Robert Wagner's Story

A searing heat at his back awoke Vincent Dupont. The white light blinded his eyes before he could even open them. It was like nothing he’d felt before. And his head began to hurt immediately. Damn did his head hurt. Are they burning me? He wondered. That was different. Not new, but different. Generally they didn’t have much need to burn him. Could I stop flame? He wondered. Yes. That must be what they want me to do. He sat still for a second and let the sensation spread as he became more alert. I’ll take the flame and hold it to all the bastards’ faces.

He buried head in his shirt before he blinked a couple of times. What is that light? He needed to know. He couldn’t look at it. Not if he wanted to keep his eyesight. Ugh, God, that’s uncomfortable. He closed his eyes and turned his head. Something soft and cold crumpled away as his he dragged his face across it.

What the hell is that?

It couldn’t be… could it? He was able to keep his eyes open now, as long as he squinted tightly. He looked back to the ground. Soft, brown. His hand flailed out and grasped the substance tightly. He picked up a clump of it and started to laugh. Dirt. God have mercy if it isn’t dirt. But it couldn’t be because dirt would mean that he was… outside.

He rested his palms on the ground around him and took a breath. With a mighty shove, he lifted himself off the ground and sat on his knees. His eyes opened a bit wider. The light became less blinding as he adjusted. Natural light. He laughed.

Surely he was the only one in the world who’d gone 70 years without truly laughing. How could he describe the feeling? He devoured the air gratefully and spread his arms out to hug the sun. He saw trees. He saw birds. But he didn’t see people. Where were all the people?

The burning sensation had crept across the entire back half of his body. A crackling noise came from behind him. He spun around and had to shield his eyes again from a new brightness. Flames shot up around the building behind him, engulfing it. What could that be except for the Lab? Sixty-seven years in America and never had he stepped foot on its land. Everything he knew of this country was inside that building.

That horrendous, God-forsaken, prison.

Vincent spat on the American soil and stood to his feet. He remembered suddenly as though it were yesterday – waking up to the Americans around him; waking up just as he’d woken up right here. Oh they’d stood so tall, so proud. So noble. They were his heroes for just a moment. They were going to take him out of Germany. Bring him home, perhaps? He remembered thinking in a fleeting moment – I can spend the money I’ve earned. I can spend the money I made for myself.

Then the tall, blonde one. He looked like he belonged with the Aryans. He looked like a member of the SS himself, but he wasn’t. He was an American; an American that understood German, because he read Vincent’s file. He knew exactly how to sedate this… freak. This telekinetic freak. That SS American was the reason that the next time Vincent woke up, it was right there in the building that stood burning before him now. My whole life robbed from me.

It all seemed like just yesterday. Seventy years of intense pain and boredom elapsed in that instant. Now he was stuck in this 50 year old body; stuck in this country of selfish liars; stuck in this future he knew nothing of. I’ve jumped, he told himself. From 1940 to right now. He wasn’t sure when that was, but his doctors told him from time to time what year it was. It added to his suffering.

What can I do now? He wondered. Nothing, of course. Except sit and wait for someone to help him.


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One hour later, Vincent remained seated on a rock watching the flames around the Lab die down. A rumble in his stomach had grown louder and he knew he’d have to find food soon. Freedom was a paradoxical reward. Before, his every move was dictated. Now, he could not move on his own because he did not know how. He did not know where he was, nor did he understand this country. Before, his dependency was enforced. Now, his dependency was out of necessity.

A bush behind him rustled and a twig snapped. Unmistakably, Vincent recognized them as footsteps. He turned quickly around and stood up defensively, ready to attack if needed. A man in a black suit stepped out from behind the trees. He hid his face behind glasses and a trimmed white beard. He carried something in a white and red bag.

“Hello, Vincent,” the man said. Vincent balled his fists. “Relax. You don’t remember, me, do you?” He chuckled. “No, I suppose you wouldn’t.” He sighed and sat down on the rock Vincent had previously occupied. “I used to look into your cell in the early days – to see if Dr. Wagner was in there with you.” Vincent lunged forward, but the man raised his hand calmly. “Uh-uh-uh, Vincent. You’re going to hear me out. I understand you don’t have fond memories of the man.”

