Jason Hiller
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Just another nancy boy...
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 2, 2009 12:21:45 GMT -5
Casper nodded, tightening his hand slightly on top of Zeph's as he bowed his head, closed his eyes and prayed aloud.
"Father, we come before You today to ask for Your grace and mercy upon us. Watch over Jason and Seth, and the others who are with him; give them courage, strength and hope to endure what trials they are suffering, and deliver them from the hands of their captors. Have mercy on us, Jason's family and friends, and give us all we need to find and rescue him -- time, information, courage, strength and health of body. Keep us all in Your hands, Father, and may Your mercy extend even to our enemies, if it is Your will. Amen."
He looked up, drawing a breath and letting it out slowly. The simple act of praying had left him calmer, more refreshed and alert. He smiled down at Zeph, watching him quietly.
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Zephyros Aetai
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Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 2, 2009 14:05:09 GMT -5
Health of body... ha. Little late for that one.
Zeph sighed slightly, looking at the ceiling of the car. He tilted his head to look at Casper. "How can you ask for mercy on the people who have taken your son?"
That was something outside of his understanding. His mother certainly would never pray for the people that had hurt one of her precious sons, and Casper had only the one, and two daughters... Zeph's father wouldn't have prayed in such a way either, though even Zeph was unsure about the man's religious allegiance. He went to Mass with Dawn... Zephyros closed his eyes, coughing a little, weakly. His fingers ever so lightly brushed his ribs as he wished yet again he'd grabbed his medication. He stiffened at the feeling of how they're nearly collapsed. Small wonder I can't breathe. Am I going to be able to do anything? ...I need a stronger wire in my ribs, curse it. Whatever they're using isn't enough. Though I guess anything safe to use in the human body isn't exactly strong enough to take a seat belt being driven into it. ...Maybe once we have Jason, I should stay in bed until they heal. Though the hospital might not give me much of a choice on that. Just don't put me in a medical coma, please.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 2, 2009 14:20:47 GMT -5
Casper's face grew thoughtful as he answered Zeph. "Christians are asked to show mercy to every person, including our enemies, because God desires that we all should repent of our sins and come to salvation. Even Jesus, when He hung dying on the cross, did not ask God to punish the ones who had crucified Him. He only said 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'
"You may not believe Jesus was the divine Son of God," he went on, "but there can be no doubt that He did great things during His life. He befriended tax collectors and prostitutes, and saw them for the people they were, not for the corruption of their actions. That isn't to say that He didn't get angry at anything. Of course He did. When the Temple was being used as a marketplace, He drove the people out with whips and overturned their tables. Anger has its time and place, and so does mercy."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 2, 2009 14:26:19 GMT -5
Zephyros looked up at the ceiling again, his expression equally thoughtful. "What is one I've heard... 'vengeance is mine, sayth the Lord.' Do you not call retribution on their head because you already know it will be taken care of?"
I don't know if I can believe in your God... because I know the Bible itself condemns homosexuality, and I love Jason too much to think it is evil. How can love be evil? Jason's certainly treated me better than any girl I ever dated. Aritha might have had immaturity as an excuse, but even she didn't... care for me the way Jason does. And how could I possibly think he is evil?
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 2, 2009 14:40:11 GMT -5
Casper's eyebrows raised, and he smiled. "That is also true. 'The battle belongs to the Lord.' But we're also told to strap on the full armor of God to fight against the Evil One, though that is more of a spiritual battle than a physical one. Sometimes we do have battles to fight in the flesh." He laughed. "I should know. I've fought in many of them, like my father before me."
The smile faded slowly from his face. "And now Jason is fighting his own battle, wherever he is..." Will he realize he's stronger than he believes he is?
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 2, 2009 14:48:18 GMT -5
Zeph's face twisted a little. He'd almost managed for a second to forget the trouble his heart, his life was in. And now he remembered Seth was in trouble too...
"Seth is too. You know, Seth is the one who introduced us... He's the one who talked me into modeling for his art class. Jason and I didn't talk much that day... I was almost late for my next class after only a few words. Kinda funny how small things change your wolf- world forever."
He chuckled at himself. "Well, I guess it's obvious what I'm thinking about."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
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Just another nancy boy...
