“Good. Glad we got that settled,” he said uncomfortably. He gathered up his satchel and turned toward the door. “Shall we?” he asked.
The boys stared at each other nervously before following the doctor out. They were heading to the facilities on UG4 to see if their specimen had survived the night. This elevator ride was filled with a different kind of tension, including side glances and awkward stares. Godrik, thankfully chose to ignore it.
As soon as they reached their floor, Godrik stopped at the sight of Edred Hayes. “Oh crap.”
Before Ethan could ask what was wrong, the scarred angry man stalked over to them and glared at Godrik. “We need to talk…now.” Godrik swallowed hard and nodded his head.
“Ethan, why don’t you and Hunter go to lab 16? I’ll meet you there.” Ethan sensed that something was wrong but he did as he was told with Hunter following after him. When they reached the lab, they quickly shuffled inside and closed the door.
“What’s going o-”
“Shhh,” Ethan commanded.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and searched for Godrik’s voice. He had to hear this conversation. Something about Edred’s demeanor seemed off and Ethan needed to know what was going on.
He tried to hone in on Godrik’s words but the buzzing of other employees around him was making it difficult. He shook his head. Clearly, he would need more time to hone this skill. After a few seconds, he found Godrik’s voice and focused on it.
“Connor doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
“Oh really? So, you’re not injecting the serums on that kid?”
Serums?
“They’re not your serums Edred! I developed them and I will use them as I see fit!”
“You were supposed to be developing them for me. For the Awakened!”
Who were the Awakened?
“It won’t work on you!”
“How do you know? How else are we supposed to fight without it?”
Fight who?
“I’m telling you Ethan is the one. I simply need more time.”
He heard Edred scoff.
“A sixteen-year-old kid? Be real Godrik.”
“He’s the one Edred. No one has been able to bond to the serums the way he has.”
“Does he even know what you’re doing to him?”
“If I would have told him the truth from the beginning he never would have agreed.”
“You know what? You want your little science experiment, fine, kill him like all the others, but I promise you this will all blow up in your face!”
Ethan opened his eyes but didn’t move. Numbness encased him like a debilitating straight jacket. He couldn’t speak even though he could hear Hunter calling to him. “Ethan? Are you okay?”
Was he okay? No. Not even close.
“Are you guys ready to start?” Godrik asked as he walked into the lab. Ethan glowered at him with hurt filled eyes and Godrik immediately knew what was happening.
“You somehow heard that conversation, didn’t you?” he asked, sighing loudly. Hunter viewed the two warily, unsure of what they were talking about. “Is it true? Am I some lab experiment?”
Godrik shook his head intently. “No Ethan. You’re so much more.” Hunter stared between the two of them. What was going on?
“I knew you were hiding something from me. I always had this feeling that something wasn’t right but I ignored it. I figured whatever it was couldn’t be so bad. I mean, you’re a good guy, right? You’re doing good work and I’m helping you with that, yes?”
“Yes Ethan,” Godrik said, walking toward the boy but stopping when Ethan retreated.
“But please understand-”
“Understand? You want me to understand what exactly? That you’ve been lying to me from the start? That you’ve been injecting me with some serum? And for what? To turn me into a lab rat?”
“No Ethan please,” Godrik begged. He knew it was risky but he stepped closer.
“Stop Godrik.”
“Ethan please listen to me.”
“Godrik stop!” The doctor couldn’t see the small tremors in Ethan’s body. He didn’t realize how angry Ethan was getting.
“Let me explain,” he pleaded, stepping even closer.
Ethan was at his breaking point. There was nothing that Godrik could say and nothing Ethan wanted to hear.
“I had to do it.”
Ethan’s anger spiraled out of control. He grabbed Godrik by his sweater and threw him across the room. The older man fell on top of a desk, hitting some lab equipment before sliding and landing on the floor.
“Stop lying to me!”
Ethan’s eyes were glowing savagely, anger radiating off him in thick waves. Hunter ran into the corner, out of sight, silently hoping that Ethan would not turn on him too. He glanced over to the doctor who was having a hard time getting up.