For the first time, Vincent noticed the man’s accent. It was subtle, hidden by years of studying English. German, though, for sure. Vincent’s back cracked from the tension in his body. “Who are you?” He croaked.

“My name is Robert. Alexander Wagner was my father.”

“Get away from me!”

“Relax, Vincent. Don’t be difficult. I’m not here on his behalf. The man hasn’t spoken to me since I was eighteen years old.”

“He is alive still?” Vincent inquired, horror creeping into his words.

“Oh, yes. Doing quite well, I’m told. Enjoying retirement in a nursing home not far from here. He turned 97 last week. Can you believe it? He won’t let me see him, though, unfortunately. All because of you, Vincent.”

“Me?”

“You ruined him, Vincent. He lost his humanity the day he took yours. Did you know that? He hated himself for the things he did to you. Even before he stopped your aging, he’d come home miserable. Oh but it was the only way, he promised me. He’d say, ‘Robert, I’ve become a torturer. It is what I am now and I cannot hide from it. Don’t be like me, son.’”

“Why you tell me this?”

“Here,” Robert Wagner replied. He lifted up the bag in his hand. “Take it. I’m sure you’re hungry.” Vincent hesitated. “I lost my humanity in my father’s eyes the day I started working for the Lab. He broke you, Vincent. Then you broke him. Then I was broken to him.” Vincent only looked back quizzically. “That was poetic of me. Take my word on it. The English was a bit complicated, though. My point is that we’re connected, Vincent. Eat this, please.”

Vincent stumbled forward and took the bag from him. It smelt hot and salty. “What is this?”

“McDonald’s, Vincent. It’s so sad what that lab has deprived you of. Consider this your first exposure to American culture.” Vincent reached into the bag and pulled out soggy hamburger with two layers of burger, cheese, pickles, and onions. Robert continued, “They call it the Big Mac. Try a fry.” Vincent quizzically grabbed one of the salted, yellow skinned fries on the side and lifted it to his mouth. The flavor – after a lifetime of lab food – melted him, to say the least. His hunger overtook him and he plunged his hands into the bag for more. Robert laughed. “They call them French fries here, you know. I wonder if your people had anything to do with that.” They sat in silence for a couple minutes while Vincent enjoyed the meal. Robert watched in silence before saying, “There is a serious matter we need to discuss. I figure we should talk about it now before you realize how badly you want to kill me.”

Robert looked up from the burger, mayonnaise and lettuce trailing down his face. “What you want?”

“As you can see, this part of the Lab has been destroyed. That means you and the other mutants are free – and that could be very dangerous. I would like to pretend that I’m concerned about the lives at stake if you mutants lose control, but I’ll spare you. The truth, Vincent, is that if we are discovered – if all the work this lab has done is exposed, it will cost all of my colleagues lots of money and lots of devastation. We can’t have all of you running around like this. I want you to help me find the others like you. I want you to make them trust you, and I want you to bring them back to me.”

Vincent dropped the burger into the bag and replied with his mouth full, “You are wanting me help you?”

“Yes.”

“No. You leave me alone.”

Robert sighed and reached into his front pocket. He pulled out an old, faded photograph and beckoned to Vincent. The mutant sat beside the son of the man who’d ruined his life. “Do you recognize this woman?” Robert asked.

Vincent wiped his salty hands on his shirt and took the photo from the suited man. He peered at it for a moment before recognition hit. “Mother,” he replied. “This is my mother.”

“Yes it is. And these three are the children that came after you. Do you know her? This youngest one right here?”

“No. Only two she had before I left.”

“This is Thérèse. She is your youngest sister. Of course she’s 82 now, living here in America with her daughter, Pauline. It’s funny, isn’t it, that your niece would look closer to your age than your younger sister?”

“My sister… she is here?”

“Yes. And if you do what I am asking, I will let you be with her. I will let you go free forever.”

“How I know trust you?”

“Well, what other choice do you have?”

“I want meet her.”

“In time you will. If you help me. What do you say?”

Vincent thought for a moment, staring at his mother’s picture. “What happened to my mother?” He asked.

“She died. About twenty years ago. Age and cancer, I’m afraid. But that man with her – that man saved her life when she was young. He was an American businessman, who made your mother his mistress for a long time before he ran away with her. He took your family off the streets and brought them to America. Think how different your life would have been if you had stayed with them…”

“I help you. If I meet my sister.”

