by Chase Erwin
My breathing began to increase. Panic was setting in.
He dictated more: “Hypothesis: Solution will inhibit subject’s nerves and remove all ability to respond and react to pain. Begin test… now.”
The whirring was getting louder and closer to me by the second.
I started to scream, but all I managed was another low moan and loss of spittle.
My will to move my arms seemed to be breaking through whatever potion they’ve dosed me with. My leg twitched.
“Straps. Now!” Routledge shouted. I felt leather belts pulled into position and lock around my arms and legs.
I knew I had to act fast… but each attempt I made at wrenching myself free failed. I felt a heat rising through my body, through my muscles. It felt almost electrical. And, contrary to the hypothesis, I could feel it all.
If I can feel that, I thought with dread, then there’s no way I could not feel--
The rotating saw blade sank into my back. The pain was beyond anything I had yet experienced. My muffled scream got louder and I heard my own blood splattering on the table, speckling my skin.
Then I began to hear a strange zapping noise. I felt charges of electricity course through my skin.
“What in the?” The doctor’s voice suddenly filled with shock, almost fearful. “Retract the blade immediately!”
The moment I heard the dreadful machine click out of position and clear the table, I knew it was my one and only chance.
With a force I couldn’t begin to measure, I broke free of the leather belts. The metal clasps clinked to the floor. There was more electricity around my arms, legs, spiraling around my chest as I whipped around, and with a scream more dreadful than I’ve ever made in my life, I placed my hand firmly on Routledge’s face before he ever had a prayer of escaping.
He screamed. I screamed. Our screams combined as a white-hot bolt of electricity fired from my hand and into his face. His skin shriveled, crackled, burned… my skin glowed brighter and hotter, but all the pain I had been sensing up until that point vanished.
His yelling stopped; I couldn’t stop mine. I couldn’t see anything but what was right in front of me; I was entirely focused on killing him.
Meanwhile, his assistants were flipping out.
“Stop him!”
“He’s still bleeding! Our orders were to keep him alive no matter what!”
“How the hell do I put it on him when he’s lighting up like a firework?”
A syringe was jammed into my neck, and the power flow stopped immediately. I released my grip on the former professor, whose body, charred head and all, crumpled to the floor in a heap.
“Put the gel on his wound NOW.” This time it was a new voice. I looked to my left and saw a man pointing at one of the assistants. “Do not make me tell you a second time.”
Panting from breathlessness, I recoiled as a cold, thick substance was roughly splattered across my back. I knew that I was feeling my skin heal; it felt like a zipper slowly, slowly being pulled shut. Splintered and sawed bones clicked back into place with a sickening sound.
“Testing hours are over,” said the new voice. It’s thick and authoritative. The man is also cloaked, but his regalia signifies someone high-up in the food chain.
“This is what we were afraid would happen, Sir,” said one of the assistants. “We’ve been trying to tell Professor Routledge that he was taking these tests too far.”
“That’s why I sent for you, Dr. Kane,” said the other. “This is what we feared: the subject’s got too many potions in his system. They’re blending together and they’re creating a Mage-like condition we can’t control. He has magic occurring naturally within him now.”
“So I see,” said the deep voice. “This is your new directive: No new testing. Observation only until further notice.”
He stepped towards me. Whatever they’ve injected me with is preventing any more electricity. And while I knew I could move, it left me so lethargic I also knew I was moments away from another deep, dark sleep.
“And he is to be kept in restraints for the remainder of his time with us,” he said. “Make sure he’s kept on a length of chain and wearing anti-magic shackles at all times.”
I passed out before I heard any more of his orders.
12. The Doctor Will See You Now
“Good morning, young Abel. Time to wake up.”
I’ve had hangovers a few times in my life. This felt like the worst one I’d ever had. My vision was blurry, my head felt light and dizzy.
“Where… where am I now?”
“Shh. Don’t talk right now,” said the deep voice.
“That voice… I’ve heard you before…”
“Yes, I came in at the end of your last experiment,” he said. “We haven’t been officially introduced. I am Dr. Kane.”
I blinked hard a few times, forcing a small amount of tears to wash my eyes. I focused on a man sitting in a chair in front of me. He was in full Raven regalia, complete with the gilded piping around his cloak, a dark orange sash around his shoulders, and golden ravens embroidered on the shoulders.
“No, before then… I’ve heard you several times. In my head.”
“Aren’t you the clever one?” Dr. Kane grinned, his teeth sparkling, even in the dim candlelight of the room. He took a sip from a small teacup and placed it back in a saucer. “Well done. Yes, you have heard my instructions in previous experiments.”
“Why am I here,” I snapped. The sharpness in my tone appeared to take him by surprise. “Why are you doing this to me? Why did you people kill my brother?”
“Now, now,” Kane said. His tone didn’t convey care or ease, more like mild impatience. “You shouldn’t focus on why. Just accept that things are the way they are, and have that be it.”
“What… did my brother do…” I chose my words very carefully. “What did he do that crossed you all? I just want to understand why.”
