16 - Silver Blood and Accusations

*Characters: Stone, Willow, West, Michael, Brooks, Jerry*

Stone trotted down the hallway, clicking her tongue calling for Jesper. She stopped when she noticed a black feather on the ground, next to the testing room Willow was using. Stone’s stomach did flips and twists as she slowly made her way towards the door.

Stone watched as Willow turned at the sound of the door opening, a raven in hand. “Oh hey Sto-“ Stone closed the gap between her and the slightly younger researcher, staring at the limp bird. “Willow, please tell me that isn’t a raven” Willow looked at the bird before glancing back at Stone.

“I-I- uh” Willow stammered, attempting to hide the dead bird. “Where is Jesper?” Stone asked, dangerously quiet and with a glint in her eyes “If you’re accusing me of harming your bird, you’re dead wrong”

“I didn’t ask if you hurt him, I asked if you had seen him” Stone snapped in response, glaring at Willow “It also seems that you don’t keep promises very well” Willow narrowed her eyes at Stone. “Seeing as even after promising you wouldn’t use ravens in tests: you still did”

Willow set the bird down, and stepped closer to Stone, purposely getting in her face “I said I wont and I haven’t” Stone stared at Willow “Then explain the raven”

She watched as Willow’s open and closed as the teen struggled to answer, seconds later there came a reply “I did nothing” Willow move her face closer to Stone’s “the raven was already dead when I started”  Stone sniffed the air, testing the sent- it was stale and had the scent of death faintly mixed-

They both turned at the sound of the testing room door opening, only to see West and Brooks standing in the doorway. “What's going on here?” West’s eyes moved between the two teens, eyebrows raised. “Stone here is accusing me of harming her little raven pet” Stone bared her teeth with a snarl “I never said you touched Jesper, I’m just asking if you seen him” Stone was the one to move closer this time “and FYI he’s not a pet, he’s a familiar”

Brooks went to step towards the two, but was stopped by West’s arm “Don’t, it’s a bad idea to get between them when they're like this” she whispered to Brooks, but before West could continue there was the sound of wings.

Stone’s ears perked, but didn’t break eye contact with Willow and simply held out her arm. Seconds later Jesper hopped through the door frame, before gently gliding up onto Stone’s arm. With her free hand she gently rubbed the raven’s beak, still glaring at Willow. “See, your bird’s fine, so no need to get you horns in a twist”

Stone let out a huff, ears flicking in annoyance. Suddenly Michael burst into the room, out of breath. “What’s up with you?” Stone heard West ask, but the answer didn’t come from Michael: seconds after the sound of a siren blared through the building.

The ringing hurt, why did it hurt?

~Willow~

As the odd siren rang through the site, Willow watched as Stone suddenly stumbled: looking like she was in pain. Willow tilted her head “Stone wha-” was all she said before the faun practically collapsed to the ground, her hands covering her ears as she sat there. Willow crouched down and went to place a hand on the other teen’s shoulder, when they made eye contact and a loud unexpected animal-like snarl came from Stone.

Willow pulled her hand away, and stood “what the hell is going on?” She asked, glancing between West and Michael. “The Chaos Insurgency just showed up, and must have somehow got into the speakers” Michael explained as he stared at Stone “Is, uh, is she okay?” Willow saw Michael take a step towards Stone but like Willow, was met with a snarl.

“The pitch, it's probably too high for her ears” West explained, ushering her and Michael out of the room. “Come on, we gotta go deal with the Insurgency” West said as they headed towards the main doors. “I’ll go alert the guards” Brooks stated before sprinting in the opposite direction

~Stone~

The siren continued to blare, and Stone curled into herself. She looked up to see that West, Brooks, Michael and Willow were gone, and she snarled to herself: They just fucking left her there. Keeping her hands over ears, Stone stood and followed their scent.

Suddenly the smell of sweat and gunpowder washed over her, seconds before a set of hands wrapped around her throat.

~Michael~

As he followed the two researchers, Michael double checked that his handgun was loaded and at easy access. The siren grew louder as they reached the large Insurgency raid and in response to him seeing both West and Willow draw their weapons, Michael decided to pull the handgun from the holster.

Something felt off as Michael drowned out the sounds of West, Willow and the raid traded an assortment of verbal threats, curses and other things, he glanced around trying to figure out why it felt off. He was glancing around at the raid’s members when it dawned on him: there were agents missing.

