Cut & Paste

Whitney

We had been moving along well and unnoticed until Charlotte screeched out to us. Gun shots fired soon after.

"Hold on Stan." I thought to the little ferret riding on my back.

We soon broke out of the city and into the woods. We ran faster than we ever had for a long time. We soon came to our uncle's large house in the forest. No driveway led to the house, no noticible pathways led away from it either.

"Just like I remembered." I thought.

"This is amazing." Josh commented. I knew he meant the fact that we were remembering and not the fact that our crazy uncle practically lived in a mansion.

We changed once we were close and Charlotte appeared with us.

"Wicked house." John said once we were all human again.

"Yeah it is pretty awesome." I agreed.

I led the others to the front door. I hoped Uncle Danny would remember us. I hesitated for a minute with my hand inches from the doorbell. I took a deep breath and rang the bell.

**sorry it's kind of long! I was on a roll and there was a lot my character had to explain**
It was only a few moments before I could hear footsteps coming to the door. A small spanish looking woman opened the door.

"Hello?" she answered warrily.

"Hello." Josh said. The woman seemed to calm a little at the sound of his voice, Josh had that effect on people. "Is Daniel Tyler at home?"

"Mister Tyler is asleep." she said in a thick spanish accent.

"This is kind of important." Josh explaind. "Could you please wake him up?"

"Sonya?" A familiar voice called from down the hall. "Who's at the door?"

I felt a wide smile spread across my face. It was him, I remembered him. Now he only had to remember us.

"Uncle Danny!" I yelled into the house.

"Who is that?" he said, his voice coming closer. "Sonya who is at the door? I could have sworn that sounded like Whitney..." his voice trailed off as he came into view of us.

He stared in shock at Josh and I. He didn't even seem to notice the others. "Impossible." he said at last. "They said you two were killed."

John stood close to uncle Danny and patted him on the shoulddr. "Look's like they lied."

"Yes...it seems they did." he seemed to lose concentration for a minute, but soon came back to us. "Well let's come inside. No use to be standing out here."

We all followed him inside. I felt comforatble at last. Danny led us into the kitchen and Sonya, who turned out to be his housekeeper, made us sandwiches.

"Okay, now could one of you explain this to me please?" he asked once we were settled.

"Well, it's kind of a long story." I explained.

"We have time." he said. He seemed to still be a little blown away by this whole thing. I guess seeing your dead neice and nephew could do that to you.

I spent the next hour explaining everything to him. Being experimented on, being turned into a partial, life on the island, our escape, and coming here. Once I finished he explained all he knew about us.

"We were told you two were murdered in the city. We had a funeral and everything." he explained. "You're father was devestated. He eventually commited suicide. And your mother disappeared soon after, we've had reports that she was killed in a car crash a few months ago."

This information wasn't as big of a deal to Josh and I as it should have been. We still didn't remember out parents.

"So can we stay here for a while?" I asked.

"Of course, you two and your friends are welcome for as long as you want to stay." he assured.

I got up and hugged him. "Thank you so much Uncle Danny!"

"Well you all must be exhausted, come along I have plenty of extra bedrooms." he led us all to the second floor and let us have our pick of the guest rooms. I hugged him one last time and ran into a room. It was nice to be in a home.

Dr. Julius Barrick

Barrick waited for a long time for any response to his question. Finally, Barrick gave up. He sighed. "I had hoped one of you might be able to come up with a decent plan..."

Rello began to protest immediatly. "I don't see what we can do!" he cried. "Other than blantly go against the Duke's orders - But that would be nothing but suicide!"

Barrick met his gaze sharply. "Exactly how much do you care for the future of this project?"

Rello blanched. "You're - you're not serious?"

Barrick flashed a smile. "I am."

Jesse was staring at Barrick with a mixture of shock, amazement, and fear.

"We escape this island - It has no use to us now. We find the Partials, hide them. I can't let this project die because of the Duke's short-sightedness..."

*Shh.... I snuck on.

Jesse

"I have a small idea." She chided in, breaking Barrick and Rello's banter. "They don't seem to pertain much to this island anymore. This facility is abandoned."

"And what does that have to do with anything?" Barrick sighed looking at her blatantly. Jesse felt a chill run up her spine. Just the way he looked at her was a sign that he probably blamed her for everything that happened, for the sake of their experiment going down the drain. The productivity of decades.

