This is a long ‘un. I’m sorry. D: It’s also not very high quality but shhhh. Lots of stuff happening in regards to Ela and Sam's backstories though. Yuuup. some of this was kind of covered in Anime’s post from Charlie, but I fleshed it out a bit more, I guess? But also less, because SAM CAN‘T TELL ELA EVERYTHING~~~??? Idk what am i talking about
But seriously I don’t know how it got so long gah IT’S 6 PAGES and I didn't really include anyone sorry
Ela
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After our somewhat relaxing week in Germany--no but really, I was ready to get answers to all the questions looming inside of my head, and Akira took us clubbing? I could say so many words, but I digress--we were finally able to go see Charlie.
As we stood waiting for him in the living room, a million thoughts raced through my brain. I was shaking. I lingered close to Bridgette and Emery, but I figured that now would not be a good time for Bridgette and I to engage in Operation: Awkward. Tommy had tagged along, and was, of course, attached at the hip to Ash. What was up with that, though, really? Finally, Charlie appeared.
No offense to Akira, but her brother kind of crept me out. And by kind of, I mean a lot. I don’t know what was worse--the eye thing, the ear thing, or the fact that there was blood splattered all over his lab coat. It was… unnerving, to say the least, and I found myself trying to avoid looking at him completely. After various members had made their stabs at his appearance, he finally quieted us down and revealed the truth about everything.
We were science experiments. Designed to be human weapons. Not mythological creatures in the slightest.
Many members were shocked or upset. I myself was speechless, but something inside of me told me that he was telling the truth. It was the only explanation that could make sense, what, with my jumbled memory, my brother being a normal human being, and the fact that I had an Amber Alert out on my ass.
Charlie explained that XL had implanted microchips within our brains to act as trackers as well as memory subduers. Everything I thought I knew about my life? A lie. Charlie’s fiancé placed a manila folder onto my lap, thick with paper and bound by rubber bands. I looked at the title and found that it was my lab report: 4521. This was it. My life reduced to nothing but text and scientific jargon. I’d never been in foster care. I’d never lived with Eric and Regina--Hell, I wasn’t even sure if Eric and Regina existed anymore. I’d never lost Tommy. If anything, he’d lost me…
My thoughts were interrupted by a loud noise coming from the kitchen. “God, I bet he’s chugging the milk again,” Charlie exclaimed with annoyance. So there was another person living here besides Charlie and his ex-experimenter-turned-fiancé?
“Sam! Was zum Teufel machst du da? Sind Sie tuckern die Milch wieder?” Charlie’s fiancé headed towards the kitchen, spouting out German words that I had no hope of understanding.
Sam? It couldn’t be. That was…
Over the week, I’d slowly begun to remember things about our visit to XL. And then some.
“Ja, so?” A voice replied. An oddly familiar voice…
“So? Kommen Sie hier und treffen Sie unsere Gäste anstatt zu essen unser Essen!” More German. What was the point? She could obviously speak English…
“Ja, ja.” There was a pause, but soon, in walked a familiar face. Well, f*ck me. What the hell was he doing here? Standing before me was none other than Samuel-f*cking-Hawkins, betrayer of all clubs mythological and destroyer of trust in regards to winged ginger girls, face stuffed full of food like he’d never done a single thing wrong in his life.
His blue eyes locked with mine, and he swallowed quickly. “Shit.”
I decided to greet him the only way I knew how: by punching him in the face.
He stumbled backwards and fell, and began to try to crawl away as I approached him again. Tommy and Charlie both cried, “Don’t!” but, yeah, like hell was that happening.
“He works for me!” Charlie yelled.
I whirled to face the deformed man. I wanted to laugh in his face. So that’s how it was? Was Charlie secretly in on everything too? Had this whole trip been a waste? “How in the hell does he work for you? We works for Xeno! He let those scientists experiment on us!” My face was burning in anger.
Sam attempted to spout out some story explaining his actions, but I couldn’t even listen to half of it before I wanted to punch him in the face again. Eventually, Charlie had him leave, but I figured that it wasn’t the last I would be seeing of the asshole.
Fast forward to the airplane, where I sat playing with a bent edge on the folder, twisting it forwards and backwards as I debated about whether or not to open it. I wanted answers, right? So why was I shaking and sweating over the prospect of actually getting them? Finally, I sighed , removed the rubber band that bound the pages together, and cracked open the file.