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 2, 2009 15:23:35 GMT -5
Casper laughed softly. "I don't blame you at all. You're right, small things can change our world forever. And our wolf," he added with a grin. "I imagine Jason has been affected by your relationship with him just as much as you have. He has never loved anyone so deeply as he loves you. I see it in his face when you're together."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 2, 2009 15:32:21 GMT -5
Zeph laughed softly, careful of his ribs. "I've never loved anyone the way I love him... Neither the girls, or the other guy... I'd give everything for Jason... I almost did. I owe him everything. I mean, I can't even truly sleep without him."
He grew silent for a moment, "You know, if we had wanted to... the night I was kidnapped, I'd gotten us a hotel room, so we could get out of the house and visit a school friend of ours... actually, my first girlfriend. We kissed and it... made me, well... it caused a serious discussion that possibly could have ended our relationship right there. We decided we weren't... ready. I've slept with him most nights since we really got together. Just slept. We've never done more than kiss, and hug. I'm not the... innocent your son is. Maybe that's part of what attracted me at first. He's just so innocent, despite being almost two years older than me. But there's a wisdom to him that is far beyond his years..."
Zeph bit his lip. He'd never have admitted these things to his father... and he just told Jason's father that he could have had his way with Jason if he'd wanted. And that he knew what he was doing. Zeph covered his face, his voice muffled, "I'm sorry. I can't seem to control my mouth right now."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 2, 2009 16:15:06 GMT -5
Casper was silent for a long while, his face unreadable as he took this information in. He kept his eyes on Zeph, not wanting to worry him by looking away while he thought. That might make Zeph think he was going to say something that he didn't want to hear.
But the truth was... Casper found he had no idea what to say. Zeph had implied that he had had... intimate relations with at least one of his past boyfriend and girlfriends, but not Jason. That explained the earlier virgin comment. No, Jason would never be the type to do that kind of thing. And Zeph had wanted to, but had not followed through; they had had the maturity to talk things out, which Casper greatly respected.
"Before I say anything else," he said slowly, "let me mention that I have a great deal of respect for your maturity right now. You have shown maturity in being able to talk through your desires and come to a decision of abstinence, at least as far as my son is concerned. And you have shown maturity by confessing these things to me openly. Thank you for that.
"Despite his desire to be with other men rather than women, Jason still clings very tightly to Christian values and ideals. Sex outside of the bonds of marriage is nearly unthinkable to him. I thank you for not undermining those values for the sake of your own pleasure. It further shows me how deeply you love him, because you didn't let your body rule your mind. I would imagine that Jason respects that about you too."
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Zephyros Aetai
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Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 2, 2009 16:37:39 GMT -5
Zeph had to chuckle, "You have no idea how hard it was too."
He looked hesitantly up at Casper, smiling a little. "It wouldn't have been very pleasurable anyway. It isn't when one isn't willing..." His lips twisted a little. "Though I was the one not willing..."
He sighed, staring at the ceiling. "Which is why I would never force Jason to do anything he didn't want to. Hard as it is. I'm... passionate. That temper Jason mentioned? That's one thing I'm known for. When I do something, it's with every fiber of my being...
"Apparently I have more fibers now."
He sighed, the joke feeling weak even before he said it.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
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Just another nancy boy...
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 2, 2009 16:46:05 GMT -5
Casper smiled. "It seems to me that most of those fibers are woven together with Jason's. You two have quite the bond. I would hate to see anything or anyone break it." Which is why I want to desperately to find my son and save him, curse it.
He unconsciously closed one hand, the one that wasn't still on top of Zeph's, into a fist. Looking past Zeph, he gazed silently out the window to the street, praying that Professor Harris would return soon.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 2, 2009 17:10:40 GMT -5
Zeph smiled weakly. His eyes closed as he started coughing, sitting up quickly so he could breathe a bit. Each breath started another fit and he leaned over, putting one hand on the seat in front of him to hold himself up. Blood gushed from his lips and covered his hand, trickling through his fingers. Closing his eyes, he struggled to hold himself up. His arm trembled as it held him up. He panted pathetically, trying not to cough and failing. Moaning slightly, he just slumped forward and kept coughing.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 2, 2009 17:23:50 GMT -5
Casper winced and held Zeph up as well as he could when he slumped forward in a coughing fit. He pulled a handkerchief out of his breast pocket and handed it to Zeph, speaking to him in concern. "Just a moment, I'll get you some water."
