Experiment Zero

12. Queen Of Tasers

I pause for a moment and try to think of the best way to explain.

       "Well, they think that you can't speak English, ad since you haven't said anything to clue them in to your name, they just called you after the experiment number, which is for some odd reason Zero." Suddenly another question pops into my head.

"Speaking of which I'm curious as to why you hid the fact that you could speak English."

   "It was out of necessity. If they learned I could speak and understand their language they wouldn't go through all the trouble of taking their time to teach me and may turn to some faster....and darker.....methods to obtain information from me."

I was expecting exactly that answer, but for some reason hearing it only makes me feel worse.

   "You still have not told me your name." I finally remind him after a pause of silence, deciding to change the topic to something a little lighter.

      "For now, Zero should suffice. I don't want to tell you anymore, in case the humans decide to use you."

      I'm about to protest that they wouldn't do that, but when I think about it, I realize they may actually do that. Without my father's consent of course. I think back to that look I had seen in Mrs. Clark's eyes, shivering when I recall that.

To say it outright, that woman gives me the heebie-jeebies.

      "Wow. I mean wow. I can't believe I'm actually having a conversation with someone who's not human and lives on an island smack dab in the middle of the Bermuda triangle. The island must be pretty big to hold three different races of beings, and you all live in cohabitation. That is honestly pretty cool." I rant on, my curious childishness coming out.  

      I look up to see Zero looking sad, and I grow somber. He must miss his home. I shouldn't have been insensitive and droned on about it like that.

"I'm sorry you were taken from Dalton." I apologize, and for some reason this simple apology feels like it's lifting a huge weight of my shoulders. Of course, it'd probably feel a lot better if I helped him escape from Braun lab, but for now the apology is all I can offer.

"No need to be sorry." Zero shakes his head, a corner of his mouth lifting in a half-smile. "After all, I got to meet you."

I smile back, feeling entirely touched in that moment and wanting so badly to hug him. I think that'd be a bit too much though.

"All of what I've told you is only the basics, there is much more you still don't know, and since the humans yearn for this information, it's important you keep it a secret." Zero says, his eyes dead serious as he looks at me.

     "I promise I won't say a word about anything," I nod, holding his eyes and hoping they convey my sincerity," But you should probably go before they notice you're gone." 

Now that I think about it, he may have had my key card, but how did he get past the security guards and cameras?

I'm just about to ask when he stands up, going over to the window, before pausing. 

"Why doesn't your room have a sink and cot?" He asks and it sends a guilty pang through my heart. Zero doesn't understand that he's the only one in a cell. He must think all humans live in rooms like the one he's in.

      "The scientists don't trust you in a normal room, so they put you in a different one. I can try to convince them to get you more furniture if you'd like...."I trail off, offering the probably the only thing I can do for him at the moment.

He shakes his head. "They won't understand your good intentions, but thank you anyway. Goodnight, Ashie." He says, before climbing out the window. I walk over to it and meet Zero as he turns back around to face me.