The Reborn One

And would soon show on Nero’s face. He gritted his sharp teeth, trying to ignore the pain as it got stronger and stronger. This was to show and remind Riley no one was safe.

“please stop” Riley said calling out to Thrane. He hated seeing Nero in pain. “your Aunt is helping Tzeitel I don't want him punishing either one” he whispered. “I'll be fine I'm just a little tired and sore after Coral's latest visit.”

“Water witch…will die.” Nero whispered in a growl as he finally backed away. Dropping the meat to the floor, he turned and slowly lumbered over to the large claw foot tub he used as a bed. For some odd reason, no matter what they gave him or did, the giant refused to sleep on a mattress of any kind.

Grabbing the little teddy bear with a missing arm, he returned to Riley and held it out to him. “Fey will keep company.”

Riley nodded taking the teddy bear “thanks Nero today been very long and unpleasant especially after getting some news from Coral.”

Nero nodded in understanding.

The door behind Riley would open back up. “Come out, Riley. I have someone I need to take you to see.” Thrane said coldly as Nero glared up at the camera. Those deep blue eyes of his were full of hate for the man in control of this place.

Riley nodded “until next time Nero” he said before following Thrane out of the room.

The last thing Riley would see was a concerned look in Nero’s eyes for him as he left.

Thrane would greet Riley, looking at the teddy bear. “Best not lose that or Nero might rip you apart.” He warned and began leading him down hallways and through restricted areas until they reached a lab where Coral was sitting in a chair. A doctor was checking her vitals while another was inspecting charts next to her.

One looked up and made a chittering noise.

The doctor jerked up and stared at Riley and Thrane. “H-h-hello!” He stuttered. “A-a-are you here for the subject?”

“Yes,” Thrane said. “I wanted Riley to greet him. They’re…friends.”

Riley moved as far away from Coral as he could while listening to Thrane.

Thrane gripped onto Riley’s arm, claws digging deep as he leaned in. “Show fear and they strike harder, boy…” He whispered.

The doctor nodded and said something to a nurse. She took over Coral, who smiled and winked at Riley. “Enjoy!” She called out as the doctor led them toward a back room.

Riley watched her until they left the room. Turning his head he looked around the room.

“He’s waking up,” The doctor said as he worked on getting a large pod that resembled some kind of metal coffin open. It let out a loud hiss as the latches released.

“Go say hi,” Thrane told Riley as his power slowly began to open the lid to reveal a man that looked very much like a far more pale Colt. His cat ears and tail were long gone, replaced by human ears, and scales covered his skin in patches along his body. His shockingly blue eyes were fluttering open, trying to fight back the grogginess of slumber.

“Colt?” Riley whispered as he slowly approached the pod and looked at his friend. “Do you remember me?”

Colt blinked a few times and groaned, a hand slowly rising and brushing through his silver-white hair. “Ugh, you’re as ugly as ever, Riley…” He grunted, always one to joke with his friend.

Tears began to fall down his face as he choked up “you're alive….”

“Yeah…I think so.” Colt started to sit up and grimaced. Everything ached and felt stiff, but he was indeed alive.

“You will be helping him adjust, Riley.” Thrane ordered calmly.

Riley nodded to Thrane not wanting to show too much emotion “come on let's get you to the room to rest.”

Thrane clicked his tongue and the doctor wheeled over a wheelchair for Colt. “He will need to work on walking. We’ll need you to help with that.” The doctor explained.

“And keep Coral away from him.” Thrane ordered, a hint of disgust in his tone.

Riley helped Colt over to wheelchair before looking at the doctor “will my blood help him?”

The doctor glanced at Thrane with worry before nodding. He wanted to be honest, but everyone feared the wrath of the man that wanted to make the world burn.

“Lets get you to your room. I’m sure Loreen is there already, worrying her sorry ass off about you.” Thrane explained with a simple wave of his hand toward the door.

