not until he heard the beep. It happened so quickly that Feral could have easily missed it. Instead he faced a shield for a split second, a hair away from his face, before it completely disappeared, leaving the user panting. Wild green eyes looked to him then, for answers, but he didn't really receive any he liked. That apologetic look didn't help none either.
"Great..." he groans, sarcasm obvious in his tone. So it seemed like he might have gotten punished for no good reason. It didn't mean the Shield was completely hopeless, but it certainly looked that way. "What good are you to me if it was just a fluke?" he asked, partly bitter, partly being genuine in his question. If he couldn't get the collars off, what could he do? Other than make faulty shields that didn't always work.
"That's the last time I try doing something good for anybody." he mutters. Good? Debatable. But it was the first time in a while he actually tried to help someone, even if it had technically been for his own interest.
Perhaps it was because Flint genuinely wanted to help the other boy, or he felt someone insulted, but this time he really did look sorry. "I told you," he murmured quietly. "I don't really have this all figured out. I mean, how long did it take you to figure our the full extent of your...characteristics?" He finished warily.
Pressing his fingers together, the boy tried once more to push his shield outwards. The pale blue light carressed his skin gently until he was covered in the shimmering substance, but he couldn't expand it like he had before. In some ways Flint felt his ability wasn't meant to be shared. Extending the field beyond himself too encompass other objects was nearly impossible and he'd only ever accomplished it under stress or by fluke. It was his own personal shield.
But this didn't keep the younger boy from trying, his brows knitted together in concentration. If only the membrane could be driven by sheer determination. If only his will would be enough to expand it. But it wasn't and Flint couldn't sure he could make sense of it all.
For once he might have genuinely felt sorry? Feral had noticed but hadn't really addressed it, it not making the situation any better. He then went on, insisting it was just a matter of not having it figured out yet. Well... It was a viable excuse. Feral hadn't quite figured out just what he was all at once. It was a gradual thing he had to learn over time and the scientists were still apparently finding new things about him. Still, while this should have been somewhat comforting, it just made it all the more apparent that waiting would be necessary.
"Fuck..." he growls, running his fingers through his hair. He didn't want to, but he supposed they were going to have to wait, at least until Flint could figure his shit out. "Well you better get to figuring it out. Cause if the time comes and you aren't ready, I'll get out on my own." he warns. How far will he get? Who knows? The odds weren't exactly in his favor. But he was pretty fucking determined. He'd get out, or he'd die trying.
"Then you'll have to find someone else willing to do the dirty work." he snorts. Bunch of pansies here, he doubted he'd have much luck.
Because the Shield had suddenly decided to take Feral's comments personally, the other male's words stung a little. It might've been even more surprising that he only ducked his head and muttered a quiet, "Yes Feral." Now that it came back to matters that didn't involve the possible escape of several patients or risking the lives of those possibly left behind, the boy had become rather compliant. Heck, he'd probably kiss the floor if Feral made enough of a fuss about it. But the shield membrane that covered his skin refused to extend much further than a few centimeters past his fingertips. Flint sighed heavily, sinking further into his pillows. He really couldn't figure the whole shield thing out. It acted like a shield but only sometimes. Other times it was pliable and penetrable and really did him no good at all. It was controlled most often by his fear -which made sense- but had seemingly nothing to do with his will. The mysteries and intricacies of his ability would never cease to amaze him. But Feral's words had seemed a threat that he didn't have a lot of time to figure it out. Not anymore, not when there were lives at stake.
Suddenly acting all timid again, Feral was just a little skeptical, unsure what caused the change. Perhaps the threat that he'd have left without him? Well Feral didn't believe he had enough time to wait around for the possibility that he might one day be able to control his shield, especially since there was a chance he would never get to that point and Feral would be left waiting for forever. No, he'd give the kid a chance. But if he saw no form of progress, he'd just have to change plans and find himself another way out, perhaps even work on honing his own abilities and making sure he was a hundred percent ready.
