Untitled

You couldn't understand him. It was just noise.

In an earnest attempt to communicate back, you made a noise between a gurgle and a babble.

The man grinned widely, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, you're just so cute!" he squealed, lifting you up from the pod and into his arms.

He was so warm compared to the coldness of the room. Your small hands reached up, grabbing onto his lab coat. He chuckled, his arms wrapping tightly around your body.

"Father's little miracle," he cooed, his cheek nuzzling against yours. He clearly didn't care about how you were soaking him in the liquid.

You took the moment to truly take in his appearance. His face was angular, with a prominent jaw and sharp cheekbones. There were scars across his features, his right eye milky white and blind with a large patch of reddened and scarred skin around it. You curiously reached up, touching his face.

He froze for a moment, his eyes widening. Then he laughed, his chest rumbling. "Well, aren't you a curious little thing? Yes, Father is quite handsome, isn't he?" He nuzzled his face into your hand, sighing contently.

For a moment, the two of you just stayed there, basking in each other's presence.

"Alright, now," he said, pulling away. "Let's get you all cleaned up. I'm sure you're freezing."

He tried to help you up after bundling you in his lab coat, but your legs wobbled at the unfamiliarity. You had to grip onto his arm for support.

"Like a baby deer," he adoringly cooed. "Your father's joints aren't the best, so... ah, I had a wheelchair around here somewhere..." He eased you back to the floor and made a vague hand gesture, then went to the far corner of the room.

You looked around curiously, seeing the many machines that surrounded you. Most of them were turned off, but a few had blinking lights and buttons. You were tempted to touch them, but you were quickly pulled away as the man returned with the wheelchair.

He lifted you up, gently placing you onto the seat. "There we go, now you're all set."

You looked up at him, a soft squeak escaping your lips.

He grinned, leaning down to press a kiss on your forehead. "I love you too, dear."

With a nod, he began to push you out of the room and down a long hallway. The walls were lined with various pictures and diagrams, most of which you couldn't comprehend. He had to push the wheelchair with one hand since you were holding onto his other.

He led you to another room, this one much warmer than the previous one. There was a large bathtub in the center, filled with warm water and bubbles. Next to it was a table with various bottles and containers.

"Time for a bath," he said, helping you out of the chair and half-carrying you over to the tub.

He gently placed you in the water, the warmth immediately soothing your skin. You let out a soft sigh, relaxing into the tub. He chuckled, grabbing a washcloth and some soap. You've never felt so warm.

He hummed a soft tune as he washed you, his hands gently scrubbing away the remnants of the pod's liquid. When he was done, he washed your hair, massaging your scalp with the shampoo. His fingers felt heavenly, and you couldn't help but close your eyes and enjoy the sensation.

Once he was done, he grabbed a towel and dried you off, wrapping you in it.

He led you over to a small bed in the corner, helping you onto it. He sat down next to you, brushing your damp hair out of your face.

"Isn't that better?" he asked, smiling down at you. "I bet you feel much cleaner now."

You stared at him blankly.

He laughed and shook his head. "I know, you can't understand a word I'm saying. You'll learn. In the meantime, I just hope you enjoy hearing my voice." He grabbed several pieces of fabric, all pastel-colored. "Dr. Peña recommended scrubs, but between you and me, he's dreadfully boring. Now, green or blue?"

Once again, you stared at him.

"Hmm... how should I go about this..." He lifted the fabrics in his right hand in emphasis. "Green," he said more slowly, before lowering it and lifting the fabrics in his left hand, "or blue?"

You blinked for a moment. "'een."

His face lit up like a Christmas tree—not that you'd know what that was either. "Oh, you're such a fast learner! Father is so proud of you!"

The door behind him suddenly hissed, and Wesley's expression changed instantly. You followed his gaze, seeing a man standing in the doorway.

"Peña," Wesley greeted.

The man, Dr. Peña, glared at him. "Wesley," he replied curtly, stepping inside and approaching the bed. "We detected vocalization from Subject—"

"Don't call them that."

"—and I wanted to make sure that they were—"

"They're fine, Peña." Wesley shifted to block his view of you.

Even though Peña seemed annoyed at his colleague's brusque attitude, he didn't call him out on it. Instead, he changed his wording into a simple observation. "They spoke."

