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I can’t see. I can’t see. I can’t see. Everything is black. It’s like my eyes are closed but I can’t open them.
I stumble around, trying to grab onto something and get to my feet from my sprawled out position. My heart is racing and I don’t know where I am… or who I am. Who am I?
“RUN!” A loud, feminine voice screeched. “Get under cover!”
What the hell was happening? My heart raced faster.
I could sense something coming near us- who’s us? I can hear people scurrying around me but no one seemed to take any notice to me.
I jumped as something hit the ground- probably a bomb or a missle from the sound of an explosion. I ducked my head, covering it with my arms to try and cover myself from the explosion.
I didn’t die. I crawled quickly, hitting a wall or something straight up- maybe a desk? Doesn’t matter. I used it to help me get to my feet and I ran.
I was a bit disoriented so my run was a bit drunken and slow. I tripped over my own feet and fell face first on my face as another ear numbing explosion went off. Blood started to form and drip onto my shirt from my face- my brain was too scatterbrain to pick up from where but it was probably my nose. It hurt like hell.
This is where I die, isn’t it? I barely was able to finish the thought before the world went black.
---
As the world faded back from nothingness, I could hear muttering and the sound of moving around me. My ears were ringing so I couldn’t pick up on any distinct words.
I tried to move but I was meant with restraints on my legs and arms. I tried to tug at them but to no avail.
Suddenly, the muttereing stopped and my hearing faded back from the ringing.
“They’re awake.” A voice muttered against the otherwise silent room. The moving also stopped.
“Where am I?” I tried to speak but it didn’t come out more than a whisper. My brain was notified exactly how raw and scratchy my throat was. That didn’t stop me from making more statements however. “Who am I? Why can’t I see? Why am I restrained?”
A smooth, kind of smug sounding voice responded to my questions. “You’re my pet.”
“Pet?” I spat, astonished someone would say that. I wasn’t a mere dog.
I hand stroked my face and I tried to bite it, snapping my teeth.
“Woah, aren’t you a feisty one, P3T-13?” The voice spoke again. “I’ve missed your delightful personality.”
“Fuck. Off.” I hissed, my voice a bit shaky. Not because I was scared- though maybe I was just a little bit- but because my throat hurts so damn much.
“Sedate them.” The voice turned cold and I could hear the other people in the room shuffle toward me.
They grabbed my arm and stuck me with a needle. Once again, the world faded to black.
---
I woke up one again, eyes fluttering open. This time, I was met with light. The world wasn’t black anymore.
I squeezed my eyes back closed, not used to the light. My head felt light and dizzy. Hesitantly, I peaked between my eyelids to the world around me.
Adjusting to the light and my surroundings, everything became clearer. I propped myself up using my arms to sit up. I was in a small room, which was pretty barren. I was on a twin sized mattress on the floor, a single pillow and blanket on it, a prison toilet and sink in the corner, some books on a shelf and… what the hell-?
I groaned when my eyes landed on the large water feeder. It looked like the ones you give to hamsters. I debated it for a moment before crawling to it and putting my mouth on the metal part. Water started coming out, and I drank it down like a dog coming back from a long run. My throat cried with joy while I felt otherwise humiliated.
My throat and mouth no longer dry, I stepped away from the water feeder. I spun on my heel and walked to the books. One of the books was actually a false book full of pencils and erasers. The other two were sketchbooks and the third an art book full of tips and example sketches.
I flipped through the first sketchbook, amazed at the colorful sketches that filled the pages. Did I do this? Was this my work? It felt familiar but my brain was still hazy.
“Breathtaking work, isn’t it?” A different voice from before spoke up. It was a woman's voice. A snapped the sketchbook shut and turned to the voice.
“Who are you?” I questioned, narrowing my eyes at her through the other side of the glass door.
“My name is Vicky.” She smiled softly at me, unfazed by my hostile nature. She was a beautiful, tall woman with dark brown hair, skin and eyes. She was wearing white lab coat with heels. It didn’t seem the most practical. “Don’t you remember me, Thirteen?”