He left the backseat and opened the front door of the car on the driver's side, picking up a bottle of ice-water and handing it quickly ro Zeph as he returned to the backseat. "Here, drink some of this..."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 2, 2009 17:35:19 GMT -5
Zeph took it gratefully and sipped at it, relaxing as the coughing fit passed. He held the handkerchief to his lips, trying to clean the blood from his hand and lips. "I keep ruining my clothes... At least I have enough money to replace them when this is over."
He looked at the handkerchief. "I don't think you want this back yet..."
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Jason Hiller
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 2, 2009 17:47:25 GMT -5
"Keep it," Casper advised him. "Just in case. This is far from over..." It hasn't even really begun. We still need to find Jason and the others.
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Zephyros Aetai
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Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 2, 2009 18:06:21 GMT -5
Zeph nodded slightly, lying down again with his eyes mostly closed. He forced himself to completely control his breathing again. There has to be something I can do about this... Jason needs me to be able to fight, and I can't even move.
He sighed, though it turned into a moan. "How am I supposed to be any help if I can't even sit up, or take a deep breath? Damn it... I'm just a liability like this..." He closed his eyes, his voice fading to near silence. "Jason deserves better..."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 2, 2009 18:27:51 GMT -5
"You're doing everything you're capable of," Casper told him gently. "It would be selfish to ask any more of you. For now, all either of us can do is wait and hope."
He sat in silence beside Zeph, his thoughts drifting toward his son. Jason knew they were coming, he knew his captors didn't want him dead... he just needed to find his strength and cling to it until they got to him. And they would get to him, Casper told himself, for what must have been the hundredth time in the past three hours. They had to get to him.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 3, 2009 3:04:34 GMT -5
Zeph pounded the heel of his hand against his forehead lightly. "It's not selfish if I'm asking... okay, yes it is. I want Jason back more than anything... more than my lungs want my next breath... actually, a great deal more than I want to take that next breath..."
He nearly choked, proving his point. Snarling internally, he stifled the almost coughing fit viciously. "I can't stand waiting... not like this... not when we don't know what's going on..."
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Seth Larisha
Kitty Kat
University Senior: Werewolf
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Post by Seth Larisha on Dec 3, 2009 13:25:56 GMT -5
"Have you seen this man?" a red-haired man asked a passerby, biting his lip anxiously. His brunette companion sighed.
"Give it up, Ayden. It's been six weeks... there's been a memorial service. We have the death certificate. Seth's dead, and he wouldn't want us to keep looking and wasting our own lives."
The red-haired man, Ayden, turned with a glare for his taller friend. "Damn it, Demetri. How could you give up on him? Until I see Seth's body, I refuse to admit he's dead."
Demetri sighed, ending with a growl. He raised a hand, counting off the things against Seth. "One; It's been six weeks. Two; he disappeared from his hotel room without taking any of his things and leaving blood on the sheets. Three; we've seen nothing to say he's still alive, we've heard nothing, we've found no trace of him. Four; he is already legally dead. They wait a certain length of time for a reason, Ayden. The police searched for almost a month, and found nothing. His clothes turned up in the river. Face it, Ayden. We've known him for almost five years, and there's nothing we can do. Seth is dead, and we need to get back to the States. You have a hospital to get back to to finish that last bit of your medical training, and I have classes to teach come the end of the month."
Ayden glared for a moment longer at Demetri, holding the picture tightly in his hand. His green eyes narrowed and he turned. "I still have two weeks. If we don't find him by then, I'll give up. But I don't think he's dead. Seth's been through enough."
"He had us there to help him! Seth is a surviver, but I don't think he could survive having his head bashed in. They say the first hit is fairly bloodless... he was probably dead before we even got to the concert. Don't waste your summer looking for him, Ayden. Say your goodbyes and face the truth."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
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Just another nancy boy...
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 3, 2009 13:45:11 GMT -5
The scientists worked quickly and efficiently, carrying the unconscious Jason into a room resembling an OR. They laid Jason down on the operating table and set him up to a heart-rate monitor, IV drip and a breathing apparatus, tying his muzzle closed around it to keep the tube down his throat.
