#basically maximum ride

And then, finally, she was out. The maze was over and behind her, and she collapsed on the floor, panting hard as the paws and fur retracted into her skin and her teeth dulled into that of a regular human’s.

Voices spoke above her, the hideous white coats of the “doctors” in her blurry vision. Her chest heaved and she focused on bringing her heart rate down.

It was over. For now, she could rest.

Vaguely, she was aware of being picked up and the revolting smell of medicine and human entered her nose, a hated smell she wanted to get away from.

Time passed and the sweetest noise met her ears: growling. A deep, rumbling, threatening growl. Bracken. She would be safe with Bracken. Twisting, she squirmed in the arms of whoever was carrying her, only to be slapped. The growl grew louder, more threatening, and the soft cries of the two youngest met her ears.

“Seri!” the youngest – Fica – called out, his young voice trembling, obviously trying not to cry.

Seri opened her eyes and managed a weak smile as she was shoved inside the cage she shared with Bracken. Arms wrapped around her – these ones very much welcomed – and she leant against Bracken’s strong chest, feeling the vibrations of his growling from his chest to her head. Then, the scientists were gone and Bracken’s growling eased.

His strong arms were wrapped around him, and she peeked open her eyes to see Fica and Ice pressing against the bars of their cage to try and get closer to her. Reaching out a hand, Ice and Fica both grabbed her fingers.

“Are you alright?” Bracken’s voice was low in her ear, filled with worry and tense with anger.

“I’m fine,” Seri assured all of them, “Just exhausted. It was a maze run today.”

“With the collar,” Bracken stated with distaste, scowling down at the red marks on her neck from where the metal collar had chafed her skin.

Ice’s large brown eyes gazed at her with worry. At five, she should have been round and chubby and care-free, but she was skinny, her pale skin caked with dirt and her brown hair almost black and greasy. Fica next to her was just as skinny, though he always tried to be brave. His hair was strawberry blonde (which made an interesting colour when it translated into fur) and his eyes bright blue – the same as hers.

This was their little pack. Herself, Bracken, Fica and Ice. Bracken was the leader, and Seri took care of the little ones. Seri was only thirteen, she’d been trapped in here for all of those thirteen years. She longed for freedom – as they all did – for the feel of grass under them, the open skies above them and, most importantly, no scientists or experiments they were forced to participate in.

“It’s time for sleep,” Bracken decided, authority in his voice which they all responded to instinctively.

Seri nodded her head, smiling softly at the two little ones, and didn’t retract her hand, simply shifted off of Bracken’s lap and curled up in a ball, feeling Bracken silently curl up behind her, pressing along her back and tail curling over her legs whilst his arm curled around her middle and kept her close.

Closing her eyes, Seri was asleep within moments.

*.*.*.*.

She was dreaming, that much was obvious. Glancing around, she recognised the familiar cage she had always lived in (for as long as she could remember, anyway). Bracken was in the corner, glaring and baring his teeth at the scientists as they got closer, the steady taps of their shoes on the floor never faltering.

Then, the cage door was open and a basket thrust in, and the door was quickly shut and locked as the scientists retreated.

Curious, Seri scooted closer to the basket, only to stop at Bracken’s growl. Glancing over at him, she saw his eyes locked on the basket. “I don’t trust it,” Bracken said, his voice a low snarl, “It could be a trap.”

“It’s a basket, Bracken,” Seri tried to soothe him. “Why would they give it to us and then leave? Please, let’s just check it out.”

Her tone was pleading, and she watched as his face softened slightly, considering, before giving a nod, his gaze never leaving her as she edged closer.

Peering into it, she was greeted by two wide, curious brown eyes and a chubby, red-cheeked little girl. Cooing softly, Seri picked her up, cuddling her to her chest and turned to face Bracken. “See?” Seri said, smiling as the babe gave a soft gurgle and smiled up at her. “She needs us, Bracken.”

Bracken grunted, but didn’t protest.

*.*.*.*.

The dream changed, and the still-nameless babe was on the floor, Bracken and Seri giving her space. Then, with a sneeze, the air around her mouth seemed to condense, and then freeze, and an object she could suck was in her mouth. Glancing at each other, Bracken and Seri tested her abilities multiple times, before finally naming her Ice after her powers. They had no idea how she did this, but did their best to hide it from the scientists.

*.*.*.*.

Next, there was another babe in her arms, this time a boy, with two year old Ice happily tugging at Bracken’s hair. It made her smile. Then, she looked down and couldn’t find the boy. Making a sound of distress, Seri was confused. She could still feel the warmth and weight of the child, but she could no longer see him.

After several heart-stopping moments, he appeared in her arms again.

“Fica,” Bracken said simply, gaze on the baby in her arms, then lifted his gaze to meet her confused one. “Shortened from Ficaan, meaning to blend.”

With a nod, Seri wordlessly agreed with the name of choice. It suited him. These children were more mutated then they were and Seri was determined to care for them and look after them. She vowed that night that they would escape from here and give these chlidren a better life – one that didn’t include being experimented on.

With a soft noise, Seri awoke, and was soothed by the tiny hands clutching her fingers and then warmth of Bracken behind her, and the soft grunt he gace, his arm tightening around her waist before he relaxed again and slipped into sleep once more.