Page 42

FIFTEEN

REUNION AND REVELATIONS

~JINX~

The mechanical beep startles us both, severing the moment of connection with institutional precision.

Riot's body shifts immediately into a combat-ready stance—muscles tensing beneath his institutional uniform, eyes narrowing with tactical assessment rather than lingering tenderness.

The transformation happens in milliseconds— the protective Alpha replacing the vulnerable man with practiced efficiency that speaks to years spent in constant vigilance.

I maintain perfect stillness as he moves toward the door with predatory grace, positioning himself between potential threat and my location with instinctive protectiveness that requires no conscious calculation.

The action carries none of the performative dominance typical of institutional Alphas, just fluid efficiency born from genuine concern rather than designation dynamics.

"Stay back," he murmurs, voice pitched low enough that surveillance systems might miss the instruction beneath ambient noise.

I almost smile at the protective display despite our circumstances.

Six years of systematic torture disguised as research haven't eliminated the fundamental impulse to shield rather than dominate—evidence that institutional conditioning failed to completely override whatever humanity they've attempted to deconstruct through methodical application.

Rather than maintaining distance as instructed, I approach with measured steps, positioning myself slightly behind his right shoulder—close enough to provide tactical support without compromising his defensive positioning or triggering a territorial response.

The placement comes naturally despite years of separation, bodies aligning with synchronicity that suggests connection beyond simple designation compatibility or combat cooperation.

The metallic sound of a sliding panel draws our collective attention—not the main door opening, but a small rectangular section at floor level retracting with mechanical precision.

The movement reveals what appears to be a standard institutional delivery slot, typically used for food distribution or material transfer without requiring direct contact between subjects and administrative personnel.

A stack of neatly folded items sits just beyond the threshold— fabrics in neutral colors rather than standard institutional uniforms, suggesting purpose beyond simple clothing provision.

Beside the textiles rests what appears to be a small canvas bag, cinched closed with a drawstring that prevents immediate visual identification of contents.

Riot remains motionless, tactical assessment clearly evaluating potential threat parameters beyond simple material delivery.

His nostrils flare slightly—enhanced olfactory receptors scanning for chemical compounds that might indicate weaponized substances or harmful agents embedded within apparent provision.

I brush past him with deliberate casualness, ignoring the low growl of warning his throat produces in automatic response.

My movement carries none of the hesitation combat experience might suggest appropriate, given uncertain delivery parameters—just fluid confidence born from tactical assessment rather than emotional reaction or biological instinct.

"Relax," I tell him quietly, dropping into a crouch before the delivery slot with practiced efficiency. "If they wanted us dead, they wouldn't need to disguise the attempt as fresh laundry."

The observation carries dry humor beneath tactical accuracy—simple acknowledgment of institutional reality rather than emotional response to systematic manipulation.

Press has invested significant resources in our reunion, has orchestrated elaborate staging for whatever performance he continues documenting with obsessive precision.

Elimination through conventional means would represent poor return on resources already allocated, particularly given the apparent entertainment value our interaction provides within whatever audience structure observes this institutional production.

My fingers retrieve the items with methodical thoroughness—first the clothing stack, then the canvas bag, each movement calculated to minimize exposure while maintaining a casual appearance for surveillance documentation.

The weight and texture confirm initial visual assessment—standard textiles rather than specialized materials, basic provision rather than tactical equipment or enhanced resources.

The panel slides closed with the same mechanical precision that marked its opening, the sound of retreating footsteps confirming human delivery rather than automated distribution.

The institutional employee moves with evident haste; rapid cadence suggesting a desire to maximize distance from potentially volatile subjects rather than simple efficiency or time management.

Their fear registers as amusing rather than concerning—evidence that whatever reputation we maintain within the institutional hierarchy continues generating appropriate caution despite current containment parameters and surveillance systems.

A smirk forms as I rise with fluid grace, turning back toward Riot with arms full of institutional provisions and something approaching genuine amusement lighting my features despite our circumstances.

"Aww. Now they want us to be all squeaky clean and hygienic," I observe, voice carrying mock sweetness beneath characteristic precision. "I wonder what they're planning?"

The observation earns what might almost be a smile—not the full expression institutional existence likely eliminated through systematic conditioning, but something approaching genuine amusement beneath tactical assessment and cautious engagement.

The reaction warms something in my chest despite rational recognition of contextual limitations and emotional constraints that operational reality creates within enhanced subjects.

"They've been planning since before you arrived," he responds, voice carrying unexpected roughness beneath measured control. "This is just another scene in Press's theatrical production."

His assessment aligns perfectly with my own developing theory regarding institutional motivation and operational parameters—the recognition that our reunion represents performance rather than simple research protocol, entertainment rather than scientific investigation.

The alignment flows not from shared information or tactical communication, but from parallel analysis despite separated experiences and divergent contexts—evidence of compatible methodological approaches and similar analytical frameworks despite years spent in different operational environments.

I place the items on the narrow metal table bolted to the floor near his sleeping area—the closest approximation to personal space institutional architecture permits within residence quarters.

The room offers minimal dimensions, though significantly larger than standard containment cells—approximately twelve feet square with a ceiling height providing just enough clearance for enhanced subjects without allowing vertical mobility that might compromise security parameters or surveillance capabilities.

The space contains basic provisions beyond the sleeping platform—a small bathroom area partially concealed behind a privacy screen, a narrow shelf containing what appears to be minimal personal items accumulated through behavioral reward systems, the metal table and single chair secured to flooring with industrial bolts designed to prevent repurposing as weapons or escape implements.

Most interesting is the digital display mounted on the wall opposite the bed—standard institutional timer currently showing "22:17:43" in red numerals that decrease with methodical precision as I observe them.

The countdown likely represents the allocated period for whatever "privacy" Press has orchestrated within current staging parameters—a temporary sanctuary before next phase implementation or scenario advancement within the broader production structure.

My attention returns to the provided materials, fingers separating fabric with methodical assessment rather than simple curiosity or emotional response to the unexpected provision.

The clothing represents a significant departure from standard institutional uniforms—casual pants in dark neutral tones, basic shirts without insignia or designation markers, undergarments of surprisingly good quality given contextual limitations and resource restrictions.

The canvas bag reveals additional surprises upon examination—basic hygiene supplies including soap without the characteristic chemical smell of institutional products, shampoo containing actual moisturizing compounds rather than stripping agents typically employed in communal facilities, even a small container of what appears to be genuine skin lotion rather than medicated cream designed for post-combat application or injury treatment.

These items represent luxury within an institutional context—evidence of specialized resource allocation beyond standard containment parameters or research requirements.

The provision carries implications beyond simple creature comforts or basic necessities, suggesting ceremonial preparation or cultural significance within whatever scenario Press continues orchestrating with such theatrical precision.

I wonder when Riot last experienced such relative luxury—when institutional existence permitted clothing beyond combat gear or containment uniforms, when personal hygiene involved actual choice rather than standardized application of collective resources.

The thought carries unexpected sadness beneath tactical assessment—recognition of systematic deprivation operating alongside physical torture and psychological conditioning throughout his extended captivity.

When I turn back toward him, his eyes remain fixed on me with predatory intensity that carries none of the hesitation or uncertainty our previous interaction might suggest, appropriate given contextual limitations and emotional constraints.