Chapter 15: Severing Ties

Ferral walked off through the woods, eyes glazed over with sadness. After his fiery outburst of anger and hate had faded away, he felt cold. His body felt numb, and his mind in a haze. As he was reaching the end of the woods and toward the shoreline of the beach surrounding the city's end, Ferral started to rip off the rings on his body. First, he took off the one on his right arm as he made its way to one of the beach’s docks where you could rent a small boat. As he got closer, the two male workers who were on the dock cleaning the boats saw him. “What’d you want?” One of the men said, “You’re not allowed to….” Before he could finish, Ferral backhanded the man across the jaw with his left fist, knocking him into the water. The other man backed away in fear while Ferral got on one of the boats and sped off across the ocean.

During his boat ride, Ferral snapped off the two rings on his thighs, letting them fall down his pant legs. He grabbed them and threw them into the ocean. He steered the boat to the left, his destination being Devil’s Cove, where that battle royale between all the experiments happened. As he got closer, the rain started to come down harder, thunder booming in the sky. The island seemed to get a heavier storm than the others would. It was interesting to Ferral, but he chose not to think too much of it.

Ferral had gotten onto the island, he walked through the ruined city, making his way to the center. As he made his way through, Ferral looked around at all the destroyed buildings and rubble, remembering that battle royale. He looked at his left arm, opening and closing the hand, forgetting it no longer had the glove over. Once he got to the center of the city, Ferral looked up at the sky, letting the rain pour on his face as he gripped the final ring around his neck and snapped it in half. As the two pieces fell to the floor, a sudden rush of heat filled Ferral’s body and let out a terrible roar. “HYAAAAAGH!!!!!” His body spontaneously transformed into its awakened state. He dropped his head, panting heavily after being freed of the cure. After that, fell on his butt, sitting crossed-legged. He closed his eyes, took deep breaths, and exhaled. It was a technique Bose had taught him to calm his mind and body. And now that he was no longer diluted by the proto-cure, Ferral could do that far more easily. However, during the meditation, his ears twitched as he heard that something or someone was close by.

“I know you’re there,” Ferral said as he got and turned around, “Even through this storm, my hearing is still strong enough to know I’m not alone. On the right, get out here.” A man in a cowboy outfit came walking out from behind one of the destroyed buildings. He smirked, his forked tongue flicking through the air. “I want them all dead,” He said, “This is all their fault. Those were your exact words, right? In that little fit you threw.” Ferral looked a little surprised that this man was watching him earlier but wasn’t gonna waste time asking why he was there. “I was just letting off steam, that’s all. Now, who are you and why should I care?” The man started to walk closer, “A messenger. And you know the old sayin’ don’t shoot the messenger.” Ferral gave a slight grin, “I’m in a very bad mood right now, so this message better be a good one.” The man chuckled, “That a threat, boy?” He hissed, pulling out a revolver from a gun holster on his left side. The man aimed the gun at Ferral’s head, and he leaned to put his forehead against the end of the barrel. “No, it’s a promise. And you’d be dead before you could even pull the trigger” The man laughed, “I like you, kid. You’ve got that I don’t give a damn attitude.” “And you’re right. I could snuff out your life and never bat an eye. So, who are you and why should I care?”

The man put away his gun and picked up one of the halves of the metal ring. “Quite the piece of work you’ve got here,” He said, “Too bad it didn’t work out the way you hoped.” “Trial and error.” Ferral rebutted. The man threw the piece to the side, “You see, I work for the Organization. I’m a rattlesnake experiment, call me Jack.” Ferral scowled, “I was wondering when you bastards were gonna show up again. You’re the cause of my pain, the reason all experiments are forced to suffer.” “Yeah yeah, save your preachin’ for the choir. Now, we’ve been keepin' tabs on you, 9320. For the last five years, and that cure of yours has caught our attention.” “What of it?” “What if I told you we can offer you a job?” “I’d call you insane and to piss off.” “Now now, don’t make such a quick decision. You see, you think of the Organization as a group of heartless monsters, right? But you’d be wrong. Atlas was one bad apple, we strive for the same goals you do.” “I’m just supposed to believe you?” “Let me finish. The scientists of the main facility where I’m from have been working themselves to the bone trying to come up with the same cure you have. And all of them put together haven’t come as close as you have. Five whole years of work, and you’ve managed to get closer in only a year and a half.” A furious boom of thunder sounded followed by a bolt of lightning that illuminated the sky. “So they’ve made a proposition for you, kid. You come with me, help them out, and all your pain and suffering will be over.” Ferral narrowed his eyes in suspicion, “How could you possibly fix my pain? How could I EVER trust the people I did this to me in the first place?! Who did this to all of us!!” 

