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Feb. 24th, 2007 11:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
veiledndarknessTitle: In Thade We Trust – Chapter 5
Author: veiledndarkness
Warning: The usual disclaimer, not my property, just playing with the characters. Takes place shortly after the end of Planet of the Apes (2001).
Summary: In the darkest parts of the human mind lies the ability to be needlessly cruel and inhuman, a baser nature that separates us from the animals.
In Thade We Trust-Chapter 1
In Thade We Trust-Chapter 2
In Thade We Trust-Chapter 3
In Thade We Trust-Chapter 4
*
Dr. Naira checked his stopwatch briefly before jotting down the times. He nodded to the doctor in the observing booth, and called a halt to the machines. Leo dropped to the mat on the ground, breathing heavily, his face flushed red, sweating and shaking hard.
Naira walked over to the chimp that was running the machine and spoke with him quietly, allowing Leo time to relax. He glanced back at the booth and tilted his head before approaching Leo.
"Alright now, follow me," he said. Leo glared at him mildly before pushing himself to his feet and staggering behind Naira. He felt the cool metal collar circle his neck and winced when he heard the click in his ears as it snapped shut.
"Thank you," Naira said gruffly to the young assistant. The chimp nodded silently and followed closely behind Leo, eyeing his every move. Leo rolled his eyes, trying his best not to limp after the grueling exercises they had put him through.
Naira led them back to his office and had his assistant place Leo in his cage.
"That will be all for today, Marcis," he said shortly, dismissing him. Marcis nodded again and left the room promptly.
Leo sat down in his cage, his body aching all over. Naira handed him a small white container wordlessly and sat down at his desk, sighing as he flipped open a file folder and began transferring his notes.
Leo stared at the container, opening it and sniffing cautiously. "Smells kinda like mint," he said after a second sniff.
Dr. Naira looked up from his paperwork and smiled wearily. "It’s made with mint leaf extract, that's why," he said, rubbing his forehead tiredly.
"But what is it?" Leo questioned. Naira eyed him before chuckling dryly.
"You've never used relaxing creams before?" he asked.
Leo blinked in understanding. "Oh for sore muscles," he said, feeling foolish.
Naira nodded. "Indeed, go on, rub some in," he said waving one hand.
Leo shrugged and began to smooth it into his calves, sighing in relief as the knotted muscles slowly relaxed. "What was the point of that damn exercise anyway?" he grumbled a few minutes later.
"Endurance tests," Naira said distractedly. "Seeing how long you could maintain a heart rate over a period of time while putting your body through exercises designed to tire you out."
Leo stared at him, his face dark with anger. "What now?" Naira asked, putting his pen down.
"I'm just a fuckin' lab rat to you guys," Leo spat angrily. "See how long till the human passes out and all that crap."
Naira studied him, annoyance clear in his eyes. "Leo, must we go through this again? After a week, I was beginning to hope that you understood things a bit better now."
Leo stood up then, hitting his head on the cage. He hissed in pain and rubbed at the sore spot on his head. "Oh I understand," he said lowly. "I'm so lucky to be with you, right? Till when? Till you decide the tests are done and I get put down?" he yelled, the rage he'd been suppressing bursting through.
Naira waited for Leo to stop yelling, his chest still sweat covered and heaving from his anger. "Are you done?" he asked, unimpressed by his display.
Leo snarled at him, baring his teeth. Naira rubbed at his forehead again, smoothing the lines of tension on his wrinkled skin.
"We all do things that we believe to be right. I try to do what's right as best as I can, Thade knows I've tried. But this, this dream you have of being set free is something unreachable at this time," Naira said, his eyes sad and dark. "It may be the right thing to do, but Leo, this is something that I cannot do. I only wish you could understand."
Leo slumped down in his cage, appalled by the hot tears that burned under his eyelids. "I..." he tried to say, his throat closing up.
"I can't do this," he whispered harshly. "I'm not an animal, I can't live like this," he pleaded to Naira, his breathing erratic now.
Naira regarded him with sorrow in his eyes. "I'm truly sorry Leo that our paths had to cross like this," he said softly. He stood up then and went to his cupboards, pulling out a plastic tube. He walked over to the cage slowly, his face blank, his eyes alive with sympathy.
