“‘Angul?!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkCMi6n6qq
This was the subject’s exact reaction when Mangle told it they were going to the gymnasium. “You’ll be safe with me, It. I’ll make sure I won’t lose you if you stay with me.”
“But...but ‘Angul…”
Mangle held back an exasperated sigh and crouched down so they were eye level with it. “You’ll be fine. I promise.”
It looked up at Mangle fearfully, but nodded. “Okay.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTbm9DjZ2T
Mangle stood up and offered it their hand. It gripped the appendage tight enough that Mangle was worried about losing circulation, but they were going to make the best of it. They went to the supply closet and had it don a hospital gown and a pair of shorts. It worried with the hospital gown, making sure no one except Mangle could see its back. Mangle was a bit surprised at the modesty. Usually that didn’t kick in until a child was 5 or 6, if then. “Are you sure you’re 2, It? You act more like you’re 5!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MxXh1g1jK
“I’m 2, ‘Angul. Posive.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcIYhIKO6r
“You’re positive, huh? That’s a pretty big way of saying you’re sure.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxqPRnzZaf
It nodded. “Mommy say-ed it once.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgqd8IE6lp
“You pick up a lot from your mommy, don’t you?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNofYhebmt
It grinned. “I make sure mommy’s proud! Mommy’s proud of It! It is smart!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq54zfXSf0
Mangle felt a twinge where their heart was rumored to be. “Your mommy can be very proud of you. She should be, really. Probably is.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCNYEsbMYW
They were going to kill Dr. James if she said otherwise. This was the most malleable the subject had been yet, and they were dead if they weren’t taking advantage of it.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6zaDPjMtX
When they arrived at the gym, the subject gawked at everyone. So many people and such an open space was bound to be a shock for something that had been in more or less isolation its whole life. “‘Angul...people!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEHjyTx6OQ
“I know, it’s a lot of people in such a space, isn’t it?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT7pi67iZJ
It mutely nodded. “Glad clothes,” it muttered.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf4iCfTk1q
Mangle laughed. “What, you don’t want anyone but me and your mommy seeing your diapers?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGm40bnpDS
It nodded seriously. “Mommy says diapers p’ivate.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vBadEkl51
“Your mommy’s right. Diapers are private. But sometimes grown-ups need to see them, like if you need to be changed.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hTdk7MOQf
It wrinkled its nose. “Diapers yucky.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSkDKCSP28
Mangle paused at this. Were they ever going to stop being surprised by this subject? “Well, I could help teach you how to use a potty, if you want? No more yucky diapers for you if you can be toilet trained.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBBcYxkJHa
It nodded. “‘Ankoo, ‘Angul.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTar2PBe55e
Mangle nodded. “It’s no problem, It. Now, can you stretch out your wings for me?”
It did.
“Here, let me show you what I want you to do for this experiment…”
Mangle manipulated the wings so they made a swimming motion. It felt closely whenever Mangle touched it, and tried to copy the movements. They were a little jerky, but they were close enough that with a little practice, Mangle was certain that it could at least imitate flying. It enjoyed making the motions while running around with its arms spread wide, laughing hysterically. Mangle watched with amusement, then surprise as the subject slowly lifted itself off the ground half an inch and held that way for a second before slamming the ground with its feet, not even noticing what happened and continuing to run until it couldn’t run anymore.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvvwuFdFV8
“Tired, ‘Angul,” was all it said by way of explanation when it walked over.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG4hby1DW1
Mangle ruffled its hair and said, “Well, do you want to go back?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucmTgS4KIb
It shook its head, and noticed a multi-colored beach ball. “‘Angul! Rai’bow ball!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kNXU0sZ2v
Mangle looked over and nodded. “Oh, it is, isn’t it?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBdp67Ns3q
It ran over and picked the ball up. “Play ‘Kick the Ball’?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlbiRtf31q
Mangle decided that now was an opportune time for another test. “How do you play kick the ball, It?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoVjmEDEJX
“You kick!” it exclaimed, kicking the ball over to Mangle. “Kick hard, moves ball faster!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m5u9wLTNP
“Oh, like this?” Mangle asked as they stopped the ball with their foot, and kicked it as hard as they could, punting it really, making the ball fly through the air.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡary5dLY8Ep