I didn’t answer for a second. “No, I don’t. I don’t remember much of anything.” I admitted, putting the sketchbook back on the shelf.
Her eyes followed my hand as I put the sketchbook away. “Those are yours, you know. You draw rather beautifully.”
“...thank you.” Should I be thanking my captor? Or even conversing with her?
“You’re welcome.” Vicky responded with a glint in her eye. “Though you don’t have to thank me. You’ve always been artistically inclined… that’s why we give you those when you behave.”
I clenched my teeth. So those sketchbooks for rewards for being a good little pet. I would tear them out and flush them down the toilet if they weren’t so pretty.
“Don’t let your temper get the best of you, Thirteen.” She warned me. “Bad pets get punished. You’re a good pet, remember?”
“I’m not some pet.” I snarled, glaring at her.
She frowned, like I disappointed her. “Don’t be like that, Thirteen. Pets are well taken care of.”
“What’s the point of this place, anyway? Why am I here?” I asked, turning fully toward her.
“The P3T program is designed to create the perfect pet. Children are irresponsible and leave. Pets are trained to behave and stay until they die.”
“So I’m a slave-in-training?” I scoffed, voice filling with sarcasm. “Wonderful.”
Vicky gasped. “Slave? No no no. We create pets that are cared for and loved, once they make their way through the program.”
I didn’t respond for a moment, processing this. “Where am I in the program?”
“Well, you are in Level 15, the final level.”
Was that where I was? “Where did you find me? Why were there explosions?”
Her voice darkened. “You escaped to the outer border of the outerlands. The outerlands sent explosives over the border. Any further and you would have gone too far. It’s far too dangerous in the outerlands to try and find you. We stay safe within the borders.”
“Why are you telling me this?” She seems to be giving me too much information.
“I’m not supposed to.” Vicky admitted. “But I wanted you to know that this is actually the best for you. Thirteen, you will be given a name and a nice family within the borders. You might even make friends!”
If this place was so good, why was I treated like a prisoner? Why had I fought so hard to escape? My head was so fuzzy.
A powerful and loud bump bump bump sounded down the hall like someone was pacing.
“I got to go.” Vicky panicked. “I’m not supposed to be talking to you.” And with that, she scurried off.
A man came into view. He had dirty blonde hair, fair skin and bright green eyes. He was also wearing a lab coat- minus the heels. “Thirteen.” It was the same voice from earlier.
My eyes fluttered down to his name tag before snapping back up to meet his gaze. “Hayden.” I responded back with a cold tone.
“Don’t talk like that to me like that. Good pets don’t talk back.” He narrowed his eyes, arms crossed and stance wide.
I gave him the finger and a growl rumbled in his throat. “That’s it, no socialization for you.”
“No socialization? What, no talking to you? I think I’ll manage.” I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t you remember anything?” He sounded annoyed. “How hard did you hit your head?” I didn’t respond. “And do you really think you’re the only one in this facility? P3T-14 is also here. The rest have graduated up or are at different facilities. Now, since you’ve decided to be so misbehaved, both you and P3T-14 will spend socialization in solitude.” He turned to walk away.
There is another? “Wait, wait- I can behave. Let me see them.”
“Tsk, tsk. Now you behave. Maybe if you continue to behave, you can see her tomorrow.” And with that, he left.
I sighed, watching him leave. I went over to my bed and collapsed onto it. My body felt weak- when was the last time I’ve eaten?
I stared up at the bleak ceiling until I drifted off to sleep.
---
Run. Run faster. Run before they find out you escaped.
I ran faster than I ever have before. I was panting, sweat racing down my skin with burning in my legs… though I could barely feel a thing. I was running on pure adrenaline.
I… what happened next? It’s all blurry.
Oh right, a flash bomb was thrown after me and I lost my sight. I ran into a building on the outskirts of the outerlands.
Why did they send bombs in instead of coming in to get me? Was it killing two birds with one stone? Was I their only objective? I don’t know. It’s all fuzzy. I don’t remember. I don’t think I’ll ever get a clear answer.