“Okay, Vincent. That is a fair deal.” Robert stood up and Vincent tried to give him the photo. “No, you keep it.”

“Where you going?”

“It’s just a matter of time before the other mutants find you. I can’t be here when they do.” Robert pulled out a small device from his pocket and opened it for Vincent. Vincent’s eyes widened. “When you need me, you call. Just press this button here, okay?”

“What… this? American telephone?”

“Sort of. They call it a cell phone. Turn it off at night, like this. The battery should last you a few days. Goodbye, Vincent. And thank you.”

“Tell me where is your father.”

Robert turned to face the mutant. “Do you want to kill him, Vincent?”

“No.”

“Good. We have a plan. You will be free. It is time to forget the past now.”

“I need know for if plan fails.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I not want kill your father, Mr. Robert. But if plan fail, I want him kill me.”

Robert stood still for a second. “How poetic that’d be,” he muttered. “Call me… when you’re ready.” Then, he disappeared into the trees again.

Vincent turned around and stared into the remains of his burger and fries. He picked up the bun and continued to eat, waiting once again.

Robert Wagner

Robert Wagner arrived at the front door of the administrative building and entered as though he were in charge – an action which did well to reflect his feelings. He referred to this building as the ‘administrative’ one, since the director’s office was here, as well as his own. He rarely came into the office, though, since most of his work was done from home. Tracking down potential mutants was a difficult task, but once he found them, he never concerned himself with their futures. He had no need to be inside this building.

The grand irony of his entrance was that he was actually on his way to see the director. In his many years working here, he’d only ever interacted with her on a couple occasions. His department had traditionally been left to do their work without much micro-management. Besides, he had far more experience here than her anyways. Carmine was still a young girl. Surely Robert was at least twice her age. As he turned down the hallway to her office, he recalled her running around as a child. Such a beautiful girl.

She’s probably a bitch, he knew. Birthright aside, nobody holds her position – at her age – unless they are exceptionally bitchy.

It didn’t matter, as long as she was willing to work with him. He arrived at the door to her office and knocked gently. He heard conversation inside. “Carmine, it’s Robert Wagner from Tracking. I’m sure you’re busy but we need to talk.”

With that, he pushed the door open and entered, not caring to wait for her permission. He saw her inside, dressed in almost nothing, as per usual, talking to a black-haired man about her age. He cast the man a sideways glance as acknowledgement of his interruption. Then he turned back to Carmine. “Hello, director,” he said. “I need to know what the current situation is with the escaped mutants. I’ve got a plan underway to capture any of the remaining ones. It’s not our habit to work together, but this matter concerns us both and I need your help.”

~Carmine~

Carmine was at her desk, she had left Camelion where he was to rest, the snores having no effect to deter her from what she was doing. She had worked during Eriyk’s snores and through someone being interrogated or punished, this man’s quiet snores were as close as she got to silence these days. She then looked up as she heard a knock on the door and another man walked in. “Carmine, it’s Robert Wagner from Tracking. I’m sure you’re busy but we need to talk.” He was older, a full head of white hair and by the look in his eyes he had seen much in his time. He walked right up to her, giving the slightest of acknowledges that Camelion was there and spoke. “Hello, director, I need to know what the current situation is with the escaped mutants. I’ve got a plan underway to capture any of the remaining ones. It’s not our habit to work together, but this matter concerns us both and I need your help.”

She nodded, she remembered him, had seen him working with her father on occasion, but over all she didn’t need to keep too close track of their area. They found the ones to be tested on and they always did their job well in finding people who would not be missed by the populace. ”There are a few plans in place. I have one man working with my Eriyk to find a mutant that should contain all the files to the destroyed building. Another is going to be helping find the rest and I just received word on how to find a few that had been taken to the Institution, the damn thieves.” She pulled her hair back into a high pony tail, leaving her bangs out to fall across her forehead. She had just found the information she had written down that Dusk had given her and it didn’t match the story that Camelion had just given her. ”Anyways, you can go work with any of them if you choose to. What is the plan you already have in motion?” She looked up at him, the slightest hints of circles under her eyes from the lack of sleep she had gotten.

