Anonimisfits: Unknown

Night, like any other time of day, comes and goes but this night would never pass.

The freshly settled dark stood still at the peak of the clock. Ripples began to quake my body. I couldn't stop what overcame me. I felt hopeless and confused. The pain was unbearable but on nights like this I would awake from, that was the only reassurance I needed. During the day the pain was the same but when the night arrived the moon brought out the worst. I couldn't control the urges, the hunger, the need to kill, to taste blood and flesh. I calculated the reasons and something the moon effuses is causing this change. On full moons, I became the devil's advocate. Every other phase I was able to retain some senses.

On this particular night, even my enraged mind was capable of curiosity. On my way into the storage room, a trail of rotted apples and moldy cheese wedges led me to find the door broken and the storage room ransacked. It was where I kept a large stash of meats to calm my nerves if I ever got out of control. Which had happened before leading me to kill a portion of my squad. They were a good team, the mercenaries that I was stationed with.

A sound resuscitated me from the trance. The memory of my team bore heavy on my heart, not something that could easily be forgotten. Again, the noise continued becoming​ more insistent. I rushed to the front of the house and darted across the living room. Pausing briefly to pick up the scent of whatever was inside. Gradually I made my way to the kitchen to find a boy going through the cabinets.

He looked at me with fright in his eyes, the outline of my mask drew figures within. I stared back with a spark in my eyes, they glowed a dim red with fury. With stillness being the only thing between us he drew a sudden breath and ran. The pursuit began. He stumbled to make his way through the back door. I instinctively followed fast behind. Catching up close behind I flung my hand to stop him. Barely missing I cut a few gashes into the wood of the doorway, the child disappeared outside. This would turn into a hunt.

My instincts gave me an advantage that arose concern in the entirety of my being for I sensed in my pulse that this would be the end of his life. I was no longer able to consciously decide what his life valued. Hungry and enraged I picked up the scent of the kid and went off into the darkness of the night.

The morning sun surfaced scaling over the mountain peeking at its audience from a distance. Warmth attempted to crawl over me as the light settled. Laying my back up against a tree with my bottom half on the dirt I felt cool and moist but relieved. A splotch of blood in a crevice on a rock next to me shimmered calling for attention. It began a trail of blood that sent a shock through me. The hunt...The boy? What had happened? The smell was doing it's best to wake the beast inside but my human mind would not tolerate giving in. I followed the trail drip by drip as it lead me to the scene.

This trail questioned my morals.

I contemplated my life, vivid visions of regret, loss, achievements, love, if I'd have any and the scars... Oh the scars. A tree with broken branches and blood on the end of one drew me in, was this where I committed my lastest slaughter.

(THUNK!)

"What the..?" I groan letting out a low growl.

"Hé monsieur!" A small voice hollers to me from above. "HEY MISTER!?.. UP HERE!" A young boy had thrown a rock to catch my attention.

I looked up.

"It's you" he said with scrambling fear. "I didn't know anyone lived there I don't want any trouble I'm just trying to get home."

I apologized although he seemed more surprised I was able to communicate.

"You're not all gone" he muttered.

I hung my head down and made a fist to myself. "I'm not all here either" I said under my breath.

"Are you gunna hurt me sir?" the kid was straightforward.

"I don't want to. How did you know where I'm from kid?" Surprised by his recognition.

"A bunch of you guys started showing up about a year ago. Father said it would be best to be able to communicate with you folks in case of emergency." He was explaining while climbing down confidently from the tall tree and suddenly slipped.

Reacting in the blink of an eye I managed to catch the boy, safely setting him on a patch of grass on the damp ground. Then sat next to him exhausted. After a few minutes he hunched over rubbing his arms nervously over his knees.

"I've been lost for almost two days. I have to get back. I was looking for medicine, and I wandered too far." He said half sighing.

I listen absently as I had not seen a normal human in so long. Possibly hallucinating him I did not bother to question his presence and was glad to find comfort in this potential friend. However, if he is truly here I would hate to imagine what could go wrong. If he is not an apparition of the ghostly kind how did he manage for so long. Questions ran circles in my frazzled mind.

After sometime of well needed silence we gathered ourselves. A bit of sunlight that could break through the clearing clouds found a perfect spot to illuminate over an oak stump. The kid got up and walked over to it and sat rejuvenating himself under the sunlight. Behind about two feet from me was the tall tree, which the sun had begun scaling over. I stood then took a couple steps back until I was leaning on the tree again and sat down to rest soaking in the light.