Wesley glanced at you before responding. "Yes, and they're a fast learner. They're already choosing clothes."

Peña sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wesley, we need to document every single step of their development. The vocalization is a breakthrough, and we have to—"

"Last time I checked, I was the one overseeing the development of [Name]."

"You already named it?"

"Of course I have. I think it suits them, don't you?"

"Wesley, this project has been waiting for viable results for eight years."

"And I have been waiting for my child longer than that."

Silence followed. Peña seemed to struggle with finding the right words. Then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, slowly exhaling through his nose. When he opened his eyes, they were filled with resignation. "I'm not going to argue with you about this. I will have the record updated."

"Thank you, Peña. I knew I could count on you."

He rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Just...be careful, okay? I don't want anything happening to them."

"Never in a million years."

Peña nodded, then turned to leave. Just before he stepped out, he paused and looked back at you. "Welcome to the world, [Name]."

Once he was gone, Wesley turned back to you and smiled. "Now, where were we? Ah yes, clothing." He held up the green fabric. "Let's get you dressed and ready for bed. I have a lot to teach you tomorrow."

...

The first few days were a blur for you.

Wesley kept you busy with various activities, all of them designed to teach you basic skills. He taught you how to talk, read, write, and even how to walk properly. He was a patient teacher, never getting frustrated when you struggled with something.

In fact, he seemed to enjoy every moment of it.

He would often talk to you while you were learning, his voice soothing and calm. He would tell you stories about his past, though he never went into too much detail. He would also talk about the world outside the facility, describing the people, places, and things that existed beyond the walls. However, he always stressed that you were to never go outside.

You couldn't quite comprehend everything he was saying, but you enjoyed listening to his voice.

One day, while he was teaching you how to read, he noticed you staring at the window. The glass was tinted, and you could only see a blur of colors. You reached out, your fingers pressing against the cool surface.

"What's wrong, dear?" he asked, setting down the book.

You turned to look at him. "Wanna go outside."

His expression softened. "I know, but it's not safe out there. You're better off here with me."

"Why?" you asked, tilting your head. "What's out there?"

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "There are...bad people out there, [Name]. People who would want to hurt you."

Your eyes widened. "Why?"

"They just...do." He reached out and cupped your cheek, his thumb stroking your skin. "But don't worry, I'll always protect you. You're safe here."

You frowned, not fully understanding his words. But you trusted him, so you nodded and leaned into his touch.

"Good," he murmured, leaning forward to press a kiss on your forehead. "Now, let's continue with our lesson."

He picked up the book again, but you could still see the worry in his eyes.

...

The other staff were nice, even if Wesley was very particular about who came near you.

Dr. Peña was cold and sometimes a bit annoyed, but you could tell he had a soft spot for you, as did most of the doctors and nurses.

The only other doctors allowed near you were Dr. Cordova and Dr. Horn. Cordova and Horn were both warmer than Peña, and Wesley often joked around with them. They were the ones who helped you with learning how to use technology and how to understand the various machines in the facility.

There were also some guards, though they mostly stayed in the shadows. They were there to protect you, Wesley explained, though he never elaborated on what you needed protection from.

You had a sense that they were more there to keep you from escaping.

Oh, right, and you had powers. You didn't really understand what the big deal was, but you supposed they had become so normal to you that you didn't think much of them. You had super strength and retractible fangs and claws. Dr. Horn once claimed you looked like a "little chupacabra", whatever that meant. You remembered Wesley getting offended on your behalf.

Life was pretty leisurely, but that meant it was also, well... boring.

Every day was the exact same. The same routine, the same people, the same walls. You were tired of it. You wanted to see more, to experience more. You wanted to go outside.

"Tomorrow I turn one," you informed Wesley, even though he was the one who had reminded you just this morning.

He was busy typing away at his computer. He hummed in response.

"You said I can have a present of my choosing," you added.

He paused, then turned to look at you. "Yes, I did. What do you want, dear?"

You hesitated. You knew what you wanted, but you also knew Wesley would say no. Still, you decided to take a chance. "I wanna go outside."

His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. "No."

You frowned. "But you promised!"

"I said I'd give you anything within reason," he argued, his voice rising. "Going outside is not within reason."

"Why not?" you asked, crossing your arms. "Dr. Cordova said she thinks the sunset is beautiful. I've never seen it before."