_Eriyk_

He was pretty sure he had the fight right then, as he was going to have the man out cold in this single move. He was slightly caught off guard as the man caught his balance and firmly placed his feet down on the mat. A punch to his hand broke the hold he had and the man’s back was to him, left leg out to kick him off balance. He hadn’t had an actual fight like this in awhile, the kick actually hit him. But he wasn’t going to get beat so easily.

He smirked as both his hands caught the man’s foot, yes the kick connected, he was slightly off balance, but had enough strength to reposition himself so that he could now pull the man back and down in one yank. ”Excellent, I haven’t had a real opponent in some time.” A quick peripheral glance gave him a few startled faces of guards who had never seen anyone last more than one move with him.

Scientist

He watched the two struggle through the maze, going through as fast as both were able to, helping each other along for a time. Again he was writing on the clip boards, and glancing into the maze to watch the progression. The new one, they didn’t have a name for this one yet as she was fairly new and the mutations didn’t bring any nicknames to mind, maybe she would name herself later or tell someone her name. Either way, she had seemed to fall behind, almost getting engulfed in the pillars. Dusk, the feline, had seemed to not care about her anymore, and left her behind to find the exit. She was close, but slowing her speed, and getting close to the pillars.

Dusk came almost to a complete stop as a pillar came up and singed her arm, he could tell she would need some care afterwards but wanted to see how far she could go. She sat there for almost a minute then, he supposed, the heated ground made her move ahead, and finally the open doorway was in front of her, but not out of the large room. They couldn’t have mutants running around by themselves now could they? He called for a guard to meet her down there first to give her a piece of the stale bread that would be her meal for the day and make sure didn’t run off before he could make his way down and assess her wounds.

Robert Wagner

Robert smiled. For her reputation, Carmine was surprisingly cooperative. Maybe that was her nature, or maybe she was just too tired. Dealing with the breakout had been time consuming enough for Robert. Surely Carmine hadn't rested since the incident.

“I’m in contact with one of the mutants. After a bit of coercion, he’s agreed to turn in the others that he encounters. I’ve no doubt that they’ll find each other. We will drive ourselves crazy hunting them. Instead, we’ll have them led to us. Once they realize what’s happening, though, it won’t be a quiet affair. I will need your support. My staff is trained to capture subjects for your tests, not to fight them once they have abilities. I will need your guards – whoever Eriyk can spare – to help detain them.”

Robert paused for a moment and reached for the taser gun holstered at his side. He always carried a pistol and a taser with him, though rarely had the opportunity to use either one. “There’s only so much a 62 year old man can do with one of these alone.” He laughed. “Perhaps I should speak to him myself, if you’ll tell me where to find him?”

~Carmine~

She nodded at the man’s response, ”Good, I expect them soon. Make sure all of them are recovered; we can’t afford to go searching for others to replace them. Which would mean even more work for your department.” She straightened a few piles of papers on her desk and headed for the door. ”I do have a few other things to take care of. I was given some misinformation by one of the mutants we recovered and she needs to be punished, in order to make sure she doesn’t lie to me again.” She held the door open for the older gentleman and closed it behind him. ”Anything else that needs to be discussed?”

_Eriyk_

He was a bit surprised by this man’s resiliency, he didn’t go down but instead slid under him and even managed to make Eiryk loose his balance. He stumbled only slightly, able to gain his proper position only after a few seconds and turned to face the man. ”Careful big guy, I am no guard…” He almost laughed, that statement was almost too cruelly true. ”Oh I can tell that, would love to have some of them as trained as you are.” He also got in a stance, ready for the next round. ”Your move.”

Scientist

He got word on his way down that the other mutant in the maze had collapsed. He shook his head and told them to end the test. With that, the corridors moved once again, making a straight path from Aramay to the end of the maze where Dusk was waiting. He went right to her, motioning the guard to take some water to Aramay who still seemed to be struggling to move. He would have to write that down when he had the chance… But he had to focus on wounds first before information. He went right to Dusk, though she seemed different than when he walked her down here. She had a glint in her eye that told him the test had made her more determined to get out. He knew that defiance would be crushed sooner or later by one event or another that happened down here.