Knowing the state of the world our odds would diminish if we stayed here after dark, I knew our journey was soon to start yet I could not help but doubt myself. It was still early and without rest last night I easily found comfort. My eyes fluttered in an attempt to stay open but my strength was drained and I could not hold them apart.

Darn it. I thought disappointed in my lack of action. Angrily rubbing my eyes with my right unchanged hand to relieve any strain. How could I fall asleep. I could smell the child's scent but it was faint. Unless I lost my mind at this point surely he must be real. I got up and fully opened my eyes. That damn kid won't stay still. Following his very distinct smell it took me west. Being that I was headed in that direction towards my destination I would have no problem searching for him on my way.

I had nothing left here at a strangers dilapidated home. With my interest in this kids continued existence I was driven to follow his remaining smell. After a half day of a fast paced walk a wealthy farm lay about a mile away. Approaching it I could espy a figure running into the house from the stables. I didn't know the kid too well but was able to recognize him by his run.

If I could describe the feeling, the impulse to find someone, he would be the complete definition. His face almost contorted as he ran outside. Who? Who could he have lost? He fell to his knees hunched over with a blank stare and both palms on the ground. Lifting one at a time. A fist formed. A thud. Another fist. A final hit and some muttering. He had enough rage to dent the ground, filling my head with only more questions. I walked and stopped next to him. Both lost viewing the way the earth had begun to concave under his struggle. The same way our world now appears, ruined and hopeless.

He broke the silence and snarled. "Let's go, anywhere but here."

I placed my hand on his shoulder then turned and faced west leading him to our next obstacle. Without camping equipment nor food we sought any immediate shelter. Although night had conquered the skies hours ago we had yet to settle in anywhere we could. To make matters worse the clouds were piling and rain was certain. Our best chance of survival came in the shape of a castle. A bit off to the north, it was a half mile field and quarter mile hill slope. We walked up eventually arriving to the front doors.

Knocking, even if we didn't have to, was a formality I still tried to hold onto. Five minutes passed and no sounds were heard. Would this be another empty house, more digits to add to my mental score of the losses that continued adding up. Reaching for one of the doors someone pulled it open from the other side.

A short well dressed man answered the doors with a snarky toned voice he spoke "Yes, do you have a good reason for knocking so late? The professor would be very upset had you woke her up."

I apologised on our behalf. Explaining our situation he was fully attentive.

As soon as I finished he said nonchalantly "It would seem you are in quite a predicament there. Unfortunately it is none of my concern" proceeding to close the doors.

In the process of closing them he was set in reverse when a females whispering voice echoed from behind him. When the doors fully opened a tall lightly rose haired woman in a lab coat stood in an observative stance. Her emerald eyes flickered with ideas and I began to feel hesitant of the situation. The insignia on her lab coat gave me a premonition that was almost like a warning. The fact that these people were healthy guaranteed it.

"Come in." she said greeting us as we followed in. "I'm Professor Mayne Drake, and you may address my assistant as 'Pep'."

Guided into the visiting chamber, wich had four beds and sort of resembled the barracks from the times of the war, she continued talking. "You may call on his service but please be mindful as you will not be staying long."

"So does that mean you're letting us stay!? " The kid was insistent almost screaming it in excitement.

"Please leave us to acquaint" She excused Pep. He walked out and shut the chamber door behind him.

Unable to remember my own history could not prevent me of still being capable of remembering the rest. I said making stern eye contact, "Which part of the war did you fuel?" Shifting my eyes to the distinct symbol she wore on her coat.

She noticed.

Without hesitation she responded. "Fuel? I created their defense. The weapons that were used. This was my war." her voice remained monotone.

Aghast, I could not process this news. I held my breath for a second but was able to annunciate more riddled questions from behind my mask,"How could you do this to your people?"

She stood her ground without a pulse, it seemed, and firmly spoke. "It had to be done. Nobody could win and none of them should. Innocents may have died but the strong of them survive now and the governments are gone leaving me with more time for my projects and less threats on your people. Everybody wins." She paused then continued. "Well I think that's enough acquainting for the moment. We can get to know each other more before you have to go, I recommend you get as much sleep as possible. The sun will be rising soon and I have many things to do and no time to entertain nor allow strangers to wander in my home. Goodnight." After excusing herself she closed the door leaving us to accommodate ourselves.

We chose our beds for the night and the kid settled in getting comfortable instantly falling asleep. I sat on the bed next to his then leaned back onto it laying there fully awake and alert. Dawn was quiet with little to no susurration up until the kid woke up.

