Being Different 

Eraser leaned against the wall of the day room, reading a book from the cart.

"They're so weird right?" Match asked as she approached him. He looked up from his book to the defectives. He always thought they looked weird.

"I don't get why they didn't just put all those freaks into the other room, poor Needle has to be the only normal one in there!" He ranted, glaring at the defectives. It was a horrid mindset they held, but they never really cared that it was mean.

"Yeah, she like doesn't deserve that! I bet hanging around those things is what messed Leaf up!" Pencil added, joining the conversation.

"You think that was it?" Building Block asked curiously.

"Oh yeah, I bet they're contagious!" Pencil said, disgusted. They all murmured in agreement. The room went quiet as they heard a wrenching scream. Match scoffed, crossing her arms.

"See? They can't even contain themselves, it's so dramatic."

- - -

I held Nail down, one of my fingers covering her eyes. She kicked and screamed as Foster filed down her sharp point. Her screams were animalistic, full of pain and horror. I could only imagine how much it hurt.

"Okay, that's done, one more thing." They explained calmly, picking up pliers. They grabbed her from me and forced the pliers in her mouth. I listened in silence as he ripped out one of her teeth, as he did with all the defectives. It felt kinda unnecessary, especially when I saw all their weird spotty smiles. Foster handed me the crying Nail. I turned and began comforting her as I walked away.

"Xavier, a question." Why did he always do that?

"I've noticed the grass blades haven't opened its eyes yet. And it's very quiet. Are you sure it's alive?" They questioned.

"Yes, he's breathing." He thought for a moment, then looked at me.

"If it keeps up this slow development I'll be marking it defective." I nodded as if I understood. Grass couldn't be marked defective. I couldn't put another on the kill list. I'd just have to either hide slow development or make sure he catches up with everyone.

The day went by pretty slow. But it was fun! I taught all the little ones how to walk. They all learned pretty quickly as expected. Except for Grass of course. While everyone had learned how to walk, he still hasn't opened his eyes. Or talked. But he's at least made weak squeaks. It worried me. I had to do something about it. So I let everyone back into their room to interact. I took Grass with me to my office and sat criss-cross on the floor. I pushed my finger against his mouth. He didn't open his mouth or react besides his face scrunching in annoyance. I put my finger near his small hands and he did not grab it. He had no real reaction like others instinctively had. Was he born too early? How could that be? Maybe he didn't develop all the way. I have to remedy this.

I could take him home.

A ludicrous thought.

Was it?

I don't think Foster checked if everyone was there. I could put Grass in my pocket and bring him back tomorrow and no one would notice. At home, I can interact with him more in an attempt to help him catch up. Easy plan. No, I'm anxious. No- it's easy. I put Grass in his day room and continued on with my day.

Everything went normally of course, but when the day came to a close the thought lingered in my mind. And I did it. When I put everyone in their rooms I sneakily put Grass in my pocket, then closed the doors. I gathered all my things anxiously and left as quickly as I could. Once I opened my car door I took off my coat and took Grass out. I curled my coat and buckled it against the seat. I put Grass snugly in the small divot in the coat. Hopefully, he's secure. I got in myself and quickly pulled out of the parking lot.

The whole drive home I kept anxiously peering over at Grass, who rested quietly in the passenger seat. I shouldn't have done this. Foster is going to know! He is going to fire me. And if he does I'm sure no one good will replace me. When I was in school I brought up to a classmate something about how bad animal testing was, he squinted, telling me it was for the greater good. Someone like that classmate would replace me. And they would have no sympathy for my kids.

I called Teressa as soon as I stepped through the door. I didn't care if she was off work yet but I was extremely nervous about all this.

"Shawn? I'm getting off work soon, is something wrong?" She asked sympathetically.

"I made a mistake!" I sputtered, looking at the small baby in my arms.

"Oh, what happened?!" Teressa asked nervously.

"I took one of the kids home! I didn't think this through!" Grass laid quietly in the coat.

"Oh my god! Never took you for a rule breaker!" I groaned.

"Because I'm not! I wasn't thinking!" Teressa sighed.

"Just watch him till I'm off work, I'll call you back!" They said.

"Well I- Fine. Talk soon." I said hanging up and shoving the phone in my pants pocket. Grass had barely moved, still breathing softly. Luckily his breathing was much steadier and he was occasionally squeaking. I pulled Grass away from the coat and used my other hand to push a finger towards him. His arm moved! That's a start. No real reaction though. How about... I went into the bathroom and ran water over my finger. I pressed my finger to Grass's mouth. And he opened his mouth in response! I was giddy! I tried the same method on his hands, and he moved them. He didn't grab my finger, as I hoped. But he still moved his arms and hands as a reaction to cold water. It's a start.

I put small drops of water on his hands to distract him while I ate dinner. Just as I started Teressa called me back.

"Just got off! How is your rule-breaking going?" She asked, snickering.

"It's not funny! But it's going well. I've gotten much more down than I could have in the lab!" I said enthusiastically, watching Grass move his own hands to his mouth in reaction.

"What are you fixing with the kid anyhow?" They asked curiously.

"He didn't develop all the way. He's behind on his growing." She was silent for a moment.

"So he's like a pre-me baby?" She asked. I thought about it. I suppose that's kinda the human equivalent. Besides the fact that they grow way quicker.

"Kinda, but they all grow very fast, so he's catching on."

"Oh, that's good. Send me a picture why don't you? Love your little project!" They exclaimed. Didn't like the name "project". But not like they knew. I took the phone from my ear and snapped a picture of Grass, who laid in my coat again. I sent it and put the phone to my ear again.

"You like?" I asked. She chuckled.

"Yes! He's such a cutie! They all are!" She said happily. I hope she never finds out now.

"Oh, I gotta call you later!" I exclaimed. They seemed confused.

"But we just started the call!" She complained. I sighed.

"Oh y'know, project stuff..." I explained with a weak smile.

"Alright call when you can!" She sounded cheerful, but I could hear her disappointment.

"Will do." I hung up. I couldn't be on the phone for too long because I hated lying to her. I've lost my appetite. I took Grass with me to my room and sat him on my bed, and I sat across from him. He sat up well, that's good.

"Hi, Grass," I said cheerfully, he looked up at me. Good reaction time. No response though. Not my real concern now. I just need him to open his eyes. That's all for now. I used my new method and put a small bit of water over his eyes. He reacted with rubbing his eyes with great coordination. I smiled. It didn't work but he's moving well. I brought him back to my living room and set him on the couch. I turned on a random show, so he could hear the sounds. It worked better than talking constantly.

I closed the fridge door, putting away my juice. Cup in hand, I walked back into the living room and almost dropped the glass. Grass's eyes were open, staring at the TV, clearly encapsulated by the bright colors of the cartoon. I gasped, catching his attention. He squeaked, covering his face to hide himself. I quickly set down my glass and kneeled to his level.

"No! Don't be scared! It's me, Xavier!" I explained softly. Grass slowly lowered his hands, looking at me with calm eyes. I pet his blades, causing a small smile on his face. When I pulled my hand back it seemed that his blades moved on their own! How cute. He held both his hands up, motioning for me to hold him. I lifted him up and looked into his eyes. I'm so glad he's not going to be killed now.

Um....It's been, lemme count17 days

Not as long as it felt

But here it is! A whole chapter (basically) bout grass

Lovely boy

:•)