He was tucked away, listening to the scribbles of pen on paper as he jotted down notes on his latest tests. The room was dark and quiet, leaving much to the imagination as he kept his perfect posture. Frustration was pushed back and denied access to his emotions, set features a blank component to his face and a canvas to anger.

It had to be done. Their screams echoed in his head, a reminder of what was lost, what would need to be replaced and what was a headache in of itself.

They broke the rules. They tried to leave. They stepped out of line. They. Defied. Him.

The ungrateful little brats — were they truly unaware of how much of a setback this was to his research?

"Novi..." came a meek voice and he froze, his brow pinching behind his glasses as he sighed, straightened, and slowly turned to the door. Peering from behind the wall stood his last little test subject, his meek and mild mannered mouse. Annoyance fanned like flame.

"What are you doing out of bed?" He scolded in a dulled tone of raspy intent, watching the timid creature cower back behind the door frame. You were the only one left — the only one who hadn't rebelled or fought back or questioned him. You were more like a puppet...and though not a child of his own blood...your poor mind was broken to the point you viewed him in the protective light of a father. A cold one...but Novi didn't care to change it. As long as you obeyed. And right now...you weren't. "You are aware you're not to leave- how did you even get out of your room?" Those words were trying to keep up a calm facade as he stood.

"I...I..." you look down — a frail, broken little thing.

He walks over, lifting your chin and cupping your face, allowing his thumb to trace over your cheek. He wouldn't allow you to follow in the footsteps of your 'siblings' no...no you were going to be perfect — whether you were of a stable mind or not. He wouldn't allow his research to be ruined by this...

"Come." He laces your hand. "Let us return you to bed, it is important you do not fall ill again."