"Test subject, Hydey, get ready for another hundred pounds to be added." A voice stated over intercom.
Hydey groaned as her arms and shoulder strained under the added pressure. She was mentally cheering though, she knew their system. They’ll add another hundred pounds, and then her set would be over.
“Then I get to eat a whole buffet. And it’s all for me.” She thought.
As the next hundred was added she nearly collapsed. She fell to one knee. But she couldn’t fail. Failure meant they had to fix her. She could already hear their mumbled disapproval. They’d take her back to the doctors with a long list of what to change and then they’d cut her up like a fish.
Hydey yelled as she lifted the weights. She held them above her head. Her arms were shaky and her breaths laboured. She stayed like that until the same voice from before spoke again.
“Test subject, Hydey, you have finished your set. Please make your way to the mess hall for nourishment.”
She threw the weights on the ground, making a loud clanging noise in the room. She would’ve taken a moment to catch her breath if she didn’t already know that she was still be judged. She held her head high as she walked out the room.
Hydey’s lunch was already prepared for her. It was a large meal of food full of protein. She saw Leon sitting alone in the empty mess hall. He usually gets lunch first since his testing isn’t as tough on him. Everyone had to jump through hoops while all they need from him is a blood sample, and maybe ask him about how he’s feeling.
“You know what I really want, Hydey? Cake. They never give me any cake. All they give me is this gross stuff that’s good for my blood sugar levels.” Leon spoke.
Hydey didn’t respond, she was far too hungry to acknowledge the same thing they talked about yesterday. Leon looked over at her tray.
“Hey, can I have some of that?” Leon asked.
“No, I need all of it. Yesterday I gave you food, and I nearly collapsed today.” Hydey answered.
Leon chuckled. A smirk adorning his features.
“Are you telling me you’re getting lazy? Maybe you should lay off all the cake, Hydey.” He said slyly.
As they continued bickering another figure entered the room. A bald girl with skin slightly lighter than Hydey’s dark skin. She looked around the room until she saw Hydey. With a curt smile in Hydey’s direction. She took a seat across the room.
“Do you see that? They gave her sweets. That’s so unfair.” Leon whined.
Hydey was scowling at her. Her glare seemed piercing, but the other girl didn’t seem to mind.
“That’s because they let her have whatever she wants.” Hydey grumbled.
“Yeah.” Leon agreed solemnly.
The two remained quiet as the other two test subjects made their way in. One was missing today, and all of the test subjects couldn’t help but notice that. Hydey would occasionally glance over at that girl to catch her staring. About the fourth time she looked up to check there was a guy in her line of sight.
She looked up to see who it was, but she already knew.
“You snuck up on me there.” She remarked.
“It’s not hard to do. It’s as if food puts you in a trance.” He explained taking the seat opposite of her.
“Where’s your bro?” Leon asked.
“He didn’t finish his set, they’re sending him to get fixed.” He stammered.
“…I’m sorry.” Leon mumbled.
The three were quiet for a moment.
“I’m sure he’ll be alright, just a little bit shaken up when he gets back.” The guy assured himself.
“What do you want, Wukong?” Hydey inquired.
His eyes became slanted.
“I just wanted to warn you. I think her next target might be you.” Wukong snapped.
This caught Hydey’s attention. She leaned forward and asked,
“And what makes you think that.”
“She’s been acting off lately, like last time. She’s planning something. I can tell. I was worried it might be my brother next. But he and I are a package deal. So if she tried anything then she’d have to deal with me. No one can put a scratch on Leon. And with how hard they’ve been pushing you? Let’s face it Hydey, you’re easy prey right now.” Wukong stated.
Hydey clenched her fist. Her cold glare deepened. Her eyes were daggers.
“What about that girl lil’ Wukong likes? She isn’t as protected either.” Hydey barked.
“I’ve thought about that, and I already warned her.” He answered.
Hydey dared a glance one more time at that girl. She saw her just about to finish her lunch, when the girl noticed the onlooker. She smiled and gave Hydey a small wave before she focused again on her lunch.
“Stay diligent.” Wukong stated as he got up and left.
Hydey looked over at Leon. He stopped paying attention long ago. Hydey stared at him quizically. When Leon noticed Hydey he glanced at her lunch.
“You gonna finish that?” He asked.
Hydey breaking out of her stupor, she responded,
“Yes!” She hissed.
He sighed, looking at the food in his hands, he questioned,
“Well then what is it?”
Digging back into her food, Hydey spoke her mind.
“I need your help. I’m planning a break out, and you know this place better than you know yourself.”
Leon looked mortified, as if what Hydey said was a death sentence. He tried for words, but nothing came to him.
“Leon, have you ever been sent to be fixed?” She inquired.
Leon looked down at his food.
“Once, when I first got here.” He mumbled.
“Then you know that we need to get out. These white coats think they can just cut us up into a nice little portions. We’re going to end up dead. I’ve known that since day one. But you and I, we can change that. You gotta help me Leon, I don’t wanna die here.” Hydey begged.
Leon looked at Hydey and saw the fear in her eyes. He bit his lip. He pushed his tray away from him. He covered his eyes with his palms.
“Fine.” He whined, “but you’ll need the others help. Cause the two of us have no chance of breaking out. But the five of us might have a shot. It’d help if we had a sixth, too bad that girls crazy.”
Hydey’s face scrunched up in thought. She didn’t plan on working with another three people.
“Why do we need the others?” Hydey asked.
Leon played with his food as he spoke.
“The Wukongs for obvious reasons. They’re fast, and they’re strong. And that other girl, she may not talk much, but she’s smart. Smarter than me and you. And we’ll need all the brainpower we can get.”
“I’m smart too, Leon, you know there’s not a lock that can hold me.”
“That’s cause you can just break it if you don’t figure it out.”
“Like hell I won’t.” She snapped.
Leon was quiet for a moment. He looked at Hydey. Leon would admit that Hydey can intimidate him. He tried to find the right words under her unnerving stare. Raising his hands in frustration, Leon demanded,
“This is me helping you Hydey. So, just go talk to her, alright?”
Hydey wasn’t too shocked by Leon’s outbreak. She knew his quick temper. She groaned as she stood up.
“Fine, you talk to the brothers when you get a chance to see both of them. I’ll go talk to her now.”
Hydey looked around the room until she spotted the quiet girl. The girl wore a head wrap that covered everything but her face. Hydey approached her, forming her words.
“Hey.” Hydey muttered.
The girl didn’t respond, she looked uncertain. Hydey didn’t wait for a response that wouldn’t come.
“Look, I know we don’t talk much or really know anything about each other. But Leon and I are planning something with the Wukongs.” At this, the girl’s interest was piqued. “I can’t tell you what it is right now, its important that the guards here don’t know. You know where to find us if you want in.”
The girl nodded, but didn’t even utter a response. Hydey felt like she should say something. Leon said they’d need her too, and to Hydey, she didn’t seem convinced.
A loud buzzing noise went off, indicating that lunch was over. Hydey got up and looked towards the guards waiting for them on the other side of the room.
“Top secret, okay?” Hydey asked.
The girl pinched her index finger and thumb together. She brought the two fingers up to her lip and lightly moved them from one corner to the other.
