2 Subject 1142

Back at the private facility, people were frantic. Every corner of this place had been searched and a lockdown was issued to avoid further breakouts. Soldiers lined up in the corridors fearing punishment for allowing their most important subject escape. One by one they were interrogated some coming out with heavy wounds, blood dripping from their faces and others unconscious from continuous beatings. However, the commanders couldn't find a culprit with a motive to help her escape meaning they had greatly underestimated her.

Their next step was a planning meeting which included four lab specialists, two military generals, and the most important person. Director Kobayashi. This was the most feared man in Japan according to the government, why? Because he was untouchable...

His shaved black raven hair, sharp blue eyes, huge muscular shoulders protruding from his white suit and most importantly the menacing aura that made them all gulp as he sat down disapprovingly. It wasn't a natural fear of superiority, it was like a dark cloud had swept the room stealing the life from each of them.

Seargent, "The meeting will now commence, could the laboratory specialized please remind the others of the specialist characteristics of this subject." The head of recreational science flinched to be called upon first, eyes burrowing from his incompetence. Clearing his throat he assembled the girl's portfolio. Director Koboyashi leaned forward with interest his arms outstretched on the table.

Head of recreational science, "Subject 1142 was born the 16th of May 2009 and is now 14 years of age. Fetal growth was somewhat premature leading to a small stature however through progressive representations of intelligence from 3 months old we determined that this subject was the most promising thus far of Project Origin." Generals nodded in agreement, that child was something else entirely. A child wasn't the right word for it.

Seargent, "Could you please explain the representations you speak of so that the generals of this military operation are informed." With shaking hand he flipped to the last page and felt a shiver run through his body as Director Koboyashi shifted back putting his feet on the table roughly. It was clear impatience was on the rise.

Head of Recreational Science, "Subject 1142 has electric reflux disorder, a very rare disorder which allows her to move faster than other people, she isn't shunted by emotional responses like fear or compassion almost as if she felt nothing at all. In her first task of execution upon given orders, she completed this in 0.5 seconds. Along with her disorder, this subject is extremely nimble and flexible, enough to put professional athletes to shame. Her training regime which was to be completed in a three-year interval was done in three months and her ability with military weapons such as guns, knives are impeccable. In conclusion, she is the most dangerous child within this program which highlights just how dire this situation is sir." People began chattering in worry, taking down this child would be difficult, she was a danger to society.

Director Koboyashi, "I want her alive." The silence shattered the atmosphere, his dark tone stopping their hearts. General Ward who was the head of military defence felt the saliva dry around his lips. Surely that was some kind of sick joke.

General Ward, "Director, you surely can't be serious. This is a trained killer who has already killed many of my men on her way out. Taking her alive would prove near impossible." The director smirked, he was amused, this girl was so troublesome that even the military of defence was afraid.

Director Koboyashi, "General, this was the only successful subject in this program that I would consider showcasing to the world as a weaponized candidate. In other words, that girl is all we have to show for 20 years of research into genetic soldiering." Ward clenched his teeth and looked down, so all of his men had to put their neck on the line for one girl. This was preposterous.

Director Koboyashi, "Head I expect her test result from the last five years on my desk by 8 pm, General ward I am giving you 8 weeks to capture subject 1142, if you fail you will be removed of duty. Is that clear?" Ruthless...this man was ruthlessly threatening to remove a status it had taken him forty years to earn. But if one thing was known in this hell hole...it was that you didn't refuse him.

General Ward, "Yes, sir."

Seiji's home-------------------

Cowardly. I'm a coward for giving her no chance to escape who am I to take away this kid's freedom when she'd only just found it. What will her eyes tell me when she wakes up? Will they breed fear, anger or will they look blank just like the rest of them. There's no way she'll look like anything but a doll, that scar. The scar I've seen a million times, the scar that still haunts me in my sleep. That stinking blood on my hands keeps coming back tenfold being in the same space as her. Dammit why did I save her, was it because of repentance. Am I just making up for my mistakes by giving her a chance?

Seiji's mind was in a whirlwind of guilt and anger. His past was a complicated one. So complicated people would probably never believe him. As he sat in that run-down chair watching over this small child as if he were a guardian angel he couldn't help but feel afraid of how she would react when she woke up. Sometimes she would shuffle making his body freeze up. Just when he thought there was nothing in this world to be afraid of anymore. Here she was. His punishment.

It had been six hours since she'd arrived and time had whisked into the night. It was a crescent moon shedding little light and as expected no stars were meaning heavy clouds were still above them. Rain trickled down from the shutters tinging away on the metal binds. Shallow sounds of people pricked up his ears putting him on edge. Although his eyes were heavy and ready to close her face kept them pried open. Those pink little lips, big eyes, sharp cheekbones, long luscious blonde hair, long black eyelashes. She was so pretty she looked artificial. No...she was artificial.

