Puzzled

<div align=center>Silence.

The island had slipped into the brink of dusk just a few hours ago, and stars pierced the once light blue sky, now covered in a dark navy. With the only newly warmed spring air it still was rather chilly at night, but of course nothing unbearably cold. Most people at this point of time would be in bed, unless something specific came up. Still, many students snuck about the halls in search for late night activities, or in Pollyanna's case, a chance to collect her thoughts.

Usually, she came up here in order to use the skyline as an inspiration for some sort of future art project or to marvel in the beauty this place possessed. While the latter still applied to her intentions, she was still thinking about an encounter she had a few days prior- More specifically, with a socially inept yet brilliant man and his mysterious talking wristwatch.

Now, she had scheduled a doctor's appointment the evening following to examine the chip that, although had seemingly aided her her entire life, was apparently a very dangerous item to have in her body. Her usual optimism and bouncy outlook on life had faltered just a bit after much contemplation, even through the two memory wavering incidents that had occurred between the three days. She still was pretty upbeat, but... Off, and more than she usually was. Not only was this on her mind, but the state of the duo that had caused her to think so much. Who were they exactly? And where were they from? She still had a lot of questions for them, and about herself. She just wasn't used to thinking so often. Pollyanna was used to just doing. And that admittedly was concerning her.

She sat on the wide ledge of the tower's open window, one bare leg dangling over the side of the wall high up from the ground. She sat casually in a white hoodie and pale pink shorts as she leaned against the broad wall that held the window's frame. Her pupil-less brown eyes studied the half moon, a small smile on her face. Oh, how much she wanted to shift and explore her true biome... Tragic that she couldn't really fly, wasn't it?

With a sigh she looked out into space, her sleepless mind making her stay within the realm of consciousness. The tower was empty, but she could have sworn she heard footsteps approaching. Figuring it was just her imagination, she shrugged it off, gazing back into the halved white orb. </div>

<div align=center>Before she could truly lean back and relax, the noises gained clarity. Pollyanna sat up and squinted into the darkness, unable to see the visitor. She tilted her head, until a voice rang out without an owner. [color=9B04F8]"Wah!"[/color] She yelped, actually almost falling out of the window. Luckily, she grabbed the ledge in time. Her chest heaved with the sudden scare and quite the surprised facial expression replaced placidity. [color=9B04F8]"I-I'm not gonna jump! Honest!"[/color] She assured to the voice, whoever it was. Before she could get too panicked enough to possibly through her shoe out into the darkness she recognized the tone rather quickly. [color=9B04F8]"Zeke? Fletch? Is that you?"[/color]

She turned herself, back against the moon, towards them. It had to be! The duo had fancy science and what not, maybe they were pulling a trick on her. [color=9B04F8]"You almost gave me a heart attack..."[/color] She sighed in somewhat of a relief, glad it wasn't a foe or threat. Still, the question remained as to what was really going on here. [color=9B04F8]"Where are you, exactly?"[/color] Pollyanna asked to the void, her voice trembling with unease. </div>

<div align=center>The situation significantly gained clarity once the two finally revealed themselves. Though that was in it of itself a startling occurrence, she couldn't help but to think bravo. No doubt the technology would come in great use for them, and if nothing else could scare the crap out of an unassuming victim. But she figured they wouldn't do that on purpose, right?

[color=9B04F8]"Well, it's certainly a pleasure to run into you all again."[/color] She stated with a small yet sincere smile. Maybe this was a way for them to get back at her odd meet up. Was this going to be an amusing pattern? Before she could think of an answer, it appeared Zeke was apologizing profusely for the little accident. Even if they were stalking her, Pollyanna wouldn't think much of it. She really wasn't one to snap back at someone for being icky.

