Dim fluorescent lights shone down onto the cold concrete floor as a boy no older than ten stirred awake, a chill running down his spine. His hazy view came into focus as the sharp ring of metal scraping together pierced the silence; his dulled senses struggled to adjust to his surroundings.

  “Wake up!” a gruff voice barked, followed by another loud metallic clang that sent the boy jerking upright. His gaze darted around the room, frantically taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Glass littered the floor from the shattered windows above, while rusted metal and toppled crates filled the space in disarray. The room was in as rough shape as the boy himself. That’s when he noticed the bars surrounding him—he’s in a cage.

  He pressed back against the cold metal, panic rising in his chest. He was small and thin, his skin blotched with scrapes and bruises. Dark hair clung to his forehead in messy strands, as fox ears drooped low against his head.

  “Caught ourselves a beast this time,” a man said with a hint of amusement, as he paused to look the boy over. The man was broad-shouldered with a heavy jaw; his clothes were stained and wrinkled from long hours in this place.

  The boy’s gaze flicked up toward the man. His mismatched eyes caught the light—one pale blue, the other a washed-out pink—though fear dulled their unusual colors.

  The man smirks. “That makes you lucky number six. Let’s hope you last a bit longer than the others.” With a final scoff, the man scribbles something on his clipboard and walks away.

  “W-where am I? Who are you people?” the boy cried out, his voice trembling. His plea echoed off the walls, unanswered. Two men—armed with blades—stood positioned at the front of the room. One was thickset, face roughened by stubble and old scars. The other was leaner, his stance sharp and alert. They pulled the large metal door open with a deafening screech. The child reached for the top of his head to cover his ears, the sound piercing his eardrums. His tail instinctively curled around him in a futile attempt to find comfort.

  He swallowed hard, his breath unsteady. Calm down. Breathe. His arms covered his face as he curled into himself. Mai... it’s going to be okay. The words echoed in his mind, but they weren’t his. It came in his mother’s voice, quiet and reassuring, looping in his mind. He held onto it as he squeezed his eyes shut, as if reaching for it might pull him away from his reality.

  But the world didn’t fade. The cold air still pressed against his skin. Mai watched as the man exchanged a few words with a guard before he continued out the door. The screeching echoed once again as the guards pushed the door shut. Securing the door, they then turned and made their way towards another cage. Only then did the boy realize he wasn’t alone—other children were scattered around the room, locked in cages just like his.

  He watched as the guards unlocked one cage, forcefully dragging out a girl who looked only a few years older than him. Her wrists looked thin enough to snap under their grip, her tangled hair hanging over eyes that were already empty. She didn’t fight, only allowing herself to be hauled away.

  Mai froze as he looked at the state of the other children. Most looked defeated, their empty eyes staring at nothing. Some, he wasn’t even sure if they were alive. Everything will be okay... He kept repeating it, but the words felt hollow. Mai stayed curled up, wishing that somehow, this would all just come to an end.

  “You need to calm down...” a faint voice came from a cage nearby.

  Mai lifts his head, searching for the source. A boy, maybe fifteen, with unkempt light teal hair slumped against the bars of his cage. His face was weary, and his eyes lifeless.

  “H-How can I stay calm... What is this place?” Mai’s voice wavered, barely reaching above a whisper. He stared at the older boy, desperate for answers.

  “The more lively you are, the more of a fight you’ll put up... That’s what they want,” the teen said, his voice remaining flat. He didn’t look at Mai, just stared ahead as his fingers absentmindedly traced the rusted bars of his cage.

  “What do you mean... This doesn’t make any sense,” Mai cried, his voice cracking. He brought his legs up, hugging them tightly.

  “They’re using us. We’re just lab rats to them... They don’t get many fighters, so don’t be one,” the teen said, shifting away from where he was leaning. His movements slow and careful, as if every inch of him ached.