He knew this because there were only about 13 people standing in front of them and having once been a part of the raids, he knew they were never sent with any less than 16. Michael leant towards West “One of us needs to sweep the site, because there’s at least three agents missing” West nodded not taking her eyes off the raid “Go, we can handle these idiots”

Michael nodded and quickly turned on his heels, racing down the hallway.

~West~

As Michael broke away from her and Willow, West held her knife in hand as she glared at the raid. “What the hell do you even want this time?” she asked as the raid tried to take a step closer to them “We’re here to take back Head agent Stone” The head agent of the raid snapped as she aimed her gun higher, it now pointing at West’s chest.

West turned as she heard Willow laugh at the agent’s statement “News flash dumbass: She’s dead! And she’s been so for a fucking while now” the agent’s eyes flashed with panic under the visor. “Then we’ll just have to pay your act accordingly” snarled a second agent, his annoyance clear under the mask.

He then rushed at West, however quickly met his death as she had already had her knife in hand. “Who’s next, or are you gonna leave us alone now?” West asked, glancing at the raid.

~Stone~

Between the ringing and the hands around her throat, Stone struggled to focus as nothing but pure panic and fear washed over her like waves lapping at the seashore.

As air failed to reach her lungs Stone bucked wildly, biting and clawing at hands gripping tightly around her neck: attempting to force whoever had a hold of her to let go.

Memories flashed through her head, and she hated it.... she hated this: being vulnerable like this, she was never vulnerable at least to this extent, not even with the rest of the Chaos Fam. Even when Kyle died, sure she cried but she always kept a thick wall between others and her thoughts and feelings, sometimes even a wall between herself and her emotions.

Stone’s vision began to fade and she started to lose hope, when suddenly loud gunshots rang out. The hands of whoever held her neck slipped away as she fell backwards, coughing and vision slowly still fading. Stone felt something run down her chin as she coughed, only to run her hand over it and see silver. She rolled over weakly onto her side, still coughing up blood.

Stone faintly heard her name being called out, it was familiar but unclear of whose. She glanced up as a shadow was cast over her and that was all she saw before her face hit the floor.

Her own blood felt warm and oddly comforting..

~Michael~

He raced down the hall, when he heard a loud clacking noise not far ahead: it sounded like hooves. Michael’s pace quickened, and he skidded to a halt as he witnessed Stone being held off the ground by an agent’s hands.

Around the agent holding Stone were two other agents egging the third on. Michael watched as the teen bucked and kicked like a deer caught in a snare, Michael aimed his gun and fired, each bullet hitting one of the three agents.

Before he could react Stone slid from the now dead agent’s hands and fell to the floor: folding like paper. “Stone?!” Michael raced over and knelt down as Stone rolled herself over, only then did he notice the large amount of silvery blood dripping from her mouth. “Stone, answer me! Please!” Michael pleaded as Stone glanced up at him -glassy eyed- before her face hit the floor.

Michael panicked as the teen laid still, hardly seeming to breathe. He stood up looking around wildly, unsure what to do. He pulled out his walkie-talkie trying to steady his voice “Hello?! Anyone, someone fucking answer!” Michael stared at the radio as if it held the secrets of life.

“Woah Michael chill, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” It was Willow,

“No not me, Stone is- was- she- they-” He stuttered unable to figure out a way to explain

“Michael! Calm down! What happened, and what’s it got to do with Stone?” this time West answered.

“Stone’s been choked, she’s out cold and bleeding!” Michael finally managed to explain what happened. There were no more responses over the radio but the growing sound of wingbeats told Michael that West was on her way.

~West~

Her wings couldn’t go any faster due to the confined space of the site’s halls, but it didn’t stop her from barreling down it, Willow hanging on to her. It only took seconds for them to reach Stone and Michael, and as soon as she landed West raced over to the unconscious teen. “Stone come on this aint funny” West said as she tugged on Stone’s lab coat, but she knew Stone wasn’t faking.

She pulled her hand away as she realized it was now stained silver, she then lifted Stone’s head only to see the silver blood -it almost looking white in the light of the hall-  She then placed her arms under Stone and lifted her, before turning to Willow and Michael “Let’s go, we need to get to the medical ward”

West then took flight again, speeding down the hallway with Stone in hand. West saw the medical staff jump as she straight up kicked open the door. “Woah what happened to her!?” It was Jerry, the head of the medical staff team.

West heard Michael explain what had happened as Jerry ushered them into an empty room, and as she placed Stone down West noticed the dark bruises forming the teen’s neck like a grim collar.