My eyes snapped open, greeted by the darkness. Was that a dream? I was awake… I think. But it was like a dream? Maybe I was simply fading in and out of sleep as my brain tried to recall my life… before.
I turned over on my side and curled into a ball as my eyes grew heavy. I wasn’t ready to be awake yet.
---
The next day, I awoke to banging on the glass. “Thirteen! Breakfast.” It was a grumpy, deeper voice. A slot right above the floor opened up and a tray slipped under.
I groaned, pushing myself up to get a look at them but they were already gone. My eyes fell down to the food and my stomach rumbled. I hesitated for a slight moment, worried it might be poisoned, but my hunger took over. I scrambled over to the tray and picked up a piece of bread. I chewed loudly with my mouth open, tearing it apart, as I picked up the water to take a sip.
It was sort of… animal-like.
I finished it in no time. I used my sleeve to wipe off my mouth before freezing. My vision narrowed and I felt like I was being pulled backwards. I blinked and everything felt… different. It was the same cell but…
My hearing faded in and out but it seemed like someone was talking as I hit the floor. I hissed- or the body I was in hissed. I wasn’t doing that! I didn’t have control of this body.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying but they sounded angry. The door started to close as the person walked away. I- well- you know- caught it, fingers getting slammed. I quickly pulled it close to closed, cursing quietly under my breath.
I waited until the footsteps were gone before opening it and darting down the hallway.
I could hear clicking like it was surround sound. The memory, I assumed, faded as I was pulled back into the present.
“Thirteen!” The voice sounded annoyed as fingers were snapped in my face.
I broke out of my haze and looked up at the person in a lab coat.
“Finally!” They huffed. “You would think you would pay attention since you’re seeing your girlfriend.”
Girlfriend? I tugged at the thing around my neck. Why did that make me blush? I could see a flash of long, curly black hair. Was I remembering her?
---
After that day, I slowly gained my memories back. I grew more and more angry at the situation I was in but I behaved with the occasional ‘fuck you’ when i could sneak it in.
I would do anything to see her again. She was beautiful and so smart and talented and- I’m blushing just thinking about her. She loves to write and I refound my love to draw so we would create little comics of us going on adventures together as our way of coping with everything going on.
I don’t know the amount of time that has passed but it has been awhile…
“Love? Whatcha thinking about?” Her sweet, smooth voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
“How much I love you~” I purred softly, kissing her hand.
She rolled her eyes with a smile on her lips. “You flirt.”
“You love me~”
“I do.” Fourteen leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. “But seriously, what were you thinking about?”
“I was thinking about you.” I sighed. “But also about how I want to leave this place. I think we’re almost done with our brainwashing. I don’t know about you but I’ve been trying my best to behave-”
“You know we agreed to behave so we could leave.” She interrupted.
“Yes, I know.” I then continued, glancing away, “but what if when we leave, we aren’t close to each other?”
“Then… we make a plan.” She narrowed her eyes in thought. “Follow the setting sun to the outerlands.”
“You think that will work?” I looked back up at her with a slight pout, though I hate to admit it. “I don’t think I can live without you.”
“It has to.” She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight.
---
Finally, the day came. People have been coming by my cell. I ignored them and just drew in my sketchbook. They described me as artistic with a strong personality. Some seemed displeased that I ignored them with a “I don’t like you nor want to be here” expression on my face. Others seemed intrigued at what I was drawing- I was forced to show them.
Once, it was a drawing of my girlfriend and the person showing me off worked hard to cover a snicker. Needless to say, I flipped him off with a glare.
I did not eat that day.
“Never misbehave, especially in front of the loving families that want to adopt you!” I could hear hAyDEn’S voice ringing in my ears.
Eventually, after weeks of this, I was given a backpack with the number thirteen on it and was told to pack my things. Later that day, I was dragged outside to the car where a couple was standing there with overly happy smiles on their face.
“Hello Thirteen!” The women spoke first. “I’m Martha and this is my husband, Ron. We are so happy to adopt you. You’ll love it back home.”
I glared at them then at Hayden. “Where’s Fourteen?”
“She was adopted earlier this morning. Now, behave.” It was a command.