  Mai tried to speak with him more, but he gave no reply. He turned away; his chest began rising and falling in uneven breaths as tears formed in his eyes. His mother's voice kept replaying in his mind.

  There had to be hope.

  But as he glanced around at the other children, that hope felt smaller than ever.

  Mai kicked the bars of his cage, rough flakes of rust crumbling off on impact. The metal rattled as the sound echoed through the silent room. “Let me out!” he yelled, his voice cracking. The guards didn’t even glance his way. Gritting his teeth, he kicked the bars again, more rust flaking off, scattering onto the cold floor.

  It had been hours since anyone but him had spoken, or even moved. Mai clenched his fist, his nails digging into his palms. He needed something—a sound, a voice, anything—to remind him he wasn’t alone in this nightmare.

  With a growl of frustration, he kicked the bars once again. “Stop it,” the older boy hissed, his voice low but firm as his tired eyes flicked toward Mai. “You’re just making it worse.”

  Mai ignored him, lifting his foot to kick the bars once again. The older boy clenched his jaw, “I said stop!” he snapped, his body jolting up from his seated position. His fingers tightened around the rusted bars of his own cage. “You think they’re just gonna let you out because you’re loud? All you’re doing is pissing them off—and pissing me off.”

  Mai whipped his head toward the older boy, glaring. “So what, I’m just supposed to sit here?” he yelled, his voice cracking yet filled with frustration. “You don’t even try! Why do you just sit there like you're already dead?” The teen’s expression faltered for a moment, his grip on the bars loosening. He tried to answer, but he couldn’t. The question lingered in his mind, pressing against thoughts he had long since buried.

  But Mai wasn’t done. “Don’t you care? Don’t you wanna fight back?" Mai pushed, his tail bristling with emotion. The older boy clenched his jaw and said nothing.

  The creak of a wooden door cut through the heavy silence. Mai’s entire body tensed as another guard came into the room, escorting the girl he had seen taken earlier.

  The girl looked even worse than before they had taken her, but somehow, she seemed to have more energy. Her breaths were still heavy, and body still shaking, but there was something in her eyes now—not exhaustion, but something else, something sharp.

  The guard brought the girl to her cell, unlocking the door. She stepped in without being told. As soon as the door shut behind her, she sank onto the floor. Mai barely had time to process before the guard turned, making his way toward his cage. Stopping in front of Mai’s cell, the guard smirked, “Your turn, beast.”

  Mai backed into the far corner of his cage, hoping that whatever little he could do would make the man stop—but it wouldn’t.

  The guard unlocked the barred door and forcibly reached in, grabbing Mai’s leg and dragging him out. Panic shot through him as he kicked and thrashed, but the grip only tightened. “Stop! Get your hands off me!” Mai screamed.

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  “The boss was right. You really are a feisty little animal, aren’t ya?” the guard said with a sadistic smile, tightening his grip on Mai’s leg. “Don’t worry, we know how to break ya.”

  Mai kept clawing at the ground as he was dragged from the cell, his hands desperately clinging onto anything they could. His dull nails sharpened into claws, scraping against the metal as panic surged through him. Mai cried as he was helplessly pulled towards the creaky wooden door.

  His fingers latched onto a bar of the older boy’s cell, holding on with all the strength he had. “Please! Help me!” Mai cried.

  The older boy stared at him, something flickering behind his tired eyes. For a moment, his hand lifted hesitantly, but it was too late. With a final, brutal yank, the guard tore Mai away. The older boy’s fingers curled back, guilt filled his gaze as he watched Mai twist and scream.

  The teen sat there in silence as the door closed, the distant echo of Mai’s screams still ringing in his ears. He huddled into himself, his arms wrapping around his knees as dread settled in. Why... Why couldn’t he just give up? His fingers dug into his tattered sleeves, his jaw tightening. I didn’t help... he needed me, and I wasn’t any help... His eyes burned, tears tried forming, but couldn’t. He just sat there, staring at the rusted floor, hating himself for doing nothing.

