The Hidden Hybrid Within

Chapter 2: Alchemist Facility

Chapter 2 Alchemist Facility

       “I don’t belong here, we shouldn’t be here, I didn’t do anything wrong.” I shook the memories from my mind as I turned to see the young red head sitting in the seat behind me screaming at one of the guards. I could smell the fear leaking from her pours and the tears streaming down her face confirmed it. She caught me looking at her and all I could do was give her a small smile trying to reassure her everything would be okay. I turned back around to stare out at the desert that seemed to be never ending passing by the windows as we drove down the highway.

      “Alright ladies we will be at the Alchemist Facility in about twenty minutes,” the guard stood and started walking down the aisle of the bus. “You will mind your manners it is no one’s fault but your own that you have been sentenced here.” I rolled my eyes causing the guard to stop and look down at me. “Do you have a problem inmate?”

     “I do, but it is none of your business.” I had always been laid back, easy going, not hard to get along with, but ever since that awful night three months ago where I had to take someone’s life to protect my siblings, I learned I didn’t care anymore, didn't matter how nice I was, life seemed to always throw a curve ball at me. I felt the guard’s baton under my chin raising my face to her. “If you don’t mind, get your stick out of my face, because I assure you it doesn’t scare me.” I saw a brief look of anger, fear, or something flash through her eyes before she just smirked and walked away. I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding and just continued staring out the window. I could hear gasps and whispers around me, but I really didn’t care, this was nothing new to me, and I am sure I would be punished as soon as I got to the facility.

      I watched the horizon as the twelve-foot chain-link fence came into sight. I observed the Constantia wire that ran across the top as well as the high voltage signs every few feet. Sheesh what are these people trying to keep in here, we are just a bunch of juvenile delinquents, the thoughts crossed my mind and I wanted to ask, but just kept it to myself.

       We pulled to the gate, and they swung open for us, the bus moved forward, and I couldn’t see any buildings. We drove for another ten minutes before the facility came into view. It looked like a prison for sure; the walls were made of grey stone and very aged, on each corner was a lookout tower and I could see little figures marching back and forth. It looked like it was six stories high seeing as there were windows six high, and don’t think I didn’t notice the bars on the windows. Other than sitting in the middle of a desert it felt like I had been reverted back to medieval times and this was a castle of doom.

      “All right ladies on your feet and form a single file line. You will move to the outside of the bus and stand until you are further instructed.” The guard interrupted my sightseeing, again. We all stood, and I waited my turn to step out of my seat into the line.

      We exited quietly, all that could be heard were the chains from our cuffs rattling as we walked. We formed a single file line outside the bus in front of a large wooden door, all of us standing shoulder to shoulder horizontally to the building, I assumed the door was the entrance to the prison and our welcoming party would be coming through it anytime. The guards climbed back on the bus and it pulled away leaving us standing there. We all stood there staring between the door and the bus, and feeling confused as to why they just left, no checking us in, no escorting us in, and no guards coming out.

     I heard growling and turned to see that there were three large wolves approaching us and they didn’t look like they wanted their bellies rubbed, nor did they look like normal wolves. The one in the front was large and black as midnight, it’s golden eyes would burn holes in your soul. The other two wolves were not quite as big but still intimidating looking; one was a cinnamon color with amber colored eyes and the other was a blonde with the same amber eyes. They stalked toward us and I listened as the other girls around me gasp and I could hear the chains rattle as they trembled in fear, but I paid no mind to the wolves.

     I stood tall with my shoulders back and my chin high. At this point in my life if being mauled by a wolf was what needed to happen to put me out of my misery than that is what was going to happen, nothing I could do about it. I watched as the wolves stalked in a formation close to each girl, first the black one would smell and then the other two would follow suit. The girl would then hit their knees and bow their head to the ground.

     How funny, I thought to myself, as I just watched in amazement as it happened one by one. Somehow, I managed to be the last in line, so I was the last standing when the black wolf squared up to me. Looking at that unrealistically large wolf staring me down I couldn't help but think to myself, this is crazy, why in the world would they keep wolves here, in the desert no doubt.

       I wasn’t paying any attention to the wolf while daydreaming about why the animals were here, until he growled at me. That got my attention and pissed me off, I squinted my eyes slightly and met it eye to eye. Evidently it didn’t like that because it growled again and again, I stared, this time I was showing nothing but anger in my eyes and I hoped it could see it.