…
April 5, 2004
Subject was purchased from a pair of classified sellers at classified location in California. Subject in their possession for two years. Did not ask questions. Subject is a female, appearing to be about nine years of age. Is underweight and seems to be suffering from minor contusions and physical abuse, but considering the circumstances, could be much worse. Mental health is questionable, but physical health is fair. No underlying conditions or illnesses.
…
A jolt of pain rushed through my head.
“No, you idiot! Don’t you get it? She’s a Reimann. Her pops is some big business owner. She’s rich. Filthy stinkin’ rich. Don’t you understand what that means? Either they’ll pay a fortune for her safe return, or someone else’ll take her off our hands for the same, if not more.” A shoe prodded at my chest. It hurt. Why were these two men playing so rough with me? Sure, it had been fun at first; they’d promised to help me hide from my brother in our game of hide and seek. But they weren‘t as nice now, and these things around my wrists and ankles were starting to hurt…
I ignored the sudden surge of new memory and kept reading, trying to keep myself calm.
…
April 9, 2004
After monitoring the subject’s vitals for several days, have decided to commence experiment next week. Will begin with bone thinners. Until then, we are administering intravenous fluids to counter dehydration.
Subject has mostly remained confined to room. Subject says that they “want to go home.” No comment.
It has been decided that the subject will be part of the aerial creature line, specifically avian humanoids. Have chosen to explore the coastal genus, Gelochelidon nilotica, as wings are broad and powerful. Expect subject to excel in both combat and long-distance flight.
…
June 3, 2004
Bone thinner injections are progressing well. Subject has been deprived of calcium and vitamin D until treatment is complete and bone may refortify. Subject diagnosed with underage osteoporosis. Thinned bones will allow subject to remain light enough to sustain flight. Will monitor closely in order to prevent potential fracture.
…
August 10, 2004
Bone structures once again stable. Possess 50% of initial density.
Today, wings will be added to subject. Expect graft surgery to take several hours. Subject will be under sedation for several days as nerve endings connect. Once conscious, training and further testing will begin.
Wings constructed using synthetic bone as base. Allows for support of subject. Synthetic muscles and joints also added to allow natural appearance and higher function ability. Appendages laced with artificial feathers that will regenerate when broken.
…
October 16, 2004
Subject went airborne today. Air training to begin shortly. Body responding well to appendages; no sign of rejection yet.
…
January 25, 2005
Subject lashed out today. Destroyed cabinet full of supplies. Several coworkers suffering minor injuries. Subject was subdued after paroxysm, and is currently being monitored.
When asked about what it had done, subject remained silent.
…
I flipped through several more pages, chewing roughly on the inside of my lip as I studied the documents.
…
May 4, 2007
Subject has been through extensive combat training. Will continue for next year.
Subject possesses great aptitude for ground combat. Wings are powerful enough to cause damage to objects if struck. Subject possesses extreme flexibility, able to perform several basic and complex gymnastic motions. While excellent at close range, subject seems to prefer distance and aerial combat.
Diet has been restricted to light rations so that subject does not become too heavy to remain aloft. How this will affect adolescent stage remains to be seen.
…
July 22, 2008
Preliminary chip placed in subject’s brain. Will be replaced with special chip upon instigation of special operation in several years. Chip contains a global positioning unit that sends internal pulses throughout brain receptors, allowing subject to compute its position at any given moment.
Training still underway. Soon, subject will be tested with other subjects. Subject has survival chance of 75%. If successful, test will repeat every four months.
…
I turned to another page, but was interrupted by the sound of Sam’s voice coming over the speakers, asking if I would come talk to him. My face burned in embarrassment as I put the file away and woozily made my way towards the cabin--seriously, airplanes were the worst.
I stood outside of the cockpit, shaking. Huh, I’d been doing a lot of that today. I took in a deep breath, steadied myself, and opened the door, waltzing into the room with my head held high. “Alright, ya f*cker. What do you want?”
Sam smirked. “Nice to see you again, too.”
“Yeah, wish I could say the same to you,” I said, folding my arms across my chest.
He sighed, running a hand through his now-slightly shaggy golden hair. “Look, I get it. You probably never want to speak to me again. I get it. But just hear me out. I-”
“No.” I cut him off. “You listen. You think that you can get away with it? Betraying the club like that?” Betraying me? “And then you think that joining the good guys again will get you off the hook for everything you’ve done? The hell’s your problem, man?!” I was shouting, and I hoped that the wall behind us was soundproof.