"Then we'll just wait and see if you're worth betting on." he concludes with a sigh, not seeming too pleased with the plan, but it was the best he had at the moment. With that settled, he pushed himself to his feet, cringing a bit at the pain the movement caused his ribs. "I'll give you a month. If you aren't showing any progress by then, the deal's off." he explained. After all, if Flint couldn't hold up his end of the bargain, why should he?
Even though plans were made, he still didn't really feel like he accomplished anything and was just a tad irritated, or rather disappointed. It was foolish to think they could get going right away, but it was kind of what he was hoping for. Oh well.. He'd play along for now, play nice. And if things didn't work out, he could go back to doing things his way.
The more Feral's patience became evident, the more Flint wasn't sure this would end well. The other freak's impatience could cost the rest of them their freedom -what chance and little of it they had left-, and possibly their lives. If the other boy failed they could all get punished for it. This was jut Flint's speculation of course, but the boy wasn't willing to risk the punishment of innocent people, for Feral's mistake. Dipping his head to avoid conflict, the boy only muttered, "Yes sir," but his eyes were anything but compliant. A defiant and dark brooding look resided there as the Shield turned his attention back to his glowing fingertips. He would do what Feral asked, work on his ability. But he wouldn't limit himself to doing just that. While Feral sat around and waited for him, or did whatever he did, the Shield planned on gathering resources, assembling a team, forming a plan. Going behind Feral's back would be a sneaky move. But should he gain no progress with his ability, perhaps the progress of a good developing plan would be enough to reign the beast in.
Yes sir? Well now he was really skeptical, even laughing at it. Didn't get that often. But he knew something was up. What exactly it was, he couldn't be sure, but he knew Flint, though acting compliant, was hiding something else. He was curious, sure, just not curious enough to ask, so instead he just accepts the 'obedience' and carries on. As long as the kid put in some sort of effort, Feral would force himself enough to give him some trust to do what he can. That just didn't mean that when the time came and he had nothing to show for it Feral was going to continue showing his 'soft side'. He had things to do and was not letting anything, enemy or ally, get in his way.
"Good." he replies gruffly. Next time he saw the Shield, he hoped to see him working on getting a better grip on his abilities. For now though, he figured it was best to go. There was nothing else to be had here and if he lingered for too long, someone would surely find him there. It wouldn't look good if the attacker was alone with his victim, would it? And he was not in the mood for another beating. "I'll catch you later." he announces his departure before turning to leave.
As Feral made it known he intended to leave, Flint felt a wave of relief crashing over him. The short freak's visit had sent his mind into an array of thoughts he now had the pleasure of sorting out. Not only did he need to make sense of things and justify what he was doing, he also had to come up with a plan. He needed a plan for their escape, and he needed a plan to double-cross Feral should the time come.
But letting Feral believe he had the upper hand for now, the Shield only dipped his head. He didn't expect Feral to trust him right off the bat. In fact, he almost expected the other freak not to. But the Shield wasn't a deceiver by nature, they were just taking some serious risks.
"Could you please close the door when you go?" He asked politely. He hated when it was open and there was no appeal to hauling his sorry ass over to the door and closing it himself. He was injured, and the Shield would milk that excuse for as long as he could.
Since Flint had nothing more to say, and more importantly Feral didn't, he figured he better mess around elsewhere before the guards get the wrong idea. He's had enough of them for one week and would like a bit of a break before their next beating. They just seemed to get worse every time. It was only a matter of time before they just ended up killing him, which is why he needed out fast. The far easier option would of course be to take Flint's more obedient route, but his pride wouldn't let him to submit to such bastards.
He opened the door, stepping out just as Flint spoke, asking him to shut the door. Feral looked back to him, appearing rather unamused. He said he'd play nice, not be his slave. He had working legs, use them! And while he was fully prepared to do that, he instead groaned. "Sure thing, princess." he states sarcastically before leaving, shutting the door behind him. Hey, just because he had to play nice didn't mean he had to like it.
The beast had a pretty bad feeling about this whole situation, felt like he'd probably regret playing along with he Shield. But what other choice did he have? The kid's power was the best he had to go off on. He rolled his eyes, opting to drop that thought now in favor of finding something better to occupy his time with. Like maybe finding that map.
