Day 31

C.R.O.S.S. Laboratories

Aves Department

Testing Room

at Dr. Pierce's words. The worst kind of test? What could possibly be worse than what she already made me do to Elias? Was the vigorous training sessions, blood samples, and nightly injections not enough? It already tore me apart to do those, and now she was asking for worse.

"I am not sure I can do anything worse than this Dr. Pierce," I said, gesturing back towards where Elias waited patiently in the Testing Room.

Dr. Pierce let out a frustrated sigh, "Look Miss Hall, I understand your conflict, but know that if we don't do this, Dr. Grant will kill him. Elias will be dead by the end of the week."

It felt as if my body was being ripped in two. My only two options involved harming Elias, but only one involved death. With that, I made up my mind.

"Okay," I said, letting out a shaky breath, "What do I have to do?"

I could see Dr. Pierce's shoulders relax, "I need you to keep this over his mouth," she said as she opened up her briefcase, reaching inside to pull out what looked to be an oxygen mask.

I watched in confusion as she handed me the mask, "Okay, but why do you need me to do that? Wouldn't you be more qualified?"

"Yes and no," Dr. Pierce said running a hand through her auburn curls, "Last time we tried, he managed to break out of his restraints and rip it off."

I frowned. "It sounds like it was probably painful then. What are you going to do to him?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips defensively.

Dr. Pierce's eyes flickered down to my position before she straightened shoulders. Adjusting her glasses, she spoke, "This test will force Elias to inhale a highly concentrated amount of pollutants that are currently on the rise in our atmosphere."

My eyes widened. "What?! Why would y-" I began to yell, stopping myself when I remembered what Dr. Grant wrote in his journal.

I have decided to use the DNA from the Hawkfinch due to their unique immunity to radiation and pollution...My work here will ensure human survival in our deteriorating world...

A wave of realization washed over me.

"Dr. Grant-"

Dr. Pierce did not even wait for me to finish before answering, "This is the main reason he was created. We did small tests when he was younger but nothing to this level, we figured we would wait until he matured to get the best results. And now we have run out of time."

I looked up, meeting her eyes. In them, I saw that her determination to save Elias reflected my own.

"Just tell me what to do," I said, defeated.

Dr. Pierce nodded. "Just like any testing you have done, I'll need you to hook him up to his vital monitors while I set up the mask." She said holding up the briefcase, "then when we are ready, I'll hand it off to you to slip over his face"

"Where will you be?" I asked.

"I'll be in the observation room down the hall, watching through the cameras," She said, pointing to a room a few doors down.

Prickles of apprehension arose in my chest, and I swallowed uneasily. "I don't know if I can do this alone," I replied, the images of Elias tossing scientists across the room flooded my mind.

Dr. Pierce but her hand on my shoulder, "You'll be fine. Based on the data you've been collecting, Elias's heart rate is much more relaxed around you than it ever was with me. Trust me, this is our best bet."

My jaw clenched. I was unhappy with her answer but what choice did I have?

I sighed, shrugging off her hand, "Let's just get this over with."

Dr. Pierce nodded and turned on her heels, walking back into the Testing Room with me following close behind. As Dr. Pierce began setting up for the test, my eyes met Elias's. By the looks of it, he was still confused as to what was going on. This was so out of protocol for him, and with his past with the abusive Dr. Grant, I could only imagine the thoughts running through his mind.

An urge to comfort him washed over me and before I could stop myself I walked over to take a seat next to him on the examination table. I glanced up at him once I had sat down but his eyes were now glued to Dr. Pierce. He watched her back with curiosity as she worked to set up the test. His back stiffened when she pulled the mask out of the black briefcase to connect to the tubes.

His wings fluttered as his electric blue eyes met mine, searching. I could already see the betrayal and confusion starting to form behind those blue orbs.

Ashamed, I looked down only to see his grip tightly fastened on the edge of the table. His knuckles had turned white and I was surprised that metal remained unbent.

Carefully, I lifted my hand, inching it towards his. I didn't have to look to know he was watching me because his knuckles lost the white color as he relaxed his grip. Slowly, I placed my hand on his, basking in the warmth of his skin.

We sat there for a moment before I dared to look up. When I did, I was surprised to see that his gaze was down, fixated on our hands.