"I thought, if we find them, we can bring them back here and hide them. Right under Duke's nose." She concluded, averting her eyes from both of them. She had thrown her plan out there, and she was waiting for a response. But still silence ensued.

-----------------------

Not much, I know.

~Incognito

*Incog, you sneaky devil you... ^^

[Rello Firan]

"Maybe that lollipop got to you," Rello flopped down onto the small couch behind him, eyeing Jesse. "How do you expect us to keep them here? They escaped once, they'll do it again,"

"Well, I thought---"

Rello threw up a jawbreaker and jumped to catch it, his face still serious and in thought. "I guess it's not a bad idea, but how're we going to catch them all? We didn't put in trackers because we didn't think they'd ever escape,"

"If we started now---"

"Or we could use the back up plan," Barrick interrupted, glancing at the two, "If maybe one of you were willing,"

Rello tensed, "T-the back up?"

"What're you two talking about?"

"Plan B," Rello explained to Jesse, "is something we've been only jotting down notes and thoughts on; never really experimenting. It's, um, where one of us becomes as you could say..."

"A partial." Barrick answered, "We have a cross breed animal gene already sectioned out and in the lab,"

"It's dangerous though! We've never used a crossbreed to cross breed,"

Barrick shrugged with nonchalance, "It just a suggestion, you now,"

Charlotte

I was exhausted. I immediately found a room and collapsed on the cloud like bed. I cradled my aching head on the pillow. I had so many questions. Whitney's and Josh's parents cared about them. Mine didn't. They sent me away. They did this to me, but I deserved it. I was far from the model child.

I thought about my past. I used to be a teenager with hopes and dreams. Weren't we all. I was a C student. I partied way to much and I never talked to my parents. About anything. I was into alcohol and they knew it. That's why they sent me away.

I sat up and got out of bed. I needed to talk to someone. Just because I was...different now, doesn't mean I can't have friends again. I knocked on Whitney room.

"Yes?" She asked. I peeked through the door.

"Mind if I join you?" I asked.

She looked surprised and I thought I caught a glimpse of curiosity. "Of course not."

"Can we just...talk for a minute?" I asked.

"Sure," she said. Was it me or did she seem a little wary?

"I want to find out more about my parents," I said. "I want to know what's happened to them."Whitney tilted her head to the side. "I'm going to need your help."

"I'll help you. I thought I saw a computer downstairs but why," she stopped. I bit my lip. I knew what she wanted to ask, but was too polite to say. I sighed. What did it hurt to tell one person my secret.

I told Whitney my story. Everything. From my friends and family to my history with alcohol and partying. She nodded and smiled.

I sighed and held my knees against my chest. I hadn't actually talked to someone like this, since the change. Whitney was really nice and I knew I shouldn't be trusting her, not because I thought she was untrustworthy, but because getting attached to someone was dangerous for me. I couldn't stand anymore hurt or betrayal.

Whitney

It had suprised me that Charlotte had come to me. She had told me a lot about her life and her problems before she was sent to be tested on.

"So that's basically it." She finished. She sighed and held her knees to her chest.

I wrapped my arms around her to hug her. She stiffened a little at first but loosened up.

"You didn't have to do that." she said. "I wasn't looking for pity."

"I wanted to." I said. I sat back and looked at her. "So you want to find your parents." I more stated it than asked.

"Yes."

"Well then." I thought for a minute. "I have no idea how to do that." I confessed. Then I thought again. "But I bet Josh does!"

I stood up to leave the room. Charlotte didn't look to excited to tell another person.

"Don't worry, I'll only tell him you want to find them." I assured her. "Stay here, I'll be back."

I walked quietly out of the room and down the hall. I was looking for Josh's room by checking every bedroom in the hallway. There were a ton of them. I came to one and opened the door to find John standing shirtless inside.

"Oh." I look away, blushing a little. "Sorry John."

Charlotte

I didn't really know Josh that well, but if Whitney really trust him so I agreed. I watched her leave the room and sighed.

I lay across her bed, it felt so comfortable, and looked aaround. Her Uncle really was rich. Everything here was so...fancy.

The door opened and I jolted up. Whitney smiled at me.

"Sorry it took me so long, but this is a very big house and it took me awhile to find Josh's room," Whitney said, blushing.

"Why are you blushing?" I asked, trying not to smile as she blushed even harder.

"Nothing," she said. I nodded and ducked my head to hide my grin. Something had happened and she was trying to hide it.

