November 2021

“Kuro? It’s time for your medication.” The doctor said after opening the squeaky lab door. It was slightly dim with the light of the door brightening up the room a bit more. The doctor waited for a response but in return, she heard a low growl coming from the corner of the room.

A low, gravel voice responds “Come on doc, can we skip one day?”

“You know I can’t do that. It’s just a small pill today.”

Shuffling can be heard as the man gets up from sitting on the floor and walks towards the doctor. As he walks, he stretches and fluffs out his wings as his cat tail drags across the cold floor. Kuro is twenty-two and has been at this lab for fifteen years of his life. His parents sent him there after an ‘incident’ he had when he was seven. Growing up, Kuro was always angry and bitter over things that shouldn’t bother him at all. If his parents or his siblings asked him a question, there was always a chance something would be thrown. On some occasions, he has even kicked, bitten, or clawed at someone. His parents were worried about him and others around him, especially his twin sisters, so they asked a friend of theirs, who was a doctor, if they could run some tests to see what was wrong with him. Little did they know that their answer was right in front of them.

Kuro was a halfbreed. 

What is a halfbreed? A halfbreed is what scientists call a person who has both angel and demon DNA in them. This phenomenon rarely happens so there are almost no accounts of a halfbreed being born. Kuro is the first of his kind. Not only does he have black cat ears and a tail, but he also has angel and demon wings. Very unique.

Kuro walks over to the doctor and takes the pill and a cup of water from her hands. He pops the pill in his mouth and takes a swig of water almost immediately after to try to cover the taste. It clearly didn’t work because his nose wrinkled and ears went flat. “God, no matter how many times I take that pill, I’ll never get used to the taste.” The woman chuckled before writing something down on the clipboard she had with her. “You say that every time.”

“Because it’s true. That medicine is disgusting.”

“I’m aware, Kuro, but you have to take it.” There is a moment of silence before the man speaks up “Do I?” It takes the woman a second to process what he just said. She looks up from her clipboard and gives him a confused look. “Pardon?”

“Do I really have to take that medicine doc? I’ve been taking it off and on for the past fifteen years and not once have I felt any different. What is that pill even for?” The room goes silent except the faint sound of a pen scratching paper. “Doc-”

“The pill is used to help calm your nerves. Have you been feeling angry lately?”

“..No?”

“ Good, that means it’s working.” The scribbling starts again for a short moment. The woman stops, puts the pen behind her ear, and looks up at Kuro. “I think that’s all I have for you today! Thank you for your time and cooperation.” The doctor said with a cheerful smile as she turned back towards the door. Before she could shut the door fully, she hears a scoff from the man in the room. “Yeah, ‘time’ and ‘cooperation’. No offence doc but what else am I supposed to do? Tell you no?” She turns back to look at him.

“Do you remember the last time I said no?”

“Sadly, I do.”

“Then don’t say that to me again. There isn’t anything that ticks me off more” She grabs the pen from behind her ear and the clipboard again. “Why are you so upset?”

“Why am I so upset!? Why do you think! I’ve been stuck in this cold, dim room for my whole life thus far and I’m forced to pop pills or take blood tests against my will for one. For two, I’m labeled as ‘unpredictable’ so I’m constantly watched by you and other scientists. I can’t do anything without you taking note of it! Third, I just sit in the quiet room with my thoughts screaming at me for hours at a time. My mind constantly reminds me of the things I did as a kid. I miss my family. I miss my siblings. I want to see them again, apologize and hug them, make up for all the time I’ve missed with them.” In between his speech, Kuro’s eyes start to well up with tears.”So with that doc, I must ask, Will I ever be released? Or will I just sit in here for the rest of my life?”

The room shook with silence except with the faint sound of panting coming from Kuro. The doctor looked up at him with a sad expression stretched across her face. She hesitated before speaking again.”If I’m honest, the short answer is I don’t know. I feel like there are some things we still don’t know about you. It’s difficult to say if we can or not.” Kuro’s ears drooped down to the sides of his face, sad about her statement.”I’m so sorry about all of this. Kuro, I really am. By no means do we mean to harm or hurt you. You were sent here for us to help you.” She pauses and puts her hand on his shoulder.”And we will. I promise.” 

That’s the last thing said in the room before the door closed. The woman was now in a viewing room outside of Kuro’s room. She huffed and sat the clipboard on the nearby desk. It fell with a click before she turned to her right and started towards the viewing window to observe what Kuro would do next. Inside the room, Kuro slumped over as he walked back to the corner he originally sat in before she came in. He simply flopped on the floor and turned himself to face the wall once again. She sighs, running her hand through her wavy black hair. After watching for a bit, The doctor grabs the clipboard off the desk and walks out of the room. It was time to call it a day.