Chapter 26: Ferral Is Dead

The helicopter flew through the heavy snowstorm, and the pilot was having difficulty seeing. Then, four beams of light shot from the ground and sliced through the storm. They moved frantically, the pilot carefully diving down and following the lights. The closer they got, the better it was to see where the source of the lights was coming from. A large building made of stone, with four massive lights on each corner. The building looked similar to a castle. Resting in an empty area in the snow, circular towers of various sizes with walkways connecting each one, and a large steel gate at each side of the building.

Finally, the helicopter landed near the west entrance. “Looks like we’ll have to do some walking.” Ferral remarked. The soldier who flew with them gripped the handle of the right door, but as he slowly began opening it, a strong gust of wind blew the door completely open. Nearly throwing the soldier into the back of the helicopter. Ferral and Leona stood at the edge, looking off to the stone facility. The two looked at each other, Leona nodding as if she knew what Ferral would say. Then hopped out, and a loud crunch from the snow sounded when their feet hit. They walked a few steps out before Dr. Atlas hopped out and joined them. “We still need the stuff, remember?” Atlas shouted through the howling storm.

They made their way to the gate, carrying all the supplies they brought. Four armed soldiers guarded the entrance, and when they saw the trio getting closer, they raised their guns. “Hey! It’s me!” Dr. Atlas waved one of his arms. The soldiers slowly lowered their weapons as they got closer. “Doctor, good to see you still well.” One of them said. The other three nodded in agreement. “Glad to have you back,” Another said, “ With…guests.” The soldiers looked at Ferral and Leona, their brows furrowing. “It’s alright, they’re with me.” Atlas told them. They didn’t seem to be thrilled, but two of them opened the gate. None of their eyes lost focus on the experiments.

When they walked inside, the interior looked more like a typical laboratory. Everything was a light gray; rows of rooms filled the massive hall. It was warm inside, clearly heating to fend off the frigid cold outside. Ferral and Leona shook the snow off their bodies, a lot of it landing on Atlas. “Thanks, guys.” He said, annoyed.

Scientists were coming in and out of different rooms; some took notice of the trio walking, their eyes widening when their sights caught Ferral and Leona. “Who do you think will throw the first insult?” Leona leaned by Ferral’s left ear. “Probably me.” He said. “You two will be quite surprised by how everyone here will act toward you.” Atlas interjected, “While most of humanity despises you, we people of science still find you fascinating. You’re one of a kind; we haven’t been able to replicate an experiment.”

“And that’s the way it’ll stay,” Ferral huffed, “The only person that knows how to create them is me.” “Well, technically, I do now. You told me what was needed. “ Ferral scoffed, “You didn’t think I told you everything, did you?” Atlas looked at him, confused. “I only told you the basics of it; there’s still so much more that goes into making an experiment. Please, I’m not a fool.”

They continued following Dr. Atlas to one of the middle rooms of the complex. Passing scientists would stop and gaze in amazement, as if they were seeing a unicorn or dragon. They stopped at a room labeled H3-F. Dr. Atlas pulled a keycard from his back pocket and swiped it across a scanner by the side of the door. There was a click, and the door split apart. Atlas turned to see Ferral and Leona’s reactions. They looked unimpressed, which he shouldn’t have been surprised. None of this was new to them.

The room was filled with other scientists. Some were scattered around six tables, while others sat at desks by the room’s walls, working on computers. They each began looking at the door as the trio walked in. They stopped what they were doing, some running to greet Dr. Atlas. “Armin! It’s so good to see you again!” A man shook his hand. “Good to have you back!” Another patting his back. “So many of us were worried.” A woman shook his hand. Atlas blushed, scratching the back of his head, “Man, oh man. You all didn’t have to worry.” He chuckled.

While they welcomed him back, some of them finally took notice of the giants that stood behind him. All their eyes widened. “Wow…” “Is that….him?” “They’re incredible…” murmurs from the crowd. One of them reached out to shake Ferral’s hand. He looked down at them with a deathly stare, “Don’t touch me.” He hissed. Leona shook one of their hands, but it wasn’t until they tried running their finger through her fur is when she retracted. Disgust on her face.

They looked at the crowd. Ferral’s eyes widened, and he choked on his breath when he saw her. It brought him back to his time in Central City. Hair as white as snow the outside with those same near-emerald eyes. Her skin still looked soft and smooth, just like it always had. He could never forget that face. Even now, he still couldn’t believe a woman this perfect was real.

Everett.

Leona turned her head at Ferral. She was confused about what his so focused on, and when she looked where he did, she too was stunned. “H-Hey, isn’t that…” Before she could finish, Everett pushed though the crowd until she was front and center. “Oh, Mrs. Romanova. Good to see you.” Atlas stuck out his hand, but she ignored it, her sights set on Ferral. Everyone went silent.

Then she struck, throwing a punch at Ferral. He caught it. It happened in a second, and no one knew how to react. It brought Ferral back, and when he looked back at her, he could see the rage in her face. “You…” She sneered. Everett went for another attack, but Dr. Atlas stopped her in time. “Easy, easy!” He said, pushing her back. “YOU BASTARD!!!” She roared, shoving Atlas out way and got right in front of Ferral. Leona was going to intervene, but Ferral stopped her.

“Hello, Everett.” He said, monotone. “The nerve you have to show your face after what you’ve done.” She hissed. “My father is dead because of you. My friends and family are DEAD because of YOU.” “Not really, you only issue.” Her face contorted with anger, “DO YOU EVEN CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE DONE?” She shouted. “No. In fact, your kind should feel grateful for what I've done. Mankind has never been united.” He cocked his head in an evil smirk, “You should be thanking me.” “THANKING YOU?!” Just before she could go for another attack, Dr. Atlas grabbed her from behind, pulling her away. Leona smacked Ferral’s shoulder, and he looked at her, wondering what she was mad about.

“Both of you, play nice!” Atlas sticking his hands out between Everett and Ferral. “Look, all of us in the room have a common goal. Kill off this fungus, and we can’t do it if we’re at each other's throats. We don’t have to like each other, but let’s be civil.” Ferral scoffed, “You’re making it sound like I need all these hacks.” The crowd became upset, and Atlas and Leona looked at Ferral angrily. “Shut up!” Leona punched Ferral’s shoulder. Atlas smacked his forehead, “For science’s sake, why can’t you at least pretend to be nice?”

After everyone had settled down, Ferral and Leona were taken to one of the towers, where they were shown the room they’d both stay in. Ferral dropped his bags by one of the beds. Dr. Atlas came storming in and smacked Ferral across the face, but it didn’t do anything. “What is wrong with you?” Atlas scolwed. “How much time you got?” Atlas let out an exasperated sigh, “Please, Ferral. I’m not asking you to like these people, but just be polite.” “I wasn’t the one who threw the first punch.” Ferral crossed his arms. “You know damn well why Everett did it,” Leona remarked, “Stop being an insensitive child.” “Look, I told them you were tired from the flight here. So the two of you can go check out the complex, but please, be nice…Mr. Ferral.” Ferral rolled his eyes.

He wandered around. Ferral stopped in the middle of a walkway, looking up at the snowfall. The storm had begun to slow down, but the wind was still strong. He looked out at the endless sea of white that surrounded the complex. There was no sign of water, homes, or life within miles. It was almost frightening just how alone they were. While lost in thought, Ferral didn’t hear the sound of heels clicking closer and closer toward him. Everett stopped beside him, waiting for him to notice. When he eventually did, neither said a word at first.

“What happened to him?” Everett finally asked. “To whom?” Ferral responded. “To the man I once loved. To the man whose heart was filled with kindness despite how the world treated him. The man who wanted nothing but peace and equality among humans and experiments. What happened to my Ferral?”

“Dead.” Ferral calously replied. “Why? Because he was weak, because he was pathetic. That man died after he could no longer bear the suffering from this wretched world.” Ferral walked past Everett, avoiding eye contact.

“So, who are you?” She asked, her back still turned. Ferral turned his head, “Monster, demon, freak, plague. Whatever works for you.”

He continued walking, but…something wanted him to turn back. He felt that familiar pain in his heart, tugging, screaming at him to go back. To not end it off with that. Ferral shook off the feeling and continued.