Page 36 of Monster. Me.

"Huh. Okay. Weird situation, but sure," Rupert says with a shrug.

It's hard to read his reaction because there really isn't much of a bond between us. On top of that, I don't care enough to spend time analyzing his feelings about it.

I turn back to Reed. "Can you give me five minutes to use the bathroom first?"

"Sure," Reed says. "I'll wait in the hallway."

Then he leaves. He looks almost disappointed somehow. Maybe he was hoping Rupert would put on some dramatic jealousy show or something?

Once we're alone, I move to walk past Rupert toward the bathroom, but he suddenly grabs my wrist.

I immediately pull away. His touch certainly doesn't have a positive effect on me. It might even irritate me.

Rupert tilts his head slightly and squints at me.

"Okay, what's really going on here? You can tell me. Is this mutant making some kind of claim on you or something?"

I shrug and answer casually.

"Don't be ridiculous. The guy's suffering. They treat him like an animal here. I watched one of the orderlies smash him across the face with a baton, and not lightly either. I spoke up and asked if he really had to hit him, and I could tell the mutant appreciated it. That's all this is. Basic human kindness," I blatantly lie.

Rupert nods slowly.

"Oh. I get it. You know, I read about him before I came here. The thing with those betas on Calsing Island and all that." A faint blush creeps onto Rupert's cheeks. "You know… how he was fucking them."

I shrug again, acting completely unaffected.

"That's none of my business. But if he's about to go through some horrible procedure, maybe I can help. The research they're doing on him could end up helping the people participating in this program too, so it seems worth it."

I walk past him wearing the same calm expression, as if this is nothing more than a simple favor. But it isn't that simple. Drax specifically asked for me. A tiny thread has started forming between us, and I have no idea where it might lead. Most likely it'll end in disaster for both of us.

FENN DRAX

Once again, they wheel me in on that damn hospital bed with the little casters, even though I can walk perfectly fine. I guess they're already assuming I'll be in much worse shape on the way back. We're heading to the facility's main lab, packed with cutting-edge equipment. All those horrible machines… the ones that hurt me, with the help of people who operate them and make that pain materialize.

My whole body is tense. I know that's not exactly the smartest response when you're expecting pain, since it only makes everything feel worse. But that's not the only reason I'm wound so tight. I keep wondering whether they actually brought Marlow or if they ignored my request.

I get my answer soon enough.

The moment they roll me into the room, a wave of relief and happiness washes over me. I spot his tall, slender figure standing against the wall. His hair is down again, framing his delicate, pale face and giving him an almost angelic look. My eyes lock onto him instantly, as if he's the only person in the room. And for me, he is.

He's certainly the only human here who's shown me the slightest bit of kindness, and in my world that's about as rare as a priceless jewel.

"Marlow," I say, almost reverently.

"Hello, Fenn," he whispers.

He uses my name. Nobody does that. I've always just been Drax to everyone.

I give him a shy smile like some awkward teenager. Yeah, as I said, my flirting skills are basically nonexistent. What I did before had nothing to do with romance. Back on Calsing Island, I'd get an assignment, go to the designated unit, wake up the beta, we'd leave together, they’d stand against a wall, I’d let my other side take over, touch them, work myself up, and then I’d fuck them. That was my sex life. Absolutely no romance whatsoever, no dating, hands holding, flowers, and dinners.

I squeeze my eyes shut and push those thoughts away. I don't like thinking about that period of my life. It wasn't enjoyable, and it isn't something I want to remember.

Reed and Wilhelm leave while a different group of staff members pushes my bed toward a specialized station. Dr. Lee is here too, Lomax's deputy. He's the one who oversees many of the experiments, presenting a softer version of the nightmare doctor, with a fake smile and empty words. He puts on the appearance of kindness, though it's so carefully rehearsed that it never feels real.

The nurses secure me to a metal table with thick straps reinforced by metal fibers. My jaw clenches automatically because I know exactly why they're doing it. They don't want me struggling. They also place a thick rubber bite block between my teeth so I don't bite through my tongue.

Dr. Lee acts as the surgeon. One of the nurses pulls my loose hospital pants down at the side of my hip. I get a local anesthetic, and they wait a few minutes for it to take effect. During that time, I glance over at Marlow.