Leo shook his head. "No," he said quietly. "No, God no," he said backing up to the corner of his cage, his eyes wide with fear, his face pale. He gripped the bars, his fingers slick with nervous sweat.
Naira took the syringe out and tested it. "It's only a sedative Leo, I promise," he said, reaching through the bars and griping Leo's arm with it.
Leo trembled as Naira held him, feeling the sharp sting of the needle pierce his skin. He curled up in the cage, the drug racing through his system immediately. Naira stroked his hair, making soothing noises as Leo slowly settled.
"I want to go home," he murmured, turning his head into the gentle caress, a part of him yearning for contact that didn’t involve pain. He closed his eyes as the unwanted tears slid down his cheeks, his fingers twitching as he fell asleep.
Naira continued to stroke his hair after Leo relaxed in his drug-induced sleep, his own face lined with worry. He sighed as Leo whimpered in his sleep.
‘I’ve become too close to him,’ he thought sadly. ‘I can’t afford to care like this.’
*
Leo awoke several hours later, blinking sluggishly, his arms throbbing, and his legs shaky. He licked his dry lips and glanced around the darkened room, searching for any sign of Dr. Naira. He rested his head against his blankets, the emptiness of the room hitting him hard.
He wiped at his face, errant tears still leaking occasionally. He swore viciously to himself, insisting that he get a grip and find a way to get out, no matter the consequences. Leo sat up, ignoring the protest from his aching muscles.
Dr. Naira walked in then, grumbling to himself as he closed the door and locked it behind him. He eyed the clock on the wall and then glanced in the cage, acknowledging Leo with a mere nod, before sitting at his desk.
Leo licked his lips again and tried to speak, his voice croaking. “Will I ever get out of the cage?” he asked, his voice little more than a whisper.
Naira looked him in the eye for a long moment before nodding slowly. “I am working on having you moved to my quarters, rather than being kept in the cage for most of the day,” he said slowly.
“And I wouldn’t be tied up?” Leo asked cautiously.
“No, you would be safe in my rooms, there would no need for restraint, unless you tried to escape of course,” Naira said dryly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Leo blinked. “What makes you think I’d try?” he asked with a straight face.
Naira scoffed lightly. “I didn’t fall off the turnip truck the other day you know,” he said, flipping open his folder. He paged through the notes that were clipped together. He gritted his teeth as he heard the sounds of raised voices coming down the hallway.
Leo tilted his head. “Is that Ari again?” he asked curiously.
Naira dropped the folders and groaned. “Yes, it seems she’d like to accompany her father, the senator for his visit with you. Please Leo, no speaking in front of either of them.”
Leo nodded, grumbling. “Play dumb you mean?” he said sourly, gathering his blankets and wrapping them tightly around his body, feeling somewhat exposed.
Naira gave him a look and let out a deep breath before clearing his face of any irritation and unlocked the door, opening it. “Good afternoon Senator, Ari,” he said, waving them in.
Ari nodded stiffly at him, her eyes downcast as she took a seat in front of his desk. Sandar leaned over the cage, peering curiously at Leo. “Hmm, haven’t seen him up close till now,” he said quietly.
Dr. Naira sat down behind his desk and folded his hands carefully, the long fingers tapping a steady beat against each other. "Yes, he is very interesting, of that there is no doubt," he said.
Sandar stared at Leo, his eyes searching. Leo stared blankly back at him. Sandar blinked suddenly and glanced at Naira. "And you said he exhibits more than a basic language ability?" he asked, finally stepping away from the cage and taking a seat beside Ari.
Dr. Naira nodded. "He responds to 'yes' and 'no' questions with some fluidity. Beyond that, his grasp is minimal," he said. Ari stiffened beside her father, her mouth opening. Naira sent her a quick glare, silencing anything that she might have said.
Sandar sighed impatiently. "What of the other tests, the results?" he said.
Naira frowned. "As I mentioned, his body responds to the healing process with much enthusiasm, the scabbing and healing is almost immediate. He is quite strong, his physical endurance is excellent. Overall, he is far more developed than the workers in the fields."
Naira watched with some amusement as Ari struggled not to speak. He opened Leo's file and spread out several of the charts for Sandar to look through.
"As you can see here, his muscles differ from those of the workers, they seemed somewhat more refined. From the tests, I've concluded that his genetics are modified from the ones of the workers. It is quite plausible that humans do not share all the same developmental characteristics as we previously believed," he said slowly.