A lump gathered in my throat. She was gone. Tears gathered up in my eyes and I did my best to blink them away. I needed them to trust me so I could escape easier,
“Who’s Fourteen?” The husband- Ron- asked.
“The other P3T we met in this facility.” Martha reminded him.
“Ah right. The one we were going to go with.”
I bit back my tongue, a bit offended by that comment. I’m not even their first choice? Couldn’t blame them though… Fourteen is an amazing person. Emphasis on person.
There was some awkward silence before I was ushered to the car and driven to their home.
---
I was treated… alright, though Ron got a bit aggressive when I didn’t behave… I was covered with bruises and probably a broken nose before I learned to hold my tongue and do the chores I was assigned. The chores I managed to get done determined how much food I was allowed to get… and determined if I was given a beating or not.
I wasn’t allowed to sit at the dining room table, eating on the floor like a dog. I was locked in my room when I wasn’t wanted. I was only wanted when Martha wanted to play with my short, brown hair or have me massage her feet.
I was still allowed to draw. I would stay up just to draw. It was my way to cope. When I really wanted to feel something, I would draw Four- my girlfriend. They were always ruined with tears but it’s alright… I loved them anyway. I just wanted to remember every detail of her face, beautiful curves… and that wonderful smile of hers.
I wonder how she is doing. They probably gave her a beautiful name to fit her beautiful personality. They named me Fiesty. What a dumb name. I’ve been thinking of names to name myself and I think I like Tristyn the best.
Sigh, I wish I could get this collar off my neck. I wish I could escape.
---
The day finally came. It’s been about a year but Martha and Ron leave today on vacation… and they’re keeping me home! I can just… walk out!
I wanted an hour after they left before trying to leave the premise but I was zapped. “FUCK!” I stumbled back, away from the invisible fence. I need to get this damn collar off.
I raced back inside, heading to the kitchen. I first tried scissors but to not avail. I then tried a knife… I ended up slicing myself numerous times but i eventually, with the knife and the scissors combined, broke through the collar. I hissed, feeling a bit light headed with the blood I was losing. I let the collar fall to the ground. I want to leave now, in case taking it off alerted them or something, but I needed first aid.
I found the kit and moved as fast as I can, tending to the wounds on my neck, arm and hand. Once all bandaged up, I started to head out the door before pausing. My sketchbooks. I couldn’t leave them behind.
I raced upstairs to my room, making sure not to close it behind me because it auto locked. I grabbed my things, stuffing them in the backpack. Since I was there, I threw on a hoodie to cover the blood and hide my face so people wouldn’t be suspicious of me as much as I tried to make it to the outlands.
Finally, I made it to the edge of the property. I hesitaeted, scarred of being shocked again. I pulled the hoodie over my head, took a breath and stepped forward-
And nothing happened. Thank fuck.
I pulled on the stapes of the backpack before quickly walking toward the opposite direction of the rising sun, remembering what our plan was.
---
I was walking for days, not getting any closer it seems. Once I was far enough away, I found a hideout and slept there. I didn’t sleep the night before so I was exhausted. I thought it was a good idea to walk at night and sleep during the day anyway. The night also allowed me to scavenge for food as well. I should have taken some when I was still at the house but that was time I didn’t feel like I had.
My mind kept wandering to my girlfriend. She was the thing that kept me going. Kept me walking. I wonder about her. It’s been a long time since we’ve last seen each other. Is she okay? Has she escaped? How long has she been looking for me? Or maybe she decided she liked it there and she doesn’t love me anymore…
I shook my head, trying to keep the negative thoughts away. I needed to keep going, keep positive and keep the thought of her to keep me going.
I am so tired. They probably know I’m gone by now. They’re probably looking for me. Hopefully they can’t track me since I took the collar off.
Several days later, I finally came across a long, barbed wire fence. How was I to get through? It wasn’t like wire cutters just sat around. I glanced around, trying to think until I heard a car coming. I rushed and hid behind some shrubbery. I held my breath, not wanting to be spotted. Soon, they were gone.