       While locked eye to eye with the black wolf, I noticed out of the corner of my eye the other two approaching slowly; one standing on each side of the black one and giving me the same death glare. The black wolf growled and raised its paw, and with one swift motion it scratched me on my shoulder. I didn’t even wince as I felt the blood slowly ooze from the wound; I refused to show any act of submission to an animal, my father taught me to be strong no matter what, and I had already had to fight a man for my life refusing to give in to him, so an animal, it wasn't going to happen.

        My action only seemed to anger it more, it raised its paw again and tried to maul my arm again, but this time I moved quick as I reached out and wrapped my hands and the cuff chains around its paw pulling it forward causing it to lose balance. While I had the momentum, I twisted it, causing the beast to land on its side and I jumped straddling across its back bringing my arms around its neck and pulling tight to cause loss of breath, while simultaneously digging my knees and heels into it's sides. The other two wolves were growling and snapping at me and I just pulled harder causing the other one to thrash violently under me, I couldn’t help but notice from straddling it, that it was the size of a small horse and powerful. There was something familiar about it though, something that made me not want to hurt it, well, unless I had to anyway; I just had idea why, maybe because I had to put the fight of my life up just a few months ago to even be here, and maybe I really didn't feel a threat from the animal like I had my step father.

       “Listen here wolf, I may be a young naïve girl and look like a good meal, but you will not win so easy, I will make you work for your meal,” and with that I jumped off and put my hand on my hip giving the now choking wolf a smirk. It glared at me and let out the most ferocious growl I had ever heard, I looked to see the other girls were now laying almost flat with their faces completely buried in the desert dirt, the wolves behind the black one, were also bowed not making any eye contact with anyone. I turned my gaze back to the black one, “Seriously, was that supposed to scare me. After what I have been through you are nothing to me, but an animal and I will not be afraid.” I was beginning to become a little terrified, but I wasn’t going to admit it to a filthy mutt.

        “What is the meaning of this?” A loud grumpy voice came from behind the now open wooden door. I didn’t move and neither did the black wolf, we still stared. “Interesting,” the woman smirked as she walked closer laying her hand on the shoulder of the black wolf. I watched as his whole body became relaxed. The woman walked closer to me, I couldn’t help but notice how tall she was, I had to look up to see her grey eyes. Her hair was salt and pepper and pulled back in a neat bun, and she was dressed like an everyday person you’d meet on the street, with her blue jeans and blue t-shirt. “Your name and age child.” Her voice was kind and she didn't sound as grumpy now, but she held a certain level of authority in it.

      Deciding I wasn’t going to bow down to her either, I stood straight and held my chin high like a soldier at attention, “My name is Sidney Lane, everyone calls me Sin though and I just turned fourteen two months ago.”  The woman dropped her jaw and just stared at me, I heard the girls behind me gasp, what did they not believe how old I was, I was a little tall for my age, 5’ 3” to be exact, and hadn’t quite filled out yet like puberty usually makes you. I was skinny as a rail and flat chested, no butt and thin hips, but I had plenty of muscle; I silently giggled at myself thinking about how I must look to them. “What do I look younger?”

     “No Sin you don’t, I just can’t believe you took a wolf on at fourteen, everyone and I mean everyone who has ever entered this facility always submits, no one has ever tried to challenge.”

      “No offense ma’am to you or your wolf, but in my short life and the things I have had to endure, I will never submit or go down without a fight, so if you must throw me to the wolves, then go ahead, and they will have to work for their food. That I promise.” I watched as the wolf perked its ears to me and tilted its head sideways, the other two watched me like a hawk as well.

      “Not throwing you to the wolves, child, they are simply for protection, and they are used to make sure no one smuggles anything in, that’s why you meet them first. They also make sure no one tries to escape. Now everyone, follow me.” The lady turned and headed toward the door motioning for us to follow.

      “Come on girls, I got you.” I turned to the others motioning for them to follow the lady as I stood between them and the wolves ready to protect them if needed. They just watched me and hurried along. I turned to eye the wolves one last time. “You all stay out of my way and there won’t be any problems. You hurt one of these girls and you will personally deal with me. I may not win, but I will put up one hell of a fight. You will know that you definitely fought with me when it’s done.” I smirked at them and watched as they dipped their head. Wow, did they just submit to me, I thought silently before. I turned and followed suit behind the girls.