TW: Infliction of wounds, manipulation, and mention of depression

I also wanted to put a warning that though this work is arguably pretty dark already, it's going to get quite a bit darker from here on out. I won't get too graphic, but some things that are implied or that might happen will be quite a bit more dark than previously. If you feel like this is not the best thing for you, please don't sacrifice your mental well being for my writing. I appreciate all of you who read this, but it truly is okay if you feel like this is not good. I want you all to be safe my loves :)

Elizabeth struggled with empathy, but it had only gotten tougher in the most recent years.

After a battle with postpartum depression following the birth of her first child, Katelyn, she had felt entirely apathetic towards many individuals, especially children. Though she felt guilty and tried to deny these emotions, it always followed her as a shadow not reflective of her physical figure.

Though she shared the same battle of depression as Garte did, Elizabeth's came out in the form of aggression and pure apathy.

When she injected the potion into Aphmau along with Zack and Michael, the little one screamed and cried the entire time. Elizabeth continued as normal and didn't offer any comfort to the little girl. If Zack wasn't comforting his daughter, she wasn't going to take the initiative.

When Katelyn's potion was injected, she did not scream or cry at all. Elizabeth did not offer any form of words or comfort to her daughter. Katelyn was not crying simply because she knew that her mother would be of no comfort to her, so there was no point in sobbing.

However, Elizabeth could not shake the visual of Garroth lying on the table with no life force in him.

She had always found the look in Garte's eye pathetic. And yet, to Elizabeth, there was nothing pathetic about that look when he was viewing his child dead on a table in front of him.

Michael insisted that the three of them move past what happened and continue to run the experiments. Regardless of whether or not Elizabeth and Zack felt as though they needed to process everything that happened, they were forced to push forward.

"Are you ready for today?" Elizabeth asked as she walked into the room Zack was sitting in.

They were going to begin experimentation on Garroth today. Though they knew Michael had only told Garte about intellectual testing, they were planning on starting with physical testing in a short amount of time.

"I hope so," Zack shook his head and straightened his back.

Elizabeth and Zack had discussed that it would be best for Zack to start with the experiments on Garroth. The little one knew Zack better and, supposedly, trusted him more.

The room was set up like a home living room. The lighting was warm and dim. There were some toys around and comfy chairs with a safe environment for a child to be somewhat active in.

There was a soft knock at the door. Elizabeth got up to open the door. At the other side was Garte, holding the hand of his oldest son.

Even though they had saved him, Zack and Elizabeth found it so strange to see Garroth standing up and walking rather than being carried. Though his face still had yet to be completely filled out, he appeared so much more lively than he had previously.

"Hi, Garroth," Zack smiled and greeted the boy.

Garroth gave a small wave as he shied away behind his father's leg. Garte placed a hand on his son's head. He glanced at both Elizabeth and Zack distrustingly.

Zack could see that Garte was struggling to function as he normally did. Though he tried not to feel empathetic, he couldn't imagine how hard it would be for Garte knowing that everyone else's memories had been erased.

"Come on in, Garroth," Elizabeth said, somewhat ordering the boy.

Garroth slowly crept forward, but was stopped by Garte's gentle grasp on his shoulder. Garroth looked up at his father unsure as to what he should be doing.

"Good to see the both of you," Michael's voice boomed menacingly from behind Garte.

Garte turned sharply with his hand still on his son's shoulder. Michael's grey eyes shot an aggressive glare towards him. Garte sighed and took his hand away from his son.

Garroth tugged at his father's dress shirt sleeve. He was still fearful and unsure. Garte, however, shot an assuring smile down at his son.

"Go on, buddy," Garte gently ruffled his son's hair. "I'll be right outside when you're all done."

Garroth nodded and slowly crept forward towards Zack again. Just before the door closed behind them, Elizabeth followed, leaving Zack to question little Garroth on his own.

"I'm glad you followed through, Garte," Elizabeth commented in a tone equally as menacing as Michael's.

Garte nodded and glanced at the door again. He was still unsure and on edge. They were feet away from the room Garroth had screamed so desperately in. The room he had died in.

As Garte was nodding to whatever Michael and Elizabeth were saying, a man with white hair and emerald green eyes walked into the room. A friendly smile spread across his face.

"Ah, Garte, have you met Terrance here?" Michael exclaimed.

"Terry, Michael," Terry laughed as he corrected his friend. "And we've met briefly during a business deal."

Garte looked at Terry and immediately remembered him. Though he did not know Terry well at all, Garte immediately felt comforted in his presence. There was something completely genuine in his friendliness.