"And you never will."

You flinched at his tone, your eyes widening. He never raised his voice at you before.

His expression immediately softened, and he got up from his chair. He walked over to you, kneeling down despite you not being much different in height.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his hands resting on your shoulders. "I didn't mean to scare you. But you have to understand, the outside world is dangerous. I can't risk losing you." You went silent, and his frown deepened. "[Name]..." He pursed his lips in thought. "How about a compromise? You may watch the sunset through the window."

You shrugged. "It isn't the same."

"I know it isn't," he replied, "but it's the best I can offer you."

You bit your lip, considering his words. After a moment, you nodded. "Okay, I guess."

He smiled. "Good. Then it's a deal."

...

The sunset was just as Cordova described, but it didn't do much to satisfy you. Outside looked so beautiful, even if behind a layer of bulletproof glass that was still just slightly tinted. You couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to feel the grass beneath your feet, to smell the fresh air, to see the world with your own eyes.

Wesley watched your reaction closely. He didn't miss the longing in your expression.

He sighed, placing a hand on your back. "Come on, [Name]. It's getting late. Time for bed."

You didn't move. "But—"

"No buts. You need your rest."

You reluctantly followed him to your room. He helped you change into your pajamas, tucked you in, and kissed you goodnight. You stared at the ceiling, your mind racing.

You wanted to go outside.

You needed to go outside.

You just had to figure out how.

...

"Dr. Horn. I have a request," you said, pulling at his sleeve.

He glanced at you. "Mhm, kiddo?"

"Could you let me take a walk outside? Just for a few minutes?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, I don't think Dr. Page would appreciate that."

Sometimes you had to remember Wesley was not simply "Wesley" or "Father" to the others, but Dr. Page. "We wouldn't need to tell him."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're asking me to lie to my boss? Sorry, I like having my head attached to my body."

"You won't get caught," you insisted.

"And how do you know that?"

You didn't have an answer for that, so you stayed silent.

He sighed, patting your head. "Look, kid. I get it. You're curious. But you gotta understand, the world out there isn't as great as you think it is. It's better for you to stay here where it's safe. People outside are shitty, anyway. You got your own little family in here, don't you? We're way nicer than anyone else could be. Well, except for maybe Peña, but he's getting there."

You didn't laugh at the awkward joke. "I'm only asking to walk around a little."

His face grew serious. "No. I'm sorry. I can't risk it."

So much for that.

...

Another week passed. Wesley was typing away while Dr. Cordova was scanning you. You were getting antsy.

"So, what do you wanna be when you grow up?" Cordova asked you.

"I am grown up," you responded.

She laughed. "No, you aren't. You're still a baby."

You huffed. "I'm just as big as you and the others. I know what actual babies are like." You sighed. "Normal ones, at least."

"Okay, okay," she conceded. "You have the body of an adult, sure, but you're still a child in here." She pointed to her head. "You haven't experienced enough of life to be considered an adult."

You rolled your eyes. "I'm never going to experience life, though. I'm stuck in here forever."

Wesley stopped typing. "Hey. We talked about this."

"I'm sorry," you muttered, "but it's true."

His jaw clenched, and he looked like he was about to argue, but he stopped himself. He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "I know you're frustrated, [Name]. But you have to trust me. I know what's best for you."

You were silent, not wanting to push him any further.

Cordova cleared her throat. "Uh, scans are done."

"Good," he said, standing up. "You're dismissed."

She gave you a sympathetic smile before leaving the room. Wesley walked over to you, sitting down next to you.

"I'm sorry," you said softly.

"Don't be." He placed a hand on your knee. "I understand why you feel this way. But I need you to understand that I'm doing this for your own good."

You nodded, though you didn't fully believe him. You didn't want to argue anymore, so you just leaned into him, resting your head on his shoulder.

He wrapped an arm around you, holding you close. The two of you stayed like that for a while, neither of you speaking. Eventually, he broke the silence.

"Tell you what," he said, "why don't we do something fun tomorrow? Just the two of us. Maybe watch a movie. You like those, don't you? We can even get some popcorn, make a blanket fort...?"

Movies were nice. They were the closest thing to outside you could get. "Okay."

"Good." He kissed the top of your head. "I love you, [Name]."

"I love you too," you replied. "Even if you're annoying."