[color=9B04F8]"A restraining order?"[/color] She raised an eyebrow and lightly chuckled. [color=9B04F8]"Naw, it's totally cool Zeke. I know you didn't mean it. No worries."[/color] Pollyanna assured him gently yet in a blasé fashion. She didn't think poorly of the two at all, and a funny little incident like this wasn't going to change anything. With Fletcher's comment she shook her head no and laughed a little. [color=9B04F8]"Course not. Besides, you two didn't walk into much."[/color]

Speaking of, what was she exactly doing here? Well, there was a simple answer and a complicated one. Not wanting to bore the two with the workings of her current state of mind, she decided to go with the former. [color=9B04F8]"Oh, I just came up here to think and stuff. I wasn't really tired, but since I shouldn't be walking the halls I figured I could at least enjoy the night alone."[/color] Except for that alone part. That got pretty boring pretty quickly. She looked to Zeke, who was still a little paranoid. Poor guy! [color=9B04F8]"No please, I'd be happy for you to stay!.. If you want, that is."[/color] She added that last part as to not seem pushy. If they hadn't arrived, she would have gone back to her dorm room for the rest of the night a few minutes later. At least she had something to do now with her insomnia. [color=9B04F8]"What were you two going to do up here? I hope I'm not interrupting anything."[/color] She asked with curiosity, their cloaking device a signifier to her of big plans. </div>

<div align=center>Well, as it turned out the duo had much more of a purpose up here than she had. She once more looked outside the window to see that the skies were a bit more troubled from what she inititially believed. Perhaps it was a good thing she kept herself inside. Though, she had a bit of difficulty following along with their technological schematics. But she understood the gist, which was good, right? [color=9B04F8]"Ohh, okay..."[/color] She mumbled while thinking and listening, peering down to the machine shown to her. So, they were building something to ward off others here? Was that right? She looked a bit worried, not for the purpose but for the reason behind it. Were people bullying or threatening them? Some not-so-pleasant people at the school abused their powers and abilities to assert dominance, and Pollyanna had enough experience of that. Being the 'weird chick' to some, she was poked fun at and had rumors about her. She was a bit secluded and stuck primarily to her art for a reason. While she could take criticism lightly, she felt it often reflected her qualities of being a normal human.

She smiled with the two's listing of technology, rather impressed on what they had built. [color=9B04F8]"Sounds like you guys have a lot of nice work cut out for you. I hope you get enough electricity!"[/color] She commented with assurance. She had no idea how intense the storm would be, or how safe it was to be up here without their scientific methods. Before she could ponder that however the thoughts of the purpose of their technologies came back to her. Self defense and platoon equipment... Very different from each other, but it was supposedly going to come together. Pollyanna certainly didn't want to intrude, but Zeke seemed rather upset with the mention of the others at the school. Maybe she could get him to open up a little about it.

[color=9B04F8]"Self defense? Is everything okay?"[/color] She asked in a light tone, masking her concern with less intense curiosity. [color=9B04F8]"You're right though, there is a lot of tough people here. And quite a few have intimidating abilities."[/color] Hers wasn't one of those terrifying ones (at least she didn't think so) but it certainly wasn't a cutsie power the popular girls in the school seemed to walk around with. [color=9B04F8]"But even then I agree with Fletch. Sure, being strong'll get you far, but being able to calculate and predict a move would be much better in the long run."[/color] She stated with a confirming nod. Admittedly though, she wasn't really one to condone a lot of violence. Self defense was fine, but a lot of fights here seemed to start out of 'just self defense'. She had the suspicious feeling that both Fletcher and Zeke were talking about something much more than school kerfuffles however, but that didn't mean she couldn't at least try to aid them. [color=9B04F8]"'Sno problem."[/color] She concluded to Flecter with a smile.</div>

<div align=center> Wow, they really were being bullied. A small frown appeared on her face upon hearing that they were actually being threatened here. That wasn't at all fair, but sadly she couldn't say that it wasn't unpredictable. Nothing about them personally, but she felt as if those with clear physical prowess abused their own strength against those who just didn't want to cause any trouble. Pollyanna was one of them. While she wasn't exactly a seasoned veteran at the school, being here for less than a year, she knew the first few weeks were a little rough. She was secretive about who she was and only ever made public appearances transporting odd bits of her artwork. Of course there would be rumors about the peculiar girl, and confrontations. Not to mention the tidbits that demonstrated that she was probably the dumbest to show up at the school. Pollyanna quickly shoved off these thoughts as soon as they began to plague her mind, and concentrate on the pair. Poor guys...

