Chapter Text
Theo sat under the tall fake standing tree that was situated in front of the School house. Isaac, Marie and surprisingly Zaine all sat and lounged around him as well, in various states of relaxed and tense.
Much to the withdrawn and quiet 6 year old begrudging annoyance, everyone had seemed to be crowding around him more. Deep down he knew he didn’t really mind the sudden attention but the first few times had been awkward. Theo had fought boarding in desperation to try and fit into the group's already established roles, he barely… just barely had started to be comfortable in his spot.
Now the one member that the boy didn't get along with was unsurprisingly Zaine. The older boy was a fountain of contradictions, one second being bearable, almost borderline brotherly to then turn around and go back to picking fights with him.
Theo ignored it since he had better things to do than worry about Zaine and his hissy fits. Which was still trying to figure out what it was that hid under his bed that random day. He had also made an effort to try and establish communication with it again, though admittedly it hadn’t visited since but still he stayed awake late into the night waiting patiently.
This commitment unfortunately reflected on the quality of his grades and patience he had to deal with Kevin and his antics. Theo grimaced at the thought, Kevin had left him alone for a little while focusing his abuse elsewhere. Instead of fists and cruel words aimed at him, Kevin just pranced around the orphanage more smugly saying he had a secret and it was a big one.
Theo couldn’t have cared less if he tried, since Kevin was more focused on beating up Quinton. He had stared unapologetically when he had stumbled upon Kevin beating the younger. That was Quintons funeral and payback for the “lovers quarrel” comments he had made a month prior, he had simply walked past them and gone to do his business before washing his hands. He had only given Kevin an understanding look as he closed the communal bathroom door.
Was it cruel? Perhaps, but the 6 year old just didn’t have enough energy to care. He had realized recently that he didn’t have much energy for anything besides that thing under his bed.
“Who do you think is being chosen? One of the big group kids or the selected kids?” Marie’s squeaky voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He lolled his head over to look at her.
“Has to be one of the normal kids. We’d know if it was one of the important kids.” he huffed.
“Don’t say that! It could be any of us!” Isaac scolded a second later. Theo and Zaine both gave him a look.
“We’d know if it was one of the selected kids. They can never seem to keep their mouths shut about these sorts of things.” Zaine reasoned not bothering to look at any of them as he spoke.
Isaac regarded his words for a few before going to speak when one of the Delight sister's voices spoke over the yard.
“Students! We’re excited to announce one of our own Scientists has selected a student!” The Delight plastered on a smile and continued as an older guy and woman stood next to her on the platform by the gondola. “Not only that but we have another new child joining us today as well!”
A black haired kid aged around 9 stepped out from behind the teacher and shyly smiled and waved. “This is Marcus everyone! Say hello, he’ll be joining one of the smaller groups.”
Isaac and Marie perked up at the idea of a new group member. ‘They like collecting humans…’ Theo mused seeing their excited gleam. He made sure to shoot the kid a nasty glare just in case though.
‘Just because two of the four of us are excited for a new member doesn’t mean we’re all welcoming.’ he huffed internally before Zaine reached over him and harshly tugged on Isaacs sweater.
“Our group is already full and with the other groups being in the 2’s or 3’s, he’s not joining us.” Zaine hissed quietly. Isaac deflated a little.
“But before that-” the sister shoved the kid -Marcus was it?- roughly towards the stairs down from the gondola platform. Theo winced as the kid stumbled and waved his arms around to catch his balance.
He watched as a few of the counselors and adults reached out to help the boy, Theo’s own being the one to catch his arm. “ Let’s all give him a very warm goodbye.” the sister carried on unbothered by the glares or judgemental pitting looks.
Theo couldn’t contain his shout of indignation at the realization of who exactly was walking up the platform stairs. “Kevin?!” Everyone turned and looked at him while Kevin sent him a shit eating grin.
“I uh…” he stuttered a bit, his face starting to pink as Isaac’s face turned thunderous from his side view. “Sorry.” he eventually spat out after a few quiet seconds. He tuned out the remaining speech or whatever goodbyes were said.
Only begrudgingly clapping along when Zaine stomped on his foot and Isaac stuck his boney elbow into his side.
Kevin just smiled genuinely waving at his friends, climbing into the gondola after shaking hands with both of the scientists.
------------------------------------------
The creature perked up when he heard voices nearing his cell. Straining his ears to hear what was being discussed as he crept forward to the bolted doors.
The footsteps neared and paused outside his door. “Where are we??” a child's voice filtered in. He sharply reeled back realizing what was going on.
“Your new home! We hope you like it here.” a woman's voice responded a few seconds later.
He’s heard this song and dance over the past few weeks regularly as the doctors and scientists discussed the trial experiments before the big final. The creature knew how this was going to end, either an innocent kid was going to die or said kid would be joining the cells lining this hallway.
“Home?? I thought we were…” the kids voice wavered as he heard his soft footsteps start to backtrack. “What’s going on…”
He took a few steps back before launching himself at the door. Not bothering to stall for the slight pain from the hard impact on his body, he stepped back to repeat the process again.
“What was that??” the kid's voice whimpered sharply.
“Nothing to worry about.. Consider them your new… coworker.” the voice of Sawyer swept into the conversation happening.
He let out a guttural scream, slamming into the door and after a few minutes flopped onto the floor not hearing anymore of the kids crying and pleading or the adults cruel words.
The creature had waited and planned for too long without visiting that other boy and now a new “friend” would be joining him. He could only pray to any god out there that the operation killed them.