“Who are you?” repeated Ash.
Silas groaned in dismay as realization hit him. “Don’t make me say it, pup.”
Ash scrunched his nose up. “Say what?”
“Oh gods, you’re so disgustingly young you probably wouldn’t even get the reference.”
“What reference?” asked Ash, looking perplexed before shaking his head. “Nevermind. Who are you?”
Silas sighed heavily. “I am your father.”
The pup blinked. A long, silent moment passed. “I have seen Star Wars, you know,” he said, sounding insulted.
“Good. Glad to hear it, now let’s move.”
Ash gave him a stubborn glare and Silas felt his heart melt. He really was going to have no problems loving this pup.
“Not without the others,” said Ash.
Silas blinked as his heart sank. “What others?”
His plan had little wriggle room in it. Rescuing a whole heap of paranormal kin might be beyond him, but could he really leave anyone here? He should have done more research, should have realized that Ash wasn’t being kept alone.
“There are three other pups. Hunters killed their whole pack and brought them here a few months ago.”
“Just those three? No one else?” asked Silas.
Ash nodded solemnly. Silas swore and then realized that he should probably stop doing that now he had a pup. He pulled his thoughts to the task on hand. Three was probably doable and even if it wasn’t, could he really leave three pups behind?
Silas grimaced at the thought. He didn’t even care if it made him soft, there was no way he could do that.
“Show me,” he said.
Ash’s dark eyes lit up with glee, and he nodded enthusiastically before scrambling out of bed. Silas was relieved to see he was dressed in plain but nice pajamas. He’d half been expecting prison garb or a hospital gown. The pup slipped on some blue slippers and he was ready.
Silas stepped aside so the pup could lead the way. Ash strode down the corridor confidently and Silas couldn’t help his smile as he followed him.
The pup led him to another white prison-looking door. Silas gritted his teeth, what were the chances that the code was the same on all of them? Everyone knew humans were dumb, but were they really that stupid?
He typed in the code, and the door clicked open. Silas chuckled. This was great, nearly too good to be true. He stepped into the cell with Ash. A young female beta pup, around eight years old, stared at them wide-eyed. Her hair was shorn too, and she had the same plain white pajamas.
“Mabel, come on, this guy is getting us out of here!” said Ash earnestly.
Mabel said nothing, but she hopped out of bed and put her slippers on. The pups then led Silas to the cell next door. Silas took a deep breath and typed in the code again. It opened with a cheery beep. These humans must really hate remembering numbers, thought Silas.
Once again, he stepped into a cell. The pup in this one didn’t stir until Mabel rushed over and shook her awake.
“Iris, wake up!” said Mabel.
The beta pup opened her eyes and stared at them sleepily. Silas guessed she was about five years old. He watched as Mabel competently got her out of bed and popped her slippers on. Then she held the younger pup’s hand firmly and looked up at Silas expectantly. A far too trusting look in her brown eyes. Silas swallowed.
Ash led them all next door and again the code worked. Stepping inside, Silas was nearly blinded with rage. A baby stared silently at him through the bars of a metal cot. She looked just old enough to sit up, but not old enough to crawl.
Silas rushed over and picked her up. “What’s her name?” Thinking to soothe her and lessen her alarm at being grabbed by a stranger.
“Her parents died before they could give her one. The humans call her Subject Six,” answered Ash.
Silas growled. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
