“What am I doing here?” I held my chin high. “You can’t hold me against my will.”
He fidgeted with his glasses, dropping them so they hung from a chain around his neck. Crow’s feet were etched deep in the thin skin surrounding his eyes. “Oh, I’m not holding you here. I’m just the doctor.”
I edged away. “What do you mean? Where am I? Is this Frontier Medical Lab?”
He cocked his head. “How did you get that idea?”
Near the door, the same guard waited with his baton. When I stared at him, I couldn’t help think he looked like a cross between a wolf and a man. How had he become that way? Or was he born like that?
Dr. Kenmore noticed my wary gaze. He nodded at the guard and whispered, “What do you think of him?”
I crossed my arms. “Why am I here? Why are you keeping me locked in here?”
“Ida, everything will be revealed in due course. Please sit down on the bed and let me examine you for injuries,” he said, opening a silver medical bag from which he pulled out a stethoscope.
“Don’t touch me,” I hissed. “I’ve already been injured. By you and whatever bastards are holding me here. Why was my head shaved? Huh?” I stomped, feeling adrenaline course through me. Could I find a weapon in his bag? Maybe a knife so I could stab them and escape.
“Now, Ida,” he said, raising his hands slightly, “Calm down. Let’s not turn this ugly.”
“Screw you, asshole.” I reared back and spat at him. It landed on his neck.
His smile faded, and he flushed crimson. “The rules have changed, now. You are to cooperate and obey orders, or you’ll be punished.”
“What? Punish me by drugging me and operating on me more? That’s already the worst punishment I can think of.”
He wiped his neck with his sleeve and frowned. “You’ll discover much worse. Just wait.” The warm doctor who had first arrived now snapped in a threatening, icy tone. He dug into his bag and retrieved a long syringe.
I cringed. I freaking hated needles. Glancing at the guard, I wondered if he felt sorry for me. He lowered his gaze, avoiding my stare. “Where are the others you brought here, huh?”
Kenmore approached with raised needle, but I lashed at him with a strong front kick. He was expecting it, and I only grazed his knee before he dodged sideways.
“Where are you keeping the others like me? When I get out of here, I’ll find you and hurt you.” I raised my fists and bent my knees, ready to defend myself from attack. No way in hell was I letting that needle near me.
Without emotion, Kenmore retreated and nodded to the guard. “Subdue her, Peterson.”
The beastly man lurched forward, his baton pointed at me. He was about the same height as Marc, but he was no boy—he was solid. Could I even knock him down?
Peterson approached, arm outstretched, and the end of the baton buzzed with the sound of electricity. A stunner. Shit. I’d encountered a stun gun once when a rival street gang threatened my group with one. I’d seen it take someone down and didn’t want to find out what the jolt felt like. Eyeing the live weapon, I raised my left knee, hopped, landed it, and launched my right leg up in a massive shin kick, striking his hand. The baton went flying and hit the ceiling, then clattered into the corner near the toilet.
“What are you waiting for? She’s just a girl,” tutted Dr. Kenmore.
Peterson clenched his fists and snarled, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth with gleaming large canines. I shrank back. What was he?
Then he leaped on me, his bulky mass sending me careening onto the hard concrete floor. I gasped as the wind was knocked from my body, and I felt all my recent bruises throbbing all over again. I was helpless. He tossed me forward on my stomach like a rag toy then grabbed my wrists and held me down. Something heavy bore into the small of my back. His knee, maybe.
Kenmore approached. I flailed and squirmed underneath Peterson, kicking my legs with all my strength to no avail. I was no match for his sheer brute force.
The prick of the needle in my thigh caused me to scream.
As my vision grew foggy and everything faded to black, Peterson’s claws dug into my arms.
Nine
Later, I woke with no idea how much time had passed. Damn drugs. I hated being so helpless and out of control. In what I assumed was my bed, darkness surrounded me.
I pushed myself up against the wall. My left shoulder was tender—a memento of the wolf-like guard, Peterson, knocking me down and wrenching my arm. My temples throbbed, and soreness racked my body.
As I waited for the lights to turn on and the prospect of my next meal, I considered my situation. I was alone in a cell, possibly in a place called Frontier Medical Lab. Had Dr. Kenmore’s momentary surprise been a slip?
My only contact so far had been with Dr. Kenmore and Peterson. The doctor I could overwhelm and beat the shit out of given the opportunity. Peterson, on the other hand… I had no chance against his superior strength and mass.
His strange animal-like appearance haunted me. I’d seen no one like him. Half-human, half-wolf. This was a medical facility, and they were obviously conducting experiments on people. Could he have been manipulated somehow to become an animal?
A chill ran down my spine. Would they do the same to me?
I jumped as the lights flashed on and illuminated the tiny cell. I scrambled out of bed only to find the beanbag chair and rug had disappeared. Damn them. I sprinted up to the camera above the door, my one constant companion, and flipped off the watchers. I knew it was pointless, but I felt better for doing it.
At their mercy. On their schedule. Shit
