by J. Rock
26.
My first reaction is: how the hells hadn't I seen this before?
"Did you know about this?" I ask Traylor, pointing.
Traylor shakes his head, turning back toward the Manse, dead grass crunching under his sandaled feet. "No, I... I guess..."
"We kept you on the far side of the house," Tien explains as if he is deeply ashamed. “So you wouldn’t see it.”
"Yeah, I guess that's right," Traylor nods. "I never noticed."
I turn back toward the grassy plain.
Before us stands a massive metallic dome, rising out of the landscape like a bubble. Like a maggot.
"This is where they experimented on us," Tien explains. My heart sinks, my suspicions about this place confirmed. This isn't a school for mutants. It's a school where humans could learn about mutants–by doing things to them.
I shudder and feel the tears welling up.
"I'm so sorry, Tien," I say, taking his cold, pale hands in my own. His eyes meet mine for once, and I see a surprising amount of compassion within. Humanity. He eyes me like he loves me.
And, I have to admit, that doesn't feel like a bad thing.
"Would you like to see it?" Tien asks, gesturing toward the dome.
I'm stunned, having trouble finding words. "I... I..."
"Hells, yes!" Traylor bellows, eyes wide.
"Traylor!" I scowl at the boy, mortified. "I don't think that–"
"JUNO! TRAYLOR!"
We all whirl to the left, stunned by a new voice.
I almost faint.
It's Ursa!
"Gods you two!" the woman screams. "Am I glad to see you! I need help! NOW!"
Ursa is drenched in blood.
