Locked away

At first, Anthony didn't understand why he had woken up, but it became clear when he felt fingers wrapping tightly around his arm. Someone roughly shoved him to his feet. When Anthony's mouth opened to protest, the person slammed him against the wall, likely bruising him or breaking a rib. Despite the rough treatment, Anthony just smiled as his head tilted to the side. He rested his cheek against the cold iron wall, pretending to be as comfortable as he had ever been.

"Morning, Mr. Brooks! Aren't you just a ray of sunshine?" Anthony teased, instantly regretting his words as a sharp sting shot through his right arm.

Brooks looked as though he was on the verge of breaking Anthony's arm, but he managed to restrain himself from twisting it further. His dark brown hair was tied in a small bun, hanging loosely over his left eye.

"Shut it, Owl. Drugs are missing from the lab. Where are they?"

Anthony struggled to contain his amusement as his smile widened. He wriggled his body, trying to break free.

"Must you always expect the worst of me, Mr. Brooks?" he said with feigned sadness. "I have no reason to steal drugs, and besides, neither my shirt nor my pants have pockets to hide them in."

Brooks glanced at him, clearly skeptical, but his expression revealed that he partially believed Anthony. He released Anthony's arm but kept him pinned against the wall.

He was thinking.

Anthony kept silent, hoping it would increase his chances of being released. He knew that looking away would signal surrender, so he maintained his gaze.

Brooks seemed unsettled, especially since only half of Anthony was visible and a large purple eye stared at him. Brooks had always disliked how lifeless the eye looked, despite its childlike charm. Finally, Brooks stepped back, though not too far.

"You should have the students check on it. It looks worse by the day."

Anthony gave a hollow chuckle and turned to face him. He felt even more insulted knowing that Brooks was aware the students would likely do worse to him. He was sure they would remove the eye altogether.

There had been a girl who grew scales, and he remembered them plucking each one out. He could only recall the blood-curdling screams that echoed through the building, but he never saw her again. Just her trembling body being carried to her cell. It was maybe five years ago? He remembered the blood on her shirt and the bloody tweezers the woman held. At eight years old, he had been terrified, but he had grown accustomed to it. Luckily, he hadn't endured as much. He just-

He snapped out of his trance when he heard a 'clink.' A small plate had either been thrown or dropped onto the floor, with its contents leaking out. He saw a bit of green and red inside. It might have been soup, but it could also be dirty water with meat. Regardless, he bent down and picked up the bowl, hoping it could be salvaged. Dinner was dinner, and he had learned that the hard way.

"Handing me a bowl wouldn't kill anyone... Besides, I haven't done anything wrong yet," he said respectfully, worried he might get less than the two blocks of meat and a bit of creamy liquid. He looked inside the bowl, and his expression turned blank.

"Be grateful we even feed you," Brooks warned, making it to the door without Anthony even seeing him. "Besides, you're an 'Owl,' right? Raw meat should be fine."

Anthony felt his blood boil, and his hands trembled. He was ready to throw the bowl at Brooks but restrained himself. "Don't talk about my family that way," he said sweetly, making the warning somehow worse.

Brooks wore a cruel smirk. He knew how to get under Anthony's skin, and Anthony knew how to do the same to him. For now, though, he kept his secret until it was needed.

"Don't be such a sour face. I could call you an ant instead, considering your family isn't here anymore."

The air turned ice-cold, and Anthony's smile vanished. He was furious but stared at Brooks with piercing purple eyes. Despite his stillness, his gaze felt like it was tearing Brooks apart. "Leave."

Brooks felt an invisible grip around his throat, though no one was near him. He chose to listen, suddenly fearful for his life. He quickly exited the room, leaving behind only the loud 'click' and 'beep' of the security system activating.

As soon as Brooks was gone, Anthony hurled the plate at the wall, and its contents splattered on the floor. A cold grip enveloped his chest. Tears welled up in his eyes, but none fell. Instead, he wrapped his arms around himself as he collapsed to the ground. Despite the pain, only one thought echoed in his mind.

"I will get out of here, and I will survive!" he repeated to himself, glaring at the thick walls. No one could hear him, and it helped calm him down.

"I will get out of here, and I will survive," he whispered, adding, "and you all will pay."

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