Sandar picked up one of the spreadsheets, blinking rapidly. "Are you saying that there are differences in the genetic make-ups?" he asked, frowning in confusion.
Dr. Naira suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, Senator, that is what the results have shown. It is very possible that humans and apes share far more in common than we have found in the past."
"But that would mean that there's more like him, would it not?" Sandar said, his voice going higher.
Dr. Naira nodded solemnly. "There might," he agreed. "However, the other humans that we have in the testing labs are more like the workers than like this human. We've yet to find another human who is like him."
Ari fidgeted for a moment before speaking. "Dr. Naira, if this is true then why have no other humans been found that more resemble Leo?" she said quickly, unaware of her slip.
"Surely there are others, but with the suspiciously rapid deaths of the humans who are found on the outskirts of the main cities, we have no knowledge of what they are capable of," she added, ignoring the scathing glare that Naira was giving her.
Sandar scoffed. "Ari, you know as well I do that humans are inferior to apes. They have no real emotions; they are not capable of thinking as we do. I'm afraid your exposure to them has led you to assume that they have souls, personalities even."
Ari's nostrils flared in anger. "Father, you know nothing of the humans beyond what the scientists tell you, what you're eager to hear, rather than see with your own eyes. They deserve more than the lot they have been given in life," she spat, half rising out of her seat.
"Please, Ari sit!" Sandar said softly with much urgency. "Calm yourself or I'll have Dr. Naira escort you out."
Ari sat down heavily, her eyes shining with frustrated tears. "Forgive me, Dr. Naira," she said stiffly. "I was out of line."
Dr. Naira waved one hand, hiding his smirk. "Consider it forgotten," he said breezily.
Sandar breathed out slowly. "What is to be done with the human now?" he asked.
Dr. Naira paused for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "After the most recent experiments, ones that have mainly focused on his body, I would like to transfer him to a more secure area to continue the testing on his mind," he said.
Sandar studied the papers again, before nodding hesitantly. "And where would he be moved to?" he asked finally.
Naira made a show of shrugging. "I've considered having him moved to my own personal quarters. I have a secure, private room that could be used," he said.
Sandar grimaced. "Are you sure that's wise Naira? Having a human so close to you at all times?" he said.
Ari swore under her breath. "It's perfectly safe to be in close contact with a human, Father," she said, her voice acidic. "He's not a rabid dog."
Dr. Naira stared at Sandar unblinkingly. "That is a risk I'm willing to take," he said quietly.
Sandar nodded. "If anything happens to the human," he started to say warningly.
Dr. Naira bit his inner cheek fiercely before answering. "I accept whatever inherent dangers you believe that the human has. I would like to do this with as little fuss as possible and Thade willing, perhaps receive some answers. The human's living environment might very well affect his mental state of mind, and that would hinder my research."
Sandar chuckled dryly. "I highly doubt that the human thinks in the same terms as we do," he said, sneering lightly in the direction of Leo's cage.
Dr. Naira bit down harder, the anger pushing his words out insistently. "I wonder Senator, if you are considering how the human is responding to the examination procedure itself? Or are you more concerned with spinning your latest fairy tales to the masses in order to keep yourself in office?" he said, bitterness creeping into his voice.
Sandar stood up abruptly. "I believe this visit is over now," he snapped furiously.
Ari stood up, her eyes still shinning. "Dr. Naira," she said softly, dipping her head to him.
Naira offered a grim smile. "Thank you for your time Senator," he said, a slight hint of sarcasm lacing his words.
Sandar nodded, his eyes still flashing angrily. "I expect continued progress reports. I will have a messenger bring you the requirements for when your 'guest' is moved into your quarters," he said, his lip curling in contempt.
Dr. Naira gathered his papers. "As I expected," he said smoothly, watching them leave.
He sat back down wearily. "That was easier than I expected," he murmured.
Leo shook his head, the conversation that he had heard echoing in his mind. "Why do you put up with that bullshit?" he asked.
Dr. Naira stood up slowly, paging for Marcis to come to his office. "We all do things that we despise Leo," he said lowly. "Some reasons are better than others."
Leo swallowed, his gratitude and anger at the way he had mentioned in the discussion mixing together. "Thanks," he mumbled after a moment of silence. Naira nodded.
"It's safer for you this way," he said. The door to his office opened and Marcis stood, waiting expectantly for his orders.