He chuckled, squeezing you gently. "I'll take it." He went back to the computer. "Why don't you go get ready for bed? I'll be there to tuck you in soon, m'kay, dear?"

You nodded, getting up and heading to your room.

...

The craziest part about everything, was that you didn't even mean to get into this mess; you just wanted a glass of water.

You had pressed on the button for assistance from one of the nurses, since the doors to your room locked around nighttime.

"Here ya go, kiddo," she said, handing you the glass. "Anything else I can do for you?"

"...could you stay until I fall back asleep?" Normally, you'd only request such a thing from Wesley, but he was busy. You didn't feel like sleeping alone right now.

She gave you a sympathetic look. "Sure thing." She sat on the edge of the bed after shedding her coat and lanyard with it, folding the coat and placing the lanyard on top of it. She placed it behind her on the bed before giving you her full attention.

You didn't even concentrate to her words, you knew they were all just nonsensical rambles, but it did make your eyes heavy. You were almost fully asleep when she left the room with a fond chuckle.

Just as you shifted positions, your socked feet felt something at the edge of the bed. You sleepily reached over, picking up what felt like a piece of plastic. Then you opened your eyes and realized what it was.

It was her lanyard.

You knew the right thing to do. You should've gotten up and returned it to her. But you didn't. You couldn't. This was your chance. If you could just get out for a bit, you could see the sunset without any windows blocking it. And then you would come back. You would be back before anyone noticed. You were sure of it.

You grabbed the lanyard and got out of bed, tiptoeing to the door. You swiped the card through the reader, and the door clicked open. You peeked outside, seeing no one in the hallway. You quickly slipped out, closing the door behind you.

You had a vague idea of where the exit was, but you were still nervous. You walked as quietly as possible, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be wandering around. Luckily, the facility was mostly empty at this hour.

Eventually, you found the exit. It was a large metal door with a keypad next to it. You hesitated for a moment, then swiped the card. The door beeped, then slowly opened.

You took a deep breath, stepping outside.

The air was fresh and crisp. It smelled different than the filtered air inside the facility. You looked around, seeing nothing but trees and bushes surrounding the building. The sun was just beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.

You walked further away from the building, your eyes wide in wonder. The grass was soft beneath your feet, the wind blowing gently through your hair. It was everything you imagined and more.

You continued to walk, not realizing how far you were getting from the facility. You were so lost in the moment that you didn't notice the gate until you nearly bumped into it, too busy gazing up at the sky.

The top was looped with barbed wire, the front of it closed off with a metal sign that read:

 WARNING: NO TRESPASSING. PROPERTY OF PAGETECH INDUSTRIES. VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED.

You frowned, looking around the gate. It was too high for you to climb, and you didn't see any other way out. Not that you were really planning on a way out.

That was, until you heard the yell of a man.

"Hey! Hands up where I can see 'em!"

You looked back and saw someone dressed in a security uniform running toward you, a heavy black gun pointed in your direction.

You didn't plan on running, you honestly didn't. For a heart-stopping moment, you thought about being taken back in and Wesley's reaction to knowing his beloved child had pulled such a stunt. It sounded dreadful, but you considered it your only option.

That was until the man shot something at you, but missed.

It didn't occur to you that there were anything other than bullets in that gun. So, in a panicked last-moment decision, you ran.

The man yelled for you to stop, chasing after you. You didn't know where you were going, just that you needed to get away. You dodged trees and jumped over bushes, your heart racing. You could hear him gaining on you, but you refused to give up.

You saw the gate coming into view. You didn't think twice, jumping up and grabbing onto the barbed wire. You were hoping you could just climb over, but the wire was too sharp and cut into your hands. Still, you held on, pulling yourself up.

"Stop right there!" the man shouted, grabbing your leg.

You cried out, kicking him away. You underestimated your strength, because next thing you knew, he was absolutely pummeled into the ground by the force of your kick. You covered your mouth to muffle a scream of horror, then focused back on your escape.

You pulled yourself over the gate, wincing as the wire dug into your skin. You dropped to the other side, landing hard on your feet. Your legs were sore, but you ignored the pain, running as fast as you could.

You didn't stop until you couldn't hear him anymore. You looked back, seeing no sign of him. You were safe.

For now, at least.

...

