• As I came to consciousness, I was in a white room. Everything was as white as snow. I tried to sit up, but the pain was unbearable. I gave up after several failed attempts. I just looked around the room, thinking I was the only one there. Then I saw something in a corner. It looked like a boy; only something different… he had pitch black wings. And what looked like black hair were feathers on his head.
    “Ugh…” I moaned unintentionally. The boy swung his head around to face me slowly, and I saw broken, tortured, emotionless eyes. Even with wings, feathers for hair, and his eyes sad and broken, I knew immediately who it was.
    “James…” I mumbled. “So this is what they did to you…”
    His eyes burst to life, and anger, shock, and disbelief replaced the emotionless expression.
    “Nami!” he screamed, at my side in an instant. “What have they done to you!?!”
    “Nothing… yet. Io tried to escape but they caught me before I could get anywhere. What have they done to you?” I tried to prop myself up on my elbows, but pain shot through me the minute I had accomplished to sit up. I started to fall back down, but James caught me.
    “Settle down, Nami.” He said, setting me gently down. I noticed his arms had feathers all over it, too. “Don’t waste all your strength now, we’ll need it later.”
    Just then, a door was opened. A person in black goggles and a white lab coat came in. “alright, Nami.” He said in a deep, gruff voice. “Your turn to become just like your little friend. Hopefully, you wont be as stubborn.” He started to come towards me, a twisted smile on his face. Fear froze my heart.
    James fanned out his wings, and wrapped his arms around me. He started hissing, almost like a cat. He put his back to the man. As he held me close, the man hesitated a moment. Then he came closer. One arm still around me, he swung his other arm towards the man, trying to punch him in the stomach.
    “Fine, you ugly beast!” he screamed, frightened and angry. “She’s too weak to survive anything, anyway. Keep your little friend alive, if you can!” he marched out of the room, and locked the door loudly behind him.
    James kept holding me for a few moments, his eyes never leaving the door where the man had come from. Then he loosened his grip and looked at me. I was still scared stiff.
    “Please don’t be afraid,” he said, tears budding in the corners of his silver eyes.
    “I’m not afraid of you,” I whispered “I’m afraid for you. What did they do to you?”

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