Dr. Kane slowly sipped from his teacup, as if pondering the answer. “I do not know the circumstances surrounding your brother’s relationship with us,” he finally said. I knew he was lying.
“I am very impressed with you, young Mondragon,” he continued. “You have a fire in you that very few others seem to display. You have a natural ability that I am trying to harness, trying to improve. And I must say you are progressing better than even I was expecting.”
“What… what do you mean?"
Kane rose, setting the cup and saucer on a nearby coffee table.
“I’m trying to create something… spectacular. Now, I’m no fool; I’m not going to tell you everything we’ve been up to, only to say that you are one of the best specimens — your body has taken all the temporary magics we’ve put inside you and created a permanent magic deep within.
“You now harness more power than a mere sorcerer; more dangerous than a rogue warlock. You should be proud — you are a force to be reckoned with.”
“I didn’t want any of this,” I muttered. “I still don’t.”
This time, Kane raised his voice. “Don’t be ungrateful!” He stepped towards me. I tried looking into his hoodie, but thanks to the change of light, all I saw was a tinge of orange light in an otherwise dark void.
“I don’t want this,” I said again, trying, and failing, not to cry. “I don’t want my mind controlled like this.”
“This isn’t mind control,” Dr. Kane said. The way he said it was exuberant, excited. “This is mind sharing. You are giving me so much in the form of your thoughts, your feelings, your memories… and in return, I am using those thoughts to help turn you into a most magnificent weapon.”
He put two fingers under my chin, as if examining a piece of fine china. It made my skin crawl.
“I do have one question for you, Abel,” he said, as he softened his tone. “Why, in all this time… why haven’t you attempted to escape?”
I didn’t have a quick answer for him. I stammered.
“I know why, Abel. I know everything abou
t you. You like the gifts we’ve given you. Oh, yes. You like being able to control flame, frost, and energy. You like being able to convert your body to that of any creature you desire. And most of all, you like having the ability to kill.”
“That’s a damn lie,” I shouted. “I hate what you’ve done to me! I hate the monster you’ve turned me into.”
“No, I’m afraid that’s the lie,” Dr. Kane said. “Otherwise you would have taken the opportunity to snuff yourself out, like so many of the others.”
“What…?”
“Do you know how many prisoners we’ve had develop those metallic spikes and slash their own wrists with them? Or hung themselves in their cells with vines they fashioned out of thin air? Dozens!
“Very few take the initiative to use those powers and do something spectacular with them,” Kane continued. “Fewer still use them for self-preservation and survival — like you.”
I bit my lip as I tried looking away. He was right, my instincts were to survive at any costs…
“I… I’m sorry, that I killed the professor,” was all I could think to say at that moment. “I swear to you, I didn’t mean to do it.”
“Hm? Oh, that,” Kane said with a dismissive wave. “Think nothing of it. The professor was getting… out of hand. He was going to have to be dealt with at some point. The vivisection he was performing on you was not sanctioned in any way.”
That was as close to an apology about having a saw blade slice me open while fully awake as I was ever going to have, I thought. I sighed.
“But we are getting away from the point,” Kane said. His voice seemed to become darker, more gravelly, as he spoke. “I have big plans for you, Abel. Big plans. And because of that, I’m going to be keeping a closer eye on you. For starters, this will be your new cell.
He gestured to the room surrounding us. It looked identical to my usual holding cell, apart from the upholstered chair and coffee table. There were candelabras flickering light on the three walls in front of me. It was at this point I noticed I was strapped to another adjustable exam table, and there were metal gauntlets chained to my arms.
“Oh, and because your magic is now yours, that is to say, part of your behavior now, we must make sure you only use it when I say it is appropriate. Those gauntlets prevent your magic from activating as long as you’re wearing them.”
Kane put an icy hand on my shoulder. “You can consider yourself my pet… project from now on,” he said with a smirk.
“Lucky me,” I said.
“Yes,” he said darkly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a larger vial than those I had seen. It was filled to the brim with blue liquid.
“And another benefit of being mine… you can get so much more rest now,” he said, feigning optimism.
With that, he made me gulp the liquid down. He stared into my eyes, and it felt like he was burning into my soul as he did so.
His last words to me before I slept still haunt me to this day.
“Never forget, young Abel… I am now a part of your life. Forever.”
13. The Tribunal
I was still treated like cattle, even though I was known throughout the compound as Dr. Kane’s favorite prisoner. To be fair, I was treated like first-rate cattle, but cattle just the same.
I spent most of every day under his watch… not being watched. Or at least, not where I could see him.
He had an uncanny knack for knowing what was on my mind, when I felt clear enough to be able to think about things. He would talk, and I would feel compelled to reply, even though deep down I dreaded engaging him in conversation.
Every day, he would mention the “big plans” he had for me.
“Does that mean I won’t be tied to a table or shackled like this anymore?” I asked.
I could never see his face entirely, but I could always tell when he had an open-mouthed smile in his replies.
“Of course not,” he laughed. “Any self-respecting pet owner would not let his prized trophy just lark about.”
“I am not your pet,” I muttered.
