Here Once Again

[Serilda]

When she woke up she could smell the faint scent of bleach. Her brown eyes opening wide she lifted her head up quickly and jumped up swaying a little to the side she shook her head clear growling loudly. Focusing her eyes she saw a one-way window and bared her teeth. Sitting down for a moment she had to rethink what had happened. She was at the library getting one her favorite books to read when she met a man. Flicking her tail annoyed.

Then it all came back to her and her ears flattened as she thought "Dr. Cornelius White" Looking back at the one-way window she changed to her jaguar form and ran toward the window leaping at it. She made a hard thud against it and turned around hissing back at the window. But she wondered if Cornelius was watching her as well as the first scientist she met. She couldn't recall his name but if she ever smelled his scent of even saw his face she'd know it was him or not.

Going over to a far corner she sat down changing to her human form. Her black with brown streaks shoulder length hair was now somewhat in her face. Her dark brown eyes looking back at the window. "You won't keep me in here long...Dr White" she said lowly with an evil smirk but knew he'd hear her. All she had to do was wait it out. None of tests she'd be going through now were going to be as different as the first time. Lifting her head slightly letting her eyes change to a cloudy brown when the light hit them.

[r y n t h a e]

A soft, masculine voice sounded from behind Serilda, further into the observation chamber. "Oh, looks like I have a roommate." Stepping into her line of sight, a young man with light coppery hair, striking blue eyes and an unnaturally pale skintone gave her a woeful smile. He was slender, almost to the point of looking fragile, although his appearance was deceptive to his true strength. Around his neck was loosely coiled a snake, about five feet long, with black and brown patterns alternating with shock-white patches. The ball python raised its head towards her faintly, more or less simply out of curiousity, its tongue flicking out to catch her scent. "Or maybe this is some sort of an attempt to 'feed' me... you'd think that they would have realized I've been skimming energy off of them, by now."

Holding a hand out, the young man gave her a rueful, if still friendly smile. "I'm Charon, by the way. Looks like we're both stuck here, now...."

He glanced around their new 'home', an observation chamber with a few divisions for bathroom, bedroom (two sterile looking beds stood at either end), lounge, and dining area. The entire place was too-clean, and too-white. Any attempt to make it seem like a normal place of living had failed; this place still felt like a hospital. The only anomaly was a twenty-gallon terrerium lined in pine shavings with a ceramic tunnel underneath, a heat lamp on top, and some twisted bits of wood forming a trellis towards the light. A false-rock pool of water was in one corner, but the terrarium was otherwise empty. Obviously its occupant was the serpent now around Charon's slender shoulders.

[Serilda]

She heard somebody say "Oh, looks like I have a roommate." and step into sight. Serila saw a somewhat attractive young man with very pale skin. She noticed the snake around his neck and heard him say "Or maybe this is some sort of an attempt to 'feed' me... you'd think that they would have realized I've been skimming energy off of them, by now." A smirk crossed her face and she looked back toward the window it disappearing.

Looking back at him she saw him hold out his hand saying that his name was Charon and they were stuck here. Her eyes went to the snake as it was sticking its tongue out catching her scent. "Um..Serilda...but I go by Rose" she said softly unsure to shake his hand with the snake being around his neck. She wasn't completely afraid of them just a little skittish around them.
"Great.." she thought. "i'm here with a vamp..and a snake"

A smile crossed her face as she stood up saying "I don't plan staying in here long...Charon...I might cooperate with them at first but one of those idiot scientist is bound to slip up" She looked at him determination showing in her eyes. "Being here once again doesn't change the fact that I can't still get my way out" she said.

[r y n t h a e]

Charon gave her a sheepish smile, taking his hand back. Guessing at what might have set her on edge, he nodded towards the python lightly. "Nefarus is a sweetheart, you don't have to worry about him." He rubbed around the serpent's jaw, and it leaned into his touch contentedly, if a bit lethargically. "Ball pythons are honestly one of the most peaceable snakes. Neffy doesn't even have fangs, honest. Your teeth are a lot more dangerous and scary than his." Charon grinned a little, saying that. He glanced over at her inquisitively, though, after she made her announcement of future escape.