"...sir?" Peña's voice was laced with uncharacteristic anxiety.

It had been three hours since you left. Wesley's eyes were bloodshot, his nails bitten down to the quick. He refused to sit still, pacing around the facility and barking orders at anyone who got in his way. His entire office was a mess, papers scattered all over the floor, his computer screen cracked from throwing it at the wall in a rage.

There was no reply from the man.

"Wesley?" Peña gently called again.

"What?" he spat, not even looking at him.

"We... we found the guard."

That made him freeze. He slowly turned around, his eyes wild. "And?"

Peña hesitated, swallowing hard. "He's...dead."

The room fell silent.

Wesley stared at him, his breathing heavy. Then he let out a guttural scream, grabbing the nearest object and throwing it across the room. It shattered against the wall, pieces flying everywhere.

Peña flinched but didn't move. "We have reason to believe Subject—uh, [Name]—is the one who killed him."

"I could've guessed that on my own," Wesley sneered.

"The... the autopsy said he was kicked so hard that it caved his ribcage in."

Wesley's face paled. "Oh, God..."

"They were in a panic," Peña tried to reassure him. "They didn't mean to."

Wesley gave an offended glare. "I know that! Don't you think I know that?!" He began to pace again, muttering to himself. "They must be so scared. I have to find them. I have to bring them home."

"We're doing everything we can," Peña said. "But they could be anywhere by now."

Wesley stopped, turning to face him. "No. They wouldn't go far. They wouldn't leave me." His voice cracked. "They love me."

"I know, but—"

"Find them!" Wesley yelled, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Find them, or so help me God, I will burn this whole place to the ground!"

Peña nodded, swallowing thickly. He quickly left the room, leaving Wesley alone with his thoughts.

Wesley fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. He buried his face in his hands, his body shaking with sobs.

"Come back to me," he whispered. "Please, come back."

...

You didn't know where to go or what to do.

You were lost, scared, and alone. You had never felt so vulnerable in your life. The world was so much bigger than you thought, and you were just a small speck in it.

You found yourself in a city, the bright lights and loud noises overwhelming your senses. People walked past you, not even giving you a second glance. You felt invisible.

You wandered around, your hands stuffed in your pockets. Your clothes were dirty and torn, your face smudged with dirt and tears. You looked like a mess, but no one seemed to care.

You eventually found a park, deciding to rest on a bench. You watched as people walked their dogs, children played on the swings, and couples sat together on blankets. It was a major contrast to the sterile environment you were used to.

You couldn't help but feel a bit envious. They were all so... normal.

You sat there for hours, just observing. You were too scared to move, too scared to interact with anyone. You just wanted to go home. You wanted to be back in your room, with Wesley tucking you in and telling you everything was going to be okay.

Oh, Wesley.

Was he mad? Was he worried? You wouldn't blame him if he was both. You just hoped he wouldn't hate you for what you did.

You felt tears well up in your eyes, and you quickly wiped them away. You didn't want to cry, not in public. You didn't want to draw attention to yourself.

But it was too late.

"Are you okay, hon?"

You looked up, seeing an older woman standing in front of you. She had kind eyes and a warm smile. You nodded, not trusting your voice.

She sat down next to you, placing a hand on your shoulder. "You don't look so good. Are you lost?"

You hesitated, then nodded again.

She frowned. "Do you need help? I can call someone for you."

"No!" you said quickly, shaking your head. "No, I'm fine."

She gave you a concerned look. "Are you sure? You can tell me the truth."

You bit your lip, looking away. You didn't know what to do. You wanted to go home, but you were scared of what would happen if you did.

The woman seemed to sense your inner conflict. "Why don't you come with me? My house is just around the corner. You can clean up, have something to eat, and then we can figure out what to do next. How does that sound?"

You looked at her, seeing nothing but kindness in her eyes. You slowly nodded. "Okay."

She smiled, standing up and offering her hand. "Come on, then. Let's get you out of here."

...

You went with the woman, whose name was Eleanor. She was a widow, her husband having passed away a few years ago. She lived alone in a small house, but it was cozy and welcoming. She gave you a change of clothes, a warm meal, and a bed to sleep in. She treated you like family, and for a moment, things felt okay.

She didn't pry into your past, but she did ask you questions about yourself. You answered as best as you could, not revealing too much. She seemed satisfied with your vague responses, not pushing you any further.

