D.O.G. Chapter Twenty-Five

D.O.G. Chapter Twenty-Five

“I can’t believe it, Roddy. Our Ana is Pytor’s great weapon?” Angeth sat down in the hall way of the hospital, sinking into one of the uncomfortable, worn chairs. She didn’t like the smell of hospitals. They always used too many sanitizers. It reminded her of the labs.

Rodrigo said not a word as he let the air from his lungs, slowly pacing outside the closed door to room number 296. They had left Ana and Haydren alone for now to talk, but Rodrigo didn’t like the thought of letting the girl out of his sight at the moment. Not that she was a threat to anyone really.

“How could we miss that, Rodrigo? And how did he do it? How could someone turn a girl into a weapon…?”

“Because he didn’t.” Rodrigo finally said with a frustrated sigh. “That girl is no more a weapon than a kitten.”

“But the explosion, Rodrigo…” Angeth stared at her companion in thought as he paced.

“There is no weapon inside her, Angeth. You know we would have felt it when that explosion went off at the lab. Haydren would have seen it…” Rodrigo leaned back on the wall behind him.

“But I don’t understand…she has nanites in her blood, Roddy. She’s just like we are...”

“You’re on the right train of thought, Ange. Think a little harder. What were Pytor’s words? That day when they caught him…” Rodrigo looked at his partner curiously as her brow furrowed in thought.

“’You’ll never find the weapon I’ve created to destroy all of you…Someday, you’ll see. All this madness will come to an end…’” Angeth blinked slightly, but shook her head. “That still makes no sense, love. How can Ana destroy us? She knows nothing of fighting…”

“Ah, but she has destroyed one of us, hasn’t she?” Rodrigo looked toward the door and Angeth tilted her head in question, her violet locks sliding with the movement to frame her face. “Imagine if Ana fell into the wrong hands, Angeth. She’s a liability. Once they had her they could use her against us.”

“She wouldn’t turn on Haydren, Roddy.” Angeth narrowed her eyes at her lover. “She’s not like that.”

“But she does have a system, Angeth. It might be that she can’t activate it, but if she has nanites, then she’s got a working system installed. What kind of information is in there?” He put his hands in his pockets then looked began pacing once more. “You what our mission is. We have to destroy the weapon.”

“I don’t feel good about this, Roddy…” She whispered. “She’s our Ana. She’s Haydren’s…”

Rodrigo nodded at that. “Then perhaps he needs to be reminded of his mission. If we follow through, it’ll only anger him. This has to be done by his hand and his alone…”

Angeth scoffed. “You can’t honestly think Haydren would do such a thing…? You’ve felt it, Rodrigo. He loves her.”

“And that is why he has to do it, Angeth. He’s got to end this before it goes any farther. If he lets his emotions rule him then he’ll be lost to us.”

Angeth looked at him angrily. “I can’t believe you. He won’t do it, Roddy, and you know it. Could you pull the trigger with that girl staring into your eyes? She’s an innocent child…”

Rodrigo looked away from her. “We’re agents, Ange. We do what we are told and so must Haydren. You know that. If he fails…then we have to make sure the job is done…”

They both looked up as the door to the hospital room opened and Haydren slipped slowly out. He offered them a nod in greeting before shutting it and walking over to take a seat. “She wanted some time alone to think…”

“What did you talk about?” Rodrigo perked a brow at the red head.

“Mostly we fought about her wanting to go home and I tried to reason that she wasn’t well enough yet.” Haydren shook his head. “She doesn’t want to talk much about the dream she had. She claims she saw what happened to Pytor and his wife, but she won’t tell me what she saw. Is it possible the nanites in her are so old they’re playing back old memories while she sleeps?”

Angeth nodded. “It’s possible. She’s had the same nanites since she was created. I still can’t believe Pytor managed to make one that survived…”

Haydren hung his head, rubbing his neck tiredly. “She’s a miracle at the same time she is an enigma. How did he do it?”

“He must have used his wife’s DNA and his own to create the pattern for all of them, but Ana must have been the only one that took. All the others had to be terminated.” Rodrigo shrugged.

“His wife couldn’t have a baby, so he made one for her. They never got to have her though…not for long.” Angeth’s heart sank as she thought about it. “You couldn’t blame Pytor for taking the child and trying to run.”

“There’s a difference between creating a gift for your wife and creating a monster, Angeth. We don’t understand fully what Ana is and what she’s capable of.” Rodrigo looked to Haydren as he lifted his green eyes to the other agent. He was tired, Rodrigo could plainly see that, but there was something more there. Despair.

“She’s no threat, Rodrigo…I can say that honestly…”

Rodrigo sighed. “Haydren, she’s-” He paused as he heard the phone in his pocket ringing. He took it out and got to his feet before answering it. “Rodrigo.”

Angeth and Haydren watched him for a moment before Angeth finally got to her feet and stretched, going to the door to knock on it softly. “Ana?”

Haydren sat in silence as his thoughts wandered over the past few days. He didn’t know what to make of all this. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do.

“Ana…?”