He took hold of her arm, looking at the burn without a word, not caring if she would attempt to strike at him or not, he would just have to make sure she was under sedation next time a test ended. He pulled a small jar from his pocket and rubbed a small amount of crème on the wound, knowing himself that the pain would ebb slightly, the edge gone but the throb still present. He raised a small bottle of water to her, it had maybe enough for two gulps, which would keep her going for a day or two if that was all she got.

Robert Wagner

As the director ushered him to the door so quickly, Robert looked back at her curiously. “I know you must be tired, Carmine, dear, but you didn’t answer my question. I need to know where Eriyk is if I’m going to have his help on this.”

An idea came to him suddenly when she asked if there was anything else they needed to talk about. Shame on him for not having thought of it before. “And yes, since you asked. There is something else. My plan relied on the fact that the mutants would find each other on their own terms, but you seem to have a good idea on where some of them might be. If you’ll tell me where they are, I can send the mutant in my employ to their location. We can speed this process up considerably.”

He paused again before continuing. “So I need to know where I can find Eriyk and the escaped mutants.”

~Carmine~

She listened to his request as she closed the door behind them and headed down the hall. It seemed he might be working with Peter then, both using Eriyk to find the mutants. She nodded, ”Eriyk is in the training room. You might be working with Peter, or going against him for Eriyk’s services. Either way, the mutants were last spotted at the Institution, but they have since been helped out. Once I find out where they are I will send word to you via Eriyk.” She started leading him to the training room then pointed further down to a set of doors. ”You’ll find him in there.”

Scientist

He watched the girl; she seemed too dedicated on her search for an exit. She had finished the water and was now searching for a way out of the little room she was in. He chuckled a little as her search would be futile, even if she did find the door, the guards and scientists behind it would subdue her. He went over to the other one, she was drinking the water slowly, but she also looked a bit different than what she did when she first came in. He would have to have someone monitor her to track the changes. But she didn’t look well enough to go through another round. He waved to the guard to take her away, let her recoup enough for a few tests or experiments.

He turned back to the cat mutant, still stalking around the walls; he figured she wasn’t going to give up on her search for a way out. He went over to where she was, not getting too close as she looked ready to swipe at someone and he didn’t feel like bothering with avoiding those claws. ”You aren’t going to get out anytime soon. You can give up your search for a way out, all doors out of here lead back to where you’re going to be kept.”

Guard

He headed along the hallway, a small stack of papers in his hand that were headed to the director’s desk. He hoped she wasn’t in her office, he hated getting the dirty looks he got when he dropped off the papers that she needed to sign, file or whatnot. He went through the door, looking inside briefly and almost sighed in relief that she was out. He went right to her desk and set down the papers. He turned to go when he saw someone sleeping on one of her couches. Going over to the man, he shook his shoulder. ”What are you doing in the Director’s office? You shouldn’t be in here.”

Robert Wagner

Robert walked with Carmine down the hall, grateful that she took the time to escort him. She was helpful, he noted, not as intense as he’d expected, yet very straight to the point. He understood how she intimidated so many people. As they walked and she answered his questions, Robert simply nodded. Poor girl, he thought. Spent her whole life in these halls. Then, a few seconds later, God, I sound like my father.

When they reached the training room, Robert smiled. “Thank you for your help. I’m sure we’ll see results soon.” As they parted ways, he told her gently, “You might want to put aside that insatiable need for vengeance inside you and take a nap. It will do you well. That poor mutant you mentioned will be there when you wake up.” He gave her a warm, almost grandfatherly nod. Am I that old? He wondered.

He started walking towards the door of the training room but instead of entering, he took out his cell phone and began entering Vincent’s number.

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Vincent Dupont

The last flames had died down around the burnt lab. Nobody had come to the scene or emerged from the building. In all that time, Vincent Dupont hadn’t moved. He’d lost track of time, sitting and thinking about everything that had happened in his 92 years. Mostly, he thought about meeting his sister – having a chance at normalcy for the first time. If Robert was lying, or if things didn’t play out like he’d promised, Vincent knew it would be the last straw.

He had to find those mutants just like Robert had asked. Then he had to find his sister. If he didn’t, then he’d kill himself. Both sounded equally rewarding.