  The boy looked around at the other children. He had been here the longest—he had failed all of them. Did they all fight like him once? He tried to remember. But he had forgotten what they were like when they all arrived. The boy clenched his fists even harder, blood forming under his fingernails. Could I have changed all this?

  He threw his clenched fist into the ground. Pain shot through his hand, but it didn’t matter—the guilt he felt was eating him alive. Again and again, his fist slammed against the cold metal floor. His vision blurred with frustration and shame. Why didn’t I do something? His knuckles throbbed, but he didn’t stop. I’m fucking useless... The words echoed in his mind, each time hitting deeper. I should’ve fought harder... His body trembled, rage and resolve clashing inside him. I need to fucking change!

  Mai sat in the corner of a room. His body, littered with bruises, but he couldn’t feel any of them. He knew he should feel pain, he had taken a beating—but instead, he felt... amazing. His breath was slow and steady, his chest rising and falling as a strange energy pulsed through him. Adrenaline rushed through his body, but even that couldn’t keep up with this strange sensation. He felt weightless, untouchable… free. His mind drifted away. He felt at ease, as if nothing could hurt him.

  Memories of his family floated through his mind, gathered in a field of wildflowers and tall grass. His mother brought them lunch as his father and sister flew a kite on a hill. The scent of fresh bread and pie lingered in the air. The wind swept through the trees above, rustling the leaves as it carried their laughter. He could almost feel the sun on his skin. The distant sound of his mother’s voice calling for his father, his sister’s gleeful shouts as the kite soared higher. All the sensations wrapped around him like a warm embrace, pulling him deeper into the moment.

  He reached out, trying to hold on to it—to grasp the feeling, the warmth, the voices. But just as his fingers brushed against the memory, it slipped through like smoke, vanishing before he could pull it closer.

  A sharp creak shattered the silence.

  The door to the room swung open, yanking Mai out of his trance. The warmth of the memory evaporated, the lingering euphoria slipping away, dragging him back to his grim reality. He began to feel the soreness of his bruises.

  A man dressed in a suit stepped inside, his polished shoes clicking against the floor. A guard followed closely behind him. The man held a clipboard in one hand, eyes scanning the page as he scribbled something down. Without looking up, he flicked his fingers lazily, signaling the guard. Rough hands pulled Mai to his feet. His legs wobbled beneath him, but the guard’s grip kept him steady. “You did a great job, you little filthy little stray,” the man in the suit said smugly, finally glancing at Mai from behind his clipboard.

  The guard tugged on Mai’s arm, forcing him forward. His legs felt heavy, every step requiring all the strength he had left. As they neared the doorway, his body screamed at him to stop. With what little fight remained inside him, Mai turned his glare to the man with the clipboard. His lips curled in disgust before he spat, the saliva landing right on the man’s polished shoe. For a moment, there was silence. Then, the guard yanked him forward once more with a rough jerk. Mai didn’t look back, but he could feel the man staring daggers at him.

  Mai stumbled through the halls. The only thing keeping him upright was the firm grip of the guard pushing him forward. He kept his gaze low, staring at the lazily tiled floor. He stole quick glances ahead, just enough to keep himself from walking into any walls. Fluorescent lights cast dull shadows below them, failing to properly illuminate the space. The weak lighting made the hallways feel even more suffocating.

  Finally, they came to a stop in front of a large wooden door. The guard reached forward, pulling out a key and inserting it into the lock. The heavy creak of the door echoed through the hall—the sound was very distinct, and Mai recognized it instantly. He was back in the warehouse.

  He kept his head down as they stepped inside. Then, without warning, the hand supporting him disappeared. Mai collapsed onto the cold floor, his body hitting hard. Confused, he lifted his head, turning toward the guard.

  The man stood rigid, his face drained of all color. His eyes were looking ahead, wide with pure terror.

