The Ties That Bleeds

during training sessions. Child 002's manipulative streak had grown sharper, making even the handlers wary of her presence. And

r children stood in the wreckage of what had once been a simulated combat zone. Walls were scorched

e," Dr. Mira Kessler said, he

ld 001 smirked, his hands shoved casually into his pockets while 002 and 003 surveye

lving," he s

e how many resources we've lost this month alone? Their aggres

hey're not failures. They're... proto

nd your control, Elias. The board is already asking q

ision, but even he couldn't deny the truth. The children were dangerou

tine training session-a simple exercise to test their physical and m

to-hand combat simulation. The objective was clear:

his fists striking with bone-cracking force. 002 retaliated, her movements swift and preci

andlers shouted for them to stop

through the arena, knocking both 001 and 002 off their feet. The walls of the s

d. The children turned their fury on the handlers

andlers were hospitalized, and the si

d. The air in the conference room was thick with tension,

e," Mira began, her tone clipped. "Their aggression has be

ias argued. "They're still valua

sunk millions into this project, and what do we have to show for it? Th

rototypes. This was always going

4. He's stable, cooperative. He's our best chance of salvaging t

He hated the thought of abandoning his creations, but he could

is voice heavy. "We'll rem

with them?" a bo

them fend for themselves. The worl

calculated. "The world outside will either shape the

. She knew there was no other option. To kee

ree children were sedated and transported out of the facility. They were dumped in a desolate, industrial area far

ter than the others. He blinked groggily, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The towering smokes

as hoarse, her dark eyes narrowi

ened as he scanned the area, his

y trembling as he sat up.

1 said bluntly, his voi

ssion. "Of course they did. They're cow

usion and hurt mingling in his tone.

"We were tools to them. Experiments. And when we

s hands trembling.

urvive. No one's going to control us anymore. No

re on our own now. And if the world wants to treat us like mon

when 001 extended a hand to him, he

the lab was already erasing all traces of their existence. Files were deleted, r

ootage of their departure one last time

ed under his breath. "They'll

e turned off the screen and walked away,

tsteps echoing against the empty streets. The chill in the

uld never accept them. But as they moved further from the lab, further from th

time, they w

arn the cost of abandoning