Jack chuckled, “You speak of us, but put yourself first. Seems to me this matters more to you than the majority.” Ferral growled, “You’re not helping your case.” “All I’m sayin’ is you’re a valuable asset, always have been. If you want your sufferin’ to end, come with me and you’ll get everything you want. And maybe, even more.” Ferral’s eyes moved around as he thought about it. “You don’t gotta answer right away,” Jack reached into his back pocket and handed Ferral a small remote that had a single blue button in the middle. “But, whenever you’re ready.” Ferral hesitated for a moment before taking the remote and put in his sweater pocket. “Well, I best be off now. You think about what I said, and should you actually agree, we’ll meet back here. Oh, and it’s best to keep it on the down low, we like to keep our privacy.” Jack turned and walked off, waving Ferral goodbye. As he walked further, Ferral took out the remote and stared at it. The storm surrounding the island began to end, the rain was slowing down and light started peaking through the clouds. Ferral gripped the remote, he knew what he had to do. He put it back into his pocket and went back to the boat.

Once Ferral got back onto the mainland of Central City, he headed toward Everett’s house. When he got there, he knocked on the door and she opened it. “Ferral? What’d you doing here? Where did all this fur on yo-” She was stopped when Ferral grabbed her face and the two kissed. She was caught off guard but melted into it and they held it for a few seconds before Ferral slowly pushed them apart. “I love you, Everett Romanova.” She stood there in shock for a moment before giving a warm smile, “I love you too, Ferral Amber.” Ferral didn’t want this moment to end, but had to snap back into reality. “Alright, I just….I just wanted to tell you. For a long time.” He turned and started running off, waving her goodbye. “Uh, bye! I’ll see you tomorrow at the tournament!” He didn’t respond and continued running. He made his way to Ms. Clare’s apartment and knocked on her door. Mr. Buck had opened the door, surprised to see Ferral. “Ferral? How’s it been, mate?” “I’m…I’m fine. Could I come inside?” “Of course.” He entered, finding Ms. Clare sitting on the couch as she bottle-fed Laura. “Oh Ferral, it’s so good to see you.” She got up and Ferral walked over to them. “What brings you here?” “Well, I just…I’ve just been so caught up in work and school…with life. I came over to say how much I love you and how appreciative of you and Mr. Bose.” Ms. Clare smiled, “Awww, Ferral. We love you too.” “Yeah, mate, you’ve been the best.” Mr. Buck went over the ruffled Ferral’s hair. “You’ve been a blessing, Ferral,” Ms. Clare said, “Not just to me, but to everyone around you.” The two hugged, Ferral squeezing tightly. Then, he looked at Laura, “You’ve got such amazing parents, little sister. So much love, so….” Ferral’s might went blank for a second, almost rethinking everything. “So lucky. Goodbye.” “Leaving so soon, Ferral?” Mr. Buck asked. “Stay for dinner, sweetie.”

Ferral shook his head, “Sorry, I can’t. I just came as a quick visit, I’ve got a lot of stuff to do.” They all walked him to the door, “Okay then, be sure to visit again.” Clare said. “Stay safe, mate.” Buck added. Ferral smiled and nodded before walking off. As he went down the elevator, he almost rethought everything again, but shook it off. He knew he was making the right choice. Before going back to his boat, he made one more quick stop, standing far away from his gym. His home. He almost took a step forward, but stopped himself, scowling at the building. He didn’t need to go back. They couldn’t see what he saw, so why would he care? But, they were his friends…...his family.

NO!

He couldn’t cling to them anymore, he had to walk this new path. The path that would let him achieve his goal. So he turned and ran off, back to his boat. As he started it and drove off, Ferral took out his phone. He looked at it for a moment before crushing it and throwing it into the ocean. Once he got back to Devil’s Cove, he once again went to the center of the city before taking out the small remote and pushing the button. Not even hesitating for a moment, Ferral had fully accepted this new path.