She was a shapeshifter... he'd seen come in as a wolf, and not a half-formed one, either, so she must be. Looking thoughtful, he petted Neffy lightly, considering her words. "Let me know if you have a plan, yeah? I'd love to get out of here, too...." He sighed, sitting down on the nearby couch and pulling his knees up to his chest. "I can try to help. I'm stronger and faster than you'd think, looking at me... and I can drain their energy. It's not much, but it's there if you want."

His blue eyes filled with the past, bad memories eating away at him. Even before everything changed, he hadn't cared much for hospitals.... being locked away in one now, with no morals or Hippocratic Oaths to protect him was so much worse, though. "I think," he said, "I've had more than enough of 'doctors'." Neffy, the ball python, raised its head to poke at his cheek lightly, as if trying to reassure him. He pet the serpent absently, looking somewhat resigned.

[Serilda]

She heard Charon say that his snake was harmless. It made her feel a little better and she relaxed a little smirking. She started to think of a plan when he said to let him know she had an idea because he'd live to get out. She watched him move to a couch and pull his knees to his chest saying "I can try to help. I'm stronger and faster than you'd think, looking at me... and I can drain their energy. It's not much, but it's there if you want."

Tilting her head for a moment she moved to sit on the couch a little bit from him. Her eyes went to the floor as she started to think then back at him as his eyes seemed a bit distant. Still thinking she said "How long have you been in here?...and when's the last time they fed everyone?" Serilda was surprised at herself as she was already coming up with an escape. But if she could find out when they would come feed them. Charon and Nefarus wouldn't have to be in here to much longer.

Letting be eyes roam around the room a smirk crossed her face as she said in a low voice "You might not have to be in here to much longer Charon...oh and do you know what this room number this is?" Her mind was on a roll now. If she also knew what the room number was she could tell him just how far they had to go to get out. She had got a glimpse of a map on the wall the first time she got out.

[r y n t h a e]

Charon sighed, trying to collect his thoughts as he absently stroked Neffy, considering Rose's words. "I've been in here... a long time." He settled for that, as he remembered his parents admitting him to the hospital about seven years ago, when he was still just a boy. He hadn't wanted to go... he distrusted doctors, and they'd never been able to really help him before the incident. All they ever did was comment on what was wrong with him. There's nothing wrong with me, he thought. I'm this way for a reason. However, as much as he thought his changes were a natural adaptation, and a necessary one -- a blessing even, the Scientists never stopped trying to understand his 'mutations' and aggravate them, study them with all sorts of cruel experiments.

Charon's expression was worn down, desolate. It was hard for him to keep hope, in this sort of situation. Having a companion, a serpent to keep close, though, helped. He'd been destructive and full of despair before they'd relented and allowed him the snake. Uncontrollable, they called him.

"They put in some food at eight in the morning, noon, a snack at three, and dinner at six. Sometimes another snack at nine, if I ask for one." He cringed slightly. He never trusted the food he was given, here. He continued, nontheless. "I'd love to get out of here, and I'll help however I can. I think this is room 12A, although... I don't know how many rooms there are total or anything." He considered her curiously, wondering what her plan was. She had far more resources to pull upon, as a shifter, and while his abilities were helpful as well, they were different than hers. Maybe, together... they really could get out of this place. He allowed himself a weak smile.