~Stone~

She floated in and out of consciousness for what seemed like hours, before finally managing to stay conscious. Stone suddenly became aware of -what she believed to be- hands around her neck for a second time, panic washed over her as she sat up.

~Michael~

Once West set the teen down, he watched as Jerry got to work. He stood back making sure not to be in the way, when he noticed Stone’s hand twitch. Suddenly there was a loud crash and string of curses, and Michael watched as out of nowhere Stone sat up.

“Fucking let go of me!” Stone yelped -seeming panicked- as she pushed Jerry away and proceeded to fall sideways off the table. He saw Jerry stumble backwards into Willow, as the sound of Stone’s hooves failed to gain traction on the tiled floor.

He turned back to Stone as Jerry steadied himself, concerned when he saw the teen with her back to the wall and hands covering her neck. Stone’s nose twitched wildly as she glanced rapidly around the room, ears pinned to the sides of her head.

~Stone~

Her heart was racing as she sat there, staring up at the rest of the Chaos Fam, Stone then stood and held back tears that threatened to spill. West took a step towards her but Stone shook her head, and without saying a word she slid past Michael inching closer to the door before sprinting out of room: ignoring the others as they called after her.

Stone raced through the halls of Site-██, startling several other Staff- including Brooks, Atlas and Steve- as she did so.  As She pushed open the main doors of the site, she came face to face with a large Chaos Insurgency raid.

Before agent she ran into could react Stone had already put a bullet through them, before proceeding to back up and aim at the rest “I am NOT in the mood to fucking deal with you guys right now, so I suggest you fuck right off”  Stone snarled as the agents chuckled at her words, drawing their guns.

She bared her teeth as she swapped her gun for the small pocket knife she kept in her lab coat, flicking it open as she lunged forwards: planting it into the neck of the closest agent.

~Brooks~

Brooks was on her way to find one of the others, trying to find out what had happened after they split up- when suddenly a blur of white and grey darted past her. “Wait, Stone!?” Brooks exclaimed as the teen rushed past her, and when Stone stopped turning around Brooks’ eyes widened at the state the faun was in: there was a series of bruises strung around her neck like a grim pearl necklace, and silvery blood was smeared across her face.

Brooks attempted to step closer to Stone -worried about the teen- but Stone turned on her heels and darted away, Brooks then turned to look over her shoulder as the sound of multiple footsteps grew closer. “Brooks! Have you seen Stone come through here?” It was Willow followed by West and Michael.

“Yeah, I just saw her, what happened to her?” Brooks responded as the others reached her “I saw the bruises” Michael panted as he explained what had happened “shit went south quick with the raid, Stone was strangled” Brooks placed a hand over her mouth: That explained Stone’s neck.

“Which way did she go?” West asked, her wings folding. “She was heading towards the main doors'' she responded, glancing down the hall. “THE RAID’S STILL THERE!” West exclaimed, wings flaring “West, take it easy the guards are there too”  Willow stated as she placed a hand on the winged researcher’s shoulder.

“Yeah, but this is Stone we’re talking about” West countered, running her hands over one of her wings. “Fair enough lets’ go” Willow replied before Brook watched her sprint in the direction of Stone.

~Stone~

Stone saw nothing but red -both literally and figuratively- as she darted between the Insurgency agents, a series of growls erupted from her throat as she swung her knife-not caring who it hit-

~Brooks~

As Brooks followed the other, the sounds of struggle grew louder as they got closer. Brooks gasped at what she saw, as they reached the main doors: It was a bloody mess of a massacre. There were only about seven agents still standing, and they circled around Stone as the fae stood in the center covered head to toe in red.

When Stone glanced around, Brooks noticed the sadistic grin on the teens face that appeared to be mixed with a look of pure rage. She went to take a step toward Stone, but was quickly pulled back by West. “Don’t” was all West said as she nodded to the nearby guards.

~Stone~

She panted as she looked around the remaining agents, before switching her knife from one hand to the other. She then darted at the agent in front of her, digging the knife into their neck. The agent crumpled to the ground with a choked noise as she grabbed hold of another agent, slamming their head into the ground with a sickening crack.

~Michael~

The sound of the agent’s head hitting the ground made Michael gag, He had never seen Stone like this before and by the wide range of expressions on the others faces neither had they. He watched as Stone moved between the last of the agents, eventually standing over the only living agent left.

The agent cowered on the ground, begging Stone for his life. Suddenly one of the guards rushed forward and grabbed ahold of the teen, sliding his arms under hers and squeezing. This sent Stone into a panicked rage and she kicked wildly, head twisting and turning in an attempt to catch the guard’s face with her horns.