*
Author: veiledndarkness
Warning: The usual disclaimer, not my property, just playing with the characters. Takes place shortly after the end of Planet of the Apes (2001).
Summary: In the darkest parts of the human mind lies the ability to be needlessly cruel and inhuman, a baser nature that separates us from the animals.
In Thade We Trust-Chapter 1
In Thade We Trust-Chapter 2
In Thade We Trust-Chapter 3
In Thade We Trust-Chapter 4
*
Dr. Naira checked his stopwatch briefly before jotting down the times. He nodded to the doctor in the observing booth, and called a halt to the machines. Leo dropped to the mat on the ground, breathing heavily, his face flushed red, sweating and shaking hard.
Naira walked over to the chimp that was running the machine and spoke with him quietly, allowing Leo time to relax. He glanced back at the booth and tilted his head before approaching Leo.
"Alright now, follow me," he said. Leo glared at him mildly before pushing himself to his feet and staggering behind Naira. He felt the cool metal collar circle his neck and winced when he heard the click in his ears as it snapped shut.
"Thank you," Naira said gruffly to the young assistant. The chimp nodded silently and followed closely behind Leo, eyeing his every move. Leo rolled his eyes, trying his best not to limp after the grueling exercises they had put him through.
Naira led them back to his office and had his assistant place Leo in his cage.
"That will be all for today, Marcis," he said shortly, dismissing him. Marcis nodded again and left the room promptly.
Leo sat down in his cage, his body aching all over. Naira handed him a small white container wordlessly and sat down at his desk, sighing as he flipped open a file folder and began transferring his notes.
Leo stared at the container, opening it and sniffing cautiously. "Smells kinda like mint," he said after a second sniff.
Dr. Naira looked up from his paperwork and smiled wearily. "It’s made with mint leaf extract, that's why," he said, rubbing his forehead tiredly.
"But what is it?" Leo questioned. Naira eyed him before chuckling dryly.
"You've never used relaxing creams before?" he asked.
Leo blinked in understanding. "Oh for sore muscles," he said, feeling foolish.
Naira nodded. "Indeed, go on, rub some in," he said waving one hand.
Leo shrugged and began to smooth it into his calves, sighing in relief as the knotted muscles slowly relaxed. "What was the point of that damn exercise anyway?" he grumbled a few minutes later.
"Endurance tests," Naira said distractedly. "Seeing how long you could maintain a heart rate over a period of time while putting your body through exercises designed to tire you out."
Leo stared at him, his face dark with anger. "What now?" Naira asked, putting his pen down.
"I'm just a fuckin' lab rat to you guys," Leo spat angrily. "See how long till the human passes out and all that crap."
Naira studied him, annoyance clear in his eyes. "Leo, must we go through this again? After a week, I was beginning to hope that you understood things a bit better now."
Leo stood up then, hitting his head on the cage. He hissed in pain and rubbed at the sore spot on his head. "Oh I understand," he said lowly. "I'm so lucky to be with you, right? Till when? Till you decide the tests are done and I get put down?" he yelled, the rage he'd been suppressing bursting through.
Naira waited for Leo to stop yelling, his chest still sweat covered and heaving from his anger. "Are you done?" he asked, unimpressed by his display.
Leo snarled at him, baring his teeth. Naira rubbed at his forehead again, smoothing the lines of tension on his wrinkled skin.
"We all do things that we believe to be right. I try to do what's right as best as I can, Thade knows I've tried. But this, this dream you have of being set free is something unreachable at this time," Naira said, his eyes sad and dark. "It may be the right thing to do, but Leo, this is something that I cannot do. I only wish you could understand."
Leo slumped down in his cage, appalled by the hot tears that burned under his eyelids. "I..." he tried to say, his throat closing up.
"I can't do this," he whispered harshly. "I'm not an animal, I can't live like this," he pleaded to Naira, his breathing erratic now.
Naira regarded him with sorrow in his eyes. "I'm truly sorry Leo that our paths had to cross like this," he said softly. He stood up then and went to his cupboards, pulling out a plastic tube. He walked over to the cage slowly, his face blank, his eyes alive with sympathy.
Leo shook his head. "No," he said quietly. "No, God no," he said backing up to the corner of his cage, his eyes wide with fear, his face pale. He gripped the bars, his fingers slick with nervous sweat.