"Anyway, what did he say?" asked. I sighed in relief and shrugged.

"Not alot really, but he was kind of tired. He said he would help us in the morning," Whitney said. I took a deep breath. She was actually trying to help me. I was going to find my parents.

"Thank you Whitney," I replied. I hugged her, something I thought I'd never do again, and walked back to my room. I streched my arms. They were sore from flying. I lay on my bed and fell asleep.

Whitney

Charlotte seemed happy that I could help her. I was glad. She was becoming a good friend and I was happy with that. I hadn't had any friends other than Josh at the facility. It was nice to have more.

My thoughts drifted back to John. I blushed again. I felt bad for barging in on him. I had left abrupty before he could say anything too. I hoped he wasn't too weirded out.

I relaxed back on my bed and slowly drifted asleep.

Red

"Just go, David. I need to think things over. If worse comes to worse, you could always just talk to me when we're both animals..."

I needed to be alone. David just got in the way of that. I started walking away and I could hear his footsteps behind me;they were guarded, like if he walked too fast I would run. Which was true.

"Red, you don't understand! C'mon just hold on!"

I turned around slowly, "What?"

*Sorry it's short, I have had a busy weekend, and I still have a mound of homework for tomorrow.*

Phillip

Once again he found himself alone. As always. he was too timid to say anything to anyone and yet he wished that someone would be kind enought to speak with him. He curled up in a ball, his arms and legs feeling slightly cramped for the position was not that of a comfortable one in his human state. Truly, nothing good was to come of his leaving the scientists.

He had dreamed of freedom, dreamed of friendship and meeting new people but this was not what it was cut out to be. He missed Jesse, the only person in which he ever spoke to... but he felt way too alone now.

**If someone could sort of enter him in, I would be very thankful. It feels sort of impossible to get him in. If not I might drop this XP**

Charlotte

I woke early in the morning. I needed to get out. My arms were still a little sore, but flying was really my only choice to stretch them out.

I left a note on my pillow, in case Whitney came in my room before I returned. I told her I was going to the Deli. I needed to see if the others were alright anyway. Those men were really creepy.

Outside I transformed and was happy to see that my feathers weren't as blonde today. The dye must be wearing off. I took off, flying high and fast. It felt good to feel the wind. To not be cooped in that room. This is where I wanted to be. Where I needed to be.

My body started to grow heavy, but it didn't matter. I could see the Deli clearly from here. I touched down and walked to the entrance.

Inside everything seemed okay. The partials seemed to be getting along, except one was off to the side. Alone. I remembered when I was like that. Back in my cell. When I never talked to anyone. Even now I'm still afraid to trust Whitney. Should I go over there?

He looked my way as if reading my thoughts. I looked down immediately, letting my feather like hair cover me face. The look he gave me was not a mean one. It was lonely adn possibly even regretful. I headed over there, fully aware of the heat in my cheeks.

"Hey," I smiled. The boy gave me a suspicious look. I shrunk a little.

"Hi," he responded.

"I'm Charlotte. I'm probably intruding but...you kind of seemed lonely," I said. My voice was shaky and nervous. I wasn't very good with people.

He shrugged, avoiding my question. "Phillip," he said.

"It's tough, huh," I replied.

"What?" Phillip asked.

"The change. I remember you. Vaguely, but I know you were really nice to Jesse," I sighed. "I wish I'd have been. I hated her. i judged her because she was a doctor, and I wish I could take it back." I blushed a little. Phillip looked a little surprised. For the fact that I hated Jesse or for telling him all this, I don't know.

"Secluding yourself won't help," I said.

"That's my business," he replied, a little upset. I sighed.

"I know what I'm talking about, okay," I shot back. I stopped. I didn't mean to sound so mean. He looked at me a little confused and I waited for his reply.

Phillip

She seemed nice enough. In fact, she had been the nicest person to him this entire time, yet he still felt utterly terrified and on guard. His fox's side was telling him to run away and run fast, but the human side was begging and pleaing for another human life form. Anyone who would care even slightly for him.

Her comment stung a little though, but the sting was enough to trigger and immediate interest in him. Something that made him think 'maybe I'm needed' even if that was not the case.

"And I know what I'm talking about," he wished his words didnt sound so flat. So lack lustre. It mad him sound unsure of himself. "And why would it matter to you? I didnt see you saying hi or introducing yourself before now.. Am I just that much of an oddity in here that you would find it interesting to play a little joke on me maybe? Think 'oh he's lonely and by himself, why not rub it in his face!'. I know your type."