Colt bit back silent rage as a snake slithered out of the tank and followed him to the wheelchair, climbing its way up to coil around his neck. “Uh…”

“That merely appeared with your rebirth.” Thrane stated. “Keep it, kill it. I don’t care.”

Riley pushed the chair quickly out of the room eager to get back to see Loreen. He was happy Colt was back but the events with Coral and news of her being pregnant had left his mental state fried.

Colt gripped onto the wheelchair and glanced over his shoulder at Riley. “You okay?” He asked in an almost whisper of a voice.

“I'm not Colt…. I'm really not” he whispered his hands gripping the handle hard enough his knuckles were white. He didn't know how much of his life Colt had seen since he became a ghost but the speedster was at his limit“I…. Don't….. …. I'm…want…. Need….” Closing his eyes he tried to calm himself down and steady his breathing “Let's just get to the room. Loreen can take a look at you.”

“I feel fine,” Colt said as they got near the room, finding Loreen standing outside of it. She turned her gaze toward them in silence. There was a small box gripped tightly in her hands.

Riley forced a smile trying not to worry her “you ok? Whatcha got there?” he ask trying to ignore the small shakes his body was experiencing.

“Cook returned today and brought this.” Loreen said as she opened the door for them. “Come on in…” She helped Riley wheel Colt into the room before handing the box over. Upon opening it, Riley would find letters from Klaire and James that explained all they had been trying to accomplish so far.

As she let Riley read, she got Colt’s vitals and even gave the snake some vital checks. It was shockingly sweet and friendly toward her.

Riley read the letter the information doing little to comfort him. As he continued to read Coral's words began echoing in his mind making his vision blurry. Trying to focus on the letter and its blurring words he noticed drops of blood on the letter and stared at them in a confused state unaware it was coming from his nose.

“Riley, you’re bleeding!” Loreen blurted as she went over to him with a tissue, gently pressing it under his nose.

“What’s wrong, Riley?” Colt asked as he pet the snake that had now returned to his shoulders.

“Everything” he mumbled his voice tied.
“Coral visited after to left afterwards she told me she's pregnant.”

“She’s what?!” Loreen looked sick to her stomach.

“Of course…” Colt growled out lowly.

Riley scratched at his bandages “apparently Thrane found a way to fix the incompatibility issues between our DNA and now she's pregnant with my child. I'm not dumb I'd figured I probably have some kids out there because of him but the thought of having a Child with her…..” feeling sick and dizzy he continued “Colt I'm glad you're back but….. That means there is no escape for me even in death.”

“We’ll get you out. Klaire is trying to find a way for us all.” Loreen whispered to Riley as she tried to stop his nosebleed again.

Colt gripped onto the armrests of his wheelchair, fury in his eyes. “We’re not staying here forever…”

Riley sat still until his nose stopped bleeding. Reaching his arms up he wrapped his arms around her and held onto her as if he was drowning.

“Riley…” Loreen whispered as she held onto him. With a gesture, she got Colt to wheel himself over and he took the box and letters, setting them aside for the pair. “We can get you into bed soon, but for now…”

“Yeah, take your time.” Colt said, unbothered. “In fact, I think I can get myself into bed. Good practice.” He forced a grin and wheeled over to the second bed that was now in the room.

Loreen merely watched him go before she looked at Riley, wishing she knew what to do for him.

“Hold me…stay with me” he whispered his body shaking “When you're around is the only time I feel safe around here.”

“I can't stay, Riley. I have to work or Thrane will make us all pay…” There was sadness in her tone. She didn't want to leave.

“What about later tonight?” He whispered not wanting her to go.

“I can try,” Loreen replied.

Riley nodded and hugged her tightly before kissing her cheek and letting go.

Loreen kissed the top of Riley’s head before leaving. Sadly, she wouldn't be allowed to return.

While the couple had spoken, Colt had gotten himself onto his own bed and was sitting up, propped against his pillows and petting the snake. “She loves you, you know…” He commented.