  Mai looked forward, his eyes locking onto a familiar cage. The older boy from earlier sat inside, but something was different… No, something was wrong. He wasn’t looking at Mai, or the guard; rather, he was looking through them. His eyes filled with pure rage, as his face contorted into something feral. His hand gripped the metal bars so tightly his bloodied knuckles turned bone white. Steam curled from his fingers as the bars shone a bright, molten orange, hissing as they rapidly warped. Then, with a sickening drip, the metal liquefied, falling away into glowing globs that sizzled on the cold metal floor. In seconds, his cage was open.

  Shouts erupted around Mai. Guards snapped into action, their hands flying to their blades. One fumbled for their radio, barking frantic orders for reinforcements. More guards rushed into the room as others slowly inched forward, cautious with their movements. But Mai didn’t hear any of them, his entire world had narrowed to the older boy—his trembling form, heavy breaths, and the unrelenting fury pouring off him.

  The teen stumbled forward, his steps uneven. The guards kept their distance, their weapons raised, barking orders he couldn’t hear. He didn’t care. He wasn’t there anymore, all that remained were his instincts. The guards flinched as he took another step forward. Their shouts became more urgent, but the words blurred into nothing but distant, meaningless noise. The only thing that mattered was the relentless storm of emotions he felt—anger, desperation, disappointment—each one pushing him onward.

  One guard inched forward, hesitating for just a second. The boy immediately capitalized. His arm shot forward, his wrist flicking in a precise movement. A powerful gust of wind surged behind the guard, ripping him off balance and pulling him straight toward the teen. The guard’s instincts kicked in as he swung his blade up to defend himself, but it was too late. The boy’s fist met his abdomen with crushing force. A sharp wheeze escaped the guard as air ripped from his lungs. Then came the heat—searing, unbearable. The guard launched backward, slamming into the wall. His hands scrambled to his stomach, desperate to stop the pain, but the moment his fingers touched the point of impact, a fresh wave of agony tore through him. His skin burned. He tried to scream, but no sound came. His throat locked up, his body betraying him.

  Mai looked at the man writhing on the ground beside him. The sight sent a shiver down his spine, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. I need to get out of here! His voice screamed in his own head. Come on Mai! Get up! With every ounce of strength he had left, he forced himself to his feet. He wobbled, the pain in his body catching up to him, but he didn’t stop.

  He stumbled past the guards, keeping his movements slow and careful. He was sure to keep his distance from the older boy. Whatever was happening to him, Mai didn’t want to get caught in the middle of it. His feet carried him to the far end of the warehouse, away from the chaos.

  He crept along the wall. His body screamed at him to stop, but every instinct told him to keep moving. Every ache, every bruise, every breath that burned his lungs—none of that mattered. All that did was the exit just ahead. Upon reaching the door, he threw his entire weight against it, heaving the giant metal door open.

  Fresh air rushed in, cool against his skin. The sharp scent of salt water filled his nose, cutting through the staleness of the warehouse. That alone gave him the strength to keep moving once again. He didn’t just step outside, he bolted. His legs barely allowed him to break into a weak, stumbling run, letting his feet take him wherever they wanted.

  Rows of towering warehouses stretched in every direction, their rusted metal walls stained by years of salt and grime. Beyond them, the faint glow of city lights flickered in the night sky. They felt impossibly far away, yet Mai pushed forward. His breath came in ragged gasps, limbs burning with exhaustion. The sound of waves crashing hit his ears, a steady, rhythmic force that his footsteps soon fell in line with. Warehouse after warehouse blurred past him, endless rows of steel flying by, their looming shadows stretching across the pavement. It felt like there was no end in sight, but stopping wasn’t an option. He had to keep going. It was all he could do.

  Then his legs gave out.

  He hit the pavement hard, his body shaking from exhaustion. He tried to crawl, to drag himself just a bit further, but his strength was gone. The world dimmed around him, the salty air and distant waves fading to nothing. His vision went dark as he lost consciousness.