There was silence for a moment, the only sound coming from the beeping of a gadget in the cockpit. The two of us stood there, facing each other, staring each other down with hard eyes, not saying a word.
“I’m… sorry,” the blond finally said.
I laughed, and even I could tell that it was a bit too harsh. “Sorry? Is that really the best you can do?” Tears stung my eyes. “After all of this, all I get is ‘Sorry?’” My hand curled into a fist, and I twisted to weakly punch at the wall, allowing my fist to stay pressed against the surface as I forced back the tears.
I was just… so goddamn angry. I wanted to know why. Was that so much to ask anymore? Why were we supposed to be human weapons? Why were we chosen? Why were we the ones experimented on? Why?
“Ever since I was kid, I just wanted out so badly…” Sam whispered. I turned, and he must have noticed the strange look I was giving him, because he let out a sigh. “I guess I should tell you my story. My real story. Not the suburbia-college-dropout crap.” He gestured to the seat next to him, but I shook my head.
“I’ll stand, thanks,” I said bitterly.
Something like a pang of sadness flashed through his eyes. “Suit yourself.” He sat down instead, took in a deep breath, and began.
“I grew up knowing that my family was… different. My dad had always been into genetic engineering, so when XL was created, it was like a dream come true for him. He applied right away for the job there. I was eight then, but even I could see that the work was changing him. He was grumpier, darker. He spent longer and longer at work each day, to the point of me hardly ever even seeing him except for maybe an hour or two every day.” Sam snorted, but I could tell it was a pained. “He missed every single one of my little league games.”
He continued. “And then, one day, he took Cameron and me to work with him. What kind of father does that? I mean, he showed us the minor experiments--not the humans, but…” he shook his head. “Cameron took interest right away. He was full of 'wow daddy how did you do that’s' and smiles. I, on the other hand, wasn’t as impressed. He showed us a cage full of rabbits that had had their eye colors changed, and I could just look into their eyes and see that they were in pain. It was awful, y’know. He’d say, ‘Oh, this isn’t even the best part.’ And eventually, he took us to the main part of the lab. I saw it all.” He gave a small, forced smile. “The members of the MCC don’t have anything that I haven’t seen.
“I was appalled. The look that I’d seen in the rabbits’ eyes had only been multiplied and magnified. When Dad saw the look of horror on my face, instead of taking me out of the godforsaken place, he merely patted me on the back and said, ‘Don’t worry, son. You’ll get used to this pretty quickly.’ And from then on, every day after school, the bus dropped me off at the end of the lane leading up to the lab.
“Most of the time, I would just sit out in the waiting room working on my homework. But there were some days where my father would come and get me to show me his latest experiment. I’d get there, only to find that Cameron was already present. He was changing, too. He’d started skipping school so that he could spend more time with Dad at the lab. And you know what? Dad was okay with it. He was perfectly okay with his twelve year old son becoming a crazed scientist like him.
“Time passed, and Cam stopped going to school altogether. He withdrew right before high school, claiming that he was going to be home schooled. Dad withdrew me, too. Honestly, it was the last thing I wanted, but he was the boss. He started putting us to work around the lab--clean up duty, sliding trays of food into experiments’ cells, sorting files, that kind of stuff. We really did get home schooled, though. A few lessons here and there in core subjects, the rest dealing with lab procedurals and genetics. In theory, everything sounded so cool, but seeing it in action? Not so much.
“And then, one day, he brought in this girl who was just a few years younger than me! She had freckles and the reddest hair I’d ever seen. But the strangest part about her was her eyes--such a strange shade of blue that they almost looked purple when they caught the light. She looked like she’d been crying, which wasn’t uncommon in the kids who got dragged in. I could see the fear in her eyes, like the rabbits all over again. And you know what? I was scared for her. I’d seen what happened to the people who walked through those doors. Normal human beings one day, mutated creatures the next. I decided then that I wanted to help her. I knew that I couldn’t save her, but I wanted to help. It was tricky business. I had to sneak away from my normal lab duties, hide food, and do other things all while avoiding my dad and the other scientists.”
I recalled the memory of being in the lab, blindfolded and strapped to a metal table, exhausted and dehydrated. That is, until my savior appeared with that water bottle, forcing me to drink. “It was you…” I whispered softly.