He blinked as he saw Angeth slowly open the door and step into the small hospital room. He followed her, seeing as she got no answer from Ana. He hoped she hadn’t passed out again. She was no longer in the room.

“Where’d she go?” Angeth opened the door to the bathroom, but it was dark inside.

Haydren lifted the IV line from the bed, looking at it curiously. She’d taken the line out and was gone. He went to the window and found it cracked slightly. He opened it and looked out, cursing softly as he noted the fire escape ladder by the window. “Looks like she’s ran…”

Angeth sighed, but then noted a small sheet of paper on the table in the room and picked it up. “She left a note…says she’s going home…”

“She could have used the hallway…” Haydren shook his head as he looked around the streets below them. There was no sign of her.

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” Angeth asked Roddy, looking to were the tall agent stood against the wall just inside the room now.

“She’s got fresh nanites in her now…she’ll be fine. She’s just confused right now is all. Give her some time.” Rodrigo looked to the window with a faint smile on his lips.

--

Ana took the tram back to her apartment building like she always did on the way home from school. It wasn’t any different than usual, the same sort of people, but this time, her thoughts were wandering off to dark places today.

So, everything she knew was a lie…? Well, maybe not a full blown lie, but still... All these sudden revelations made her sick to her stomach.

How could her parents have never said anything…? Then again they weren’t her real parents now were they?

She put a hand to her forehead as she walked to the gates and opened them, stepping into the courtyard of the building. That would mean she really was alone. Before, she at least still had Lydon, but now she knew they weren’t even related. How could she tell him that?

Her heart grew heavy as she made her way up the stairs towards her floor. She looked up as she heard the familiar voices of a little girl talking with someone.

“My big brother said I’m suppose to come here to see Auntie Ana and Uncle Haydren. Don’t make me tell my brother on you.”

“Look, sweetie, I know, but Ana isn’t here, she’s in the hospital…”

“You’re a liar!!”

Ana blinked as she rounded the landing and saw her brother kneel in front of Roxie as he spoke to her. “Lydon?” She blinked softly and her brother got to his feet with a smile.

“See!? I told you. Gah. Men.” Roxie stomped toward Ana and took her hand, looking quite irritated. “Where were you?? We’ve been waiting out here forever!”

“They just got here ten minutes ago. Jason dropped them off I think.” Lydon said, pointing toward the door. “My key isn’t working, do you mind?”

Ana nodded and fished out her key from under the mat.

“Jason had to take mom into the hospital this morning.” Roxie said as they all walked inside. “Where were you??”

“The hospital.” Ana smiled weakly.

Roxie blinked. “Really?”

Lydon smirked. “Told you.” He nudged the little girl’s head with his hand and she stuck her tongue out at him.

Ana made sure Jaylyn was with them before she shut the door and followed the little group inside.

Janus met her at the door tongue hanging out as he came up panting and nearly slammed into her with his weight. She laughed and stroked his head lovingly. “Well, it seems someone missed me. I bet you’re hungry, huh?”

Ana headed for the kitchen, the Doberman following close at her heels. Her cat Azrael sat on the counter, already meowing to be fed and she obliged them both, filling up their dishes.

Jaylyn sat watching her then held out her arms to be picked up. Tears filling her eyes.

“Aw, Jay? What’s wrong, babe?” Ana stooped to pick up the crying toddler.

“Jay’s just worried about mom.” Roxie said with a shrug as she pulled herself up on the living room couch.

Ana set the child down on the kitchen counter and kissed her forehead. “Hey, c’mon now, Jay.” She smiled at the child, but she started crying only more.

Lydon peeked his head in curiously, having disappeared for a moment, to the bathroom Ana assumed. “What’s up?”

“Jaylyn’s upset.” Ana looked to her brother for help and he came over, gently brushing her out of the way.

“Hey, Jay.” He pulled the little girl’s hands from her red, swollen eyes. “There’s nothing to worry about. Your mom is okay, Jason is making sure of that.” He ruffled her hair. “I’ll take you for ice cream later, kay? But no more crying.”

Ana smiled as the girl slowly calmed down with Lydon’s words. She watched him pick the girl up and set her back on the floor. Janus licked her young face lovingly and she went dashing off to the living room to join her sister.

“You always were better with kids than me…” Ana said softly and her brother perked a brow then laughed.

“She just needs to know it’s okay, is all. They have a right to be worried.” Lydon lowered his voice as he walked closer to his sister and pulled her into his arms. “I was so worried about you last night, sis.”

Ana smiled and blushed at that, her arms going around her brother in a warm hug. “I’ve missed you, Lydon.”

Her brother pulled back to flash her a grin. “Yeah, but you’ve done pretty good without me. You’ve kept it together here.” He stuck his tongue in his cheek as if he had thought of something. “I meet your roommate.”

Ana looked away as he spoke, a blush creeping into her cheeks. “Yeah. Haydren. I didn’t really expect to end up with a roommate…it just kind of happened. I hope you don’t get upset, but he’s been staying in your room.”

“Well, I certainly hope he hasn’t been sleeping in yours.” Her brother teased then shrugged. “It’s cool. I don’t really mind. He seems like a nice guy.”