“Aren’t you, though?” Kane said.
“No,” I growled. “I am a human being.”
Kane cleared his throat and rose from his armchair across from my table. “Now, see here, Abel. Up until now, you have been graceful and amenable to your situation. I thought we had been making great strides in you understanding your place here.”
He inched towards me. It almost felt like he wasn’t even walking, but floating towards me.
“But if you insist on taking this contradictory tone with me, I’m afraid I will have to take corrective measures.”
With that, he lunged at me, grabbing my throat with a crushing grip.
I gagged. My eyes bulged, and every muscle in my body tightened. There was no air getting in my lungs.
“What… are you?” He released his thumb, which was just enough to allow me to breathe and respond.
“I…” A tear formed in one eye. “I can’t.”
He tightened his grip once more. It felt even more ferocious than before.
“Say it, Abel. What are you?”
“I am… I am your pet,” I grimaced as I heard myself say the words.
He leaned in, nearly nose-to-nose. I could still see nothing but an orange glow in the dark void where I should have seen his face.
“And I?” His breath should have been warm enough to feel, but I felt an ice cold presence hit my face as he spoke. “What am I?”
“My… master…” I gagged around his grip.
He stared at me. He wasn’t releasing his grasp. My feet began to shake. I’m sure I was an unhealthy shade of purple.
Finally he let go, and I sagged there, bound to the table, gasping for air.
“Good boy,” he said. He was relishing the chance to say it. I knew that mouth was wide open in glee.
He walked across the room to his lab sink, where he turned on the faucet and washed his hands. He then reached into a drawer and pulled out a massive syringe. It was already filled with a black, almost tar-like substance.
“I mixed this myself,” he said, almost absently. “I believe… it will have the desired effect.”
“No, please,” I said as he advanced towards me with the needle. “I’m — I’m sorry. I won’t act like that again. I swear.”
“Silly boy,” the doctor said as he examined my left arm, looking for a vein. “This isn’t a punishment. No, to the contrary. This… is your reward.”
I felt the needle slide into me. It burned like all hell. The burn intensified as the solution entered my bloodstream.
“Now,” breathed Kane, “it’s time to get ready for court.”
When I came to, I was back in the rolling cage — the same one I was always carted in during the arena fights.
There was no cloth covering the cage, so I could see that I had been left alone in an empty room. I could hear a loud discussion going on in the adjacent room.
“The facts are clear, Dr. Kane,” said a man whose voice I didn’t recognize. “They are both guilty of theft from another Raven — the most egregious of offenses.”
There was a brief pause. “What say the two of you?” Dr. Kane asked.
“We’re innocent,” said a pair of female voices, speaking simultaneously.
The twins.
“The evidence says differently,” Kane replied. “This is your last chance. Confess now… and you might be shown some mercy.”
Another pause.
“It was her idea to smuggle the gold out,” said one of the twins. This one had a slightly deeper voice than her sister. “I didn’t want to do it!”
“You little gypsy,” snapped the other twin. “That’s a lie, Dr. Kane, I swear it.”
I growled as I listened to them. As I did, I looked down at my paws, flexing my yellow claws slowly.
Yes, yes, I could hear Dr. Kane inside my head. You’re about to get a treat, I do believe…
“Enough,” he said out loud as
the argument between the women intensified. “This one — to the cells with her. I do believe I have found a new test subject.”
The deeper-voiced woman screamed in horror as I heard sounds of a struggle. I lapped at one of my hind legs.
“Wait,” the other twin said. “She… she speaks the truth. It was all my idea. I forced her into it. It all falls with me.”
“Thank you for your brave confession,” Dr. Kane said. There was another brief pause. “Take them both to my chambers instead,” he finished.
The door connecting the tribunal to the room where I was waiting opened, and Dr. Kane strode in, followed close behind by the twins, who were each wearing a black-and-white-checkered dress. One had a black bob cut, the other had a similar hairstyle but in white. Each was handcuffed and being led in by a guard.
“Against the far wall,” Kane ordered. The guards dragged the women a few paces to their left and made them stand with their backs against the dark grey stones.
I watched as Kane stared at the two of them without saying a word. The twins looked at each other nervously.
“Well, one of you is going to the cells, that is for sure,” Kane said. “I just can’t make up my mind. The other one is going to the dog.”
The twins began quivering and protesting. I growled.
Kane turned to look at me, then began walking to the cage.
You will kill one of them, Kane told me from within my own mind. You will do this because I ordered you to and that is your purpose from now on.
“Let’s let him choose, shall we?” Kane smirked as he opened my cage.
I bounded out of the cage, snarling as I looked at the two women.
Every fiber of my being tried to fight the urge, but the urge to rend flesh was too overpowering. I don’t even remember, to this day, which one I sank my fangs into, but I grabbed one twin by biting straight into her hand and yanking her to the floor.
From there, it was no contest. Within minutes, I ripped out her jugular and began to toss her light-framed body around like it was a rag doll.
The other twin just sobbed and sobbed. When she sank to her knees, Kane nodded to a guard, and he led her out of the room and towards the cells.
