THE NEXT FEW WEEKS passed as a blur for Mutter. The Almightys had stopped giving him the injections and his pain returned worse than before. Sometimes, he’d spend days vomiting, unable to eat or drink anything. Other times, the pain would be focused on a single part of his body. Always, Sweet would hold his head through the bars of the cage, whispering to him.

During the day when the Almightys were present, the stories she told were of her childhood or her time at the grocer’s, but at night they would be of their escape. Often, there was a bit about their vengeance on Ableson and Conguise and how they would free the Servants who were food for the things in the cages, but there was always a part about their peaceful life at the Lake of Sins. Just them. Together with no Almightys.

Usually, her voice was enough to let him rest, but today the pain in his feet was mind splitting. He was drenched in sweat and his body trembled as blood trickled from the pores on his feet. It was late and Sweet had passed out, exhausted. He eased from her arms and curled in a ball, trying to keep his moans quiet so as not to disturb her. The blood dripped faster as the bones in his feet snapped and stretched, his skin tearing to accommodate the transformation. He stuck his arm in his mouth and bit down to keep from crying out.

Early the next morning when Ableson arrived, he took one look at Mutter and ran out of the room. A few moments later he returned with the professor, Laddie and Jorge.

“It’s time,” said the professor.

“Mutter,” whispered Sweet, her arms reaching for him through the bars.

He crawled to her.

“Come here,” said the professor.

“I love you.” He held Sweet’s eyes for a moment.

She clasped onto his arm but he stood breaking her hold. They both knew what would happen if he didn’t obey. He staggered to the front of the cage, shaking from the pain in his feet.

Jorge held a gun on him as Laddie pointed one at Sweet.

The professor put the key in the lock but didn’t turn it. “Aranea18 is due for a feeding.”

He nodded his understanding and Conguise opened the cage door.

“Come.” The professor walked out of the room.

“Mutter,” her voice was a soft whisper.

He sent one last desperate look at her and then followed the Almighty. The two Guards and Ableson followed him. They went down a hallway and then entered another room. It was large with a table and chair in the center. On the table was a monitor, notepads, pens and a microscope. Toward the back of the room was a large tank filled with water.

He couldn’t pull his gaze away from that crystal clear water. He wanted, no needed to sink into it. It would make him better; it would take away his pain.

“Get in,” said the professor.

He glanced suspiciously at the Almightys.

“It’s okay,” said Ableson. “The water is for you.”

For once he was glad to obey as he stumbled to the tank, almost falling as he tried to climb the stairs. At the top, he slipped into the water. It was cool, easing the burning in his feet and body. Blood still ran from between his toes, causing the water to turn cloudy. That was better anyway. Clear water was dangerous. Anyone could see him.

The professor unlocked a panel on the wall and pushed a few buttons. A cage dropped from the ceiling surrounding the tank of water and creating a large enclosure inside the room. “Get the female.”

The two Guards left.

“Should I divide my time between here and the other lab?” asked Ableson.

“No. Stay here. I’ll get Tantiori and Truent to assist with the other projects.”

“Do you think that’s wise? I mean with Truent’s upbringing and everything.”

The professor frowned. “You’re right. I’ll get Parson instead. He’s young, but bright. I’ll be back to relieve you in a few hours.” The professor turned and left the room.

Ableson sat on the chair, and took his notepad from his pocket. “Don’t worry Mutter, your pain will be gone soon. Then all you’ll feel is strong and powerful. I promise.”

He stared at the Almighty through the water. He had let himself sink to the bottom. It was nice below the surface. He could still hear Ableson but the sound wasn’t as sharp and offensive. He waited as long as he could, surfaced for another breath and then sank again. The next time, when his lungs screamed for oxygen, there was a sharp pain in his chest and a great whoosh of air filled his lungs. Blood oozed from the slashes in his sides. He inhaled and gasped, swimming to the surface.

Ableson chuckled. “You’ll need to learn to breathe through your gills when under water.” His smile faded a bit. “Don’t feel bad. They all make that mistake.”