Suddenly the small little object – the cell phone, Robert had called it – began to buzz and emit a happy tune. Vincent flinched, nearly dropping the thing before he realized this is exactly what it was supposed to do. Robert was calling him. It had to be. He stared at the tiny machine for a moment before he opened it like he’d been instructed to. He raised it to his ear and, taking a leap of faith, he said, “Hello?”

After a moment, a scratchy voice came through, which Vincent recognized as Robert’s. Amazing! He thought. There’s nothing connected to the phone. How can it work like this?

“Vincent?” Robert asked.

“Yes. Is me.”

“Have you found anybody yet?”

“No, Mr. Robert. I wait for the person find me.”

“Well you don’t have to wait anymore. I need you to visit the area around a place called the Institution.” Robert proceeded to give Vincent the direction, adding, “There were mutants in the area. We don’t know where they’ve ended up, but once we find out, we’ll be in touch. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mr. Robert. I go there now.”

“Good. I’ll talk to you soon, Vincent. Thank you for your help.”

“I no choice, Mr. Robert. But if you are lie to me…”

“I’m not, Vincent, I swear. I can help you find your family.”

“I not like the hurt others.”

“Neither do I. But sometimes we have to – to survive in this world. Good bye, Vincent.”

There was a short click. Vincent kept speaking for a few moments to make sure Robert was actually gone, and then he closed the phone and trudged along, headed towards the Institution.

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Robert Wagner

Once the call ended, Robert turned towards the training room. He pushed through the doors to see the guard, Eriyk in a boxing ring with a man he didn’t recognize. Robert rolled his eyes. There’s no time for this. He considered using his Taser on Eriyk’s opponent, but judging by the small crowd that had gathered, it was a friendly fight. Which makes it even more purposeless. At least, he judged, the two men were not looking to kill one another.

Some of the other guards in the room stared as Robert entered, but the older man strode by them confidently and rested himself on the edge of the boxing ring. He stood in Eriyk’s line of vision and stared at him impatiently. The man would have no doubt that Robert was waiting for him. Just in case it didn’t end fast enough, Robert had his Taser ready.

As he waited, Robert tried to remember if he’d ever actually met Eriyk. He only knew the man from a distance, and he’d be surprised if Eriyk even knew who he was. Robert, however, was wearing a suit. That should get Eriyk to end his stupid duel.

Men in suits are always important.

~Carmine~

She sighed a little after she left Robert there, she didn’t know if she should go take that suggested nap or not. She knew she needed to sleep eventually, but there seemed to be too much going on, too much that needed to be done. She didn’t feel like sleeping anyway, so she decided would hold off on the cat-girl’s punishment and go find out what was going on with her. She stopped a guard in the hall and found where the girl was and headed down to the testing rooms.

Scientist

He was actually quite amused with these mutants; he hadn’t worked closely with too many new ones, and now found the appeal. Their defiance to everything was as much annoying as it was interesting. Despite being how they were they expected to get out, did they think their lives were just going to go back to normal? Their appearances were changed as was a given with any kind of experiment, and their instincts would probably change, their reactions, they weren’t human anymore, at least not completely. The other wasn’t as dangerous though, the guard would just end up putting the female in an empty cell and make sure that the door was locked, but this one. He would have to find a way to get her out without getting to close.

He tilted his head at her statements at her decision at just sitting on the floor. ”Been changed a few days at most and already no longer consider yourself human? Interesting… Usually they hold onto their humanity much longer than that.” He looked yup as Carmine came into the room, she didn’t look too happy, granted that was norm when she came round here. ”To what do we owe this honor miss Carmine? Something strike your interest?” He saw a cruel smile come to her lips, one he had seen before and always sent shivers down his back. ”There are some things that I need to take care of.” He nodded, ”there isn’t too much here to do, besides getting this one to a cell.” Carmine looked down at Dusk and chuckled. ”Already miss behaving are we? You know punishments are worse than interrogations.” She crossed her arms, dark gaze unwavering from Dusk’s.

Guard

He tensed as a hand came out and wrapped around his neck. Human…? than meant that the man was a mutant, if he didn’t consider himself a human, did one get out? He was going to bring a punch down on the mutant when holding him by the throat wasn’t the dark haired mutant, but, ”Laura…” Her name slipped through his lips, how long had it been since he’d seen her? A year, more? Since he took the job here he knew that, he came back after a week and she was gone. His eyes were wide, staring at the one he thought he lost.