By the loud grunt from the guard, Michael could tell she had succeeded. Michael stepped back as Stone whipped around and faced him and the others, before turning once again and lunging at the downed guard.

~West~

West watched as Stone lunged at the guard before being dragged off and pinned down by the several other guards. As they held the enraged teen, she writhed and snarled a large range of things including -but not limited to- curses, demands to be let go, death threats and actual snarls.

West only approached Stone once the guards backed away, having handcuffed her. “Stone, calm down please, we don’t want to end up having to sedate you”  West spoke in a tone that you would use with a misbehaving pet, as she crouched down near Stone.

The faun continued to twist and turn “This wouldn't be the first or last time I've been handcuffed West” Stone stated as she eventually managed to sit up, much to the concern of the guards. West sighed “Yeah well Stone, it’s for the safety of everyone: including you” There was a whimper, and West turned to see the last surviving agent still cowering on the ground.

“Michael, go help the poor idiot up” West asked as she glanced at him, Michael nodded- failing to notice the change to the agent’s posture.

~Stone~

Stone watched as the agent’s expression changed from fear to unimpressed “Wait Michael? As in the dude everyone’s calling a traitor back at Echo?” Michael responded with a tired sigh “Yes, now get the fuck up” She narrowed her eyes as the agent reached into their pocket, pulling out a small knife.

Stone let out a huff catching the agent’s attention, and once they made eye contact she snarled, baring her teeth- glancing at the knife. Fear reignited in their eyes as the agent chucked the knife to the ground, throwing their hands in the air as well. In reaction to this Michael walked over and picked up the knife.

Using the agent as a distraction, Stone forcefully moved her wrists in opposite directions: snapping the already weak chain of the handcuffs. Once her wrists were free, she tackled the agent: knocking both of them to the ground once again, after a brief moment of struggle Stone was over top of the agent: hands around their neck.

Stone could only faintly hear West’s voice calling her name telling her to stop, her focus only on the agent as they clawed at her fingers with gloved hands. She applied more pressure as the agent slowly went from saying actual words to choked and gasping gurgles. Suddenly as the agent stopped moving, Stone was yanked off but it was too late: she’d killed them.

~Willow~

As she grabbed ahold of Stone’s bloodied lab coat, she watched as the Insurgency agent’s hands fell to the ground and didn’t continue to move. Willow then glanced at Stone who was laying on the ground staring up at the darkening sky, her breath heavy. “What the fuck just happened” Willow glanced over her shoulder as one of the guards asked, the horror on her face clear through the woman’s visor.

Willow glanced back at the teen, before responding “Stone, that’s what happened” Willow watched as Stone pushed herself up and made her way towards the guard she had downed earlier, kneeling beside them. Stone spoke too quietly for Willow to hear but by the way the guard nodded and stood, she could tell Stone apologized -or at least sort of knowing Stone- about attacking him.

As the guard walked away Stone glanced at Willow and the others, before also walking away: disappearing into the woods. Willow glanced at West, silently asking what to do. West shook her head folding her wings “Don’t, she should just be left alone for now” West sighed as she and the others headed back into the site.

~Stone~

Stone -still covered in blood- trekked through the woods before coming to a large oak tree, Stone jumped up: grabbing a branch and pulling herself up onto it. As she adjusted herself on the thick branch, the sound of wingbeats grew close. Stone looked up to see Jesper gliding towards her, and she held her arm out as a perch.

As Jesper landed he tilted his head, glancing at Stone’s formally white lab coat. Stone chuckled sadly as she stroked a finger along his head “I’m alright buddy, promise” Only then did she realized she was partially dosed in blood, and holding her lab coat in her hand she smiled slightly “This is gonna be hard to get out hey?” Jesper cawed in response.

For what was likely over an hour, Stone sat in the oak tree with Jesper never going too far from her either. It was long after dark when she finally jumped down and began heading back towards the site, and as she reached the main doors she realized the bodies were gone.

Still not ready to face the rest of the chaos fam, Stone hurried to her dorm to change. When she glanced in the mirror, it actually somewhat scared her: there she was covered in brownish-red blood, bags under her eyes and bruises wrapping around her neck. Stone jumped when there was a knock on her dorm door. “Dr.Stone? Are you decent?” It was Jerry from the medical staff.

