Visit The Beast

Traveling down to the core of the facility took Thrane almost twenty minutes, which required a lot of walking. The only way into the Core Room was with his power, voice command, and DNA combined. Anyone else that attempted to reach this place would always get repelled without all three, so no one but he could reach this place.

If anyone else wanted to come, they would, obviously, need him.

Opening the door, he stepped inside and made it close behind him as he gazed toward the center of the room. Wires and tubes spilled from the walls, curved along the floor in a pattern, and reached a girl locked inside a large cage at the center. Her longer silver curls sat along her bare back as sparks danced through it, shooting at the bars.

There was a loud hum, a sign her power was in constant use.

Turning her head, blue eyes peeked toward the man as he walked up to the cage. Fear filled them and she tried to move, but the shackles and chains wrapped around her arms and legs kept her in place. Pained gasps spilled from between her lips as she continued this attempt, eyes widening.

“Don’t worry, Evie, I mean you no harm today.” Thrane reassured her with a small quirk of his lips. It was the smallest sign of any emotion - a sick joy out of seeing this girl suffer. “You’ve been such a good girl, keeping the place powered so well. I expect you to keep up this work. Are we clear?”

She shook with fear, nodding slowly before letting her head fall.

“Good girl,” Thrane said smoothly as he waved a hand to his right. A bowl floated from by the door, moving between the bars of her cage. It settled before her, filled with what looked like some food. “You may eat…”

She only offered him a small glance before leaning down…

***

After making sure Evie was fed, had adequate water, and was properly cleaned, Thrane had her returned to her cage. Her constant output of power meant the facility was fueled enough to stay powered up for a good week if need be without her. He still didn’t like to leave her unhooked for too long, so the most he ever did was give her the time she needed for taking care of her ‘business’ and getting cleaned up.

Once done, she was always returned to her cage and left in isolation.

On his way back upstairs, he stopped by a sector that only he and very few others were permitted to visit. Nero was locked up here and constantly supervised. When anyone was disobedient or caused too much trouble, it was Nero they always got handed to.

The Beast.

“Good to know he’s doing well. I have work to get to.” Thrane told one of the scientists in charge of the other young man. “Keep him in check or he’ll lose his dear aunt.” It was a reminder that Loreen did not have the power here. He did.

Continuing his trek, he made a call for someone to attend as he reached Riley’s room.

Riley had crawled out from under his bed after calming down. His body still hurt all over due to the chip suppressing his powers including his healing factor. Sitting on the bed his head turned as the door opened hoping it was Loreen.

Not only did Thrane step into the room, but a nurse with a medical kit followed. “Riley, I’m here to get some blood.” The emotionless tone implied that if Riley tried anything, he would make it far more painful than need be. “I heard the good news from Coral, by the way.” There was a hint of disgust when he said her name, though…

Riley nodded and rolled up his sleeve for the nurse. He was no stranger to the medical staff having met all of them over the years through tests involving his healing factor. “Yes sir she told me during her surprise visit.”

“I see,” Thrane muttered as the nurse walked over and started to collect blood samples. “You won’t have to be missing Colt for long, by the way.”

“What do you mean by that sir?” He asked both hope and fear in his tone.

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed your hallucinations, Riley.” A strange growl could be heard in his voice when he spoke those words before going back to the familiar emotionless tone. “Your blood is going to help me bring that brat back to life in a far more…appealing visage.” He let the nurse leave before closing the door, eyes still on the speedster. “You stink like Coral, by the way…”

Riley shrunk back at his growl. The last thing he wanted was more punishment from Thrane. “I'll clean myself up”

“I suggest you do so,” Thrane said in a warning tone and gestured toward the bathroom. “I need you to come along with me. It’s time for you to have your monthly visit with Nero. That boy needs company, after all.”

Riley nodded and grabbed some clothes before heading into the bathroom. Tossing off the shredded remains of his current attire he scrubbed himself raw before getting dressed and following Thrane.

Thrane would take Riley to the room where most of the guards in charge of Nero were waiting. They had weapons and special equipment at the ready, glancing at Riley with sympathy in their eyes. Looking away, one of them opened a panel so Thrane could open the door.

The moment the door opened, Riley would be shoved inside so the door could be closed. He would have to wait for the second door, reinforced and built with such a heavy material that not even Nero could open it.

“Don’t upset him,” Someone warned softly through the intercom.

Riley gulped and waited for the door to open. His hand instinctively reached up to the back of his neck to scratch at the scar.

The instant the door opened, Nero’s power could be felt in the air as it forced Riley to stop scratching. “Flesh…” He grunted and bit down on what looked like the remains of a human leg. With sharp teeth, he ripped the flesh from the limb and chewed. Blood was caked on the floor around him and bones were scattered about. A head could be seen in a corner.

Riley tried his best to stay calm. Not just because of survival but because Nero was Loreen's family and he owed the woman so much. “Hello Nero.”

After swallowing the bite of his “food”, Nero looked at Riley and wiped blood off his face. All this really did was smear the blood and added to his grisly appearance. “Riley…” He muttered and looked the speedster up and down. “You lost weight. Again.”

This was something he commented on every time Riley visited. It was the closest to showing he cared as possible, something very rare for the giant of a young man. Despite being only sixteen, he was already almost nine feet tall and a mountain of pure muscle.

“Nero, we told you to clean up before Riley’s visit.” Thrane’s voice spoke over the intercom.

“I did. I got hungry.” Nero retorted with a growl as shifted in place and took another bite, eyes still watching the speedster.

Riley nodded the food they have him was minimal but had enough nutrition to keep his body going but not enough to use his powers. “Yeah they're trying out a new formula for my rations” he mumbled.

Nero snorted and ripped off some meat from the leg, tossing it to Riley. “Eat. Need food. Stay strong.” He stated, not understanding that the speedster was not a cannibal.

“Eat your own food, Nero.” Thrane ordered.

A hint of pain crossed Nero’s face, but he kept silent.

“i appreciate it Nero but I've already been given my daily rations” Riley replied with a sad smile “they don't like it when I overeat.” Despite not being a cannibal Riley would love nothing more to stuff his face with anything that wasn't just some disgusting shake that he was given for every meal.

“He wants blood.” Nero said, walking over to Riley and grabbing up the meat. “He wants strong blood. Eat.” He held out the meat to the speedster and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Thrane was not happy…