Aramay

Aramay didn't take the same actions as Dusk but there was something peculiar about the conversation between the scientist and Dusk. It was demeaning in almost every way and in a perfect world Aramay would have struck up a resistance of her own. It was only a guess but if Dusk indeed give up her humanity she likely held onto it much longer than he did. Dusk didn't have a choice in the matter either while the jerk of a scientist most likely did. Instead her rebuttal came out as, "She lasted longer than you." With very little if any vindictiveness present. Her chances of falling over or passing out were more absolute. His method of breaking someone down was effective, given enough time and she was aware enough that she recognized that.

She watches as another woman walks into the room and greets the scientist. She looked tired and almost as worn out as the sweating, shivering Aramay felt. With the way she was greeted, this wasn't a low rate/normal employee they were dealing with. It was another opportunity. One that she again did not have the strength or capacity to take on. She spent more time needing help with standing let alone resisting or fighting back. She looks at Dusk with muddled thoughts rattling off in her mind. A plan desperately trying to formulate but with not much success. Instead of breaking free from the guard and rushing Carmine she found herself being lead towards the door by said guard and undoubtedly to a cell. It occurred to her how unbelievably useless she was due to, whatever was going on with her. She couldn't put up a fight, physical or verbally. Every choice she made seemed to leave her worse off than she was before. The people she could have helped most likely would remember her for her temporary cowardice. Each new thought entering her mind egged on her suppressed paranoia.

Her heart began to race. Then, everything turned blindingly bright, before going dark all at once and she promptly hit the ground. This time without a sound, whimper, groan or any other sign of getting back up. It happened so quickly that for a second the phrase "dropped dead" was very relevant for Aramay until someone checks her vitals. Her breathing was still present if rather shallow and her heart was still beating though much faster than normal for someone unconscious.

_Eriyk_

He almost had him, that’s what kept playing through his head as the man ducked around him, sent a foot straight to his abdomen and then declares the fight over. The kick alone had the enough force to send him over the ropes, which he almost did, if he hadn’t managed to slide his right foot backwards at the same time as impact and he mainly kept his balance. One thing he was confused about was the time limit, he couldn’t remember him putting one down, telling him he had to make three hits in a certain amount of time. He honestly felt jipped. Either way he the man jumped over the ropes, landing next toe Carmine, he sighed a little, slightly upset that he didn’t get to finish the fight and waved the others away. ”Get back to work.” He saw a lot of disappointed faces and a few collecting money, apparently only three or four thought it would come to a draw. He rolled his eyes and hopped out of the ring also.

~Carmine~

Carmine watched the end of the fight, wondering who was going to win when Gabriel jumped out of the ring, Eriyk after and the rest of the guards went back to whatever they were doing. “So, Director, you gonna brief me and your big guy here now or will I have to wait for our dinner together to get the skinny?” She smiled briefly, ”Eriyk this is Gabriel and you’re going to go after the mutants.” She glanced over at Robert who was nearby and nodded his way. ”He has a mutant near the Institution looked for the ones that were spotted there last. Peter, the one in the mask, told me of another that should be in the hospital. The one is the hospital is a cyborg, the other three are a fire mutant, ash and smoke, and one that is sound. You can take the Hounds to smell them out if you need them.”

Healer

She was just about finished with the bandages when the little girl squeaked ad hid under Dusk’s cot. The woman turned to find out who had walked in the room and a hand was round her throat, feet off the floor. She struggled, surprised then noticed she couldn’t breathe and tugged on the female’s hand. She heard Dusk speak something, but her ears were ringing and she couldn’t pick out the words fully, then she was on the floor coughing. Quick glance to her side and she saw the girl trembling under the cot, not making a sound as she knew that would get her unnoticed and it was habit by now. There was another in the room who rushed forward toward the one who was going to strangle her. She reached in her pocket, grabbing the needle she had in there and stuck it swiftly into Kyra’s leg, giving her a large dose of sedative, enough to put any type of mutant down for an hour at the very least. She caught the girl as she fell and put her on a cot next to Dusk’s, and noticed her wrist had blood but was already healing. She glanced back at the other who was holding Dusk and put her hand out. ”It’s ok, let her go…” Her voice was soft, not falsehood to it as she took a small step to the girl.