One of the men ran a razor down Jason’s back to get his fur out of the way, and found his quills to be a challenge as one embedded itself in his hand. He swore loudly, quickly pulling the quill out with a pair of tweezers in his other hand and setting it down on a sterile counter. He looked from the quill to his hand, which was swelling slightly before his eyes, and cursed again.
The lead scientist came over to take a look. “What’s the matter, Dr. Kells?”
Dr. Kells nodded toward the quill on the counter. “Got that in my hand, and look what’s it’s done to me.”
“Interesting,” the lead scientist murmured, picking up the quill in a rubber-gloved hand and examining it. “This will be helpful.” He picked up a magnifying glass and peered at the base of the quill. “Hmm. Hollow, like a porcupine’s quill. Fascinating.” He set it down and jotted down some notes on a clipboard, looking back at Dr. Kells, who was itching his hand. “What sort of pain are you in--? Ah, itching. I see. Lovely.”
Doctor Kells scowled, still scratching. “I’m out of here. I need some cream for this. Someone take over.” He left the room abruptly, muttering under his breath, before any of the others could stop him.
The lead scientist frowned, examining the quill again as another man moved forward to continue Kells’ job. “So the venom is pushed up into the quill, which loosens on contact with an object. But what triggers the venom secretion? Where is it stored?” He smiled coldly down at the unconscious werewolf on the table. “Well, that’s what we’re here to find out. Ladies, gentlemen, we don’t have all day…”
- - -
Agony. It was everywhere; it was Jason’s world. He was on fire, pierced with bitter cold, consumed by the pain. He couldn’t see, couldn’t move, couldn’t think, couldn’t scream. He could only hear, smell and feel. A steady beeping near his ear, and a rhythmic whooshing as his chest rose and fell. The smells of people, chemicals, and blood. So much blood. Something cold under his belly and his paws, so different from the fire in his back. Voices murmuring above him.
“Look at this… fascinating…”
What… what are they looking at? What are they doing? Where am I?! Jason tried to move, but his limbs wouldn’t obey him. Anger mixed with his fear, intensifying the fire in his back as he felt his venom glands working. The beeping quickened as his heartbeat did the same, and the voices changed, sharper now. The piercing cold vanished, and the fire was everything.
“Shit! We need to get him back un---AAAAAUUUGH!! ” Then there was screaming, something clattering, other shouting. “My eyes! I can’t see! Get him under NOW!”
Jason strained against his unseen bonds, the chaos around him continuing. There was more screaming as his venom glands continued expanding and contracting, squeezing out their toxin. No one seemed to be paying any attention to him; they were all concerned with their eyes. And Jason didn’t have the use of his own, either. What was going on?
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Seth Larisha
Kitty Kat
University Senior: Werewolf
Posts: 139
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Post by Seth Larisha on Dec 3, 2009 13:52:56 GMT -5
Seth groaned, whining as he tried to hold his head and realized he was still a wolf. He shook his head and groaned again. Standing slowly, he staggered and shook himself all over, fluffing his fur against the slightly damp chill of his cell. Listlessly, he closed his eyes and nearly yelped when he heard Jason... and felt the agony he was in. A strangled howl escaped him as he staggered and fell against the door.
It swung open slowly and his eyes lit up. ~Hang on Jason, I'm coming. They left my door open! ~
He shook himself again, then started running down the hall, keeping his nose open for the same scents he was getting through his link with Jason. It wasn't usually this strong, but with all the talking they'd been doing, his mind was unusually connected with Jason's. Reaching a door with the same scent of blood under it, he carefully nosed it open. Yes, Jason was in there...
~ Jason, you have to calm down. I can't go in there without being blinded myself. You have to calm down...~
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Post by paulaharris on Dec 3, 2009 14:05:01 GMT -5
Paula was having an increasingly bad day. Her search of the city had turned up nothing so far. No one had heard anything about the missing people or could offer any clues as to the location of where they were being held. A few people even asked to see Paula's id. It had not ended well for them.
Which is how Paula wound up in the hotel lobby she was currently in. She had just finished flashing Jason's school picture at the receptionist and not getting anything useful and was about to leave the lobby in a frustrated huff, the same frustrated huff that she had left everywhere else in, when she had a massive stroke of luck.