“Yeah.. come on in..” Stone responded, shutting off her bathroom light, and stepping out. Jerry took a step back as he saw Stone’s current appearance “Oh shit, what happened to you?” Stone sighed “didn’t you see the bodies of the CI agents”

Jerry’s eyes widen as realization must have hit him “I did, but didn’t think that it was you” Stone watched as he shook his head as if to clear his thoughts “anyways, Dr.West told me to bring you to the medical wing when you got back” running a hand through her hair, Stone nodded and followed Jerry.

~West~

West tapped her foot, as she sat waiting in the medical wing. She had rushed there after being informed via walkie-talkie that Stone was back, knowing this would be her only chance to actually talk with the teen about what happened.  She turned as the door opened, and stood when she saw both Jerry and Stone walk in.

At the sight of West, Stone’s shoulder sank and she hid slightly behind Jerry: head lowered. It was only then that West truly realized how young Stone actually was, because legally she wasn’t even an adult, being only 17. West went to approach Stone but Jerry gently blocked her “Let me check her over, then you two can talk” West sat back down with a sigh as Stone followed the medic into a room, noticing that her ears laid flat against her head.

After about fifteen minutes, Stone finally emerged and sat down next to West: avoiding eye contact. “So, what happened?” West asked breaking the silence between them “You saw what happened” Stone replied in a whisper, still staring at the floor “No, I mean what happened before the massacre”

She watched as the fae gingerly rubbed a hand over the now dark bruises that ringed her neck. Stone sighed before placing her head in her hands “After you left, I tried to follow your scents, next I knew I had blood running down my chin and one of you standing over me”

West placed a hand on the teen's back, watching as tears rolled down her cheek. “And the whole thing about you having been arrested before?” Stone let out a small chuckle, sitting up “yeah.. I uh.. Might have been arrested a few times between leaving my ‘family’ and joining the foundation”  West rolled her eyes “I’m not going to ask”

The two talked for about a few more minutes, before West stood offering a hand to Stone “come on, there’s something you should see” Stone took her hand and they both made their way towards a staff room. West opened the door, Stone behind her. Michael, who was already there, turned as he heard the door “Hey West, is Stone back yet?” West said nothing and simply stepped out of the way.

Michael stood straighter at the sight of Stone, and held up the bottle he had in his hand. “I uh, I managed to find this” West smirked as she saw Stone’s ears perk at the sight of the bottle, before stepping back as the fae darted towards Michael: a little shocked Stone had enough energy to. Stone gently took the bottle from him, turning it over in her hands.

“How the hell did you, of all people, manage to find Everapple ale?” She asked, staring at Michael as West made her way over. Michael’s mouth formed an awkward line, as he rubbed a hand over his neck “I might have stopped by the faerie market you told us about a while ago..”

Stone raised an eyebrow “you mean the one I warned you not to go alone?”

Michael nodded and West saw Stone roll her eyes, as she popped open the cork. Stone took a sniff of the ale and smirked, stepping past Michael and grabbing a glass from the cupboard. West watched as the faun poured a generous amount, noticing how the golden liquid swirl and shone. Stone glanced at both Michael and West, before taking a sip “I would offer you some, but well, Everapples and non-faes don't mix”

~Stone~

“Surely it can’t be that strong, if you're drinking it straight,” Michael replied, tilting his head. Stone simply blinked before answering “are you sure you wanna try it?” Stone asked with an amused tone as he nodded. Stone than turned to West “may as well ask if you want some since Michael’s gonna”

West shrugged, and She could see the small spark of curiosity in West’s eyes. Stone shook her head as she grabbed two more glasses and poured small amounts in each, handing one to both of them. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you” was all the fae said as West smelt the drink, taking a sip.

Almost instantly Stone could tell West felt the effects, and by the way Michael’s eyes widened and the why he stumbled: it hit him too. “What the hell is in this?” Michael asked steadying himself with the counter, She saw West leaned against the wall to avoid falling. “I told you, Everapples and you guys don’t mix” the teen stated as she poured more into her own glass, before placing the stopper back in the bottle.  “Yeah, but how can a fruit be this strong?” West countered as she dumped the rest of her glass in the sink

“It’s a Faerie fruit, it doesn’t affect us like it does you” Stone explained as she dragged Michael by the arm over to a nearby chair “and it seems like Michael really doesn’t handle it well” The poor guy was practically green, and as he sat: Michael leant forward as if to throw up. Right before he could Stone kicked a trashcan in front of him, and sighed as he emptied his stomach into said can.

“I’ve learnt my lesson: When Stone says don’t in regards to fae shit, Don't” Michael said as he sat back in the chair, Stone and West laughing in response.