Ana smiled. “He is a nice guy…”

Lydon lightly poked his sister on the nose. “Uh huh. I thought so.”

“Hmm? What?” Ana looked at him confused and he only smirked.

“You like him, that’s for sure…but do you love him?”

Ana rolled her eyes and moved towards the living room. “I don’t know, Lydon. Love is a strong word.”

“Yeah, yeah. You know though, deep down. Either you love him or you like him. You just aren’t ready to admit it yet.” He blinked as he felt something buzz in his pocket and he fished out his cell phone. “Shoot.”

Ana tilted her head at him. “What is it?”

Lydon sighed. “I got to go. I have a shipment to pick up.”

“Shipment? What are you doing now?” She watched him as he headed for the door.

“Deliveries at the moment. I handle the computers for the army.” He grinned proudly then leaned to kiss her on the cheek. “I really am glad that you’re alright…”

She blushed and hugged her brother. “Are you going to come back? You know…for a real visit?”

He nodded, tipping her chin up. “Yup. You can count on that. I’ll catch you some other time?”

Ana nodded and let him out the door. “Take care.”

He tilted his head at her and nodded once more. “And you take care. I don’t want to see you in the hospital again. And figure something out for me…kay?”

“Sure.” Ana leaned on the door as he stepped into the hall, he turned, looking at her with a smile.

“Figure out how you feel about that roommate of yours. I think he already know who he feels…he’s just waiting on you.” With that he turned and headed off down the stairs.

Ana said nothing as she watched him go, then slowly shut the door again. Her mind working over his words and she smirked to herself as she headed back for the living room. Roxie and Jaylyn sat on the couch with Janus, watching some cartoon on the television.

Roxie looked up to her as she entered the room again. “Did your brother leave already?”

Ana nodded as she went to the hall closet to get a towel. “I’m going to go take a shower. Have the two of you ate this morning?”

Roxie nodded. “Yeah. We’ll be okay.” She turned her head back to the TV and Ana nodded slowly before she headed for the bathroom.

She washed off the smell of the hospital and the dried blood on her body as she cleaned up in the bathroom. The hot water making her muscles feel instantly better. Even her hair felt less heavy on her head once it was clean.

Once satisfied with herself, she got out of the shower and dried off before heading for her room to change. As she pulled her legs into her jeans, she heard a knock at the front door and gently cursed. Had she locked the door after Lydon left?

Her eyes narrowed in thought. Something did not feel right. Her heart kicked in her chest and she put her hand to it in thought before looking out her door.

“Don’t answer the door, Roxie. I’ll get it.” Ana called down the hall as she walked toward the living room, pulling on her t-shirt.

“Kay!” The little girl answered her, though she wasn’t really paying much attention as she watched the TV.

Ana reached the door and looked out the peephole. “Who is it?”

A man stood on the step. He looked young, perhaps in his teens. He lifted brown eyes to the door as he heard the voice. “Um…my name is Reith. I just moved in downstairs. I was just coming by to introduce myself.”

Ana sighed and slowly opened the door. “Sorry.” She smiled apologetically. “Can’t be too careful these days.”

He smiled back at her, running a hand through his slightly long brown hair. It touched just above his ears and curled slightly as if he had just rolled out of bed. “I can understand that. Can’t take too many chances, eh, Nie?”

Ana blinked as a man stepped out from the wall near her door. The man from the elevator at HQ…the man from her dream.

Gasping, she slammed the door shut and bolted it locked before going to the living room. “Girls! C’mon.” She grabbed Jaylyn and headed for Haydren’s room quickly. Roxie ran after her, Janus following close behind.

“Ana, what is it!?” Roxie asked, sounding scared and Ana bit her lip, trying to think. She opened the closet and set Jaylyn down on the floor, pushing Roxie in with her, though she fought her a little.

“Listen to me. I need you both to be quiet, now. Don’t make a sound and don’t come out of this closet until I say so. Do you hear me?”

“But, Ana-!”

“No ‘but’s, Roxie. There is a very bad man at the door and I don’t want him to hurt you. Just stay here and stay quiet.” She stood to slide the door shut then froze as she saw one of Haydren’s holstered guns on the top shelf. She grabbed it and it felt heavy in her hand., her arm dropping to her side and she shut the door firmly in place.

Janus whimpered and she looked to him softly, petting his head. “Stay with them, Janus. Protect them.” She kissed his head then left the room, shutting the bed room door behind her.

Once out in the hall, she checked to see if the safety was off the gun, but she honestly couldn’t tell. Taking a deep breath, she leaned her head back against the door and then took a slow, careful step toward the living room.

Haydren, please be on your way home…

She looked around the corner toward the front door and gasped when the door kicked in with one sudden movement.

“Come on out, Ana Maria. All we want is you…” The boy, Reith said with a soft chuckle. “Or do you want to see the little ones hurt?”

Ana came around the corner at that. “Get out!” She held in warning and when he took a step forward, she squeezed the trigger.

The gun clicked with a dull sound, but no bullet left the chamber.