Suddenly Ethan took Godrik by the throat and slammed him up against the wall. This was far worse than the incident in the office a few weeks back. Hunter gasped, completely shocked by Ethan’s behavior. “This is what you wanted right? A monster?”
He tightened his hold on the doctor who was seconds away from passing out. Hunter was shaking, unsure of what to do. “A freak?! Some lab experiment?!” Ethan was shouting through his cries, his face covered with tears. “Am I even still human Godrik?!” he bellowed, pushing the doctor again.
He finally loosened his grip and let the old man breathe. He slowly stepped back, eyes still fixed on the person who had betrayed him in every way possible.
“You did this to me.” He took another step back. “And I hate you for it.” Ethan stormed out of the room leaving a shaken doctor and a stunned boy in his wake.
*****
To say that his emotions were all over the place was an understatement. As soon as he reached his front door he collapsed, overcome with exhaustion and anger as the floor betrayed him, swaying under his feet. He slid down the wall and hugged his knees, replaying the conversation he had just overheard.
What was Godrik doing to him? And who did they have to fight? Other citizens? Another city perhaps? Ethan was more confused than ever and all he wanted were answers but he soon realized that learning the truth may be worse. Godrik even said that had Ethan known the truth from the beginning he wouldn’t have wanted to help.
So, was the truth really that scary? Would it be more overwhelming than what he had already been through? Ethan shook his head. No. He needed to know what was going on. He needed to know why he was being manipulated and changed both physically and mentally. Most importantly, he needed to understand.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to stand up. He sauntered into his bedroom, quickly undressing before reaching the bathroom. Knowing the hot water would help ease away the stress from his limbs, he stood underneath the spray, feeling as the warm liquid cascaded over his shoulders and down his back.
For a long time, he stood there, refusing to yield to movement. The numbness from earlier creeped over him again. The past six months had been the most emotional and physically draining of his life. He had been manipulated, injected, tested on like a lab rat and most importantly lied to, over and over by the man who was supposed to be his teacher; the person who should have been his leader, his mentor, his friend.
It was all too much to handle and before he knew what was happening, Ethan was sobbing against the shower wall. He no longer knew who he was; no longer had an identity. Sure, he didn’t have the greatest self-esteem before this job began but he at least knew where he stood and whom he could trust. Godrik took that from him and for what, an experiment? There had to be more to it than that.
Another question that was plaguing him was what Edred meant when he said, ‘kill him like you did all the others.’ What others? Obviously, this wasn’t the first time that Godrik had attempted this type of work but did he really kill other people by doing this? Who was this man?
After a few minutes, the water ran cold, prompting Ethan t
o get out and wrap himself in a giant fluffy towel. He stared at himself in the mirror, unsure of what he was seeing. He had sensed something, ever since the first injection. He had changed. But since the changes appeared to be positive, he remained silent and naïve on the matter. Now, suddenly, he didn’t recognize the face staring back at him. Ethan had no idea who he was… or worse, what he was.
He slipped into his pajamas and sauntered into the kitchen. He wasn’t hungry but he knew he would feel worse if he didn’t eat. Glancing inside the fridge, he chose a summer berry salad and pomegranate juice. Sitting at his dining room table, he stared at his meal with little interest. He picked at the greens, shoving the berries around the plate, but in the end, he pushed the meal aside. He was still too wound up to deal with food.
He raked his eyes toward the massive window and thought of Abby. He wondered if she was happy with her new life. Hopefully he would see something she designed inside his house one day. That small thought made him smile. Even with everything going on in his life, he still loved his friends and wished them well. He knew Caleb was doing fine, surrounded by pretty girls, being the center of their attention. Caleb always excelled at that.
But then his mind brought him back to Hunter. He couldn’t believe Hunter had kissed him. At first Ethan honestly believed his jealously was stemming from losing Abby but it was actually a result of losing Hunter. How could he have been so blind to his feelings?