[color=9B04F8]"Oh no... Sorry to hear that, guys..."[/color] She apologized in a small whimper. It was a tragedy really that the nicest people got treated the worst. [color=9B04F8]"Nobody should treat anybody like that."[/color] She added, thinking a little angrily over the fact people had the nerve to be downright rude. If only she could help them... But she herself wasn't great at warding off others. She didn't like controversy, but if it meant someone else would be taken care of she supposed it was necessary. But in saying that, she knew that, despite their upper hand in offensive technology, fighting back wouldn't be the best idea. When you kill a bee, there's a whole swarm behind it. The school had its posses, and stirring up trouble with one person could lead to a huge chain reaction. And as found out the other day, she wasn't a fan of drama.

Still, she felt the boys knew what they were doing. They were more than capable of highly tactical thinking, and she trusted they knew best. [color=9B04F8]"Ohh, I suppose so..."[/color] Violence wasn't always the answer, but that didn't mean it wasn't sometimes. Then again, with the legend of David and Goliath, perhaps they had another way out? [color=9B04F8]"Just be careful, mkay?"[/color] She pointed out gently, hoping they would head her advice. If this girl could heal herself, then there was a chance she would be relentless. Her mind was taken off the ideas of this however, when Fletcher mentioned a certain day. Not sure if she was supposed to hear this yet concerned all the same, she tilted her head.

[color=9B04F8]"What day Fletcher?"[/color] She asked softly, hoping her question wasn't intrusive. </div>

<div align=center>When Fletcher began unraveling his story, everything that Pollyanna questioned a few days prior came into clarity. Why he was envious of her sudden bouts of amnesia, why he wished he could forget everything, why he was so hesitant to say... It made sense now.

Instantly, a feeling of great sympathy for the man and the guilt for bringing up the subject welled from what felt like her stomach. If only she could bestow her curse and revive it for his as a way to lift his burden. The poor man lost everything... And appeared to be reduced to a mere voice in a watch. It wasn't fair to him, not at all. There weren't any words for her to use to express how tragically horrible his situation was. She didn't know what to say or do to at least try to comfort him, if that was at all possible.

[color=9B04F8]"Fletch, I..."[/color] What was she going to say? After muttering that, she was dead silent in attempts to think over her words carefully. He seemed angry now, and rightfully so. Pollyanna felt terrible for going into areas that were none of her business. Especially now that she made him upset. She just should have kept her mouth shut. [color=9B04F8]"I'm sorry, I'm really really sorry..."[/color] Wow, was that all she could say? What was that going to solve, and why did her condolences matter? They weren't going to fix anything, and they probably weren't even going to comfort him. She wished she was better versed in her words as to think of something to say that wasn't so insincere sounding. Maybe offer them her help? What was she going to do?

[color=9B04F8]"So you're here in this time because of that? To try to make things right?"[/color] God, more prodding questions, she thought to herself. But it made sense. All this talk about a 'mission'... And Zeke was helping him. They really relied on each other, didn't they. [color=9B04F8]"Well, if there's anything I can help you two with- anything at all- I'll try my best to do it."[/color] Like she was going to be useful. Pollyanna sighed, and looked down to her feet. She knew the duo was smart. Together, they probably had a chance. </div>

<div align=center>Pollyanna quietly listened to Fletcher speak of his past as well as his vital connection with Zeke. Without him, Fletcher wouldn't be where he was today. She gave the man a small smile upon being informed by this. It was a sacrifice to make, and no doubt a great one. She smiled sincerely with his gratification of sorts, but realized the truth in his words. She was young, and Fletcher was from Eons in the future. But if there was a chance to stop the issue at the source, then it was worth the shot.

