Cellmates make the Best Friends

"Uhnf!"

Reta winced as she hit the cold wet stone floor hard, slipping when pushed through and falling into her new home. Something started dripping down her head, sliding down her eyebrow before a red droplet stained the ground past her peripheral vision, she grimaced and rolled to her side glancing a look at her captors.

"That all you got, big shot?"

Both soldiers glanced at each other before locking the steel door, only a small opening at eye level to peak through. Of course, the room in its entirety was dark minus the hung candlelight beside the door frame. Reta slid onto her back, fumbling with the knot tying her wrists together, ignoring the constant rattle from the chain locking her ankles close. Very stiff and hard to move, certainly the opposite of comfort for the young woman, however familiar she may be to this. Confidence was at her side, she held one secret to her advantage and hoped for a small window to peak outside. A glimpse into daylight would largely assist her, if her math was correct then the timing was drawing nearer.

Maybe tonight...

"Ow." She winced, squeezing her eye, shaking and turning as blood blocked her sight. So much noise from those chains banging onto the hard surface paired with her annoyance left her wide open and vulnerable for any amateur to sneak upon her. And sneak in, they did.

Something furry swiped at her forehead, smearing the blood trail and wiping it from her eye. She froze, looking upward and squinting into the dark. Lousy curse, never bothering to tone her abilities before was beginning to bite her in the butt now. Unbeknownst to her, someone was staring back at her. Reta's eyes were struggling to focus, her eyes were having trouble shifting from normal to wolf eyes and being unable to maintain them.

"Interesting, neither human or Monster. Well, unless you're new that is."

Her eyes widened, lifting her head and staring into nothingness. That voice caught her by surprise, carrying an analytical touch to this stranger's persona. Also, the light tone in voice left her assuming that her roommate was a woman. But what kind?

"Based on the enlarging of your pupil muscles and the change of color in your eyes, this suggest you are transitioning from exposure to the Monster gene."

She approached her now, closer yet remaining cautious and distant just in case.

"Hmm, no marking aroumd the neck area. Possible mate perhaps, otherwise suffering from a cursed state, albeit imperfectly casted. Signs showcase a struggle in transition, neither man nor monster maintains dominance."

"Woman, not man." Reta corrected her, laying on her side. Her face was being tickled by her hair laying awkwardly in this position. She huffed as her eyes scanned around, noticing a darkened shape. "And what the hell are you?"

"Definitely cursed." The woman mentioned, a paw extending outward from the darkened corner of the room before she crawled forward, coming close this time. She circled around the new prisoner, hair just as black as the room she drew comfort in, slim in appearance with a narrow waist to her. Her eyes looked at her figure, analyzing her almost in a creepy fashion whilst she whispered to herself.

"Slight tone in muscle frame, lack of care in clothing. Still no sign of a mark reinforces the idea of this being a curse."

"You can just ask, you know?" She groaned, closing her eyes and feeling irritated. She felt a paw on her waist, leaning over her before lightly grazing her wrists and freeing them from her bond. Reta rubbed her wrists, sitting up and staring at this woman, this apparent Nekomata as she held her paw up.

"Stop. Need to look after that head wound." Without missing a note, she torn a bit from Reta's blouse, exposing her tummy and placing the loose cloth over her forehead. "Press onto it, apply pressure to halt the bleeding."

"I know what to do." She grumbled, keeping it against her injury. "Stop touching me."

The Nekomata leaned back, her two tails waving into the air slowly as she watched her. "Don't tell me, I practice on visual observations to better analyze people's symptoms and give them proper treatment. Still have a long ways to go."

"Fancy, so you're one of those smart ones. Always hated a smartass."

"Hmm, starting to understand why you were cursed."

"That's none of your concern, get lost."

"That is a privilege neither you nor I can afford." Reta scoffed and looked away, her eyes darting into the emtpy room. "No one else but you and I."

"Yea well, that's peachy. How long have you been here?"

"Long enough to expect the worst." She answered, pushing her face into her neck and sniffing. Reta pulled back and pushed her face away.

"Personal space, have you heard?"

"You have their scent. So he did find them, damn."

"Who's we?" She asked, peering at her as she sat in front to face her.

"Us, you and me, my family, everyone. What is your curse?"

"Slow down will you? I have a plan."

"Then share it with me, and I will share mine."

"Names first." Reta growled as the Nekomata tilted her head.

"You first."

"Norowa Reta."

"Norowa... real name, please?"

Reta snickered. "Didn't know you knew my tongue."

"You'd be surprised. Tell me Reta, what is your role in this. Will you be helping us or helping yourself?"

"Does it matter? You need my help either way."

"Fair enough. Well, best we get started." She stood up, helping Reta to her feet. "Well Reta, guess you and I are going to be best friends. I'm Zimi."

Of course, she thought to herself.

Cellmates make the best friends, after all.