Eventually, he lifted his gaze back to mine and my chest fluttered. I felt his hand relax beneath mine and his gaze softened. I smiled.

Someone cleared their throat from beside us. Looking up, I saw Dr. Pierce watching us in quiet contemplation. She was standing beside me with the mask in one hand and the connecting tubes loosely draped around her arms.

Dr. Pierce looked at me and I could see it in her eyes; it was time.

Sliding off the examination table, I stood up, turning to face Elias.

"I'm going to need you to lie down okay?" I said, forcing what I hoped to be an encouraging smile.

His eyes watched mine a moment before he nodded. I stepped back when he spread his large wings to lay his back on the metal surface. They hung off the slides of the table, and I had to step around them to come up beside his face.

He seemed to be at ease as he watched me hook him up to various monitors; respiratory, nerve, and heart monitors. But I was anything but. The guilt was tearing me apart. I was actively breaking the trust I spent weeks building. What if he gets angry at me? Would he hurt me like those other scientists? I couldn't blame him if he did. After this, I would be just like them. Just like the cold-hearted scientists who treated him like some sort of experiment to abuse.

I swallowed to keep down the bile rising in my throat.

After he was hooked up, Dr. Pierce stepped up beside me to hand me the mask, setting the tubes beside the table. I nodded and she returned the gesture before stepping out of the room.

The room fell silent and, for the first time, I felt uncomfortable.

I could see the cameras in the corner of the room reminding me that not only was Dr. Pierce watching but most likely Dr. Grant as well.

Letting out a shaky breath, I squared my shoulders and looked back at Elias. His eyes watched me as I walked around him, positioning myself behind where his head rested on the examination table.

With my free hand, I brushed my fingers across his forehead, moving aside a few wayward tendrils of his soft ebony hair. His eyes stayed on me as I removed my hand and lifted the mask so that he could see it.

As soon as his eyes landed on it, he jolted upwards to sit upright on the table. The monitors shifted with his body as he pulled on the cords attached to him. His wings tucked in front of his body defensively as he stared me down.

"Please, we don't have a choice Elias!" I tried to reason but he refused to lay back down.

I sighed, "Please Elias if we don't do this Dr. Grant will come ba-"

"No!" Elias growled, startling me.

I looked at him wide-eyed. Where I thought I would find anger I only saw fear swirling in his frantic blue eyes. I took a breath, "I know, trust me I don't want him here either. That's why we have to do this" I explained, gesturing to the mask in my hands.

He frowned, his frustration growing. He remained silent but in his eyes, I could see the inner turmoil brewing like a storm. He had to pick between pain or more pain. I felt terrible. I could tell that my actions hurt him and I swallowed the growing lump in my throat.

"Please Elias" I pleaded, my voice cracking slightly, "I don't want to hurt you but I'm afraid of what will happen if we don't do this." As I spoke, I watched his anger fade. The frustration in his eyes gave way to an understanding of the cruel situation.

His wings slowly relaxed as they released their shield around his body. I watched his face scrunch up in concentration as he weighed his options.

After a few moments, his shoulders sunk and he nodded, defeated.

"How about we try something," I said gesturing for him to lie back down. "As soon as you feel uncomfortable you let me know and I will stop it immediately. I promise."

His eyes searched mine for a moment before he responded.

"Okay," he said, his voice quieter than usual but thankfully not angry.

I took a steadying breath before I moved to stand beside where Elias's head rested on the table.

Looking down at him my heart climbed. He looked defeated. His normally vibrant blue eyes had faded to a dull grey as he watched me. With my free hand, I let my fingers brush a few stray wisps of midnight hair from his face. His eyes fluttered closed as I let my fingers linger. The moment only lasted a second before I snapped back to reality. Removing my hand, I grasped the mask and brought it to hover over his face.

His eyes met mine once more.

"Ready?" I whispered, scared that if spoke any louder my voice would surely break.

"Yes," he replied just as softly.

He closed his eyes once more and I took the opportunity to slip on the mask, covering his nose and mouth.

Once the mask was secured, I walked over to the gas tank Dr. Pierce had hooked it up to. My hand shook violently as I turned the lever, letting the toxins flow.

The test had begun.