[Serilda]

She heard him say he had been in here for a long time. It made her think "Maybe he was in here when I busted out" It kinda of made her feel bad that there were others here that couldn't get out. She came from her thoughts as she heard him say "They put in some food at eight in the morning, noon, a snack at three, and dinner at six. Sometimes another snack at nine, if I ask for one." Nodding she said "It was mid-day when I met Dr. White so next is three and dinner....so dinner would be the best chance we have"

Looking back at him she heard him say "I'd love to get out of here, and I'll help however I can. I think this is room 12A, although... I don't know how many rooms there are total or anything." She drew back standing up and started to cross the room thinking "Hm....first level room 12...." Stopping at the wall she turned around closing her eyes trying to memorize the map she had seen. Opening her eyes after a moment she smiled saying "You know we're not as far as I thought"

Her brown eyes going to the door she looked back at Charon then Nefarus and smirked "Do you think you can get Nefarus to help out as well?" She saw him make a weak smile and walked back over to the couch "Before to long you will be out of this room and hospital forever" she said smiling. Serilda actually couldn't wait to put her plan into action now.

[r y n t h a e]

Bright blue eyes alight with curiosity, Charon watched her as she thought out their escape, wondering what she might have planned. "I can definitely enlist Neffy's help, although, what do you have planned...? He isn't poisonous, or anything, since he's a constrictor." His expression warmed with a bright, hopeful smile as she reassured him that their escape wasn't far off. Just a few hours.... He couldn't help it, tearing up a little as he thought about what it might be like to feel the sunlight upon his skin again. It had been so long, he almost couldn't remember what it felt like. Or wind... he missed that, too. He'd dreamed about being outside so often, locked away in this white prison, where he didn't belong.

It was almost ironic, that he'd been so close to the entrance all along. On the first floor, even. And yet, even his tantrums, almost demonic in nature, hadn't been enough to win his freedom. All of the Scientists in the building has been knocked out, but as many times as he slammed against the walls and door of his prison, he hadn't been able to break out. No matter how much of his blood splattered the white walls, they hadn't budged. And even those had disappeared, the next day -- bleached back into that infuriating whiteness.

Expression darkening with the despair of his memories, he fought back tears, speaking quietly. "Please... let this work...." His words were quiet, almost inaudible. He glanced mournfully up to her, expression fragile. "Are there any preparations we need to make...?"

[Serilda]

"I can definitely enlist Neffy's help, although, what do you have planned...? He isn't poisonous, or anything, since he's a constrictor." she heard him say. She thought for a moment then said "Would've been better if he was poisonous but being a constrictor also helps. From what I know they'll have one person bringing the food and depending on how bad the 'patient' acts they'll have one to three people as backup." Her eyes went toward the door as she made a slight frown.

"With me being in here they're more likely to bring two people as backup. If Neffy can constrict the server while getting the key. And I take down one guard and you the other then from their it shouldn't be a problem as long as we can take the guards before they shoot us with a tranquilizer dart" she said looking back at him.

Serilda saw his expression darken as he seemed to whisper "Please... let this work...." "He must've tried before and it didn work..." she thought. Blinking she saw him glance at her and ask "Are there any preparations we need to make...?" Smiling she said "Just stay calm, take out as many gaurds as you can without mercy, and most important.... keep moving" Her smile faded as she looked around the room. Leaning back on the couch she chuckled "This is going to be more fun than I had the first time being in here"

[r y n t h a e]

Charon considered her words, biting his lower lip thoughtfully. "Knocking out the guards is no problem. On more than one occasion, I've knocked out everyone in this building at once. That's why they gave me Neffy in the first place -- an attempt to placate me. I can do it right before or during the time that they bring in some food. And... I'm not positive, but I think I can get Nefarus to fetch the key...." He stroked the snake, as it raised its head to nuzzle lightly against his cheek. "I can take out everyone, if you can lead the way out before they wake up... and if you can make sure I make it out." His expression darkened a little. Pulling that much energy into himself and away from the people in this building would be a lot. It always was. Usually he passed out afterwards, or had an incapacitating, agonizing migraine for hours. It would be worth it, right now, though. He only hoped that Rose would be able to find a way to push him to get out of the building and to safety, afterwards.