The two voices that carried into Paula's ears were voices she didn't recognize, but when she heard what they were saying, they became people of interest. She turned on her heel and strode over to them, fixing them with a don't-you-dare-move look.
"Excuse me." She said half-politely, half-bluntly. "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. I think we might be able to help each other."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 3, 2009 14:12:41 GMT -5
Jason focused on Seth's voice in his head, soft and pleading. Calm down... with this much pain? Not likely, but he'd do his best... He focused on the steady whooshing that meant his lungs were being controlled by some kind of machine, trying to will his heartbeat to slow down, to keep pace with it. He felt his venom glands easing, slowing... they were probably running out of venom anyway, they'd need time to replenish.
The pain was still overwhelming, even more so now that his mind was clearer, but Jason forced himself to think through it, his mental voice coming out falteringly. He knew he'd be sobbing if he were human... and if he didn't have a machine operating his lungs for him. Seth... what are they doing to me? My back feels like it's on fire, it hurts so much... and I can't move or see anything. Please... please help me.
- - -
The scientists had all drawn back to the walls, knowing the danger they faced, being blind in a room full of tools and a panicking, venomous wolf. But the wolf seemed to be calming down... his heart was slowing, his venom wasn't spraying anymore. Even so, they couldn't see to be able to put him under again. No one knew what to do next. What could they do?
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Seth Larisha
Kitty Kat
University Senior: Werewolf
Posts: 139
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Post by Seth Larisha on Dec 3, 2009 19:58:00 GMT -5
Seth's ears rose slowly as Jason calmed down. ~That's it, Jason, that's it... I'm coming to help you. I'm here to help you, just try to keep calm. I know it hurts... God, I know it hurts because I can almost feel it too.~
He pushed the door open further, recoiling at the sight of Jason on an operating table with his back... skinned open. His nose twitched as he took in every scent, coming in slowly. There was glass on the floor... he stepped around it carefully. Padding softly over, he touched his nose to Jason's. ~I'm going to go human and see what I can do about your back. You've blinded the scientists. Maybe I can trick them into thinking I'm one of them and at least get you something for the pain. I think they were examining your venom glands... Which serves them right for getting blinded then. ~
He nuzzled Jason a litte more, awkwardly to comfort him. ~Everything is going to be alright. You aren't alone anymore. ~
- - -
Ayden looked at her. "Thank God, someone who speaks English. We're looking for a friend of ours... About six feet tall, looks like this," he said, holding out a picture of Seth, with his characteristic smear of paint on his cheek.
Demetri sighed, putting a hand over his eyes. Well, he'd always known Ayden was stubborn. Under his breath, he muttered to Ayden, "Want to tell her what else he looked like too? Let's ask everyone if they've seen a large black wolf with blue eyes running around. That will probably do as much good."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 3, 2009 20:23:23 GMT -5
Thank you, Jason whispered mentally, wishing he could move to nuzzle Seth in gratitude. He tried to hide his thoughts from Seth for awhile, partly to spare Seth the pain he knew the other wolf could almost feel, and needing to think in privacy about some things Seth didn't know about and would feel compelled to ask. And Jason didn't think he had the heart to tell him.
Pain is just a message. Messages can be ignored. I know what the message says now, anyway. My back is cut open, though I don't know how badly. Besides... I know Zeph has had worse, probably. He was beaten and almost killed, and I don't want to remember what else. But he got through it. He was able to phone me and talk to me after being beaten and abused. Surely I can keep my head now. I can cope. Like Professor Harris would want me to. Like Zeph needs me to.
Zeph's had worse... and Seth has had worse. I don't even know what all they did to him... but here he is, on his paws and helping me when he could easily have made a break for it and escaped while the workers are distracted and helpless. He has more reason to escape than I do... he's legally dead after being here for so long. His friends and family all think he's dead. Mine know I'm alive, and they're coming for me. They'll be here soon.
How long had he even been in here? He had lost count of his heartbeats and breaths, and with how his heart had been racing earlier, it wasn't an accurate way to tell the time. The drive from Nuremberg to here was three hours at the shortest... it couldn't have been that long already, even with how the pain seemed to slow time down. Would he be stuck here on this table, blind and paralyzed and torn open, until his father and Zeph and Professor Harris got here?
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