Chapter 2 Behind Steel Bars

An annoying beeping noise filled zarda's ears. It beeped over and over again, then made a hissing sigh, like steam releasing. It would go off for a silent count, then repeat. Above zarda were blinding white lights, heating up his face.

He wasn't able to open his eyes all the way, yet because of them. So, he strained with squinty slits. Zarda noticed a cold, hard surface pressing against his back, along with several sharp pinches up and down both arms. They were uncomfortably itchy. What was most disturbing was a nasty, sour smell invading his nostrils. As much as zarda tried to shake it out, it was going nowhere. His vision was finally clearing up, and he could see his surroundings better.

He lifted his head to see his naked body strapped down to a cold surface, the humans called a table. Fortunately, his waist below was covered up by a white sheet. He was thankful they had done that at least. Zarda felt numb and lifeless. He realized early on his arms were incapable of moving around so freely. His wrists had been buckled in by leather straps. Zarda looked around in desperation. Trying to find a way to break loose. Instead, he noticed he was inside a tiny examination room.

The walls were covered by boring white paint, with dark brown wooden trim. The ceiling was plastered by a popcorn texture. To his left side was a marbled counter with a tiny sink and single cabinet above, and two below. Crammed into the corner was a black swiveling stool. He turned to look on his right. There he saw two trash cans. One was a plain brown trash bin, and the other was a bright orange color. A biohazard sign was painted on the front of it.

On the wall, he noticed a plastic box with blue things hanging from the bottom. How they didn't fall out was beyond zarda. He could see medical equipment attached to the wall beside them.

He was getting frustrated and panicky from being retrained. Zarda strained against them with all his might. They were too tight and unforgiving. The straps only seemed to tighten more against all his thrashing. He winced in pain as a sharp, throbbing pain shot through his temple. It burns and stabbed in tiny outbursts. Zarda's head was hurting unbelievably, and his stomach was soured. He felt like he could vomit at any moment, but he was able to keep it down to some degree. Suddenly, two voices drew near.

One voice was that of scientist hopkins. The other was a soft-spoken female, recognizably that of the scientist delilah. Zarda smiled, and his body eased up a bit. Soon, the two scientists would make their way over to zarda. They spoke among themselves over scientific matters not understandable to others. Hopkins put on a pair of blue rubber gloves over her delicate fingers.The scientist stood looking over zarda at his face quietly. He could sense her eyes staring into his soul again, and it made him feel uncomfortable. Zarda opened his eyes wide. The sudden act scared hopkins, and she jumped back, letting out a tiny scream. Laughing it off, she moved over to stare down at her subject once again.

"Hello there zarda. You gave me quite the fright. I wasn't expecting you to be." She said, as zarda interrupted, finishing off her sentence.

"Awake, alive, alert." He replied, smiling over at delilah.

Who had joined in, and was wearing the same blue rubber gloves. She had both of her hands drawn up, covering her heart, as to protect it. Apparently, the jump from hopkins had startled her as well. Delilah's eyes matched zarda's and never moved away from his. He then turned back to look at scientist hopkins.

"How much longer am I to be like this?" He asked.

Hopkins smiled with a soft reply. "Not long. We have your vitals and measurements all down. We were just waiting on you to wake up. Only, I had pictured it differently in my head, not as frightening as we just experienced." She said.

Zarda laughed. He wasn't afraid, just annoyed.

"Well, I'm awake. So, you can release me now. I promise I won't bite. Maybe a gentle nibble or two, but nothing too harsh. You might enjoy it." Zarda said jokingly, while he stared back over at delilah. She was blushing from cheek to cheek.

As hopkins had promised, she released the tight straps from zarda's wrists. He sat up rubbing them one at a time. Pivoting towards delilah, zarda slid off the table allowing the sheet to drop to his feet. Before her eyes stood a very, naked and alert man beast. She gulped hard, taking in a quick peek before quickly turning her head away from embarrasment.

Zarda flexed and chuckled under his breath as he watched her shy away. He cupped his groin with both hands and walked around to face hopkins. She, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind looking at his body. In fact she applauded him for his nice physique.

She reached for a thin, clear object from off a side table. She removed the cap to reveal an even thinner silver metal piece at the end. She pushed the bottom to squirt out a clear liquid. Scientist hopkins moved towards zarda's arm.

" This is a shot. It may sting for just a bit. I need you to stay as still as you can for me, please. I'm giving you vitamins, that will be time released once it's in your blood stream." said Hopkins.

Zarda put up his hand to stop her.

"Wait just a minute. Vite•a•men's. What are vitamins?" He asked curiously.

Hopkins loomed up at him, realizing he was honestly unaware.

" Vitamins or minerals are micronutrients required by the body to carry out a range of normal functions. They won't harm you, in other words, they are simply used to improve your well-being, over all." She explained.

Zarda looked down at his arm, as he held it up for her to take it into her rubbery grasp. She turned the sharp end of the shot into a ninety-degree angle. With a quick thrust, she inserted it into the blood vessels on the surface. She pressed the tip in, releasing the cold liquid inside. Hopkins had been right, the shot did sting, but only for a tiny second. He relaxed his breathing, and felt the fluid rushed down his arm. It felt good inside his veins.

"Okay that's it. You are free to go. Well, let me correct myself. You're free to go back to your assigned room. There you will find your female friend waiting. We will come for wither of you soon as we can. Enjoy your night" said hopkins.

She threw away the shot into the orange trash bin, cleaning up her mess. Zarda watched, then turned his attention over to delilah. She smiled at him and handed over a white medical gown to get dressed with.

"A soldier will escort you shortly. He will show you the way to your room for the night. He should be coming anytime soon." She softy spoke.

Seconds passed and a slight knock tapped the door frame in an annoying beat. Zarda turned his head towards the front door and frowned his brows low.