Transformed Chapter TwoA Chapter by Tabitha M.Images burned in Larissa's mind; some bright, others a blurry, dim mess. She couldn't tell if it was a dream, or her own thoughts. A heavy mist still clung to her brain, making conscious thought difficult, but she soon realized she was awake when she started shivering from cold. She woke up in a cage. Terror immediately took over. She ripped the IV from her arm and scrambled to her feet. Goosebumps covered her flesh, both from fright and the cold. A different humiliating fright arose when she remembered she was still wearing her hospital gown. She felt some of her stitches tug when she moved and realized she didn't even know the full extent of her injuries, but she'd have to worry about that later. If she got out of here! She appeared to be in a lab, or something similar. A doctor's office? Everything was white with computers, microscopes, and other various machines scattered along tables and counters. Images of blood cells and DNA were taped to the walls. There were also a few bio hazard containers lying about. The place reeked of antiseptic. The bars of the cage ran from the ceiling to the floor. There was a door at the front, towards the middle of the bars. She ran to it, stitches pulling. She gripped the cold bars in a white-knuckled hold. Every possible, horrible scenario played through her mind as she tried to push the door open. It didn't budge. Not even a loose rattle. Her heart was pounding in her ears. She opened her mouth to yell out, but only a hoarse croak escaped. Clearing her throat, she tried again, and managed a rough, "Hello?" It echoed off the walls as did the sound of tennis shoes against the tile. She leaped towards the front corner of the cage, waiting for someone to appear. "Hello?!" "Hello, Larissa." Her doctor said smiling at her, perfect teeth and all. He tsk’d at the IV line on the floor. "You shouldn't have done that. You'll be wanting that later." She stepped away from the bars, fear squeezing at her heart so tight she thought it would explode. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, lighting her skin on fire. "Where are we?" "The hospital," he said walking up to the bars. "Don't worry, you're safe here." "I don't feel very safe," she said tears stinging in the back of her eyes. Her head was starting to hurt. The skin around her stitches started to ache. Her stomach churned. This couldn't be happening. "Why am I here? Why me?" "Well, you're special, Larissa." His smile turned into a smirk. "Very special." He was making her skin crawl. She fought hard against her tears. Death would be a sweet relief right now. He cocked his head to the left and studied her. "You still don't remember what happened, do you?" Biting her lip, she shook her head, knowing her voice would crack if she spoke. "You see, Larissa, you're different from most people," he started, walking slowly back and forth in front of the cage as he spoke, "even though you look like a normal teenager. Your DNA is special, mutated in a way. You are one of a few special hundred with the capability to withstand this mutation." She stared at him blankly. "What are you talking about?" "A sort of DNA splicing," he said with an eerily excited grin that matched the gleam in his eye. "You were an experiment. One that turned out perfectly." She continued to give him a blank look, not believing any of it. He ignored her expression. "It's simply amazing what your body can do Larissa Mange. You have the incredible ability to take on characteristics of an animal. It's almost magical." He moved closer to the bars, almost pressing his face against them. "I would give anything to have that power." She pressed her back against the bars on the opposite side of the cage, getting as far away from him as possible. "You're f*****g insane." He threw his head back and laughed. "Some would think so, yes. But I'm really not." He shook his head, smiling. "Just eager for knowledge and power." So was Hitler, she thought. The doctor opened his mouth to speak, but a series of loud beeps cut him off. He pulled a pager from his pocket and gave it a quick glance. "Time for me to save a life," he said with an amused grin. He started to walk away, but turned around and added, "Let me know if your pain becomes too much." And with a wink, he was gone. The insane man who was keeping her in a cage was off to play the part of a respected doctor. Her world had turned upside down in a night. A night she couldn't even remember. "Great," she mumbled. "Fantastic." What was she supposed to do? Things like this didn’t happen in real life. Tears threatened again, but she fought them back and decided to check her injuries, lifting the bandages carefully. There were five small puncture wounds sewn shut on both of her upper arms; both areas heavily bruised and swollen. Four long cuts marred the flesh on her right arm with three of them sewn shut. The other wasn't nearly as bad in fact it was already scabbing over nicely. The slashes on her leg were much worse, and more painful. They were deeper and more swollen, making it painful to stand. She slid to the cold floor and sat so she could examine them better. They didn't look infected, but her pain medicine was definitely wearing off. Her leg and head were throbbing. Solemnly, she cast a look at her surroundings. “I’m in hell.” © 2015 Tabitha M. |
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Added on January 24, 2015 Last Updated on January 24, 2015 Tags: fantasy, shapeshifters, romance Author
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