He remembered the day they met outside of the lab, when Ethan could barely think straight let alone speak coherently. At the time, he had no idea what was happening to him but now it made sense. He was naturally attracted to Hunter. But then he wondered how his dreams fit into the equation.
What was Hunter doing in his dreams? Was he certain that it was Hunter? As far as Ethan knew, they had met for the first time outside the lab five months ago, so why was his mind filled with alternative images of the two of them? And granted, he liked Hunter, but why was he so drawn to him? He still had so many questions, most of which seemed destined to never be answered.
Suddenly his apartment alerted him to a visitor. Godrik, he wagered. He probably came to see if Ethan was alright. Ethan however, was not in the mood to deal with him. He was still too hurt but got up regardless and opened the door, ready to send the old man away. Except it wasn’t Godrik.
Hunter was standing nervously, opposite Ethan, not wanting to move for fear of agitating him. The brunette regarded him questioningly, trying to figure out what he was doing there. “Hey,” Hunter greeted softly. “Hi,” Ethan replied.
Awkward.
“I wanted to make sure you were alright. You were pretty upset and…”
“I’m fine,” he lied. Hunter glanced down to his feet as he played with a button on his jacket. Ethan thought it was adorable. “Oh, well then, I guess I’ll go.” Ethan stopped the boy with his hand.
“Do you want to come in?” Hunter stared at the bright blue eyes in front of him. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
The pair smiled at each other as Hunter walked into the apartment. Ethan watched as Hunter peered around, taking everything in. “Wow, it’s… exactly like mine,” he said with a chuckle. “You’re on this floor too?” Ethan asked. It was odd that he never saw him.
Hunter shook his head. “72nd floor. I guess you are more important.” He laughed but it came out hollow. Hunter could see the frown on Ethan’s face. “I’m not important. I’m a lab rat,” he said spitefully.
Hunter sighed and stepped in front of him. “You’re not a lab rat. I know it’s messed up but there has to be an explanation for all of this.” Ethan turned away and stared out the window, contemplating the many thoughts swirling around in his mind. If he wasn’t an experiment then what was the point to all of it? Would Godrik ever tell him the truth?
“I’m sorry,” Ethan said quietly. He turned around to face Hunter again. “If I scared you back at the lab, I didn’t mean to.” Hunter smiled shyly. “You’re pretty strong,” he admitted. Ethan smirked at the compliment. He still couldn’t believe how different their relationship was now compared to the day they met. He certainly never thought he would have Hunter in his apartment.
“I need to tell you something,” Hunter blurted out, steering the conversation toward a more serious topic. Ethan stepped closer to Hunter, standing mere inches from him. “Can I ask you something first?” Ethan knew if he didn’t ask this he would regret it. Hunter slowly nodded his head. “Why did you kiss me?” Hunter met his eyes and licked his bottom lip. “Because I wanted to,” he whispered.
The energy in the room shifted to something heavier than before. “But I thought you wanted Abby. You two got on so well I felt like I was intruding,” Ethan stated. Hunter frowned. “I didn’t mean it like that. I wanted to show you that I could get along with your friends. I know how important Abby is to you.” That wasn’t the explanation he was expecting. Ethan could feel his heart racing and he grinned when he realized Hunter’s was racing too. “What?” Hunter asked. “Your heart is beating really fast.” Ethan placed his hand over Hunter’s chest. Little did he know that Hunter could feel his heart beat as well.
Without further hesitation, Ethan crashed his lips to Hunters, who eagerly responded back. Just like their encounter in the lab, Ethan’s hands instinctively wrapped around Hunter’s shoulders, gripping the sandy brown hair tightly. Hunter’s hands landed back on Ethan’s waist, holding him close.
This time it was Hunter who deepened the kiss and pushed the pair up against the wall. Ethan groaned against the other boy’s lips as a wave of happiness hit him all at once. The two of them together felt right and suddenly everything that had been plaguing him from earlier that day, melted away. The betrayal, the lies, the manipulation was gone. All he needed in that moment was the boy in front of him. He broke the kiss when he felt Hunter’s hands push his shirt up, wanting to remove it.
