Unity II

Mrs. Andrews dropped her reports on the Vice's table and walked out. Immediately, her assigned guards followed her like a shadow, and she loathed them. Unity knew she could not escape even if she had a chance, yet they still didn't trust her. She maneuvered her way to the laboratory. It was a short distance to the lab, but she always took the long route just to spite the guards. It was petty, but she would go mad with anger if she did nothing. Since the test subject had escaped, she hadn't had to go to the lab much. As soon as she came up with the formula they wanted, the work of production had been passed to another person. The only reason she was still in their hands was that they wanted to make sure she didn't do something to ruin their plans once she got out. The laboratory was empty. The guards were not allowed in here, so she got the privacy to take what she needed. She walked to a shelf in the corner stocked with bottles of varying sizes, each filled with pills that Unity had developed. Most of them were harmful, but a few could be used for treatment. She swiped a few pills and dropped them in her pants pocket. She knew the drugs she needed, so she was out of the room in a few minutes. The guards suspected nothing and walked her to her room, where she knew they would be waiting and watching her every move. Once in her room, she turned on the light. She languidly removed her coat and hung it, changing into a simple overall for sleeping, and she took her worn clothes to the laundry, including the pants with the drugs. The laundry was in her bathroom. Unity might have taken her against her will, but her living space was not bad. Even better than the staff rooms in her former hospital. She dropped her shirt into the laundry and removed the drugs from the pants. She filled the cup that was already there with water and took it to her bathtub. She pulled the shower curtains aside, revealing a sleeping boy. It was Sinbad. She had been distraught when he was brought in. Werewolf or not, he was about the same age as her daughters; she couldn't bear to see him experimented on. She was at a loss on how to help him. One day the alarm sounded, and she found out he had escaped. Her guards had left to join the others in search of him, so she returned to her room alone that day. She had opened the door to her room when a figure fell at the end of the hallway. It was Sinbad, and he was injured. She took him in and hid him. Then she hurriedly wiped off the traces of blood. Since then, she had been sneaking drugs from the lab to treat him. Somehow, she had successfully kept him hidden even though her room had also been searched. Back to the present, he lay in the bathtub, padded with some clothes to make it comfortable. His eyes shot open as she tapped him. His eyes were red and fierce. He didn't seem to trust her, but seeing as he had no other choice, he could only cooperate and depend on her. She didn't stay with him as usual; instead, she muttered a small spell and returned to the passage she had passed an hour ago. She looked around and found no one. Had she imagined it? She returned dejectedly to her room when she felt it again. Someone had used magic here! She chanted a quick spell and saw three white dots in front of her room. She hurried back. Her guards stood ramrod straight facing forward. They didn't notice her or the three intruders. She could see their aura even though they had an invincibility spell. Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at one of the girls. What was her Aria doing here, and she was with a witch! Her heart thumped. The two girls didn't notice her, but the boy turned to her. She sensed hostility from him. She stretched her hand, and a cloud of smoke enveloped them and transported them all to her room. Her guards still stood outside, not knowing that something had happened. Ares was prepared with a bolt of magic in hand. Garsam and Aria were not panicked as they assumed that Ares was the one that moved them. Mrs. Andrews cast a spell that soundproofed the room. Then she called out, "Aria." Aria turned, her eyes widening as she recognized her mother. The initial surprise gave way to a flood of emotions, and she rushed towards Mrs. Andrews, embracing her tightly. "Mom?" She said. She seemed afraid of something because she pushed her mom away and asked, "It's really you, right?" Her mom rubbed her head. "Silly girl, who else will it be?" It was all she needed; Aria burst into tears. She was crying and sniffing on her mom's shoulder. Ares' heart hurt so much. Until Aria's mom slowly rubbed her back before her sobs subsided. Aria rubbed her red eyes and wiped her nose. "Mom, why are you here?" "Unforeseen circumstances, dear. I couldn't exactly leave or contact you guys; I've been so worried," she pressed Aria to her chest once more. "Where is Sue and Jerry?" "They're outside," Aria answered. She kept the part about Sue being unconscious to herself, for now. "What?" Her mom sounded alarmed. "Don't worry; they're safe. They're with a witch..." Aria peeked at her mom. She didn't look good. Not just because she was currently frowning but also because she had aged somewhat; she had crow's feet around her eyes and she felt thinner too. Mrs Andrews looked behind Aria to the two strangers. "How did you meet them?" After realizing the woman's identity, Ares had put away his hostility and smiled at her. "Mom," he called her. Mrs. Andrews blanked out, and Aria choked on her saliva. She whirled around to glare at Ares. Mrs. Andrews drew her daughter close. "Is he your boyfriend?" She asked. "No," Aria denied. At the same time, Ares said, "Yes." Ares gave her such a look of betrayal that even she was doubting her answer. Mrs. Andrews smiled at Ares. "Good child, what is your name?" "Ares," he answered with a grin; he looked so different from his cold self. Aria's mom, who had a natural weakness for good looks, gushed over him. Aria was confused; how did it get to this? Garsam was laughing on the side. Suddenly she raised her head and sniffed, then her eyes locked on a door. She walked towards it. Mrs. Andrews stepped in her path. "There's nothing to see, little one." Garsam quickly explained, "My friend was captured here; we came to look for him." She had followed Sinbad's scent to this room; that was why they had been hiding close by. Mrs. Andrews looked at Aria; she had thought that they had somehow located her; turns out it was an accident, albeit a happy one. Garsam pushed open the door, and Aria curiously leaned over to take a look, but Ares blocked her sight. He grabbed a blanket from the bed and stalked into the bathroom. A few minutes passed, and he came out with a person wrapped like a burrito; the person's head could not even be seen. He dumped the figure on the bed. Aria briefly wondered if the person was even alive because he or she didn't move an inch.