A feral gleam, almost an eerie glow, had entered his shockingly blue eyes as he spoke. A sound entered their chamber as a tray was pushed through it's slot, laden with cookies, a couple turkey sandwiches, two bottles of water, and three apples. The snack. Not long until dinner, then....

[Serilda]

She turned her head back toward him when he said "Knocking out the guards is no problem. On more than one occasion, I've knocked out everyone in this building at once. That's why they gave me Neffy in the first place -- an attempt to placate me. I can do it right before or during the time that they bring in some food. And... I'm not positive, but I think I can get Nefarus to fetch the key...." she perked up thinking "Wow"

Serilda smirked as he stroked Nefarus and heard him say that he could knock out everybody as long as she lead the way out and that she made sure he made it out as well. She had never made sure somebody else made it out of anywhere. Usually it was everyone for themselves but these dark days it seemed that working together was the best way to do things.

She'd been on her own since her first break out having nowhere to go, no friends, and no family. Maybe this time she'd have a friend after all. Making a curt nod she said "I can make sure you get out of here" Her head turned to door again as the snack was pushed in. A smirk crossed her face and she breathed in. Getting up and walking over she picked up an apple smelling it. It wasn't fresh maybe three to four days old but still good enough to eat. Tossing another apple toward Charon she smirked. Grabbing two sandwhiches and the waters she walked back over handing him one of both saying "I wouldnt eat their cookies"

Crossing her legs Indian style she bit into her apple then sandwich. "Just a few more hours" she said softly between chews. She glanced at Charon to see if he was getting excited just as much as she was.

[r y n t h a e]

Charon nodded lightly. He'd learned the hard way to be very careful about what he ate. To be honest, he was leary of the rest of the food -- not just the cookies -- but he knew he would need his strength for their break-out, and that whatever sort of radiation or chemicals were in the food, he just had to stomach it. Sighing lightly, he started in on the sandwich, finishing it off quickly and drinking just a small bit of the water in his bottle. The apple and the rest of the water he packed in a small, black messenger bag with a graphic pattern on it. There were a couple other bottles of water already packed into it, as well as a couple bags of chips and some granola bars. It wasn't much, but he had tried to prepare for this day, should it ever come. And now... it had.

He glanced over to Rose with a small, relieved smile hearing her say that she would make sure to get him out, as well. As much as he normally didn't begrudge his black-outs and dizzy spells, he just wanted to make sure that if this stunt -- which would take a lot of power -- wouldn't end with him collapsed in a hallway, ready for the Scientists to find when they woke up. "Thanks," he told her, expression warming.

He glanced over at Nefarus, stroking the serpent gently as he kissed the top of its head. "You'll need to help, too, Neffy," he told the serpent, closing his eyes as he rested his forehead against the serpent, holding the snake in his hands before him. He focused, trying to convey his meaning. "I need you to get the keys for me.... just go out where I show you, and find the metal sticks gathered on a ring...." He frowned, eyes still closed, trying to make the python understand him, hoping his words carried meaning.

Opening his striking blue eyes, Charon looked straight at Nefarus, their faces close, and said lightly, "you understand, right? Just open your mouth if you do."

Charon's face lit up in a smile as Neffy's mouth opened wide in a yawn before the snake curled up close around his shoulders again. He glanced over to Rose, grinning. "He knows what he needs to do."

[Serilda]

Serila heard him say thanks and nodded saying "No problem" then watched him as he started to tell Nefarus what he needed to do. She smiled when the snake replied and heard Charon say "He knows what he needs to do." Making a quick nod she said "Alright"

After a couple hours went by she got up going to the door and sat down her ear to the door. "It must be almost time" she thought. Waiting silently she started to hear a cart rolling down the hallway. Smiling she looked over toward Charon saying "Ready? because here's our chance" Getting up from the floor she backed away shifting to her jaguar form. Flicking her tail quickly at Charon to make a move.