"That was the best sleep I have had in a long time." he said happily laying on his chosen bed covered up to his chin by his blanket.

I could barely stay in bed. I should have slept but instead I laid awake as the height of my senses had kicked in while he rested in the bed next to mine. For me it was difficult to sleep and even harder to do so in a new setting. Wondering the time, we took what little we had before we were thrown out and talked. We have traveled long enough without a proper way to address each other. I sat up in the bed and reached my hand out to him and introduced myself as "No-One".

He looked at me and said "I'm Avan Dox'xe but everyone calls me Dox for short." He sat up reached out and shook my hand firmly. "I'm not sure if No-One counts as a name to officially be met. You got a birth name?" He responded towards hearing my temporary name.

I rummaged in my mind for whatever I could remember regarding my own identity and replied "I can't remember who I am."

He was optimistic. "Maybe we can call you something else."

I told him "I'd rather stay nameless" as Im certain I will find out who iam and renaming myself would only mean distancing from who I was.

He thought about it and said "How about 'Unknown'. Sounds a lot more official. Don't you think?" A smile spread on his face.

I agreed. It made no difference to me but if it could make him happy to help by all means. Just as we concluded picking a name for me a knock at our room was heard.

It was Pep. He opened the door to notify us, "Lady Mayne would like to see you attend our morning meal. It is 10am current time, breakfast is to be served at 11am. Please stand by fifteen till, I will be outside the chamber waiting when you are ready." As quickly as he came in he left, closing the door behind.

Preparing for the day was easy having only one outfit. Even if I had another choice I couldn't really take my suit off unsure what abnormalities were hidden under. It was a fear I developed, being too afraid to reveal what I had become, anymore than was visible.

Pep gave us a minor tour of the castle as we made our way to the dining area. ‎There were many doors, halls, and a lounge. There we were seated momentarily as he walked into the dining space for a couple minutes then walked back requesting we enter. "Breakfast is served."

The table was impressive, a marbled top with a wooden frame capable of seating many guests. Dox made himself comfortable next to Mayne. I was suspicious of her and he was my only friend. Deciding on which seat was the closest I sat on the one next to him where I could keep my eye on everyone. Pep finished serving our first servings then sat in his own chair as close as he could get without being invasive of the conversation.

Mayne encouraged us to help ourselves with seconds as well as more drinks from the pitcher. It was clear there are no servants here since Pep is allowed time for himself whenever he pleases.

After eating she initiated the conversation, "I don't believe we formally introduced ourselves so let's try this again." she said reintroducing herself. "‎As you heard I am Mayne Drake. Please refer to me as professor. And you two are?"

The kid was shoveling food in his mouth. "I'm Avan Dox'xe but most call me Dox" he said practically spitting it out in between chews.

"As for me I'm No.." I paused and looked at Dox, I felt the need to uphold his name for me... "I'm Unknown." Her gesture was similar to Doxs'.

She looked at me almost like she recognized me from somewhere. She was calculating in her head her eyes squinting a tad "You're from one of the bases. What has brought you here aside from coincidence?" she said with a concerned tone but then dismissed it with a sip of her drink.

I explained how I'd lost a portion of my memory during an attack that caused my deformities leaving out that I was the one who finished off the remainder of my surviving team. The wounds on my face are the reason I would do all my tasks with the mask on and I excused myself for it.

She did not mind my choice of clothing but was immediately interested in the mutation and it's possible affects towards my lack of personal memory. Mayne was clear about being rusty in the implants department but opted to do her best to help.

I gratefully turned it down. "Its a nice gesture, thank you, but if I am to be me again I can't trust anyone but myself to figure it out." This was my own obstacle and I was trained to deal with them while also avoiding any potential implant infiltration.

She thought about it and gave me a scientifical confirmation that it would be possible to tap into where my memories should be by accessing what memories I still had. She proceeded "Those that had control over you placed those implants to manipulate your actions and prevent revelry. I can take their control away and ensure you walk away knowing who you are. You will also be fully capable of your own free will." She said this with a deeper motive as if she disagreed with it all.

Triggered with the fact that it was odd I could remember bits of my past when it came to my field of work but could not remember myself I was left at a loss. No recollection of favorite things. No memories of having loved, possibly married, was I even able to love? Were the last people I saw the only to ever be in my life? So much unanswered.

