Isolation

"Alright Alright calm down!" I said to all the little ones as they squeaked loudly on the metal table. There were twelve new ones: an 8-Ball, a small toy basketball, a glass bottle, a plastic bracelet, a fake egg, origami, a lollipop, a small pillow, a nail, a purple marker, a small clock, and a patch of grass. So many to keep track of.

"8-Ball!" I screamed, grabbing him before he rolled off the table. He had no arms or legs, so he can't keep himself very balanced yet. They all crawled around pretty quickly, it was too much to handle. So I tried to grab all of them. I put three in each pocket, knowing it won't hurt them. And holding three in each hand. I could hear all the small giggles and squeaks, with at least two biting my hands. I used my foot to open the door to a room and set all of them down. They all squeaked, the different chirps making me smile. I pulled out my phone and took a quick video for Teressa. Just as I put my phone away, Foster stood next to me.

"Are they all wearing their tape?" He asked calmly. I nodded silently.

"Good, I pick..." they began, kneeling down to the small objects, I felt myself tense up.

"You." They said, picking up Clock and handing him to me.

"I want him isolated."

"Is something wrong?" I asked, concerned for the poor thing.

"No, just testing. I want to see how it grows and develops in isolation. You will keep it there and it will never interact with anyone while it grows, and you won't interact either. It may interact with others after it is fully grown but you are forbidden from teaching it anything." I stood silent, looking down at Clock. His small legs pushed against my hands, as he tried to navigate his surroundings.

"I'll assume you understood." He said, walking away. I couldn't do that. That's neglect! It has to be! I put a finger near his legs and watched him fascinate over the new thing in his way. I didn't want to do this. I opened the door to an empty room and hesitated. I kissed the tip of my gloves finger and pressed it to Clock's head.

"I love you," I whispered quietly, setting him down, the same as I said to Leaf. Poor things. I love them. All of them. Once we're out of I'll spoil them all to bits. I set Clock on the grass and stared at him a second longer before closing the door.

The day went by very slowly after that. Even with the joy of caring for the other eleven. There was still a horrible weight on my shoulders when I got to feed all of the little ones but set one of the food balls in Clocks room with no help. I ducked into my office and opened my phone to watch the video. Poor thing. Hopefully, he won't be outcasted. I put my phone away and gave everyone else food, leaving myself with free time. I took the time to send Teressa the video. I put my phone away, I don't think I could stomach how much she'll love it. Because they doesn't know what will happen to Nail tomorrow, or how Clock is being neglected. Maybe I should stop sending them pictures. But then she gets worried that something happened. I hate lying to her. I sighed and decided to check on the new ones. When I opened the door they all stopped and looked at me.

"Hi!" I said, hoping to hear it back.

"H-I!" Pillow said in my direction, now they should recognize my voice when they open their eyes. I lifted her up and she nibbled the end of my finger. I pet her head and felt another one grab at the bottom of my pants.

"Why hello there!" I said lifting Bottle up. She lied comfortably in my hand. I wanted to stop her but most of them were asleep anyway. I smiled, carrying them both to the sleeping rooms. I opened all the doors and set Bottle in her designated room. When I tried to set Pillow down though she grabbed my finger and wouldn't let go. She squeaked and held tight.

"It's okay! I'll be back soon!" I said, petting her again. She seemed upset, but she let go. I find it weird how they're born with such attachment. I have no clue where it's from. Snowball was clearly clingier (or he WAS), but it seems how clingy they are varied between them. I suppose they were basically born with their personality. Weird. I decided to let all the new ones go to bed, taking them two at a time to their room. As I grabbed them I noticed how small Grass was. He looked very frail and didn't make noise. His breaths were very weak and slow. It scared me. But I didn't mark him defective

"Dr.Xavier?" A voice called as I went to grab for Clocks door.

"Yes...?" I asked quietly.

"He'll be staying there. No need to put him in the sleeping rooms." He explained calmly, not bothering to look at me as he spoke.

"Of course," I said calmly, trying to hold in some guilt. The poor thing didn't even get to have the comfort of the small sleeping room with pretty little star lights. Something even the clingy ones found comforting.

With everyone in bed, I could finally go home and finish up paperwork. And when I got home I flopped on the couch and began working. It was weird to fill it out. Paperwork felt so formal. Felt like I was filling this out for children. Which made me feel worse. I jumped at the sound of my ringtone.

"Hello?" I asked urgently.

"Jeez, Shawn! Did I wake you? I just got off." She asked me nervously. I adjusted myself on my couch.

"Oh. Sorry I was just startled. How was work, Teressa?" I asked them. They sighed.

"Boring as all hell let me tell you! But I wanna hear about your job! How are those little things you got?!" She asked excitedly. I sat silent. I hated lying to her. I had no one to rant to about listening to Foster so willingly.

"Oh! I saw the video! They chirp like little birds it's so cute! I didn't know you made more! How many are you gonna make?" I thought for a moment.

"I don't really know. It's not my choice. And the chirping is cute, but they only do it for one day!" I explained briefly, not really wanting to discuss them anymore.

"Well, That's still super cute! I'll have to get more of it Shawn or I'll be mad!" They joked happily.

"Of course- um I have to go, Teressa, I'll call probably tomorrow, we'll see." I tried to speak quickly to catch her off guard.

"Oh alright... are you mad at me?" She asked suddenly.

"NO! No- of course not!" I jumbled my words quickly, trying to reassure them.

"You just haven't been calling me as much, and you just seem really eager to leave... I'll leave you alone if you need me too, I know you're real busy now..." her voice sounded strained like she was holding back tears.

"No no no! I am busy Teressa! I wouldn't avoid you on purpose! Promise!" I didn't want to avoid her. I really didn't. But she'd probably hate me if they knew what I've helped Foster do. So they couldn't know.

"Alright, Shawn. Call me when you can." She said, her voice quiet, before hanging up. I set down my phone slowly. I've never heard her so upset. I have to keep my job. I have to figure out how to save those children. Even if I don't talk to Teressa again.

Aha

Ahaha

Can you tell It's filler??

It's a little filler I'm sorry y'all

Also apology for the million years it took haha

:•)