You stayed with her for a few days, helping her around the house and keeping her company. She was a sweet lady, and you enjoyed her presence.

Even though you missed Wesley and the others, you had to admit it was nice being out in the real world. You were learning new things, experiencing new emotions. It was scary, but also exhilarating.

You had almost forgotten about the incident at the facility, pushing it to the back of your mind.

But it all came crashing back when you saw the news.

It was a quiet evening, and you and Eleanor were sitting in the living room, watching TV. Suddenly, a breaking news alert appeared on the screen.

"Authorities are still searching for the escaped patient from the CRYO Industries facility," the reporter said, showing a picture of the gate and a grainy image of you climbing over it. "The patient is described as dangerous and unstable. If you have any information, please contact the police immediately."

Your blood ran cold. You looked at Eleanor, seeing her eyes wide with shock.

"Is... is that you?" she whispered, her hand covering her mouth.

You didn't know what to say. You just sat there, frozen in fear.

She turned to you, her expression a mix of fear and concern. "Is it true? Are you... are you dangerous?"

You shook your head. "No, I swear. I'm not."

"Then why are they saying that?"

"I... I didn't mean to hurt anyone," you explained, your voice trembling. "I was just scared. I didn't know what else to do."

She stared at you for a moment, then sighed. "Oh, honey..."

"I'm sorry," you said, tears forming in your eyes. "I should've told you the truth. I just... I didn't want you to be afraid of me."

She reached out, placing a hand on your cheek. "I'm not afraid of you. I just... I don't know what to do."

You leaned into her touch, closing your eyes. "I don't, either."

...

Wesley was losing his mind.

Days had passed since you disappeared, and there was still no sign of you. He was barely sleeping, barely eating. He was a wreck, his sanity hanging by a thread.

Peña and the others tried to calm him down, but it was no use. He was too far gone.

He spent most of his time in his office, staring at the security footage from the night you escaped. He watched it over and over again, trying to find any clues that could lead him to you. But there was nothing.

He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. His eyes were bloodshot, his face pale and gaunt. He looked like a ghost of his former self.

Suddenly, his phone rang. He picked it up, his voice hoarse. "Hello?"

"Dr. Page, it's Horn. We... we might have something."

He sat up straight. "What is it? Did you find them?"

"Well, not exactly. But we found CCTV footage of them in a nearby city."

Wesley's heart skipped a beat. "Show me."

Horn sent him the file, and he quickly opened it. He watched as you walked through the streets, looking lost and scared. His chest tightened at the sight.

"Where is this?" he asked, his voice strained.

"Bedford Park," Horn replied. "We're sending a team over there to search for them."

Wesley nodded, his eyes glued to the screen. He watched as you interacted with people, looking so out of place. He wanted nothing more than to hold you in his arms and tell you everything was going to be okay... and then scold you for how you broke his heart after nearly making it stop completely.

He paused the video, zooming in on your face. You looked so tired, so defeated. It broke his heart even more, if that were even possible.

"I'll find you," he whispered. "I promise."

...

You were in the kitchen, helping Eleanor make dinner, when there was a knock on the door. She went to answer it, leaving you alone.

You were stirring the pot on the stove, lost in thought. You were still scared, but you were trying to stay positive. You hoped that soon, everything would be resolved, and you could go back to your normal life. Whatever that was.

Suddenly, you heard a commotion from the living room. You turned off the stove, wiping your hands on a towel before walking towards the noise.

You froze when you saw a group of armed men standing in the doorway, their guns pointed at Eleanor. She had her hands up, her face pale.

"What's going on?" you asked, your voice trembling.

One of the men turned to you. He didn't dignify you with a response. Instead, he nodded to his men, who quickly grabbed you.

"Wait, no!" Eleanor cried. "Leave them alone!"

They ignored her, dragging you out of the house. You, in a state of further panic, shoved them away. Two of them were flung back from the sheer force of your push.

"Shit, they're not lying about them being dangerous," one of them spat. "Grab them, now!"

You never realized how enhanced your reflexes were until that moment, dodging and weaving through their desperate grasps. But they kept coming at you, and there were more and more of them surrounding you. You couldn't hold them off forever, and the exhaustion was already catching up to you.