He trembled as another pain ricocheted through his neck. His fingers found four slashes on each side of his chest and two on each side of his neck. He dove under the water, into safety where the pain was dulled.

A few minutes later when the Guards returned with Sweet, he swam to the surface.

“Where should we put her?” asked Jorge.

“In the cage.” Ableson jotted notes on a pad of paper.

“With him? He’ll—”

“We don’t know what he’ll do.” Ableson’s voice was harsh. “But we’ll learn.”

Laddie opened the door.

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“Mutter!” cried Sweet, as she ran into the cage.

He climbed out of the tank and raced toward her, stumbling a bit. His legs were unsteady under him. He stopped, taking her hands in his. She stared downward, her eyes wide and face pale. He followed her gaze. His feet were different. The toes had elongated and widened. Webbed skin grew between them.

“What have they done to you?” her voice trembled.

He opened his mouth gasping for breath. Spots appeared before him, marring Sweet’s lovely face. He needed oxygen. He staggered backward; she grabbed him under his arm, steadying him. The slits on the side of his throat opened and oxygen filled his lungs and cleared the passage to his nose. She stared at his throat and then raised her hand to touch the slashes on his chest. He was changing just like the Voice had told him. He was becoming a monster. Dangerous. He shoved her away and stumbled toward the tank. His webbed feet tangled in his haste and he fell.

“Mutter!” She rushed to his side.

“Leave me.” He crawled away from her.

She didn’t follow as he made his way up the stairs and disappeared into the water. He remained submerged for days, weeks perhaps. She sat near the tank, staring at him through the glass. He was glad when the pain arrived because with it came the blood, making it harder for her to see him. He didn’t want her to look at him. He was a monster. He glared at the professor who sat at the table, taking notes and staring at the monitor. They had done this to him. He glanced at Sweet who leaned against the tank, arms wrapped around her knees, drifting in and out of sleep. They had taken more from him than he’d ever thought he could have. For this, they would pay. One day, they would pay.

Scar entered carrying a tray of food. She slid it into the cage. Sweet walked over and picked it up. Three times a day, she brought the food to him, placing the tray on the side of the tank. She’d eat her dinner, talking to him like before and trying to coax him to eat. Eventually, she’d curl up and fall asleep. Then, he’d swim to the surface and eat the meat.

“Leave it,” ordered the professor.

“But, he needs food.”

“Then he’ll have to come and get it.”

She glanced back at the tank and took a small portion for herself, leaving the tray where it sat.

His stomach rumbled but he would not leave the water. The pain was less and less now, but that was because he was different. His body had changed. His hair was gone. His spine had stretched, giving him a powerful tail and his fingers were now like his feet, webbed and larger. All of these changes made swimming easier, but outside the water he’d be clumsy and vulnerable. He couldn’t bear seeing the disgust in her eyes when she saw him clearly for the first time. He fought his hunger and waited.

Late that night, when Ableson dozed and Sweet slept, he climbed out of the tank, the scent of the somewhat rotting meat dragging him from the safety of the water. The trays of food from breakfast, lunch and dinner sat near the cage door. He crept over to them and tried to pick up the meat but his flipper-hands didn’t work like his old hands. His hunger was almost overwhelming. He glanced at Sweet. She hadn’t moved. He sunk to his knees and lowered his face to the tray, swallowing the food as quickly as he could get it into his mouth. A slight hiccup caused him to spin around. Sweet stared at him through the darkness. He jumped to his feet, hitting the trays with his tail and causing a loud crash. He refused to look at her as he tromped back to the stairs, his stride wide and large to accommodate his flipper-feet.

“Oh my, the professor will want to know about your progress.” Ableson raced from the room.

Mutter was almost to the tank when Sweet caught up to him.

“Stop, please.”

He moved faster, but she was quicker than him now and the touch of her fingers on his arm made him hesitate. Her hand trembled. His skin was different too, gray and cold and scaly.

She moved in front of him, never removing her hand. It was what kept his feet in place.