A look of nearly mortified shock popped up on her face with the mention of just what else this enemy of the future did. [color=9B04F8]"Oh my..."[/color] She mumbled to herself. There really was no time like the present, was there? Everything about what would happen in the future hung in the balance of the now. Though Zeke was much more capable of making an impact, Pollyanna had to find a way to make herself useful. But being a friend to her was an honor in it of itself.

[color=9B04F8]"I hope I can prove of use to you as both a friend and an ally. Again, I wish to do anything I can to aid your cause!"[/color] She stated much more enthusiastically, and gave a tight salute. Really, it was an understatement. She didn't have many friends in the first place, but dedicated her entire loyalty to the ones she had. And of course, it was a big prestige for her to be the first friend for Zeke. [color=9B04F8]"I'm really glad I can be a friend for you. You guys are as well the first few friends I've made here."[/color] And it was the truth.

However, there was something Pollyanna felt was a bit important for the two to know about her. But would she tell them? Would they freak out? Most importantly, would it be of use to them? [color=9B04F8]"Oh, um... If we're to get to know each other better, I guess it may be a bit important to tell you exactly why I'm in this academy..."[/color] She whispered almost as if she was talking about herself. If they didn't want to know, great. If they did... Well, she would have to see. </div>

<div align=center>Pollyanna nodded with a smile to her new friends, happy to at least have allies. This sort of happiness wavered however when Fletcher expressed that he was willing to know a bit a more about her ability. Now, it wasn't something she often shared. But it was too late in her mind, and besides, it didn't help her psyche to bottle it up all the time. Especially considering it was a big part of her, and truly marked her identity. She couldn't go around hiding what she was for the rest of her life, and she supposed these two were a good start.

[color=9B04F8]"Okay, welllll..."[/color] She began, her mind trailing off to where exactly to begin. [color=9B04F8]"Like a lot of people here I guess, I'm the product of illegal scientific experiments and testing. Genetic twisting, bending the laws of nature, defying God... All that jazz. Well... Hm... Let me just say I am human, but..."[/color] Even then, that was a bit of a lie, and she should have said I am an animal instead. But she didn't like to believe it. [color=9B04F8]"I'm something else, too. I was... Made, rather than born. But already out of living things... If that makes sense."[/color] And she hoped it did. How explicit was she going to get? [color=9B04F8]"I don't remember anything from any of the lives my DNA contains, all I know is what I've created for myself. I do know however that what you see isn't all that I am."[/color] She inhaled with a sigh, and smiled slightly.

[color=9B04F8]"I'd like to show you what I can really do, and what that lab has made me."[/color] She stated directly. [color=9B04F8]"But uh, if it's no trouble, could you please turn around?"[/color] She requested politely, an air of mystery wrapped in her tone. At the back of her mind, she was praying and hoping that she wasn't going to regret what she was about to do. </div>

<div align=center>Okay. Here goes nothing.

When Zeke complied to turn around, Pollyanna went to work immediately. All the while, she listened to Fletcher speak, quite astonished actually at how far ahead this sort of testing seemed to be. Maybe Pollyanna was in the primitive stages of development, which actually explained a lot. [color=9B04F8]"Really? Huh. Well, back at the lab I'm from, genetic experiments are nothing positive. At least, not for the subjects."[/color] She almost muttered, thinking back. She managed to overhear a bit of Zeke's comment, chuckling at the assumption. She knew what she was about to do wasn't at all what came to mind with normal people and those sorts of scenarios. But heck, she was anything but normal.

