Don't Judge A Flower By Its Color

Chapter Four

Dark Shadow was a lot of things. He was thoughtful, caring, and kind. His bright personality seemed to make the whole city look dim compared to him. The glow almost blinded me.

We sat together for hours on the rooftop. He found interest in my dull life. He asked what my favorite flowers were, what my dreams were, and if my life was satisfying.

I tried to be as truthful as I could without lending too much information on the horrors of what it was like to be part of the projects. He took in each detail and never pushed for more. It was like he silently was saying he understood.

When we grew closer to the end of the conversation he offered something a little bit more harder to answer.

If we could see each other again.

I should have said no, knowing it would be impossible to escape Dr. Manor's restrictions but he caught my curiosity.

"So you agreed to see him again?" Oceana queried, while leaning down from the top bunk to study the expression on my face.

Her mouth uplifted. She couldn't help but release a giggle. She mumbled something about me looking starry eyed.

"He must have really got through to you."

I nodded, retelling stories to her that he told me like how every spring there's this parade through Central and Kennedy street where they have these huge floats dressed in flowers.

Dark Shadow explained that afterwards they have this competition to choose the grandest and the florist who wins get a huge check to use on their flower shop.

He commented that sometime I should enter.

Oceana hopped down from her bed and sat herself on the edge of mine. She wrung her hands together. She was trying her hardest to think of something to say in hopes to wash away the gloom.

I tried to tell her I wasn't upset. Of course, I wouldn't be able to enter a contest like that. It would be childish of me to even think so.

My floral skills weren't the greatest. The only plant I had ever grown without my inhuman powers was a rose bush but that died ages ago. It was funny how the world worked.

"It's just... I... I," she made fists and released a heavy sigh, "I wish you could. You don't deserve this. None of us do."

It was rare to see Oceana act this way. She was right. None of us did deserve the treatment we were under but she never admitted it out loud.

I sat up, "did you have a good date last night?"

She climbed to her feet and begun to pace our small quarters. She walked to the bathroom door then to the closet at the other side. Her nerves growing with each step.

"Which one are you asking about?" She ran her shaking hands through her hair, "with Zander it was amazing. I felt so wild and free."

"And with Dr. Mary?"

Her whole being seemed to freeze. She bit her lower lip for a second then sent a soft smirk my way. She didn't voice her response yet the silence said enough.

We begun with our daily routine after that. Oceana hopped into the shower, claiming it as hers for the time being while I went ahead to change. The upside of having a uniform was that it wasn't too difficult to pick out clothes in the morning.

I stood before the mirror, judging the reflection. Project Seventeen looked the same as always. Her short deep green hair still a little bit wavy and the white jumper snug against her average figure. The sparkle on her face was new though.

I poked my pointer into my cheek, trying to see if the excitement would disappear. It didn't, instead it grew more noticeable. I considered almost singing.

He liked my style.

"Project Seventeen!" A deep voice rumbled with authority. The bedroom door swung open, giving a loud bang once it hit the wall.

There in his lab coat and hair askew was the devil himself in disguise. My blood ran cold when his eyes narrowed at the sight of me. He took four strides forward then raised his hand in the air.

His rough palm made quick connection with my face. The slap echoed through the whole room. It sent me tumbling to the floor like a frail rag doll.

What...?

He raised his silver toed boot and didn't just kick my stomach twice but four times in a row. The harsh attack sent my being into a frenzy. It didn't know whether to beg for forgiveness or if to stay hush.

He was shouting. His cheeks flushed with frustration and eyes growing darker with disgust. They stole every logical thought.

What... what did I do wrong?

"Fucking useless!"

The queasiness finally hit. All the hidden anguish stained the carpet floor. It retched smell called for another round.

I hugged myself together. His threats were getting louder. They were all I could hear.

His cold fingers suddenly curled around my slender neck. He took advantage of the superior power and pinned me against the mirror. He laughed at the reflection.

"You will never learn, will you?" He hit the back of my head against the glass, "fight back!"

I shook. He had to be kidding. He knew I wouldn't use my powers against an innocent.

His spit hit me in the face, "fight back!"

There was a loud gasp from across the floor. Oceana had stepped out of the shower. She stood near us wrapped in a towel. Her mouth agape.

"Dr. Manor, what are you doing!"

Oceana, go back in the bathroom!

My voice wouldn't come out. It was long gone.

Dr. Manor saw the panic. His grin grew wider. He looked to Oceana with excitement then to me.

"If you don't do what I ask I'll kill her, just like that pathetic friend of yours- what was his name? Dar... Darren?"

The ground beneath me shook. I narrowed my sights at the wicked doctor and took hold of his arm. My nails dug deep into his coat sleeve.

"His name was Darien!" I snapped feeling the vines crawl to the surface, "and you will never mention him again!"