The Nature of Predators - Predator Disease (8/8)

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Memory transcription subject: Bonsen, Mental Health Patient

Date [standardized human time]: December 25, 2136

The predators were in festive spirits, putting extra time into decorating the facility with colorful adornments, and still speeding along renovations. The shock machines were removed, replaced by cozy couches and sandboxes. Bookshelves were set up, accessible to all the patients to read for entertainment. The Terrans even provided computers so we could have internet access; they didn’t cut us off from the outside world like the past administrators.

I was allowed to venture out into the sunlight as much as I wanted; according to Dr. Bahri, I could leave at any time if I wanted too. The other patients were nervous about socializing during mealtimes at first, with the former punitive, can’t-win systems, but the humans coaxed us along. They wore obscuring gear, painted in floral colors, to provide reassurance. I didn’t hesitate to approach my old friend Mollsi at today’s special meal; apparently, I hadn’t seen her because she’d been relegated to Derva’s special cases wing. The mood-changing Venlil hugged me for a long time, sobbing with despair.

“I’m just happy to…talk to someone. I was losing all sense of reality,” Mollsi told me. “Everything was constant pain, and I feel so low, and I wanted it to stop!”

A shudder passed through my body. “It’s over. The humans will help you feel better. They helped me.”

“They’re predators. I don’t understand them helping.”

“I haven’t figured out why they do anything either. I think it’s anger. They express anger over how we were treated a lot.”

“So that means they don’t like suffering. I wonder how such a predator ever learned to hunt.”

“Well, they eat plants, too. They don’t need to hunt every day…at least, I don’t think. My blood didn’t seem to affect them, when they pulled me out of here.”

“That’s good, Bonsen. I assume they isolate themselves on the days it boils over, then. I mean, they wouldn’t have let easy catches like us have the chance to walk free, if they couldn’t control it, right?”

“Yeah. They’ve been really good to us all.”

Patients were assessed to determine whether they presented immediate danger to themselves or others, and were encouraged to discuss traumatic events, if talking to someone was what they needed. The humans had been sparing on the details of their species’ background, trying to paint themselves in a flattering light. They did seem like saviors to many in the facility, after the endless durations we’d been locked in here. A good chunk of cleared patients opted to leave the facility, probably because they weren’t sure they’d ever get an opportunity again. The fact that the new personnel had binocular eyes didn’t help, I was certain of that.

Maybe I should’ve left with the ones who fled, but I have nowhere to go. If Dr. Bahri is taking care of me here, and not hurting me, I don’t want to leave.

Soft footsteps sounded behind us, just heavy enough it ensured that I heard them. Mollsi startled at the shadow looming over me, and I turned around to gauge if I was in trouble. It wasn’t clear what the facility rules were, but I didn’t want to incentivize them to put a collar on me. Kiara, as she asked to be called, was approaching with hands raised. I debated whether to throw myself at her mercy, and request a permanent stay under her supervision, then and there.

“Merry Christmas!” Kiara said with cheer. “Before you ask, it’s a human holiday where we give gifts to our family. I’m being presumptive to call you mine, but I brought you something.”

The Terran chuckled slightly, as she passed me a small tube. A laugh played at my own throat, and I popped off the cap with my teeth. It was bright red lipstick, which I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to apply as a joke. Mollsi shied away with a confused expression, and watched as I contorted my forepaws to hold it to my face. Bahri placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, before removing her grip a second later.

The human director wandered past the rows of eating patients, who had fittingly been served tacos from the same street vendor we visited on our escapade. The arboreal omnivores had a flair for callbacks, in an endearing, sentimental way. The upbeat atmosphere within the cafeteria was unusual for the facility; before the changes, there was never time for camaraderie or happy tail wags. The cheery conversation died out, however, as Kiara began to wheel a machine into the room.

I stiffened, wondering if it was a portable spray machine for frigid water. Twin spouts were visible, alongside a stack of plastic cups. Perhaps worse, it could be a predatory contraption meant to collect our blood for taste sampling. I realized I might be getting carried away, since the Terrans hadn’t been anything like Administrator Derva. Why would they fight to remove the staff, if they intended to torture us too?

Kiara beckoned to us all with a hand. “I’ve brought a treat for you all; you deserve something to enjoy. It’s a beloved treat of ours called ‘ice cream.’ We got this coconut soft serve, along with waffle cones, and there’s two flavors; vanilla and strawberry. We weren’t sure about chocolate being safe for every species…ah, you don’t know what that is. Aqil, do you have the waffle cones?”

“Coming right up!” The human soldier rushed over from the back wall, with brown, latticed objects. “I’ll have all of you know, I fetched the tacos and the ice cream. Food is the gift that keeps on giving. Consider it an apology for us having binocular eyes?”

“That settles that. Sugar is the way to a human’s heart; I guess we’ll find out if Venlil are the same. Who wants to do the honors? Let’s form a line, nice and neat.”

Only a few patients were brave enough to obey the request, and walk up to a predator’s food stash. I’d accepted meals from them before, so I hopped down to the floor. Giving an encouraging ear flick, I managed to get the nervous Mollsi to follow me to a line. The black-haired UN soldier waved to me, as we found our way into the queue.

“W-why are you still here, Aqil?” I whispered.

Aqil bobbed his shoulders. “I thought maybe I’m not cut out to go back to the battlefield. I wanted to talk to the Doc a little for myself. Besides, the UN wanted some security here…not against you all. More in case the old staff come back seeking revenge.”

“And Paulo didn’t stay?”

“Paulo liked you, Bonsen…maybe he could’ve helped you, navigating ADHD as an adolescent and all that. But Kiara doesn’t like him much, or at least, I get that impression. The Humanity First rhetoric—he was a little too happy to agree with William. We can’t have that here.”