It clapped. “‘Angul make ball fly!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAymZhwmfx
Mangle grinned. “Grown-ups know how to do that, yeah. With a little bit of practice with those wings of yours, you could fly just like that ball!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEtcQ5A3ZX
Its eyes widened. “‘Angul help It fly?!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vL3OjR6y6
Mangle nodded. “If you want.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tY9TYjElp
It nodded and started up the exercises Mangle taught it again. “I’ll fly like ball! One day, I’ll fly! Mommy’ll be proud of It!” it exclaimed as it ran to pick up the ball.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1aswiq1pX
Mangle shook their head. Such tenacity in one so young, it was amazing, really. If only humans could have that type of resilience, the world would be a better place.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1BzVShjTE
It came back with the ball. “Hey, It, I have an idea,” Mangle said.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrVXBIUWqW
It cocked its head to the side. “Yeah?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1USFiyueyD
“Do you think you could yell what color you kick on the ball as you kick it? To make things more fun?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDyyYSqoeZ
It nodded eagerly, and set the ball down, giving it a massive kick, sending it a foot into the air. “Red!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHZgEXqGZl
Mangle kicked it back. “Blue!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFnVIGMBxY
“White!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu8DY33PHN
“Green!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwEITiek8z
“Lellow!” it yelled, causing Mangle to chuckle.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqBgw4I7ws
“That’s ‘yellow’, It,” they gently corrected.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr6V7w5zrG
Some of the other experiments were noticing their game, and coming over to watch. “How d’ya play that?” an older one with a smattering of freckles everywhere asked.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgzHhLQoZa
“You kick and yell color you kick!” it explained. “Wanna play?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCLZEw7wvY
The experiment nodded and Mangle kicked the ball over to it. “Have fun,” they said.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmdpnNi7a7
It looked over to Mangle. “No play?” it asked with sadness tinging its voice.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxySU3dDtY
“You have a lot of new friends who want to play with you. We can play every day in your room.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80ayaHGhKi
It seemed to understand, but wasn’t happy all the same. “Okay, ‘Angul. I go play.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6jEGpi8Dv
Mangle waved it off. “Let me know when you’re tired, I’ll take you back to your room.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQFv46uOjF
It nodded and ran off. A few scientists approached them, but they paid the others no mind. After all, they didn’t need to worry about coworkers dashing off never to be found again.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS6h762cNY
“Are you out of your mind, Jess?!” one of them asked. “You can’t teach an experiment to fly!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnFFGvRKUl
Mangle shrugged. “I need to see if the wings are functional. How else am I supposed to tell?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRs1BwzlQ8
“Well, you could just ask it to stretch them, instead of giving it fanciful ideas of flight!” another hissed. “Are you trying to get this place shut down?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxk9wChMWV
“On the contrary, I’m trying to boost its funding,” Mangle replied.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8qxzNaeKN
“We’re all gonna be labeled as abomination activists because of you!” another shouted.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvhrcr4oZO
“Bomashun. Again, that word, bomashun,” a small voice said from between the scientists’ legs. “‘Angul, done playing. Feel tired.” It looked sad, as well, but it said nothing, and neither did Mangle.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0ESFLPvqe
Mangle nodded and offered it their hand. “Well, then, let’s go, shall we?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTXicCA31V
Halfway through the hallways it stopped. “You okay, It?” Mangle asked.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozPXSkBjxF
“Hurts walking,” it complained.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GZg2nxsoD
“Here,” Mangle picked it up and rested it on their hips. “I’ll carry you.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTGzOQdW3P
It rested its head on Mangle’s shoulder and hummed. “Nice, ‘Angul,” it said sleepily.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLAUvlQLWy
Mangle rubbed circles on its back as they walked, until it was out cold. Good thing, too, since Dr. James was standing outside its room, completely livid. “I can explain,” Mangle said.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku2rOWQMjp
Dr. James just scoffed.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jg2h8dICX