Naira took the syringe out and tested it. "It's only a sedative Leo, I promise," he said, reaching through the bars and griping Leo's arm with it.
Leo trembled as Naira held him, feeling the sharp sting of the needle pierce his skin. He curled up in the cage, the drug racing through his system immediately. Naira stroked his hair, making soothing noises as Leo slowly settled.
"I want to go home," he murmured, turning his head into the gentle caress, a part of him yearning for contact that didn’t involve pain. He closed his eyes as the unwanted tears slid down his cheeks, his fingers twitching as he fell asleep.
Naira continued to stroke his hair after Leo relaxed in his drug-induced sleep, his own face lined with worry. He sighed as Leo whimpered in his sleep.
‘I’ve become too close to him,’ he thought sadly. ‘I can’t afford to care like this.’
*
Leo awoke several hours later, blinking sluggishly, his arms throbbing, and his legs shaky. He licked his dry lips and glanced around the darkened room, searching for any sign of Dr. Naira. He rested his head against his blankets, the emptiness of the room hitting him hard.
He wiped at his face, errant tears still leaking occasionally. He swore viciously to himself, insisting that he get a grip and find a way to get out, no matter the consequences. Leo sat up, ignoring the protest from his aching muscles.
Dr. Naira walked in then, grumbling to himself as he closed the door and locked it behind him. He eyed the clock on the wall and then glanced in the cage, acknowledging Leo with a mere nod, before sitting at his desk.
Leo licked his lips again and tried to speak, his voice croaking. “Will I ever get out of the cage?” he asked, his voice little more than a whisper.
Naira looked him in the eye for a long moment before nodding slowly. “I am working on having you moved to my quarters, rather than being kept in the cage for most of the day,” he said slowly.
“And I wouldn’t be tied up?” Leo asked cautiously.
“No, you would be safe in my rooms, there would no need for restraint, unless you tried to escape of course,” Naira said dryly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Leo blinked. “What makes you think I’d try?” he asked with a straight face.
Naira scoffed lightly. “I didn’t fall off the turnip truck the other day you know,” he said, flipping open his folder. He paged through the notes that were clipped together. He gritted his teeth as he heard the sounds of raised voices coming down the hallway.
Leo tilted his head. “Is that Ari again?” he asked curiously.
Naira dropped the folders and groaned. “Yes, it seems she’d like to accompany her father, the senator for his visit with you. Please Leo, no speaking in front of either of them.”
Leo nodded, grumbling. “Play dumb you mean?” he said sourly, gathering his blankets and wrapping them tightly around his body, feeling somewhat exposed.
Naira gave him a look and let out a deep breath before clearing his face of any irritation and unlocked the door, opening it. “Good afternoon Senator, Ari,” he said, waving them in.
Ari nodded stiffly at him, her eyes downcast as she took a seat in front of his desk. Sandar leaned over the cage, peering curiously at Leo. “Hmm, haven’t seen him up close till now,” he said quietly.
Dr. Naira sat down behind his desk and folded his hands carefully, the long fingers tapping a steady beat against each other. "Yes, he is very interesting, of that there is no doubt," he said.
Sandar stared at Leo, his eyes searching. Leo stared blankly back at him. Sandar blinked suddenly and glanced at Naira. "And you said he exhibits more than a basic language ability?" he asked, finally stepping away from the cage and taking a seat beside Ari.
Dr. Naira nodded. "He responds to 'yes' and 'no' questions with some fluidity. Beyond that, his grasp is minimal," he said. Ari stiffened beside her father, her mouth opening. Naira sent her a quick glare, silencing anything that she might have said.
Sandar sighed impatiently. "What of the other tests, the results?" he said.
Naira frowned. "As I mentioned, his body responds to the healing process with much enthusiasm, the scabbing and healing is almost immediate. He is quite strong, his physical endurance is excellent. Overall, he is far more developed than the workers in the fields."
Naira watched with some amusement as Ari struggled not to speak. He opened Leo's file and spread out several of the charts for Sandar to look through.
"As you can see here, his muscles differ from those of the workers, they seemed somewhat more refined. From the tests, I've concluded that his genetics are modified from the ones of the workers. It is quite plausible that humans do not share all the same developmental characteristics as we previously believed," he said slowly.