"No, mnnnn!" Seiji stood up hearing her begin to mumble, he edged closer to see her eyes clenched tight her little hands clutching the bedsheets. Maybe she was having a nightmare he thought, still he was mesmerized by her. That expression, that pained expression she couldn't be capable of making...

Then like a raindrop a tear tricked from the side of her face and before long she was sobbing in her sleep. Seiji rubbed his shaved head and groaned, this was stupid all he wanted to do was hold her for comfort but who knew what she would do if touched. Soon guilt got the better of him so he kneeled beside her and began gently stroking her hair. It was soft and filled with heat from the fever although slightly damp from the rain. Her sobbing slowed down into whimpers which eventually turned into little breaths again.

'What the hell am I doing patting her head like that'll make everything okay? This kid must have been through hell and here I am comforting her like an idiot. What right do I have as a scummy human being to do this? Get a fucking grip of yourself'

Furious with himself he retracted his arm and stormed back over to his favourite chair with his arms crossed. Seiji was studying her, every movement, every sound looking for even an ounce of humanity. So far to his relief that pained expression was a good thing, it meant she felt at least that. However time was ticking, the shop would be opened in an hour and Kaido wasn't due in until 1 pm. Should he close for the day until she woke up? Stressed he put his hands over his face feeling the slight ray of sunrise beaming on his rough knuckles.

Maybe that was for the best, she needed attention right now. Tired and still feeling anxious he shook his head and looked up.

Seiji, "Woah!" He fell back in his chair his eyes like saucers. In those five seconds, he'd rubbed his eyes she was up and awake! Seiji needed to compose himself, showing fear was the worst thing to do with people like her. Steadily taking each movement at a time he sat back in his chair. When his mind settled he finally plucked up the courage to look her in the eyes. And what he witnessed was the furthest from his expectations...

Wide, panic-stricken eyes darting around while she clutched her blanket. It was clear from her quick hyperventilation that this kid was terrified. Seiji was afraid to stand up in-case he startled her so he decided to ease her.

Seiji, "Your okay, your safe." Trying to be as calm as he could. The girl flipped her head around towards him then her eyes changed drastically so much so they looked black to him. In seconds she tied the blanket clutched so desperately in her hands moments ago into a noose and stood up on the bed. Seiji stood up from the chair in a defensive position and felt his heart shatter. Of course, how could this child be anything else than this? Cold. Blooded. Killer. Frustrated at his own hope he gritted his teeth and looked up at her. His eyes fixated on the noose. She looked stiff like an animal ready to attack at the slightest movement.

Seiji, "Do not engage. I have no will to harm you." The girl's hands trembled. Those were military words...' Do not engage' was he one of those bastards! That only made her blood lust stronger. Swiftly she jumped down from the bed crouched low to the ground.

"I'm not going back do you hear me! If you so much as move a finger I'll snap you in two!" Seiji came to a sudden realization, his old habit had played up which must have put her on edge.

Seiji, "I'm sorry it's a habit, I used to be a soldier but I'm retired now. Please put the blanket down so we can talk." Subject 1142 looked at his shaking hands, that was strange his aura stood him as a soldier but his expression looked calm. Those eyes looked away from her.

"State your name, age and previous rank!" He couldn't answer quick enough.

Seiji, "Seiji Fukushima, age 42. Previous Rank Second in Command on the Military front line." She looked up in surprise, so he really didn't belong to that place, he was a front line retiree. Looking at him closer surely he was more than 300 pounds of pure muscle. From the scar under his right eye, she identified it was a bullet wound.

"You were discharged due to near-fatal wounding. Can you see out of your right eye?" Seiji stopped shaking for a second, how did she know about that? His scar was barely visible it would be impossible to see from this distance. Then he recalled who she was, perhaps heightened vision was part of her genetic constitution.

Seiji, "Only forty percent...are you satisfied that I won't harm you?" She looked down and thought about it for a second. Technically she was unconscious when he found her so it would have been easy to kill her in that time yet here she was. He even mended her wounds.

"I'm satisfied." Slowly she slumped down back to the bed and looked at the floor motionless. Seiji's fear dyed down melting into the silence that surrounded them. This kid didn't look like the rest of them at all. What was going on in her mind wasn't hidden by trickery or intent to gather information. Sadly, she looked lost.

Seiji, "Um do you have a name kid?" She nodded and stood back up to attention. Her hands respectfully by her side.

"Subject 1142." Seiji felt his heartache, that was her identification number. So she didn't even have a name, that was devastating even dogs had names. Gradually he was becoming more and more furious at the people who did this to her.

Seiji, "That's not a name kid. That's something used to dehumanize you, a method of control. F*ck what am I gonna do with you..." He muttered seemingly defeated.

