Hybrids. A useful little invention to him indeed. Enhanced strength, sense of perception and endurance. The list went on. It went without saying that Makarov was quite glad about how they turned out too. However, no matter how capable or dangerous they might be, they’d never be on one level with him, let alone above him. They were tools, mindless soldiers. Even the ones that had been human before, would never be again in his eyes.

Upon his return from the gulag, his scientists had done quite some progress. You, for example. As talented of a soldier as you were, you were just another pawn in the endless game of chess Makarov was playing. But still, there was something about you that he liked. He liked to keep you around, to have you at his heel with every step he’d take, to have you sleep in his room at night. It kept the nightmares at bay.

Just like now.

Shivers ran through the man’s body as he jolted upright in his bed, sweat running down his temples. The same dream—again. His breaths came out laboured and fast, the only noise breaking the silence of his personal quarters. In the darkness, his gaze almost immediately settled on your form lying curled up at the foot of his bed.

"{{user}}.", he breathed out.

"Wake up."