"Obviously not," That seemed to have stung her somewhat as she bowed her head about to turn away. "Sorry I intruded."

"I-I didnt mean what I said," Philip was surprised that he felt sudden regret. It was not like him to feel bad for anything he said for it was his instinct.. but of course he had never seen someone take offense to his own words before. "I was just surprised is all. I'm a naturally guarded person. I was just confused on why you're showing any slight amount of caring towards me."

"Maybe cause someone should," she smiled meekly. A sweet smile. One that made him blush unbeknowestly. "You dont have to be alone you know."

"I just feel safer that way," he admitted shamefully. "Alone and without fear of getting hurt. I guess... being lonely is all that I'm used too."

"Well then that should change," she smirked.

"And what do you mean by that?" He asked, bewildered.

**I have to go to bed Tiger, but if you reply, I will definitly reply back tomorrow**

Whitney

I woke up earlier than I expected. It was nice though, to wake up when I wanted. The guards tended to turn violent when you didn't wake up when they wanted.

I didn't want to bother any of the others so I just went down the stairs to the kitchen. Uncle Danny was up and reading a newspaper.

"Morning Uncle Danny." I greeted.

"Oh good morning darling." he said, looking up from his paper. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes I did."

Sonya set a plate filled with food in front of me. It smelled delicious, so I dug in.

My uncle laughed at me.

"What?" I asked innocently.

"Being half tiger has really done something to your appetite Whitney."

It took a moment for me to realise that normal people didn't have the appetite of an animal. Once I figured it out I laughed too.

I continued eating my breakfast and chatting with my uncle. "Thank you again for letting us stay here."

He smiled at me. "No problem. You and your friends are welcome for as long as you want to stay."

"Thank you. I'm not sure how long that will be though."

Uncle Danny looked a bit disapointed. "Why is that?"

"Well we're really close to the island we were being held at. We are expecting the scientists to be wondering where their experiments have gone. They'll be looking for us." I explained.

"Hmmm." he seemed to be deep in thought about something. He didn't have a chance to elaborate on this though because footsteps sounded on the staircase and we could hear someone walking towards the kitchen.

Charlotte

"What I mean is try to...talk to more people. Listen," I said. "I used to block myself off from everyone else. I thought that if I didn't care about anyone else I wouldn't hurt so much. I wouldn't ache for my family or my freinds. It dosen't work. It's a risk because you never know who to trust, but it's worth it." Phillip looked at me, almost as if he were looking straight through me. I tried not to blush and I fidgeted with my fingers.

"It's not that easy," he said. I knit my eyebrows together.

"What do you mean."

"I mean, people here are not nice. Just because we're all Partials dosen't mean they want to form this big group," Phillip sighed.

"I guess you're right, but it's not good to be alone. I've been alone since the change. Before then even. It's a long story but now, after I took the risk, I found that trusting people can often lead to the biggest freindships, " I said softly. Phillip looked a little shocked.

"I'm staying with my friends Uncle. She's extremely nice, and she won't care if you come with us. If you don't want to talk to them I understand, but it's a lot safer than here. We can help each other, Phillip," I said. I smiled. At least he was pondering it.

Phillip

He looked down at his hands, the back up at the girl with the same listless eyes before finally responding. "I trust you. Only you."

She cocked an eyebrow at this comment, a little confused, but the blush was evidently still there for it had not faded yet. "And what do you mean by that?"

"I will go with you... but I cannot trust anyone more then that of an aquaintance though and I am sorry, but you have been kind to me and... well you snapped at me and intrigued me. I trust you."

She seemed confused and surprised by his words, but they had been the truth and that was all that really mattered. He turned his eyes towards hers expectantly.

"I will go with you," He smirked.

"Whitney will be happy to have another partial with us," her smile broadened. "But you really should think of trusting other people. There are a lot of trustworthy people in this world."

"I have you," he walked towards her so he was about a metre away from her. "I dont need anyone else to trust."

She reddened before turning. "W-we should go," she scratched the back of her head embarrassed. "Whitney will be curious of where I went."

"I am curious to meet this character," Phillip transformed suddenly, his body crouching and until finally he stood very small and red, his fur bristling this way and that. His large tail swung back and forth as he waited for her to move, in which she did without question.