Sam nodded, and then grimaced. “But I guess I wasn’t very good at the whole sneaking around thing, because Dad caught on eventually. The day he assigned me to being the one that had to enter the field and keep watch over you guys, I knew he knew. I was the one who would have to agree on the recollection date, making sure that everything was taken care of to bring the experiments back “safely.” I was the one who would have to put down any serious threat to XL. It was his way of laughing at everything I’d ever done. I went through months and months of training, and honestly, I began to believe every word of what was being taught to me. But… seeing the way you guys acted-- how willing you were to help each other even though you knew nothing about anything--made me understand who the real bad guys were after all.
“After I’d infiltrated the club, I was presented with a choice. I knew that Charlie Corners was Akira’s brother, and that XL had been after his hide for a long time. I managed to swipe his contact info one evening when I was skipping dinner from, y’know, my supposed fear of being eaten alive--which is still a completely rational fear at this point, might I add!--and had to make my ultimatum: turn in his information, letting him be captured by XL and destroying every potential chance for a counterattack; or, I could contact him myself and tell him about a new plan. I guess it’s obvious which one I picked. But, basically, Charlie said to just go through with everything as it was, and he’d figure out a way to make sure that you guys ended up safe.”
“And you honestly believed him?” I cut in.
“It was a gamble that I had to take! He said… he said that everything would work out, and it did!” The blond defended.
“And those stunts at the lab?”
Sam made a tch sound. “I had to. My dad was proud of me for the first time in years. He thought I’d finally come to my senses. If he saw my act waver even the slightest bit, he would have known something was up. You… you have no clue how much I just wanted to grab you and run. Run, and never look back. The promise I’d made to myself all those years ago would have become reality. But I realized it was too selfish of a thought.
“So, I kept my head low for a while and let the second phase of the experiment run its course. Or, I tried to, anyway. Something happened. The second phase was supposed to last for a couple of months, which would have worked well for the plan Charlie spoke of. But, Dad wanted to end it early. Really early. And then, after I found some stuff in his office, I knew I had to do something. After a certain string of events happened, I ended up finally meeting up with Charlie and was able to contact the club.”
“So, those text messages…?”
“Me. I didn’t know how much of you guys’ memory had been altered this time around, so I figured it would be best to use an alias and a new number to contact you guys, since there was no way any of you would ever trust Sam Hawkins again. But, it didn’t work. Hey, thanks for blocking my number, by the way.”
I felt my cheeks grow hot in embarrassment. “How was I supposed to know?!”
The blond chuckled. “Thankfully, we had a backup plan.”
“Tommy.”
He nodded. “Your family still hasn’t stopped looking for you, even after all these years.”
Well, it sure would be nice to actually remember them.
“He was supposed to be the one to tell you guys to get out of there. I knew about your altered memories of him, so I figured that if you saw the truth, something would click,” he continued.
“Yeah. That worked well. Akira locked him in a closet.”
Sam shrugged. “What matters is that you guys are here now.”
I stood there, contemplating everything he’d just told me. Could I really bring myself to hate him after all of that? After he’d spilled his guts to me? And after I knew that he’d just been trying to help all along? Something still seemed off, though, like he wasn’t telling me everything… “You’re a real idiot, you know that?” I drew back my arm, watching in satisfaction as he flinched, and punched him in the arm. “That’s for being an ass.” I sighed and turned to leave, just a little bit overwhelmed by everything.
“See you later, Sam.”
---
As if this hadn’t been enough to deal with, Akira’s mansion had been burned to the ground, Spike’s brother turned out to be the one who created XL in the first place, and now we were living underground. I thought airplanes were bad, but being underground was about a thousand times worse.
Charlie was also starting to take the chips out of members’ brains. I really didn’t know what we were going to do next, but I figured that XL had better be prepared.
The club’s counterattack would begin now.
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tl;dr: SHUT UP, SAM. go drink your milk
Lame ending whoops I got tired of writing. And no, that was not an Attack on Titan reference that i shoved in there I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT
Sorry if there are any tense problems in this. I’ve been writing a lot of stuff lately in present tense, so my mind keeps wanting to write in that instead of past tense. Also I haven’t written much in first person, either. AHHHH.
Also seriously though, how the heck did I write so much and still pretty much fail to include anyone? I’m sorry. :c I FIGURE EVERYONE ELSE IS PROBABLY DEALING WITH THEIR OWN CRUD, ANYWAY?? Too much trauma for interaction and all that jazz