“Oh Mutter, what have they done to you?”

There was only sadness in her voice not disgust, but he wasn’t brave enough to raise his eyes to hers.

She ran her hands over his body, lingering at the slashes on his chest and neck. “Does it hurt?”

He shook his head.

“Good.” Her fingers drifted to his chin, applying pressure to raise his head.

He refused to budge.

She put both hands on his shoulders, stood on tiptoe and kissed his chin. His head jerked back at the contact.

“I love you.” Her pale green eyes searched his.

“I…mon…ster.” His voice was raspy and the words didn’t sound like they had before.

“No. You’re my Mutter.” Her hand rested on his cheek.

The door opened and the two Almightys entered the room. He stepped away from her but she blocked his path.

“Ignore them. They are not important.”

He’d always been stronger than her, and now his body was entire muscle. Yet, her gentle touch controlled him. He wanted to flee so no one could see him, but she owned his heart so he stayed. She ran her hand up his chest and around his neck, pulling him down toward her. He moved so that he blocked her from the Almightys’ view.

She kissed him, her lips sweet and warm. His webbed hands trembled at his sides, yearning to touch her, but he wouldn’t. She shifted back, adding a little space between their lips.

“Why?” He asked, searching her face for the truth.

“I didn’t care what you looked like before. Why do you think I would now?”

“Be…fore, I ug…ly, now I mon…ster.”

She shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes. “No. You were never ugly to me and you are not a monster.” She shifted to look past him at the Almightys. “They are the monsters.” Her voice was quiet so only he could hear, but her eyes were filled with hatred.

“No. They hurt you.” He moved to block her from them.

“I don’t care what they do to me.” She rested her head against his heart. “Not anymore.”

He couldn’t wait any longer. He touched her back, softly at first, but when she only burrowed closer to him, he pulled her tight. “I care.”

They stood like that for a while and then they sat down near the tank, hidden as much as possible from the Almightys’ view. He’d never understand how she could still care for him, but he’d take it without question. The Almightys muttered to each other about how this was possible and how long it would last before he’d kill her. They thought that they were being quiet but both he and Sweet heard every word.

“I ne…ver hurt you. Ev…er,” he whispered.

“I know.” She snuggled closer.

The days passed. The Almightys still refused to let Sweet bring him the food. He no longer cared if anyone saw him, but to annoy them he’d wait until night, after Ableson had fallen asleep, to creep out and eat. The Almightys soon tired of this and began taking the tray from the previous meal when they brought the next one.

He’d just finished his dinner and was lying next to Sweet by the tank.

“You should start eating at least one other meal.” She ran her hand across his ribs. “You’re losing weight.”

“No hun…gry.”

She patted his stomach and it rumbled. “Liar.”

He smiled at her and she leaned up and kissed him. “I love your smile. I can still see the old Mutter there.”

He blinked a couple of times to keep the tears at bay. His jaw had started hurting, a lot. His face would change next.

“Are you feeling okay? Do you need to get back into the tank?” She sat up.

He nodded. It was the simplest explanation and it was partially true. Every night, he spent less and less time out of the water, which meant less and less time with her. She stayed by the tank when he was inside of it, but that wasn’t the same as holding her.

“Your skin’s dry. You should go.” She smiled sadly. “They need to clean the tank; I can barely see you in there anymore.”

He ran his hand over her face, memorizing the look in her eyes. He may never see it again. Tonight, his face, the only part of Mutter left, would disappear. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her for a long time. When he pulled back, she was looking at him curiously.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Her eyes searched his for the truth.

Tomorrow, she’d answer that question for him. He stood and slipped into the water, sinking to the bottom. She stared at the tank for a long time before falling asleep.

The cool water soothed and invigorated him. He swam to burn up his energy and to keep from thinking about the coming transformation and what she would think of his new face. Would she still kiss him, love him or would she finally see the monster he had become? Pain lanced through his jaw and blood drifted into the water. He stared at her for one long moment and then turned away, holding his head in his hands as his tears mingled with the blood and water.