Part 6- Burts perspective.

“Here we have Roger Taylor, our beautiful piece of art. He’s about 17 years old. We rescued him from his abusive parents 3 years ago, so all we could do was alter his vision a bit and add night vision powers!” I told the crowd, reciting the exact speech I practiced in front of the mirror many times. “He’s sassy and will fight you, so we ask that he goes with someone who can keep him from escaping.” The men at the cage readied themselves, and with one nod of my approval, they turned the lights off. The stadium went dark and only a few people in the audience gasped at the sight. Rogers electric blue eyes glowed under the black light in his cage.

“Turns out playing around with fluorescent lights and chemicals payed off for us.” The audience was oddly quiet and still… “we will start the bidding!”

But no one even offered the least. I scowled and ordered the guards to grab the next exhibit. Now this one will have to be a money maker! The guards wheeled the cage out and now Kate was on the large stage. Without wait, I started the speech.

“This one here is Kate McCrady! She is 16 years old and born here in our labs! She is one of a kind because she can float in place whenever she pleases” the audience didn’t clap. I hisses under my breath and continued angrily. “Also she is immune to pain, and ITS REALLY DANG COOL!!!” I scream at the audience. “WHY ARNT YOU CLAPPING?” I kicked the stage and the guards shrugged their shoulders. FINE.

“BID?!!” But no one did. Heck, are they in shock from my experiments. Hah, finally a group who loves my work so much so that their speechless! I smirk and signal for another experiment. But the smile on my face disappears before I can notice. They bring out Abby and I see her, a look that could kill. She clenches her fists and bare her teeth at me, heaving heavily while she swears. For only a second I am lost for words, and images of her run through my mind.

It seemed like just yesterday she fetched me my clipboard and prepared my coffee.

She wouldn’t be nosy and ask about my work, but she’d love to listen to my stories when I had time.

Abby was an optimist when things seemed bleak in the lab. But it’s over. And the power I hold by one nod of my head shows there’s nothing left.

“This hear is Abby Archer, a relative of mine. Now, pay close attention when-“ but I am rudely interrupted by a crash backstage. To my absolute horror, a decapitated head with a shocked expression is rolled to my feet.

“What the-“ I begin to say, and I stare at the audience. It’s nothing but necks. No- NO!!! How will I get my money?? My buyers are dead! How did this happen?! My veiny dry hands are shaking as I gather my keys and turn to run out the doors. But I make it only a step before a child is a few feet ahead of me, his shape flickering like a candle. Laibele. I needed to leave, but not before I get my experiment back!

“Oh, baby! I haven’t seen you in a while, we missed you tonight…” I try to hold out a hand, but he holds a gun and points it in my direction.

“Oh Burt, I’ll miss you to…” and he shot. The bullet hits me in the lungs and I instantly feel numb. I grasp my wound but I’m drowning in blood. I fail to breath and thinking was beyond my abilities right now.

"𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘮𝘦 “ i stagger a bit but I’m hit with another bullet. I didn’t feel it, but I heard it. And it killed me the second it shot.

To be continued…