She unzipped her hoodie, placing it down to the floor next to her. Underneath was a shirt, cut out at the sides. The reason for this would become apparent in a moment. [color=9B04F8]"Well, the project was to see if injecting enough human DNA from a recently deceased person into an animal would cause the person to be brought back to life..."[/color] She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. [color=9B04F8]"By turning that animal human."[/color]

Her tanned skin appeared to begin to grow fur. First fine, then thick, ultimately becoming a chestnut colored long coat. During this time, her feet became paws, her balance naturally shifting to her toes. Her face became much more... Animal like. Small teeth were replaced with deadly fangs, and her jawbone, nose and mouth formed into a muzzle, the nose itself shaping oddly into what looked like it belonged to a bat of sorts. [color=9B04F8]"The way they did it I thought was cruel. The lab itself was disguised as an orphanage, which specialized on testing on kids."[/color] Her ears shifted into large, almost dog-like ones, usable for now superb hearing. [color=9B04F8]"To test their hypothesis they decided to kill off one of the children, one of the ones they thought no one would miss. She would be who I was molded after."[/color] From a concealed, pre made slit on the back of her pants came out a thin tail, now gently swishing by her ankles. [color=9B04F8]"And everything went really well, perfectly actually... Until someone must have made a miscalculation."[/color] Now for the hard part. She held out her arms easily out to her sides, peering ever so slightly to make sure she was ready. She shut them again when she felt her bone structure in her hand altering, her fingers growing to fit the wings they would be suited for. After the shift, she looked down at her arms, now useless for anything but flying. [color=9B04F8]"You see, the fallen girl was infused into a recently rejected hybrid of two types of bats. I was supposed to be a fully normal person after the experiment. I was supposed to be a success. But, I was ultimately a fluke... They didn't know what happened, all they knew is that I was to live half of my life as this."[/color] Pollyanna got a good look at her now mutated self accomplished in only a minute or so, which was anything but human. Her wingtips that touched the ground lifted to wrap herself in a hug, and her muzzle twitched with anxiety. With drooped ears, she finished her story. [color=9B04F8]"I don't remember what I was supposed to be, or what I am as an individual. But my human appearance is what they wanted. This... This is how they failed."[/color]

She finally looked down, unable to meet the looks of the two. From a whisper, she asserted to Zeke [color=9B04F8]"You can turn around now."[/color]. </div>

<div align=center> With her eyes kept to the ground, she felt ashamed to look up and face the duo when they faced her. She did look up however when Zeke fell backwards, almost about to run to aid him until he got up. She sighed with relief to see it was alright, and smiled a weaker smile through deadly, animal-like teeth. [color=9B04F8]"It's fine. I understand."[/color] Honestly, it was one of the more peaceful reactions she had received from others. However, there quickly became a list look in her eyes when he mentioned something about a necronomicon. She tilted her head, ears flopping to show her confusion. Was he... Familiar with this?

In a few moments it was quickly revealed that he certainly was. She listened as he explained his apparent role in all of this. The sheep clone... Wasn't that in a book she had to read for school one time? And... Zeke perfected it? But the scientists that created her must have been too eager, too greedy... Resulting in a major failure and waste of money. She looked suddenly up as Zeke felt guilt about her creation. And she couldn't help but to feel the same way. She held her wings out to the side, finding no other way to place them. She looked down at them to truly realize how cruel this whole experiment was. And just because the lab was shut down, doesn't mean this stopped. This could very well still be happening.

[color=9B04F8]"I'm sorry..."[/color] Why was she apologizing? She didn't even know herself. But she didn't want Zeke to feel responsible for this whole ordeal. There were good people in this world who wanted to experiment for the better of man kind. Though she had a feeling that the intentions for the project were positive, everything building up through its trial testing proved otherwise. The mutant girl tried to near him in attempts to at least comfort him. But even Fletcher's attempt caused more distress from his human counterpart. [color=9B04F8]"Zeke, that's not true... There's certain things I know can't be fixed, and people will go against what's right to be done to look for knowledge. Some things just happen so those in the right mind can avoid them in the future."[/color] She tried to explain in a soft voice, tail flicking behind her. But she knew the answer he was looking for was much more complex. She didn't understand it, but there was something much greater going on in Zeke's head. But what?

[color=9B04F8]"Machines...? What do you mean?"[/color] She asked, perplexed. Pollyanna was curious as to what was running through Zeke's mind, and what exactly he was planning. He stated he couldn't fix anything... But there had to be an idea or explanation for what was going on. </div>