After twisting one of the men's arms in your grasp (with a panicked, "sorry!"), you bolted as fast as you could. Your eyes were stinging with tears as you ran, your heart pounding in your chest. You didn't know where you were going, just that you needed to get away.

...

Wesley stepped out of the black SUV, his eyes scanning the area. The neighborhood was quiet, the only sound being the chirping of crickets. He adjusted his tie with a stoic expression.

He had told the guards to wait for him, but of course no one seemed to be able to follow orders. Wesley would make sure to find who was responsible for such carelessness later.

Cordova walked up next to him, holding a tablet. "We got a tip that they were seen in this area," she said, showing him a map. "We're not sure if they're still here, but it's worth a shot."

He nodded, not taking his eyes off the houses. "I want this entire block searched. I don't care if you have to break down every door. Find them."

She nodded, relaying the orders to the team. They split up, going in different directions.

Wesley started walking, his hands in his pockets. He didn't know what he was expecting to find, but he had a feeling in his gut that you were close. He could sense it.

"[Name]?" he called out, his voice echoing through the empty streets. "Where are you, dear? Please, just come out. I'm not mad."

That was a lie. He was many things, and mad was definitely one of them. But he didn't want to scare you. He just wanted you to come home.

He heard heavy breathing coming from behind a dumpster and froze. He slowly approached, his heart racing.

"[Name]?" he called out again.

You poked your head out, your eyes wide with fear. You were a mess, your clothes torn and dirty, your face smudged with dirt and tears.

Wesley's breath hitched at the sight of you. He quickly closed the distance between you, pulling you into his arms. "Oh, thank God," he whispered, holding you tightly. "I was so worried."

You hesitated for a moment, then wrapped your arms around him, burying your face in his chest. "I'm sorry," you said hoarsely. "I'm so sorry."

He stroked your hair, shushing you. "It's okay, dear. I'm just glad you're safe."

The two of you stayed like that for a while, just holding each other. Eventually, Cordova and the others found you, but Wesley quickly waved them away. He didn't want anyone else near you right now.

He pulled away slightly, cupping your face in his hands. "Are you hurt? Did they do anything to you?"

You shook your head. "No, I'm okay."

He examined you closely, his eyes scanning for any injuries. He sighed in relief when he didn't find any. "Good."

You looked down. "Did I kill him?"

He furrowed his brows. "What?"

"The guard," you clarified. "Did I...?"

He hesitated. He didn't want to lie to you, but he also didn't want to upset you further. "It was an accident, [Name]. You didn't mean to."

Your voice shook with horror. "Is that why the news called me dangerous?"

He nodded. "They don't understand. They don't know you like I do."

"I don't know how to control my strength," you said, tears filling your eyes. "I'm a monster."

"That's why the world isn't meant for you, sweetheart. That's what I've been trying to tell you. No one will accept and love you like me," he crooned. "I was hoping to spare both of us the heartbreak of you realizing it this way..." He closed his eyes with a sorrowful sigh.

"I'm so sorry, Father." You threw your arms around him again. "I just wanted to see the outside."

He rested his chin on top of your head, rocking you back and forth. "Was it worth it?"

Despite the question being condescendingly knowing, it was also genuine.

You thought about it for a moment, then shook your head. "No."

He smiled slightly. "Good. Because I don't ever want to lose you again."

...

The drive back to the facility was quiet. You sat in the backseat, Wesley's arm draped around your shoulders. You leaned into him, feeling exhausted both physically and emotionally. You were relieved to be going home, but you also felt a sense of dread. You knew you were in for a lecture, and you weren't looking forward to it.

Once you arrived, Wesley led you to his office. He sat you down on the couch, then poured you a glass of water. You took it gratefully, taking small sips.

He sat down next to you, his expression serious. "We need to talk about what happened."

You nodded, setting the glass down on the table. "I know."

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "I don't even know where to begin. You disobeyed me, put yourself in danger, and... and killed someone."

You flinched at his words, looking down at your lap. "Am I going to prison?"

In your short lifetime, you knew only of the concept—a place where bad people went. Now you were wondering if you would be next.

Wesley shook his head, looking briefly horrified at the idea, or that you'd even consider he'd let that happen to you. "No. I've taken care of it. No one will ever know what happened."

You looked up at him, your eyes wide. "But... how?"

