Nine - Chapter 14

Eight helped Four return to his bed.  Four was panting, a thin line of sweat coating his forehead.

“Keith, some water please,” he asked.  Eight rose to his feet and strode across the room, bringing Four some water.  The latter downed it within ten seconds, gasping for breath.

“You shouldn’t strain yourself so hard,” Keith ordered.  “You could really hurt yourself.”

“I’ll be fine,” Four brushed him off.  “You sound like my mother.”  The jab brought a smile to Eight’s lips.

“You’re sure you’re okay,” Two asked. “I can get you some medication for the dizziness.”

“Nah, I’d be more worried about your friend over there,” Four urged.  “He doesn’t feel too well.”

Two brought his attention back to Nine, who was indeed rather pale.

Nine shook his head. “I’ll be fine.  I’m just shocked.”

Four lay down on his bed.  “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to take a well-deserved rest.  Sorry to cut out on you, Colm.  It was a pleasure to meet you.”  Four laced his fingers together across his chest and let out a heavy sigh.

Eight stood up from Four’s bed and climbed up the post on to his.  He glanced down at Nine and Two from the side of his bed.

“So, did you have fun?” Eight spoke with a smile.

“No, not really.” Nine sighed. “I always wanted to know how Five beat the snot out of the scientists.  But after watching it, I’m not so sure.”

“You know they deserved it,” Eight replied, a thin line on his lips. “Come on.  It had to be somewhat enjoyable.”

“Trust me, the look on One’s face was all I needed,” Nine added.  “It’s just… Five turned into a complete monster.  I thought he would’ve killed everyone if he had the chance.”

“Maybe we’d be better off then,” Eight said as he rolled out of Nine’s vision.  “The lot of them are nothing but bloody cowards.  They don’t deserve to live.”

“Eight,” Two hissed under his breath, but it wasn’t said with much enthusiasm.  “They may be cold and manipulative, but I’d never take any of their lives.”

“Even after what they did to Ryan?  To Zara?  To Damian?” Eight growled and leaned over the bed.  The words struck a chord with Two, and he flinched.

Nine’s eyes glanced over at Two, who seemed to be at war with himself.  He sighed and shook his head. “No.”

Eight snuffed. “Then you’re a better human being than I am.”  He rolled back onto his bed, an eerie silence settling over them.  “No, I’m wrong.  I’m a filthy experiment, bred to be nothing more than a toy for their stupid war.”

“Eight,” Two hissed.

“You know it’s true, Paul.  They don’t see us as humans. They see us as animals. Nothing more; we’ll never be their equals like you want.”

“Enough!” Two snapped.  Nine flinched and took a step to the side. Eight didn’t seem to move on his bed, but they could hear soft words from under his breath.  Two continued, “Now, you listen to me, Eight.  There are things about them you couldn’t possibly comprehend like I have.”

“Like what?  Oh, you’re telling me they actually have humanity left.  I’m flabbergasted.”

“Elle does,” Two remarked.

“Ellie’s different and you know it.  She’s not like them.”

“But she is a scientist.”

The room sunk into silence, and Two sighed. “We should probably get going.”

“Yes, you should,” Eight shot back.  Two walked over to the door. 

“Are you coming, Nine?” Two asked.  Nine looked up and caught Eight’s haunting green eyes once again.  Ne nodded and followed Two out the door, leaving Eight and Four in silence.