I noticed something off the corner of my eye. It was a slim hole dug under the fence. Lightbulb! I crawled over to it and started digging and digging and digging. I didn’t stop even when tiny rocks became embedded under my fingernails. The sun was starting to peak up over the horizon when it seemed big enough to slip through. Luckily, I had gotten rather skinny due to the lack of food I was given. When I was given food, they fed me like a rabbit. I guess it has come in handy.
I shoved my backpack through first before crawling under. The fence scraped my back, putting me in more pain than I already was. My bruises were healing but they were bone bruises so, while I’ve been behaving recently, they take awhile to go away. Also, my legs ached from all the walking.
Standing up, I glanced back for a moment. I let out a sharp breath, not believing I made it this far. I started to tear up. I finally made it to the outlands.
---
Several weeks later, I was still searching for my girlfriend. I used my sketchbook to describe her to people and no one has seen her. I was starting to give up hope.
I was about to give up before a person with a red bandana and a cigar hanging out of his mouth walked up to me. They snatched the sketchbook out of my hand, looking it over.
“Hey, give that back!” I snapped, reaching for it. Unfortunately, they were much taller then me and were able to hold it above my head.
They seemed unbothered by me. “You lookin’ for Aniyah?” He asked, glancing down at me.
I fell silent for a moment. Aniyah? “She look like this?”
“Ya.” They handed me back my sketchbook before taking the cigar out of their mouth to blow smoke.
My chest tightened. “Where is she?”
“Well, who’s asking?” He narrowed his eyes, looking me straight in the eyes.
“Clearly, I am, bitch.” I snapped back, annoyed. I’m exhausted and I miss my girlfriend, damn it!
“Woah, no need to get feisty.” He put their hands up, stepping back.
I winced at that word. They raised his eyebrow at me. “Look, kid, if you’re looking for Aniyah, I’m going to need some info.”
I didn’t speak for a moment. “FIne, I’m her partner. Tell her about Thirteen. She’ll remember me.” Hopefully.
It was his turn not to speak. “You’re a P3T?”
I tensed up. “What’s it to you?”
They grinned and took my free hand to shake it enthusiastically. My other arm was occupied, clenching my sketchbook to my chest. “Welcome to the club, my friend! I’m P3T-5! Or rather, was. I go by Mars now. He/they. You?”
I forced my jaw to unclench, deciding to trust Mars. “Tristyn. They/them.”
“Nice to meet ya, Tristyn.” He nudged his head to the side, taking his cigar out of his mouth. “Now follow me.”
So I did. I followed Mars through a dark alleyway and underground.
Looking around, it was like a whole village down there. “Is everyone here escapees?”
“Some of us. Others are just looking for a place to stay. We’re all like family down here.” Mars tossed the cigar in a broken crate.
We walked for a while, exchanging questions and answers for a short while.
“-and here we are.” Mars stood by a wooden door. He knocked on the door. “Hey, I brought a visitor. Y’all decent.”
“Yes, come on in Mars.” You could hear the eyeroll in her voice. It wasn’t Aniyah’s voice though.
Mars opened the door and went inside. I followed after them.
There were two people sitting at the table. A strawberry blonde with brown eyes and… woah. I stood there, starstruck. She was more beautiful then I remembered- probably partly because it has been so long.
“Fourteen?” I let it slip, even though I knew she was Aniyah now.
Aniyah took a second before her dark brown eyes lit up like a christmas light. “Thirteen! You- You found me!” With a blink of the eye, she was up to her feet and running toward me.
We slammed into each other, wrapping our arms around one another tightly. She placed kisses all over me, tears flowing from both of our eyes.
“I thought I would never see you again.” Her voice cracked, near sobbing.
“I’m so glad you were wrong.” I caressed her face, a huge smile on my face.
She sniffled, trying to contain herself. “W-well let me show you around. This is Strawberry, that’s Mars- well, you probably already knew that, and-”
“Shh, love, it’s okay. I just… can we just go someone private and catch up?” I asked, still not sure if this was real.
Aniyah nodded, drying her eyes. “Yes, darlin’. I would love that.”