He gave you a brief smile. "I have my ways. But that's not important right now. What's important is that you disobeyed me. Do you understand how dangerous that was? I could've lost you, [Name]. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?"

You looked down at your lap. "You could just make another me."

He took a sharp breath. "Don't say that. Don't ever say that. You are irreplaceable to me. There will never be another you."

You felt a pang in your chest. "I don't understand why I mean so much to you. If I'm not just an experiment, what am I?"

"You're my child," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "You're my everything. I created you because I wanted a family, someone to love and cherish. And I do. I love you more than anything in this world."

You went silent.

He studied your face for a moment, then took a shaky breath. "Did I ever tell you why I look like this?" He didn't even bother trying to gesture to himself—he didn't need to.

Despite that, you sometimes forgot Wesley didn't look normal, at least not by typical human standards. He was the first ever face you saw in your life. To you, his scarring was just part of his appearance. You'd never considered that he may have a complex about it.

You shook your head.

He nodded, looking away. "I... I was in an accident. A lab explosion. It... it changed me. I lost my job, my marriage, half of my vision, and some would argue half of my mind. All I had ever wanted was a family of my own, but after the accident, I realized that wasn't going to happen. That's when I decided to take matters into my own hands. I created you."

You looked at him in surprise. You had never heard this story before. "Why didn't you just adopt?"

He gave a wry chuckle. "There's many reasons. One, I have the ability to create life. That isn't an opportunity I could simply pass up. Two, we can spend much more time together like this, under the excuse of me working. And three... I wouldn't want my child to ever experience what normal children go through. It's a cruel world out there, [Name], and I don't want anyone to ever hurt you. You deserve to be happy and loved, and I can give you that. You don't ever have to grow up, like most children are expected to do. You'll never have to leave me."

"I'll never have the option to leave you, you mean," you corrected before thinking twice.

He raised his brow. "Oh? You want to leave me?"

"No," you replied without missing a beat. "But... it's scary knowing that I can't. That's not fair, is it?"

"It's fair in the sense that I brought you into this world. You wouldn't even exist if not for me. Don't you think I should have a say in what you do?"

"But then wouldn't every parent get that excuse?"

"Fine, then how about the fact that you're not human?" he retorted. "That you're stronger, faster, and more enhanced than any normal person? You think the world would accept you with open arms if they knew?"

"You don't want them to. You're just happy to use that as an excuse to do all of this. That's why you didn't adopt."

He narrowed his eyes. "You're awfully defiant all of a sudden. I thought you were sorry for what you did."

"I am sorry for worrying you and hurting someone," you said, "but I'm not sorry for wanting to see the outside world."

He stood up, his jaw clenched. "You're not going to win this argument, [Name]. I'm your father, and I know what's best for you. You're staying here, and that's final."

You stood up as well. "Then I'll just find another way to escape."

He laughed, but it was bitter. "Then I suppose I'll just restrain you at all times of the day. You'll be confined to your room completely unless I decide otherwise. Is that what you want?"

You glared at him. "You wouldn't."

"Try me."

The two of you stared at each other, the tension in the room thick. You were the first to look away, your shoulders slumping in defeat. "I don't want that."

He sighed, his expression softening. "Neither do I. I hate having to be the bad guy, but you leave me no choice. I'm only doing this because I love you, [Name]."

You looked at him defeatedly "I know."

He reached out. "Come here."

You stepped forward, letting him wrap his arms around you. "I'm sorry," you mumbled into his chest.

"Oh, [Name]," he cooed. For a brief second, his arms tightened around you, before one reached into his pocket. "Me too."

You were about to ask what he meant, but then you felt a sharp prick in your neck.

"Shhh," he soothed, his arms tightening around you once more. "Don't fight it, just sleep..."

You tried to struggle, but it was almost as if he had super strength, too. "Why?" you demanded. You had never felt so betrayed.

"I want you asleep when I insert the tracking chip," he responded, gently guiding your head to his shoulder. "It was a procedure I should've done from the very start, but I thought my baby loved their Father enough to never try and run away from him." You could hear the bitterness in his voice, the hurt.

"I do love you," you said weakly, your vision starting to blur.

He gently swayed you. "I love you too, which is why I need you to stay with me forever. Even if that means having to resort to these measures."

You wanted to argue, but your body was giving out. The last thing you heard was his voice.