"The Promise"

After a few days, Sanya was called to Dr. Cytus Rogerfall's office.

"Sir?" Sanya asked as she walked in front of the Core Scientist's table, "What can I do for you?"

"Ms. Mayheart, it's about the vulture mutant," he replied while scrolling down his tablet, "Dr. Jaia's laboratory can now temporarily accommodate him for the field test. I'll be the one in charge of you with your experiment."

"Really? Thank you, Dr. Rogerfall!" Sanya happily exclaimed. She was delighted to hear that the notable researcher would be her adviser.

Dr. Cytus Rogerfall was famous for his exemplary research on human genetics. He took BS Biology in Sambridge University, and right after, he flew abroad to Franzine to take his Masters Degree in Genetic Engineering at Franzine University. He worked there as a professor and researcher for ten years. It was only when he was forty-one years old when he returned to the country and applied in D.M. Cadre as an Assistant Scientist, at the same time he took a scholarship to study for his Ph.D. in Genetic Engineering at the Jensen School of Medical Research.

Because of his impressive background and experience, he became the laboratory head in just a few years' time.

"I want you to convince the vulture mutant to come. And he should participate in the test," Dr. Rogerfall said. "Tell him that his caretaker will come with us. So Ms. Mayheart, can you make sure to call the security team and prepare the private plane on Saturday?"

"Yes, sir," Sanya replied politely. "I'll also inform the mutant and his caretaker."

"Good. You know his weakness, right? It will be easy for you to convince him. You may go, Ms. Mayheart."

Sanya then exited the room. He immediately informed the security team to reserve the private plane on Saturday. She then went to room B4-L13 in the basement, and she got into an argument with the vulture mutant.

"Mr. Aevis, it's for your own good," Sanya explained, trying to convince the vulture mutant. "Think of it as an obstacle course or a game."

Aesop was flying a little away from Sanya and Lia.

"A game? Are all scientists crazy?" Aesop said. "Why are you always treating me like some kind of animal? I won't go! It's another scheme of yours," He's cautious of what could happen.

"If you don't go," Sanya told him. "We will terminate Ms. Brentvale's contract!"

When Aesop heard that, he got very mad and flew straight to Lia, who was standing beside her. He grabbed Lia's arms towards him and hugged her tight. He used his large wings to move back up, away from Sanya. And she almost tripped backward because of the wind that his wings caused.

"Try to do it!" Aesop told the assistant scientist. Ever since she was introduced as the newly assigned scientist for him a year ago, not once did he ever liked her aura. She kept on looking at him as a test subject. Out of anger because of her words, he said, "You're not even a Core Scientist, yet you act like you're all that-"

"Ae!" Lia shouted on his face. It was too much, "Don't say that! Ms. Mayheart is a kind scientist."

Aesop chuckled as if he heard a joke. Lia's the only person he trusts. He told her as he hugged her tight, "Lia, don't be fooled." He moved his left arm under Lia's thigh and carried her like a princess, while he's still flying.

Lia was afraid to look down, even if they're not so far from the floor. "Ae, put me back down, will you?"

Instead, Aesop tightened his hold on her. "No. They're going to take you away from me."

"Mr. Aevis, Ms. Brentvale will go with you in the field test abroad, so please calm down," Sanya told him. At that moment, Aesop had the advantage because he had successfully taken Lia. Sanya must be patient, and be kind to the mutant, or else she wouldn't get promoted, "Please participate. It's a different experiment from our laboratory tests here in limited spaces. You will get to know more about your abilities better in a wider environment."

Lia's arms were embraced onto Aesop's neck, and she's afraid of falling down. "Ae, I'll be going with you, so calm down," she negotiated. She then whispered to him, "Don't worry, if I see that they're going to do something bad to you, I'll stop them, okay?"

"But-"

"Come on, I trust Ms. Mayheart, okay? You should, too. We only have her as our ally within D.M. Cadre." Lia said, giving her full trust to Sanya. "That incident won't happen anymore... I won't let them," Lia assured him. She could only say those words, but the truth was, she didn't know how she'd protect him.

How could she protect her mutant, when she's just his caretaker?

Aesop's golden eyes looked through Lia's deep blue eyes. He could see how sincere she was. For him, Lia's now his everything, and he wouldn't let anyone take her away from him, not even D.M. Cadre.

He flapped his wings and aided himself to get back down. He slowly helped Lia get back to the floor. "I'll only cooperate if you fulfill my condition."

"What is it?" Sanya asked him.

"While we're there abroad... Lia should stay with me, 24/7." Aesop said in a demanding tone. "She will be in my line of sight, every second."

"Ae!" Lia was shocked to hear his request. "Isn't it too much?"

"No, it's not. It's reasonable because we're going to another lab," Aesop explained. "It's only normal to be cautious. I know you'll understand me."

Lia suddenly remembered Aesop's experience in a past experiment when he was forcibly fed with rotten meat.

"I understand," Lia said, nodding. "Yes, we'll stay together, 24/7. I hope you're fine with that, Ms. Sanya."

"Yes, of course. It's fine," Sanya said. She didn't care, as long as Aesop gives significant results from the field test. "We'll be going on Saturday night." She waved goodbye to Lia, went out, and used her official I.D. to lock the door.

"Lia, you must not leave my side, okay?" Aesop said, facing her. He touched Lia's left cheek and said, "Lia, look at me."

At first, Lia couldn't look straight into his eyes, because she knew she'd be drawn into his gaze. But then, Aesop held her cheeks firmly with his hands, making her look up to him.

When she finally looked at the vulture mutant, he uttered, "Lia, promise me, you won't ever leave me..."

She wanted to promise him. She could always extend her contract, but is she willing to be his caretaker forever?

Or is she going to live there with Aesop? What's next, their children will become test subjects?

No. She didn't want that, yet she wanted to be with Aesop.

If only there's a way out... If only she could take Aesop out of the research facility.

"Lia, promise me..." Aesop pleaded as he trembled, afraid that he wouldn't hear a positive answer from her. What if she didn't want to be his caretaker anymore?

"Ae, I..." Lia gave him a smile. After a debate in her mind and in her heart, she finally came to a conclusion.

Her mind was shouting that she should think about her family. She had her family to think of, her brothers, and father who's in a coma.

But her heart was whispering that she should not let go of Aesop. She likes him romantically, and she wanted to be there for him always. It was the first time that she felt this attached to someone unrelated to her.

"Ae, I promise," Lia told him, as she held his hands that were on her cheeks. "I promise, I won't ever leave you."

Aesop was relieved and hugged her tight, happy to hear her say the words that he had been waiting for. "Lia, thank you."

Lia embraced him, putting her hands around his waist.

The two of them didn't want to let go of each other. But they soon did, because they didn't know about their mutual feelings.

"I'm sorry, I was too emotional," Aesop said as an excuse. He almost lost control of his feelings. He turned his back on her. "I'm... going to take a nap."

"Okay, Ae," Lia replied. "I'm going to mop the floor."

Aesop nodded, and he flapped his wings. As he flew up, he looked back down to Lia.

And he caught her looking at him, too.

They smiled at each other as if assuring each other that as long as they're together, someday, everything's going to be alright.