"That's not my name?" Seiji looked up from his sweating hands in awe, those bright blue sparkling eyes looking at him in interest. No way did she not know that wasn't a name? So her whole life she'd been referred too as Subject 1142...

Seiji, "Ahem um no that's not a name it's a number. A name is something with the meaning given by someone's parents." She looked up in fascination, did that mean she could be called something other than that? But what did the last word mean?

"I require clarification for the word 'Parents' what does that mean?" Seiji's heart only sank further, so she didn't have them either. Poor poor kid.

Seiji, "Parents are people who create, give birth and look after you until you become an adult. You don't have parents?" Still confused she shook her head. All she had were guards and other children with her since she could remember.

"I don't recall such a thing. Is it unusual for someone not to have parents, your body language suggests so." This formal way of speaking was making him uncomfortable but what was more uncomfortable for him was the fact this kid knew nothing about normal life.

Seiji, "It is usual for a place like this and you don't have to speak so formally with me I'm not your superior. Just relax I told you your safe." Safe...there was no way that was true. Thirsty units were searching for her back at that place.

"I understand. Mr Fukushima, why did you save me?" Seiji scratched his neck, that had caught him off guard, he didn't even know the answer himself. How could he say it in a way she would understand?

Seiji, "Because you're a child, generally kids your age have a guardian to protect them. I can tell by your knees and feet that you struggled to get even this far. If I didn't wouldn't that have ruined you?"

"Pfft, I see is this what you call a good samaritan? Regardless I appreciate your help you've patched my wounds impressively. I'll repay you someday so I'll be on my way now." Cute...wait did he just think she was cute? No way how could she be...

Then he looked at her smirk and happy aura, something so small made her this appreciative. But wait did she say she needed to leave?

Seiji, "You don't have too. You can stay here I'll look after you until we find somewhere for you. Y-You can trust me, I'll keep you safe." The girl sighed for the first time, her safety wasn't the issue.

"I appreciate your concern, Mr. Fukushima but it's your safety I'm worried about. Maybe to an outsider, I look like just a naive child but unfortunately, I am far from that. Thank you for your hospitality." With that, she walked casually to the door after bowing and Seiji felt his mind go blank. No, she couldn't leave the danger was too great. Not thinking straight he made the vital mistake of grabbing her hand out of habit when she snapped. Flipping around using his shoulder as a wench she jumped from his knee onto his back locking her arms around his neck. Startled he gasped and froze up, what an idiot he thought you couldn't just touch this kid without consequences. The only human contact she knew was the cruelty of discipline and means to kill.

Seiji, "I know! I know your not a normal little girl, you may think I don't but I promise you I'm well aware. You could snap my neck in less than a second. But I want you to know that my status in the military wasn't just rural. You came from the island right?" Feeling her breath leave her body in shock she released her grip slightly. How could he know about that, only trusted military personnel knew about that place because of its intense secrecy.

"Even knowing that you still want to shelter me?" Seiji shut his eyes and nodded. It was selfish he knew that but hearing that this kid was concerned for his safety over her own finally concluded that she was different from the others. There was the hope of change.

"Mr. Fukushima, if I do stay here. Will you swear an oath not to betray me?" Seiji heard a tremble in her voice, that was the sound of fear. Another emotion she was capable of.

Seiji, "I swear on my honor as Japanese citizenship as well as my reputation as general. I will never harm you or inform others of your whereabouts." A few seconds passed of silence as she considered his oath, this man seemed down to earth and sincere. How lucky she was to find someone so reliable so quickly. Nodding in agreement she jumped down and stood ahead of him.

"This is a formal agreement, if you go back on this oath I will kill you do you understand?" Seiji nodded, that was fair enough. But what would he call her if she was going to be a usual factor in his life? 'Girl' would be rude then maybe something else.

Seiji, " A new alias would help you hide is there any new name you prefer?" She thought intensely, did this mean she could have a new name like a normal person? This excited her a bit but a female name was hard since she'd only been surrounded by men her whole life. Seiji could see she was struggling it looked like her head was going to explode from thinking then something struck him. His mother always said if she ever had a daughter she would give her name something related personally to that person, to make them feel loved. Just a little bit of love could go a long way for this affection deprived girl. Her hair was bright and her big eyes were a beautiful blue hue. Both of them were bright...like a star.

Seiji, "Estelle." She looked up in surprise, what did he say?

Seiji, "It means star. I think with your charismatic personality and light hair it would suit you. What do you think?" Honestly, she was speechless, it sounded good and it's meaning was kind. Seiji smiled a little seeing a slight sparkle in her eyes.

"In fact...I like it very much." Happy it had been accepted he kneeled down with his hand outstretched.

Seiji, "Well Estelle I hope we get along with each other." Sternly hiding her overwhelming joy, she took his hand firmly.

Estelle, "Likewise."