“Is this okay?” Hunter asked breathlessly. Ethan thought about it for a second before nodding his approval. As the shirt came over his head, he immediately felt exposed but the feeling didn’t last long when he noticed Hunter taking his sweater off as well. Ethan swore under his breath as Hunter smirked at him.
“What’s this?” Hunter asked, holding Ethan’s chain in his hand. Ethan glanced down quickly and then back up. “A… a present. I’m not sure from… from who,” he stuttered breathlessly. “Hmm. It’s nice,” Hunter answered and then smiled.
The pair reconnected their lips and Ethan felt overwhelmed, not sure of what to think. He had never done anything like what he was currently doing before but everything in that moment felt strangely familiar. That was not something either boy was expecting. He couldn’t explain what was happening, he just knew that he didn’t want it to stop. Their arms roamed the expanse of each other’s bodies greedily, searching for purchase.
As they stumbled toward the bedroom, Ethan realized the happy contentment he was currently experiencing was the same one from his dreams. He gazed at Hunter and it was like he had known him his entire life. He couldn’t explain the familiarity but it was as if a light had been switched on. They moved effortlessly and it stopped feeling like their first time together. It now felt like he was right where he belonged… in Hunter’s arms.
*****
Ethan woke up to a pair of strong arms holding him tightly. It was still early but the sun was beginning to peek into his room, announcing the start of the day. He smiled, having realized that he had slept through the entire night with no pills and no nightmares.
He turned his body to face Hunter, staying within the confines of the protective cocoon that Hunter’s arms provided. By doing so, the other boy stirred in his sleep and held Ethan closer. He tried not to shiver at the rumble he felt coming from Hunter’s chest. Unfortunately, that meant Ethan was now smothered by Hunter’s hold, making it difficult to breathe. “Hunter,” he mumbled. No movement. “Hunter!” he mumbled louder and added a soft push with his hands.
Finally, the boy awoke and release
d Ethan from his python like grip. “Sorry,” Hunter muttered. Ethan giggled at his morose expression. Blue eyes met green as they smiled to each other in greeting.
“Hi,” Ethan whispered.
“Hey.”
Hunter contemplated Ethan as if he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how. “Is something wrong?” Ethan asked. “No. Nothing’s wrong, it’s…” Hunter bit his lip, searching for the right words. “I… I have to tell you something.”
“Tell me what?” Ethan asked hesitantly, not liking where this was going. He thought their night together had been wonderful but what if Hunter didn’t feel the same? The thought ate away at Ethan. “Was it last night? I mean… was it… bad?” Hunter quickly placed his hand on Ethan’s mouth, stopping the movement. “Last night was perfect. You were perfect. This isn’t about that.” He hesitated again. “I…uh… lied to you,” Hunter finally whispered. Ethan felt his throat close up, stealing his voice. “I don’t…. understand.”
They both sat up, staring at each other. “What are you talking about?” Ethan pleaded staring at Hunter intently.
Hunter paused before speaking again. They shifted on the bed, getting comfortable for what might be a long conversation. “I’m not who you think I am.”
Ethan nodded slowly, willing to give Hunter a chance to explain before he reacted. Hunter took a deep breath. “I’m not exactly-”
Abruptly, the apartment signaled a visitor, prompting their eyes to land on the door. “Are you expecting someone?” Hunter inquired. Ethan shook his head. They dressed quickly and scrambled to the living room. Once again, the person at the door surprised Ethan. “Connor? What are you doing here?” Connor’s eyes danced between Ethan and Hunter judgingly before stilling on the brunette. “My boss wants to see you.” Edred? Why would he want to talk to him? Then Ethan remembered the conversation between Edred and Godrik regarding the serums. Apparently Edred was angry about their current use. For some reason, Ethan felt like he was in trouble. Sensing his hesitancy Connor said, “He’s not mad. He just needs to talk to you.”
Awaken_Ethan Drake Chronicles Page 11
