Chapter 8 · Apex Loop: Glitch Evolution - Chapter 8: Doctor's Favorite Pet

"Smile for me, pet." The collar slammed shut around my throat and yanked me straight up off the floor.

Acid dripped off my new arm. My new hand. Human fingers scrabbling at the steel.

"Let me go!" I choked out. "Get this thing off me!"

"Oh, Kane. Don't be rude." Vivian's voice poured through the speaker overhead, sweet and cold. "You just gave me a perfect evolution. The least you can do is let me look."

The glass wall lit up. She was right there. White coat, perfect hair, hands in her pockets like she was watching fish in a tank.

And next to her, behind the glass, was Grimm.

Alive. Beat up, bleeding from the mouth, but alive. His eyes locked on my hand. On my face.

"Holy shit," Grimm whispered. "Kane?"

My stomach dropped. No. No no no.

"You know him?" Vivian turned her head, slow. That smile got sharper. "Interesting."

"Don't," I said. My voice came out raw, half growl. "You don't know me."

"The hell I don't," Grimm said, louder now. He slammed his palm against the glass. "That's Kane! That's my cellmate!