She mentioned a bit of her work on "Reprandring" a term that meant one would be placed in a reprogramming and reidentitying state. She explained "Essentially repranding is a an adjustment of the mechanical parts placed in by the SOS. Which are for manipulating our memories, forging or forgetting parts that make up our personalities. With everything I tried I simply could not reverse it. That was one of my failures but I do not give up so easily. I did not have a subject to for lack of the matter assist me in returning identity as the reprogramming process consisted of implants of varying calibers depending on host. Most that included a control computer or brain chip depending on ranks. Abilities and enhancements were added and those are irreversible. Taking a single implant out can mean taking a chunk out of you, which is obviously no good. Can you remember your personal code?" She paused for my response.

I froze in thought. All this information was alot to take in. I may never really be who I was but is it worth a shot? "Umm personal code?" I muttered a bit confused with the question.

She said sharply "O1APCO" (Observer 1 Access Personal Code Overwrite).

I felt a sparking tingle inside my head behind my eyes. A jolt had me automatically say IC10T42O92.S00LG (Implant Combination 10 Technician 42 Observer 92 1 Station 00 Leading General).

She gave a slight grin "An Op" she said sounding a bit too ecstatic. I'll double check your code by running it and update you when I find the best procedure for you."

With my head sorting this out the table settled all the while I starred at the food. They ate in peace as I watched without disruption slowly chipping at my meal.

After finishing breakfast we moved our conversation to the living space. Much like the lounge area this room had ample seats and the tables here were shorter and adorned with bowls filled with a variety of treats. Doxs eyes lit on up. He approached the bowls instantly digging through for what he mumbled under his breath from excitement as being called classics. When he found one it was a candy called 'Gundels O' Bumbels' that went by the popular nickname "GOBs" and was a Taffy like gum. I had never had much candy, let alone remember any from before I forgot, but since I ate to survive I'd found some a few times when scavenging. When surviving anything meant something if it had a use.

Mayne was welcoming and Pep came in behind us with a bell on a tray anouncing "It is 12pm current time. Miss Mayne let's not forget the matter that must be attended at 1pm. Ring if anything is needed." Pep placed the tray with the bell on the center table and walked out. Mayne sat and I sat across her as Dox flipped the candy bowls and dispensers inside out on his shirt searching for his favorite ones and even stuffing some random cand away for later.

"Kids will be kids" she said catching me watching Dox my eyes showing concern. She tipped her head towards me leaning over the table so to keep the conversation between us "You can recall your work, correct?"

I was hesitant with my reply turning my head a bit away. "Yes, some, It's not something I enjoy talking about."

Mayne responded with an understanding nod. "Some things are better left unspoken but not forgotten. I know it will be hard to come to terms with the memories but I am confident in its success. If it will make the process a little less overwhelming I should be able to suppress any unwanted memories once they have fully returned"

I thought about it thoroughly. At this moment I could believe anything about myself but once I regained my past I would have to dedicate to who I used to be. All set a certain way, goals I once had, morals I gave up to survive, the only good thing to come of this would be if I had a family. I would know eventually, once it came back to me. I exhaled deeply "It's definitely a permanent choice is it not." I say with a slight smile behind my mask.

Mayne was attentive she listened thoroughly and waited to speak when I was done. "Yes, the process is permanent but the memories don't have to be constant. If they become problematic I can remove them individually. Knowing when all your memories will return is going to be the hardest part to determine. With each affecting you as it would a child that is developing emotionally. Changes will be inevitable, the experiences of the memories anew. Do you agree with the possibilities and potential side effects?"

I thought thoroughly before jumping to conclusion "What type of side effects?"

She estimated for a second and responded "I'm not sure, only time will tell." She gave me a second to consider and asked, "Are you ready?"

This decision was very important. The second I made my choice there was no going back, I felt that thought echo through my pupils. I looked down reconsidering and Dox came up to me.

He said with serious look "Unknown, you have been a good friend to me and even though you scared me at first it wasn't your fault. You got us to where we are and have controlled something many lost it to. I believe it should mean you are a strong minded and good person." His eyes began to tear up I could tell he had some memories he wish he himself could forget. He learned to live with them and deal day by day.

I finally understood. I affirmed him as any parent seeing their child sad would, I put my hand on his shoulder and he held his chin up high and said, wiping his face, "It will be ok" and smiled.

Mayne was observing us almost as if she was taking notes.

‎She let us know that when the time came she would summon me but Dox could not go. He was, however, allowed to get comfortable in the room and living area and if he needed anything he would have to let Pep know and it would be covered.

As she finished prepping us Pep knocked and opened the door "It is 10 minutes until 1 pm. Sir and young Dox please accompany me back to your chambers. Miss Mayne has matters to attend to."

I got up and Dox followed me with his shirt full of candies. We walked out behind Pep.