Sandar picked up one of the spreadsheets, blinking rapidly. "Are you saying that there are differences in the genetic make-ups?" he asked, frowning in confusion.
Dr. Naira suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, Senator, that is what the results have shown. It is very possible that humans and apes share far more in common than we have found in the past."
"But that would mean that there's more like him, would it not?" Sandar said, his voice going higher.
Dr. Naira nodded solemnly. "There might," he agreed. "However, the other humans that we have in the testing labs are more like the workers than like this human. We've yet to find another human who is like him."
Ari fidgeted for a moment before speaking. "Dr. Naira, if this is true then why have no other humans been found that more resemble Leo?" she said quickly, unaware of her slip.
"Surely there are others, but with the suspiciously rapid deaths of the humans who are found on the outskirts of the main cities, we have no knowledge of what they are capable of," she added, ignoring the scathing glare that Naira was giving her.
Sandar scoffed. "Ari, you know as well I do that humans are inferior to apes. They have no real emotions; they are not capable of thinking as we do. I'm afraid your exposure to them has led you to assume that they have souls, personalities even."
Ari's nostrils flared in anger. "Father, you know nothing of the humans beyond what the scientists tell you, what you're eager to hear, rather than see with your own eyes. They deserve more than the lot they have been given in life," she spat, half rising out of her seat.
"Please, Ari sit!" Sandar said softly with much urgency. "Calm yourself or I'll have Dr. Naira escort you out."
Ari sat down heavily, her eyes shining with frustrated tears. "Forgive me, Dr. Naira," she said stiffly. "I was out of line."
Dr. Naira waved one hand, hiding his smirk. "Consider it forgotten," he said breezily.
Sandar breathed out slowly. "What is to be done with the human now?" he asked.
Dr. Naira paused for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "After the most recent experiments, ones that have mainly focused on his body, I would like to transfer him to a more secure area to continue the testing on his mind," he said.
Sandar studied the papers again, before nodding hesitantly. "And where would he be moved to?" he asked finally.
Naira made a show of shrugging. "I've considered having him moved to my own personal quarters. I have a secure, private room that could be used," he said.
Sandar grimaced. "Are you sure that's wise Naira? Having a human so close to you at all times?" he said.
Ari swore under her breath. "It's perfectly safe to be in close contact with a human, Father," she said, her voice acidic. "He's not a rabid dog."
Dr. Naira stared at Sandar unblinkingly. "That is a risk I'm willing to take," he said quietly.
Sandar nodded. "If anything happens to the human," he started to say warningly.
Dr. Naira bit his inner cheek fiercely before answering. "I accept whatever inherent dangers you believe that the human has. I would like to do this with as little fuss as possible and Thade willing, perhaps receive some answers. The human's living environment might very well affect his mental state of mind, and that would hinder my research."
Sandar chuckled dryly. "I highly doubt that the human thinks in the same terms as we do," he said, sneering lightly in the direction of Leo's cage.
Dr. Naira bit down harder, the anger pushing his words out insistently. "I wonder Senator, if you are considering how the human is responding to the examination procedure itself? Or are you more concerned with spinning your latest fairy tales to the masses in order to keep yourself in office?" he said, bitterness creeping into his voice.
Sandar stood up abruptly. "I believe this visit is over now," he snapped furiously.
Ari stood up, her eyes still shinning. "Dr. Naira," she said softly, dipping her head to him.
Naira offered a grim smile. "Thank you for your time Senator," he said, a slight hint of sarcasm lacing his words.
Sandar nodded, his eyes still flashing angrily. "I expect continued progress reports. I will have a messenger bring you the requirements for when your 'guest' is moved into your quarters," he said, his lip curling in contempt.
Dr. Naira gathered his papers. "As I expected," he said smoothly, watching them leave.
He sat back down wearily. "That was easier than I expected," he murmured.
Leo shook his head, the conversation that he had heard echoing in his mind. "Why do you put up with that bullshit?" he asked.
Dr. Naira stood up slowly, paging for Marcis to come to his office. "We all do things that we despise Leo," he said lowly. "Some reasons are better than others."
Leo swallowed, his gratitude and anger at the way he had mentioned in the discussion mixing together. "Thanks," he mumbled after a moment of silence. Naira nodded.
"It's safer for you this way," he said. The door to his office opened and Marcis stood, waiting expectantly for his orders.
*
