Werewolf Hierarchy

Welcome to the Lab

Ethan’s POV

The helicopter was extremely loud, as though it was tearing the sky apart. The cuffs set my wrists on fire, and I could not stop shaking. Nevertheless, I was not scared. It was anger—hot anger.

They got hold of us. They won.

Jason sat opposite me, his head stuck forward in the attitude of complete surrender.

“Jason”, I said, bending forward as far as I could. Hello, it's me. Keep with me.”

He did not move very much. The light of those weird-looking robot-helmet guys was shining on him. He had blood on his cheek from when they were chasing us. I wanted to yell, to hit someone, anyone, but when I tried to move, one of the hunters jabbed me with an electric stick.

“Don’t move,” it said in a creepy robot voice.

The helicopter vibrated, and I saw it. Helios Lab appeared as a massive, big, blue fortress of metal with towers high up in the sky. It gave off major “you’re never getting out” vibes.

People call it the pit of no return, because those who go in never return.

My fists were closed. No matter what they had in mind, I would not have them get away with it so easily.

Jason’s POV

I was trembling. All my body froze, and I was like an ice cube. I could hear Ethan speaking, but it was like he was speaking at the far end of a tunnel, and I could not make out any words. I was in pain in my chest.

I ought to have run quicker. Had I been tougher, I guess, we would not be here. However, I am not like Ethan. He’s brave and I’m not.

The helicopter came down a couple of notches, and my stomach turned. I peeped through the window. It was not as good as I expected at the lab. And no trees, grass, only cold, dead metal and glass.

“Jason.” The voice of Ethan broke the noise.

I had a glance at him. There was fire in his eyes.

He said, "We are coming out of this." His voice was low and serious.

I nodded, but you see… I did not trust this.

Dr. Westbrook’s POV

I observed the helicopter landing in my office window. Two of my cybernetic hunters stepped out first and looked cool in their glittering armour. Behind them, the boys were led forth—young and terrified, just as I had supposed.

I made the intercom. Take them to Holding Room A. Whole body scans before phase one.

The chemical lab was full of activity. Scientists were dashing about looking at flashing screens. The establishment had a waft of chemicals and metal-the place I consider as the second home.

I came up with the idea of Helios Lab. In the central hall, huge glass tubes occupied by human beings floated around in them, like test models, with wires protruding out of their skulls. The location was illuminated with this creepy blue light, and everything appeared ghostly.

Very deep to the rear was the actual heart—the neural integration chamber. It is there that we discovered what made these kids special. They changed everything in science.

In came Dr. Reiss.

“The boys are ready for processing”, she said.

Well, that's good. Let's see what makes them tick.

Ethan’s POV

They pushed us into the laboratory doors. The air felt cold and strange, quite artificial. There were just white walls, lights, and floors—too clean.

Next to me was Jason, stumbling and barely able to keep up. We entered a room with a glass wall, and I felt sickened as I saw something.

Here, people were lying in the tubes like they were asleep. Or dead. Contacts were attached to their heads. Others were young, at about my age.

"Move it," a hunter barked, shoving me forward.

They pushed us into this scary room, which had one metal chair standing in the middle and several really odd machines all around.

“They chained Jason and me to the walls. Jason trembled with terror.”

“Hey,” I said, trying not to sound scared. “We’ll be okay. Just stay cool.”

As he was about to reply, the door was opened. A tall man with silver hair, glasses, and cold eyes walked in.

“I’m Dr. Westbrook,” he said, his voice smooth, like he didn’t care. “You two are about to help us change the world.”

Dr. Westbrook‘s POV

The older one, known as Ethan, glared at me like he wanted to kill me. I was fond of that fire; it made me want to proceed with the tests. However, the younger one, known as Jason, could hardly keep it together.

Fear was a good thing. Fear made them easy to control.

I moved closer to the older one. “You must be Ethan,” I said. “And your brother, Jason.”

He made no reply, but I could tell how violent he felt.

I looked at the screen. Their DNA was already showing up. My guess was correct—these two weren’t like the others.

Jason made a sound, as though he was going to cry. I squatted before him.

"You're scared," I said softly, almost kindly. "That's normal. But soon, you'll realise this is for the greater good."

Jason’s POV

I wanted to scream, to tell him to stay away, but my voice caught in my throat. He smiled at me, definitely not a kind smile, but one that crept on my skin.

I turned to Ethan, desperate for reassurance. He was thrashing against his cuffs, yelling at the man.

"Leave him alone!" Ethan shouted. "You hear me? Leave him alone!"

The scientist ignored him, standing and turning back to his machines. He tapped a few buttons, filling the room with a low hum. One of the machines began to move, a long, needle-like arm extending toward Ethan.

"Let's begin," Dr Brook said.