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“THAT’S ENOUGH FOR THE day. You did very well Jocko.” The prey called McBrid picked up the ball.
Fersia climbed the bars of the cage and hung upside down. She liked being up high. Jocko couldn’t get up here and right now she was annoyed with him. He was always doing whatever the prey wanted—rolling the ball back and forth, stopping it on command. It was stupid to listen to the prey. She was strong. Jocko was strong. They shouldn’t obey the weak, except for food. She shook the bars. This cage forced them to obey for food. It stopped them from catching their own dinner, but one day there might be a chance. McBrid was careful but the others...
McBrid headed for the door. She dropped to the ground, twisting to land on her feet.
McBrid jumped slightly and took a deep breath. “Good night, Fersia,” he said as he left the lab.
Jocko moved toward her, dancing a bit. He wanted to mate. It was their routine once the prey left but she was restless tonight. The door opened and she stilled, watching the young prey called Charlie dart into the lab. This one was stupid. He’d gotten close before; he might again. She pushed Jocko away from the front of the cage.
The prey Charlie carried something. He moved behind the line and held it up. “Fersia, I know you’re in there somewhere.”
Of course she was in here. She was Fersia. She’d forgotten things but she knew that. His voice rolled through her. It was familiar but she couldn’t recall why. There was no anger with his memory unlike the prey McBrid. Jocko edged forward.
“Stay back.” She snapped her fangs at him.
“He might get close.” said Jocko.
“He’s mine.” She clacked her fangs again.
“Do you remember this?” The prey held up an item. “It’s a book.”
Yes, that was right. She loved books. She’d spent hours and hours reading.
“You were teaching me to read.” He opened the book. “This one has lots of pictures so you started with it.” He held it up, showing her the images, page by page. “I hope you can see it from back there.” He laughed a little. “Because I’m not getting any closer.”
She could see it fine. Her eyesight was excellent. There were pictures of the forest, trees and small creatures that looked tasty. They’d be different than the food she was being fed. The Servants all tasted the same. Her mind stumbled over the term Servant. That was what they fed her but there was something else about the word, something that flickered in her brain like a light struggling to stay lit.
The young prey began to read. It was stuttered and faltering but it brought back waves of memories—laughing with him, helping him. He’d kept her company. He’d been her friend.
She reached for him and he scooted backward. She waved her claw. She wanted to touch him, not to hurt him, but to feel his skin, his hair.
“Do you want this?” He held up the book.
She’d settle for that. If she could touch it, maybe she’d remember more. She hated not knowing, being partially empty in her head. It didn’t bother Jocko but that was because he was stupid. He’d never been smart. She didn’t know how she knew that but she did. She’d been smart. Her mind used to remember everything but now it had holes—great big, gaping holes and she needed to fill them. She waved her claw again.
The young prey stretched out his arm. Her claws brushed against the book. She couldn’t quite grab it. He was too far. She waved her leg, motioning him toward her.
“Ahh...I can’t, Fersia. I wish I could but I can’t.”
Maybe, he wasn’t so stupid or careless. She skimmed the tip of her claw over the book. She remembered the feel and the smell of the paper and cover. She’d spent hours with books. They’d made her happy.
“Charlie,” called a voice from the hallway. “Where are you?”
“Sorry. I have to go. My brother’s looking for me.” The young prey pulled the book toward his body, away from her.
“No.” It came out like a squeak. “Wait. Stay.” She said, but he didn’t understand.
“I’ll come back tomorrow and read to you some more.” He hurried out the door.
Fersia stared after him. He was a Guard. She remembered that now. She wasn’t a Guard. She was...She couldn’t remember. She used to know but it was gone. She needed to remember. She needed to not forget anything else. The prey...the Guard Charlie had been her friend. He’d helped her before. She was sure of it. He could help her again. Help her to remember.