“I’m serious, I genuinely believe that this is the best way to find out if the wings on a subject are fully functional. It’s so smart that what we’d normally have to wait another 2 years for can be achieved right now! Don’t you understand the opportunity this allows us?!” Mangle implored.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqz2owZSaO
“Your speech is touching, Mangle, but the fact remains that this is even worse than playing up sympathy for a subject!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbi5MYc14C
Mangle stood in front of Dr. James’ desk, trying to keep their temper in check. “You and I both know that sooner or later we will be asked more than just simple grafting questions. When that time comes, I’ll be prepared. I’m trying to help us here! What would you rather me do, if not this?! I can’t teach it anything, because that encourages it to think, I can’t give it the tests we have here, because even the different angles I put on it don’t keep the subject occupied for long! It’s brilliant, and it’s bored. That is never a good combination, but you keep shooting me down on ways to keep it in check! Do you want it to get so bored it escapes and we’re forced to terminate it?!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrRGE6NA0g
“YES!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPiIY5qL2k
Mangle stopped, jaw dropped. “What?” they whispered. “That’s an entirely new organism we’ve created. It can think on its own, live on its own, in a few years with a few basic teachings we could release it into the wild and it would be completely self-sufficient, and you just want to throw that all away?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7xnIfckvT
Dr. James stiffened. “You ought to remember your place, Mangle. You don’t make the decisions on this project, I do. And I know that thing thinking is a threat to us all, but I can’t kill it because of that, because then every subject will be brought into question. But, if it were to escape, by sheer dumb luck, we could kill it off no problem. No questions asked. A bit of ridicule from activists, but when don’t we get that? I have this project’s best interests in mind at all times. Do you?”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweh9g7zyT0
“That is a life out there you’re speaking of. Not a human life, maybe, but it is a life nonetheless.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh68iCFsEb
“It is an abomination!” Dr. James shouted.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiE4B1oJWX
“Yes, so you keep saying! You see something ugly, something to throw in the wastebin! You’re like a toddler! You want a shiny, new toy, but as soon as something else catches your eye, or it gets dirty, you move away from it and forget about it! You keep on insisting this is your life’s work, why don’t you concern yourself with it a bit more! I see a whole new life! Something that has never been achieved before! Something for the history books! You fail to understand, we used a human base for these projects! Its development will follow one of a child! And we have this anomaly, we accidentally found a genius base, one that we can use to show optimum results for this experiment, and you, Dr. James, you just want to throw that opportunity away, because you fail to understand that you can nurture a flower to grow as big as you can make it and have it reach its full potential, while still being controlled and never having it go anywhere you don’t want it to!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFBcBEqSZC
“ENOUGH!” Dr. James yelled. “ONE MORE WORD LIKE THAT AND I’LL KICK YOU OFF THIS PROJECT!”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN19hDtPpkc
Mangle clenched their jaw. “...Fine. But know that I’m not about to stop my work.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnQWaiT3lZ
They stormed out of the office and took a few deep breaths. Their temper needed to stay in check. They couldn’t get kicked off this project, it was far too big an opportunity and far too many questions would be raised. They headed to the subject’s room, to see what it was doing. Watching it sleep might prove to be cathartic. But when they got there, the door was ajar and a janitor was already there. She had a small radio hooked to her belt that was singing about dungeons and mountains and journeys, and she was dancing and humming along with something in addition to the radio. They saw upon closer inspection, that the woman was dancing with the subject, spinning and twirling and laughing as they both made up their own dances to the songs.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbVlHpRuXU
Mangle said nothing, and continued on their way out of the labs to their apartment. What went on during the janitor’s job and what she did was really none of their business. She was nice, a bit young, and she needed the job. So if she got close to the subjects in their own rooms where there were no cameras to tell the higher-ups, why should they? It was something private, none of their business.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGLIoZMruF
It surely wasn’t the smiles on both faces that made him keep quiet, no, cold-hearted Mangle would never allow it. But…sympathetic, new Mangle could let it go if they never saw it happen again. If they purposefully went to the communal kitchen while the janitor did her rounds, well, they would never tell.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnPJDnGbjC
