Chapter 19: Not Alone

The two looked at me and Leona with shock and disbelief as they examined our animal-like features. "Y-You guys are from the facility too?" The girl asked. We nodded, "Yes. Ferral's a runaway like you and I chose to leave." Leona told them. They were still not sure how to react. Huh, kinda like how I was when I was told Mother was asleep forever. "I'm sure you guys must have a lot of questions," I started, "But, can I ask you something?" "Uhh, sure." The boy replied. "How did you two manage to leave?" They didn't answer, just looked at one another and then looked back at me. "One of the scientists, by the name of Dr. Moreno helped us escape." The boy started, "He told us that we were only kids and that we shouldn't be kept like animals." "One day, he set us free and told us to follow him," The girl continued, "He led us into the place where they keep all the cars. There he took one, told us to get in, and drove into the city." "Once we were in the city, he told us to get off and said go on and be free…..Then he drove off, leaving us with nothing but the clothes on our backs." Neither I nor Leona responded. A part of me wanted to burst into tears but I held them in, not wanting them to ask why I was crying. "We're sorry we took your food," The girl apologized, "It's just, we have nothing. No one." "Hmm. A sad story, and while I'd want to believe you, I don't think I can." Leona said. "What? We gave back your food, we apologized." The boy replied, slightly annoyed. "That still doesn't excuse from I'm sure the countless other people you've stolen from. Even if it was for your survival." The three began to argue while I was caught in my mind. I was thinking of what I should do next, and how I should respond to this. Soon though, I made my answer. "I have an idea." I said, and the three stopped to look at me, "Why don't you come and eat with us?" I offered. "Are you kidding me?!" Leona exclaimed, "They stole our food and now you wanna offer them some?" "I know what they're feeling, Leona. It wouldn't be right to let them starve or continue stealing from others." "*sigh* Pains me to admit it, but you're probably right." I chuckled and looked at the two. "So, what do you say?" I asked. "You'd really let us join you?" "Even after we stole it from you?" They asked. "Yeah. Food always tastes better when you're eating it with others." They smiled, "Thank you." They said at the same time. I looked at Leona with a grin and she looked at me, somewhat annoyed. "That reminds me," I looked back at them, "What are your guy's animal traits?" They chuckled, "Oh, right." "We're Experiment 6833 and 6834: Anatolian Black Goat." They're bodies began to change, the boy growing long curved horns while the girl's ears became longer and stuck outward. They were dark-colored, blending in with her hair. Both their eyes became yellow and their pupils became rectangular and their feet turned into hooves while black long-coarse hair from their knees down. "What about you guys?" The girl asked. "Experiment 1859: Lioness." "And I'm *sigh* Experiment 9320: The Failure. But, you can Ferral."

After we introduced ourselves we headed back down to the park where Ms. Clare was waiting at the bench where the other bags were. When she saw us coming, she looked pretty upset. "Why is it that whenever my back is turned, you somehow manage to get into some kind of trouble?" She asked sternly. Then she noticed the two people who were with me and Leona. "Who are those two?" "They're experiments from the facility like me and Leona," I explained, "They stole two of our bags, so we chased them to get the bags back. But they're not bad people, they're just hungry." Ms. Clare did not answer, still having an expression of anger. "We're sorry Miss." The girl said. "Yeah, we don't have any money or shelter. We just wanted something to eat." The boy added. Ms. Clare sighed, "I don't know how you keep running into other experiments…but they can eat with us. It wouldn't be right to let them starve." The two thanked Ms. Clare and we all sat down to eat. The food was really good, and Leona really seemed to be enjoying it. We got to know more about the two experiments; they were twin siblings both of the age of sixteen. "Wait, I thought twins have to be the same gender and look alike," I asked. "Well, we're what they call "fraternal twins," The boy answered, "Meaning we're still twins, we just don't look alike." First time I'd EVER heard that before. A pretty neat fact, I'll have to remember that. "So, you two just wander around the city looking for food and shelter?" Ms. Clare asked. "Yeah, but it's not like we wanna do that our whole life." The boy said. "Yeah, I wanna go to high school," The girl replied enthused, "Learn a bunch of stuff, make a lot of friends, and meet cute boys." Ms. Clare smiled, "I remember when I was like you. Eager and wanting to be a high school student." "What happened?" "I went to high school." The two laughed, it was nice seeing them get along. "Me and her share very different dreams," The boy said, "I just wanna make money to buy a house and live life, you know?" "Well, money won't come easy. You have to work for it. It took me years to get where I'm at now and I still keep working my hardest." He nodded, "Yeah, I know. I don't wanna have to, but that's what it takes."

"Oh hey, I have a question to ask." I asked. "What is it?" My face formed a huge grin, "Can I name you guys?" They looked at me with confusion, "You wanna give us…names?" I nodded, "Yep." "Umm, well it seems like an odd thing to ask but sure, I guess. What do you think, sis?" "I don't mind. Just as long as they're not boring, or cheesy. Oh, or cliche." I thought about it for a minute, what names would suit two goat people? Hmmm….."I got it!" I pointed at the boy, "Your name is Ezekiel." Then I pointed at the girl, "And you….Belle. Do you like them?" They thought about it before giving an answer "Belle wouldn't be the first name I would've chosen, but it's simple and cute. I'll take it." "Ezekiel is a pretty unique and a cool sounding name, so I'm not opposed." I was so happy hearing their responses, "Yes! I'm so glad you guys like them. I named Leona too. Right, Leona?" She looked at me with her mouth full of food, "*muffled* What were you talking about?" We laughed and continued to enjoy our meals. After that, we helped Ms. Clare clean up the bench and put all the stuff back in the bags. "So where do you guys plan to go after this?" I asked. "We don't know." Ezekiel said."We'll probably just find some random rooftop to make a home at." Belle added. "You can always live with me," Leona said. We all looked at her with surprise, can't believe she beat me to the offering. "Well, I don't mean to live WITH me, but the apartment building where I live is abandoned and has a bunch of empty rooms. You take a room and I'll mooch more off the Organization's funds to help you guys get settled." "You'd really do that for us?" Belle asked. Leona nodded, "It's not my money, so I don't care. Plus, you guys need a place to live, right?" They nodded and we're very grateful for her offer. "Wow, never expected you to be so kind, Leona." Ms. Clare said, "Guess being around Ferral is starting to rub off on you." Leona's face turned red, "N-No. I just…shut up." I really enjoyed today. Got to eat with Leona and Ms. Clare, enjoy the park, and meet two new friends. And I think they enjoyed getting friends too because now they're not so alone.