[r y n t h a e]

"Now?" Charon glanced momentarily over to her, indecision and anxiety battling for expression. He fought them back, though, turning his attention to the squeak of wheels and the muffled thud of footsteps. Allowing himself one deep breath, he closed out Rose's presence from his mind, focusing on the sounds of life outside. All of the frustration and fear of so many years was allowed to boil back up, fury and despair battling inside of him. His eyes eerily blue, a small shiver rolled over his spine as he drew there energy towards him. All of those things they had done to him.... his parents' death.... locked away from the sun and the wind and the trees, shut away in a white prison. His expression had warped to that of fury and pure hatred, and their energy poured into him, even as the beginning hints of a migraine were closing their jaws about him.

Dizziness tore at him like a strong current, but he ignored it, tears streaming down his face as he allowed his emotions to rule him, and one by one, every person in the building collapsed, unconscious. Only Rose was untouched, unseen by his fury and pain and sorrow.

Putting an arm against the wall, he sagged against the white surface, trying to cope with the energy tearing through him and around him. Too much.... Blackness crept at the edges of his vision, the lids of his eyes heavy, his head in so much pain. He fought to say, voice barely more than a weak whisper: "Rose... they're down, for now...." Sinking to his knees on the ground, he watched in hazy, distorted vision, as Nefarus, his only friend in this place for so long, unwound from his slender frame to move rapidly towards the food slot, it's muscular body sliding into the narrow space, and then disappearing. He knew what he needed to do... he would find the silver sticks for Charon.

Nothingness pulled enticingly at Charon as he struggled to hang on, fair hair falling into his face, blue eyes paler than normal, the pupils dilated.

[Serilda]

"Now?" she heard him say and gave a swift nod of her head and then saw him take in a deep breath before he seemed to go into deep concentration. After a moment she saw tears start down his face and grew a little concerned but stayed where she was. Her head went back to the door as she heard the server and guards drop to the floor.

Twitching her ear she saw Charon put his arm against the wall and barely whisper "Rose... they're down, for now...." She saw him sink to his knees and watched Nefarus come from around his neck and through the food slot. Changing back to her human form she rushed over to Charon putting his arm over her shoulder and said "Hey...easy now...I don't need you blacking out on me now Charon" she said softly. Getting up with him she saw Neffy come back through the slot with keys. A smile crossed her face as she said "Good job Nefarus" and got the keys from him and saw him go back to Charon's neck.

Letting Charon rest against the wall she slid her hand with the keys through the slot and unlocked he door. Poking her head out she saw three men on the floor and snorted going back in for Charon. Pulling his arm back over her shoulder she said "Come on" and started to walk out the door with him and down the hallway. Stopping at a corner she looked on a wall seeing a map.

Taking her hand she traced her finger across from where they were and down to the entrance. They weren't far now. Looking down the next hallway she started to move again seeing some more scientists on the floor. They passed them quickly and in no time were headed for the entrance. Serilda's eyes went to the door and she smirked saying softly to Charon "Hey we made it...my friend" Looking quickly toward the counter she could see a nurse on the floor and another scientist in front of the counter on the floor.

Serilda moved across the room with Charon and stopped at the doors as they didn't open. Pushing on the door which wouldn't budge she frowned and looked back toward the counter thinking then on wall next toward the door. She saw a scan and it hit her. Sitting Charon next to the wall she said "Hold on" and dashed back over to the make scientist on the floor. She grabbed his ID tag that had a baracode on it and turned around quickly hearing the man grumble slightly. "Time to go" she thought.

Running back over to the doors she swiped the ID and the door made a 'click' before opening. She smiled saying "Alright...Charon you ready to get out of here?" she said crouching beside him. "Serilda..Rose?" she heard somebody say softly. Turning her head she saw the first scientist she met. A frown made it's way on her face as she shifted to a jaguar. Baring her teeth she stood in front of Charon protectively.