“So she…locked him up? Or w-worse?”

“No! C’mon, Bonsen. She just doesn’t want to work with him, so she wouldn’t be forthcoming with an assignment offer. I heard her explicitly say, ‘I don’t want you around the patients.’ His arm was broken anyways. Perfect excuse to go back to our ship and keep to the medbay for a while.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Go get some ice cream with your friend, kiddo. Special treat for our favorite Zurulian.”

Favorite. Am I really their favorite?

The line had moved forward, allowing Mollsi and I to reach the ice cream tap. Dr. Bahri, noticing the height disparity between myself and the machine, stepped in on my behalf. She filled a bowl for me half and half with each flavor, and grabbed a tiny spoon. The doctor carried the treat back to the table, gesturing for me to dig in.

I hopped back onto the bench, and a sheepish Mollsi rejoined us. The spoon seemed unnecessary, after I tentatively licked at the intersection of the icy curls. The cold, creamy flavor engulfed my taste buds, leading to me lapping at it in ravenous fashion. For some reason, Kiara seemed surprised by my diving in snout-first.

I licked the stray droplets off my snout, wagging my tail. “Where is yours?”

“Oh, it’s for you. Sharing a little joy with you is enough of a treat.”

I patted the spot next to me with my paw, and Bahri slung her lanky legs over the bench on cue. She placed a gentle hand on my spine, scratching away. My heart felt heavy as a rock, wondering how long her kindness would last. Pressing too far for her attention might result in the predator growing bored, or deciding that I didn’t need her anymore. I was scared of losing her, the same way my parents had given up on me.

But…Aqil said I’m their favorite. Can humans feel affection? I’m worried that’s what I feel for Kiara…and she might not be able to, or want to, reciprocate that. She’s from a violent alien culture.

The Terran doctor seemed equally lost in thought, as she watched me finish my ice cream. It was impossible to gauge her emotions, with those masks on. Kiara never got to answer her reasons for helping me, after William and Paulo butted in, the other day. I wished I could know what went on behind those binocular eyes. It had to be more than anger that caused her to care so much.

Memory transcription subject: Dr. Kiara Bahri, Human Psychologist

Date [standardized human time]: December 25, 2136

There were times that homesickness crept in, and reminded me of the exact number of light-years between myself and home. Taking charge of the facility was a daunting task, with centuries of societal trauma to be undone. The current moment looked like a positive start, but the nagging voice in my head was terrified I’d fail to set things right. What I did here could be the precedent for the entire galaxy; that was enormous pressure on my shoulders.

Bonsen was melting my heart, and reminding me of why I needed to power through the nerves. Not only could I do this, but I needed to, for the victimized aliens’ sake. This was the kind of difference I’d wanted to make in the world my whole life; I just never imagined it’d be on a world that wasn’t Earth. It was a humbling opportunity that I didn’t intend to squander, and my insecurities weren’t going to hinder the bold plans I had for reforms.

The rest of the Federation needs to change; we can’t stop at Venlil Prime. But I suppose the gargantuan system can be tackled in small bites.

In the holiday spirit, today had to be about seizing the day; I should impress upon the people I cared about how important they were to me. It was uncertain whether the Zurulian could ever think of a predator as a maternal figure. That might just be a silly idea planted in my head by sympathy, but an honest conversation was the only way to figure out where we stood.

“Bonsen, I wanted to talk to you about what we’ve been through,” I offered.

The Zurulian shivered. “Do…do you love me?”

“Do I what?”

“Sorry! I shouldn’t use that word—”

“No, you definitely should. I feel very protective of you, as if you were my own child. That’s what I hoped to speak about, actually. I’ve grown attached to you, but I wanted to see what you want for your future, rather than deciding it for you. Where do you want to go from here?”

“I was hoping you’d let me stay. I’m scared of not having anyone there for me. I’m scared of being alone.”

“Aw, sweetie. I told you that you had me here to support and nurture you, and I meant it. Of course, all of the patients have my care, but you’re special. You’re not just another name on the roster. How would you feel about moving to my residence? We could put you in online school, and maybe…be something of a family.”

Bonsen looked up at me with eyes that could melt a glacier; they were wide pools of innocence, from a person who deserved to be respected and cherished. Dried ice cream was mixed in with her brown snout, which made a grin linger beneath my mask. It wasn’t fair that nature would churn out a creature this adorable. I was praying that she’d accept my offer, though I’d respect her wishes regardless.

Horror stabbed at my heart, as the Zurulian burst into tears. That sinking feeling was mitigated only when she burrowed her head into my stomach. I realized, with abundant relief, that Bonsen was crying from having someone offer to care for and about her. How long had it been since she had anything resembling a support network? How painful must it have been to have her real parents reject her, through no fault of her own?

“Yeah,” my child sniffled. “I’d really like that.”

I held Bonsen close, stroking her head gently to increase her feelings of security. As rash of a decision as breaking her out might’ve been, it was worth it to make sure she never suffered abuse at Derva’s paws again. Venlil Prime might become a sanctuary for people of all neurotypes, thanks to our courage to stand up for the innocent. Despite the hurdles and darker ideas swirling about in the public consciousness, it was human kindness that led to lasting change.

The nerves subsided, replaced by a bubbling excitement for my new life with the lovable Zurulian child, under my soon-to-be permanent care.

A/N - The ending of predator disease! The humans bring newfound freedom, care, and activities to the facility, reforming everything from the ground up; they also celebrate the Christmas holiday by bringing ice cream for the patients. Bonsen accepts Kiara's offer to adopt her, and learns that the doctor has nothing but loved for her. Perhaps these changes will spread to other facilities on other planets in the future?

As always, thank you for reading! Cilany's series, as voted in a landslide, will debut on Saturday, and it should be fun!