Numbers that follows

chapter 2

He looked at me, I believe he was stunned I said a word or even knew how to talk. I looked up at him. He walked back over and sat back down on the ground.

“One? That’s an unusual name.”

I looked at him. How do I answer him? It’s not really a name, it's a cattle number. I was the first.

“Well I can tell by the look on your face that you don’t like it very much.” Armin looked at me. “I know you can talk now so…”

“I don’t know where to start,” I spoke softly.

“How about with those scars? Where did you get them?” Armin asked.

It took me a couple seconds to put together an answer, I shifted the way I was crossing the other leg on top.

“I am not the best at following direct commands, I was the only one who remembered before…. Um and I have a little bit of a resistance issue.” I said.

As I finished Flint came in. He looked at me and then his dad. He bent over and whispered something in his dad's ear. He looked back at me. I was going to stay silent as long as he was here.

“Thanks for letting me know, but I think it's best you go now.” Armin read my mind.

“I think I should stay.” Flint objected.

“Go, please.” Armin said.

With that Flint left in a huff and Armin turned back to me.

“Thanks.” I said

“He is protective.” Armin replied,”what do you mean when you said before.”

“I was taken from my home because of what I can do. I remember sitting in my room with this teddy bear. When large men came in. They pulled me through the living room and on the floor were my parents. The next thing I remember I was in a room with walls and a door.” I finished.

I looked up at his face. He looked heart broken.

“You said you were the only one implying that there was more of you?” Armin looked at me.

“There are. There Were 22 of us.” I said looking at the ground.

“Was?” Armin looked at me.

“He called us into the briefing room to discuss his new direction. He wanted purebreds, no mutts. So his men stood behind all but 7 of us and slit the others throats. 5, 9, 14,17, 18 and 22. Are all that's left.” I grew quieter as I finished.

“It sounds like you had good reasons for leaving.” Armin looked at me. “It’s getting late and I need to go and I am sure the floor has not been comfortable. So I am going to be back with blankets and pillows. Maybe an air up mattress if I can find one.”

He left and I was alone in the room. It was hard to tell someone everything that has happened to me. I know if i tried to i could escape and leave but even though i am trapped again I wanted to stay. I was thrown from my thoughts when Armin walked back down the stairs.

“Okay so find an air mattress and everything else you need.” Armin smiled.

He opened the cell door and walked in the cell. He set everything down and started to do something loud and the mat filled up as he went. Then he put some stuff on the mat.

“This should be way more comfortable than the floor.” Armin said proud of his work.

“What is that?” I asked

“A bed?” He looked confused.

“What's a bed?” I asked again

“You have never seen a bed before?” I shook my head “well you lay in it to sleep then if you get cold you put a blanket or 2 on.” he explained

After he left I sat on the bed and it was so comfortable. I layed down and covered myself with the blankets and placed my head on the fluffy thing. It was so soothing I fell asleep so fast.

“It’s too hard” 22 was looking at me on the ground.

“You will get used to it, we all did. When you think you can’t go farther, make yourself. Because it will not be worse. I believe in you, please try.” I pleaded with her

“What’s going on, you're supposed to be training.” I heard a guard behind me.

“Just giving some pointers on her first day” I said, turning around.

“Well, how sweet. You both stopped however so you both got punished.” he smirked at me.

I stepped between 22 and the guard. He was not laying a finger on her.

“It’s my fault, I can take the punishment for the both of us.” I bargained

“As long as I get to hit something.” the guard led me out of the room

We walked down the hall to the left twice and to what seemed my favorite room it had two chains hanging from the ceiling and two from the floor. He bound my hands and feet till I was in a star position. He grabbed the wip from the floor and slammed it across my back till there was no flesh not broken.

When I rejoined the group it was dinner. I just sat there not allowed to eat but 2 and 3 sat next to me. They both knew better than to share with me so they kept their food to themselves.

“She finished and pushed through the rest of her training.” 2 looked at me.

“Your back looks worse than the last time.” 3 said.

“Twice the punishment” I said.

They continued eating and I just sat there pretending the pain didn’t bug me and truth be told it almost didn't. I was almost numb to it at this point.

I woke up, I sat up and looked around. Getting out of the bed I attempted to make it look the same way Armin had when he put it together but I failed. After about an hour Armin came back.

“You're awake! How did you sleep?” He looked at me.

“Good.” I replied.

He opened the door and shut it behind him and sat on the bed. He patted the spot across from him and I sat down.

“I want to let you out, but to do so I need to know what you can do and more about yourself.” Armin looked at me.

“I have been trained my whole life not to tell that secret.” I replied.

“You only have to tell me I won’t tell anyone else.” Armin looked me dead in the eye.

I knew he was telling the truth and I knew I could trust him but it was still so hard to form the words. Even harder to get them out.

“I as you know can force a wolf back to a human state, I can also lock them in a wolf or human. I can also take away someone's wolf and give it to another. I am stronger and faster. But my ability doesn't just work on wolves but any supernatural creature.” I looked at Armin.

“Is that all

“My kind has all of those abilities but we also have one unique ability that is specific to the person. Mine is complicated. I can copy the special ability of others” I explained.

“is that all” Armin

"No, I have 2 other unique gifts to me" I admit, I don't want to lie to him.

“I can take someone's injury but at a cost their wound shows up on me then heals. I feel the pain and they don't. The worse the wound, the sicker I get.” I explained, “I can also take the supernatural ability of those I touch, A vampire's speed, a dragon's flight. I copy their specific gift.”

“So you are not a wolf?” Armin asked

“I was born a wolf, I am a wolf. But I can copy other creatures Abilities.” I corrected him.

“Incredible.” Armin said.

“Why did you care how I slept?” no one has ever cared before.

“You're a child running, you never intended to hurt anyone, you defended yourself because you thought you had to, you should've had a different life. Also no matter how strong someone is they still need other people.” Armin took my hand.

“You are like the complete opposite of him.” I thought of Arken “ he was cruel, unforgiving and evil, you are wise, loving and good.”

“Who took you?” Armin asked.

“I….. can't” I said

I could not say his name. Just thinking about him made my blood boil. I never wanted to say or hear his name again.

“I understand.” Armin stood up. “How about some freedom?”

“I don’t think that's a good idea. Everyone is probably terrified of me.” I looked down at the ground.

“I have an Idea.” Armin said.