"Good to see you, Terry," Garte softly smiled and spoke up.

"I didn't know your son was participating in these experiments as well," Terry shook Garte's hand.

Feeling a pit sink into his stomach, Garte was unsure whether or not he would be able to explain his situation to Terry in the presence of both Michael and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, however, cut in, "Terry has his son Travis participating as well. We're very excited to incorporate him."

Terry nodded at Elizabeth. He was not in the least bit apprehensive about these experiments. He was every stereotype of a businessman, confident and outspoken.

"Well, I'll be very excited to get to work with you more," Terry smiled at Garte.

While the others were out behind the door, Zack was in the room with Garroth. Knowing there was a camera recording his actions, Zack began.

"So, Garroth, can you start by telling me how old you are?" Zack requested.

"Four," Garroth said, missing the R.

Garroth and Zack were sitting across from each other at a table. Though there were crayons and paper at the table, Garroth had yet to touch them.

"Do you remember who I am?" Zack inquired. He could sense the distrust.

"Daddy's friend," Garroth explained. "And Aphmau's dad."

Zack smiled, "That's right."

Garroth started to settle into the situation. He felt his nervousness lessen and the surroundings were becoming more familiar.

"Now, Garroth," Zack adjusted himself. "Were you sick for a long time these past couple months?"

Zack was doing his best to make sure that the little one had forgotten everything. Garroth furrowed his eyebrow, looking like a mini version of his father. He shook his head rapidly.

"Oh, good," Zack nodded, deciding not to elaborate any further. This only left Garroth confused, but did not break the slowly establishing trust.

"Now, Garroth, do you know what your dad does for work?" Zack changed the subject.

Garroth had reached for the paper and crayons and begun scribbling on the page. He didn't seem to have a clear drawing in mind.

"Mmhm," Garroth stated. "He is a daddy and a businessman."

Zack nodded, "That's right, buddy. What does he do when he works as a dad?"

"He says that's his biggest job. He does daddy things and Momma does momma things," Garroth stated.

Zack could tell that was something Garroth was told since he was very little. He smiled at the little one again. It was very clear how loved those three little boys were.

He so greatly wished he had that relationship with Sylvanna.

"And what does daddy do as a businessman?" Zack inquired.

"He does math all the time," Garroth smirked. "Ew."

Zack laughed at his response. Though Garte and Zianna worked together in their company, Garte dealt with all the math in the business. His aptitude for statistics and actuary science was always evident, even in childhood.

"Do you know what job I have?" Zack asked.

"You're a doctor," Garroth continued scribbling across the paper.

"Good job," Zack got up and started slowly making his way over to Garroth. "And do you know what a doctor does?"

"Makes people feel better," Garroth responded, looking up as Zack was making his way toward him.

Zack took a deep breath and knelt down right beside Garroth. He did not want to manipulate the child. Garroth was the guinea pig for all of the experiments going to be run on the children. If Garroth responded well to the painful injuries they were about to inflict on the children.

Though it would be Elizabeth actually causing the injuries on his daughter, he would be a catalyst in hurting her.

But, to him, it was his job. It was for the good of the world.

His career was the most important of all.

Zack knelt down and fiddled with the incredibly sharp pocket knife that was in his pocket. He took it out, but did not yet take out the blade.

"You know how shots hurt, buddy?" Zack inquired.

Garroth nodded hesitatingly. He did not like where this conversation was going.

"But they make it so you don't get sick," Zack stated. Garroth nodded again.

"Well, this might hurt," Zack stated as he pulled out the blade. He touched the blade to little Garroth's knee. "But it will help us so that you won't get sick anymore."

He only planned to cut slightly. Hardly above a scratch. He was going to stick to that plan, no matter what.

As he instructed Garroth to take a deep breath, he sliced the little one's knee with a cut barely deep enough to bleed. The pain, however, was still very present for Garroth.

While Zack and Garroth had been having their conversation, Elizabeth and Terry had briefly excused themselves from the conversation. Garte felt, once again, uncomfortable with standing alone with Michael.

"Oh, by the way," Michael began speaking. His entire demeanor changed.

Michael was trying to put on the facade that he truly cared. He knew Garte was vulnerable, and would easily believe the lie that Michael had his best interest in mind.

"Hm?" Garte inquired, put off by the sudden change in demeanor.

Michael was unusually excited to twist Derek's words. Something about separating the two best friends of years gave him an usual adrenaline rush.

"I should probably let you know that Derek, for whatever selfish reason, didn't want me to even offer to save Garroth to you."