Experiment Zero

Epilogue/ Different Character P.O.V.

My throat goes dry, and I nod.

"Yeah." I reply, my voice nearly cracking. "Me too."

Core's P.O.V.

I watch as the image of Becky and Max fades, a handkerchief poofing into existence in my hand which I use to dab at my eyes and then throw over my shoulder.

"How touching." I murmur to myself again, shaking my head at their weird love-hate relationship.

the image shifts and I ready myself for the next person's viewpoint.

Lager's P.O.V.

I watch from the shadow of a tree as she laughs, throwing her head back as the sound escapes her.

She's actually laughing.

Kay, my mute half-sister who I love with all my heart is actually laughing.

Ashley laughs with her as they continue their stroll through the orchids, Ashley talking animatedly about stories from her childhood and things she's seen in the world outside of Dalton. 

This past week her and Kay have been nearly impossible to separate, forming a bond that is very similar to that of two sister's. Ashley has never once pushed Kay to speak like I know others have, and instead fills the silence with her own words, entertaining Kay with her ridiculous stories and sudden thoughts.

Kay barely used to laugh, and it seemed like only a select group of people could draw the sound from her, including me. Looks like Ashley's a part of that select group now. I smile at the thought.

Feeling my presence with that strange sixth sense that Kay has, she turns her head towards my direction, scanning the area where I'm hidden.

Don't find me. Don't find me. I chant.

She finds me.

Her golden eyes, the trait we both share, lock onto mine as she grabs Ashley's shirt sleeve, tugging on it and then pouting in my direction when she has her attention.

Ashley looks up, startled, and my breath catches as her eyes land on me, then slide away, trying to find what Kay was pointing at. Slight Disappointment fills me when I realize she never really saw me, and I decide it's time to make my presence known before Kay communicates silently with her and tells her how much of a stalker her older half-brother is.

I step out from my hiding spot, the shadows melting off of my body and leaving me visible.

Ashley immediately spots me and takes a step back, opening her mouth in surprise.

"It's just me." I say quickly, raising my hands in a show of peace and she instantly relaxes. 

"What are you doing here?"

"I just thought I would check up on you two, see how you're doing." I reply as casually and honestly as I can while strolling over.

"Well we're fine as you can see." She says with furrowed brows, watching me suspiciously. 

I take a step back, cursing myself for ever watching them in the first place and especially for getting caught. Now I've made a fool out of myself and Ashley most likely thinks my mental ealth is questionable.

The truth of the matter is over this past week Ashley has been spending all the time in the world with Kay, while I barely get a glimpse of her at all. Sometimes I'll be lucky enough to pass her in the hallway, but those conversations are brief and not enough to satiate my growing thirst for something more. Work as High Commander has been more busy than usual over this past week, my schedule filled with trying to settle the drama caused by all the humans who were on Dalton, leading a community, and keeping an eye on the Kinlings who have been strangely silent this past week.