Theme 010 - Scar (about 1,403 words)

The scar was rather large especially for someone like Rex. The scar started from just below his elbow and went down about six inches. It was about two inches wide. It wasn't noticeable from a far. You could only notice it up close and barely even at that. It was fading more and more as the years went on. Which was good. Rex didn't like it. He was self conscious about it. He didn't like to think about it or how he got it. It was about four years ago now. He was only twelve back then. The sixteen year old ran his fingers over the area without much thought in the action. He topped when he realized what he was doing. He shook his head as the memories form that day came flowing into his mind.

It could have been worse. Much worse. For everything it was worth the boy was thankful and very lucky. The twelve year old was running as fast as he could though the petting zoo as a punishment from Agent Six for trashing his room again and crashing an expensive providence jump jet. He had to do thirty laps with out any weapons or builds. Without dieing. Yeah right. He did it before. Many times in fact. It was easy if he avoid the big EVOs and did nothing to alert them that his was there. Just had to pay attention. Which he wasn't doing. He made the mistake of stepping on the tail of a smaller dog like EVO. It let out a yelp then a growl as it jumped towards the boy as it snarled. He screamed as it bit down hard with sharp teeth and fangs right into his arm. It there stared clawing him up. He let out another shrill scream as he tried to get it off.

"Six! Help!"

Before he could use a build Six was there getting the EVO off of him. With a grunt the man pulled the EVO of the child's arm. Apparently Six was right there the whole time and Rex never saw him. Figures he'd make sure the kid didn't use his builds or get hurt too bad. It was his job after all.

Rex's arm was bleeding pretty bad. Six saying nothing and showing no emotion took off his jacket and wrapped it around the boy's arm the help stop the bleeding. The best he could do. For now it will have to do. It did not have to last long anyway. Only a few minutes if they were fast. Which they would be.

"Come on kid let's get you on over to Holiday" Six said as he guided the boy out of the petting zoo and towards the med lab. Rex said nothing as he let the man guide him. He was use to taking a beating from an EVO but usually his nanites healed him or dulled the pain. This time for some reason they did neither. The boy snuffled as he held beck tears and the urge to cry. Not here , not in front of Six.

"Holiday." Six called into his communicator as he lead the boy along. "There was an incident in the petting zoo involving Rex and a small level EVO."

"Is Rex alright?"

"His arm was bleeding. I managed to control the bleeding with my jacket but the wound is still open and bleeding."

"His nanites didn't take care of it?"
"Negative."

"Bring him here as soon as possible."

"Already on our way. We're almost there in fact."

I'll be waiting. In the mean time Ill prepare for your arrival and try to find out about his nanites."

"Affirmative. Also have a pain killer ready. It seems his nanites didn't dull the pain either this time."

"On it."

"Six out." With that he ended the call and stepped up his speed as he continue to walk along side the boy. A hand on his shoulder for comfort. How much comfort if any was debatable. 

"Six?" The boy whisper with a hiss.

"Yes?"

"It hurts."

"I know. Just try to hang in a little long we're almost there you know." Six stated. That was the best comfort he could offer. The boy simply nodded. The soon arrived at the med lad where Holiday was waiting for them.

"Come lets have a look at your arm" Holiday said quietly. Rex nodded as he sat down and slowly held out his arm. It hurt to move it at all let almost fast so slow would have to do. Holiday wouldn't mind. She'd rather him be slow and okay then mover faster then he could and hurt himself more.

She unwrapped Six's handy work and helped Rex remove his signature red jacket it. A jacket that was now ripped to shreds. Well at least he had more than one. She picked a syringe off of a near by tray and an disinfectant swab. She ran the swab over the boy's good arm then held it at an angle as she put the syringe in. She injected the need medication and was quickly done.

"There, some pain meds. They should kick in quickly. Should help with the pain. Now let's get too that wound."

She gently lifted the arm and went to work cleaning the wound. The boy hiss as the peroxide burned at the inside of his arm. Six came from behind and placed his hands on the boys shoulders to steady him as he started to pull away. With the wound cleaned Holiday set off on the next step. Stitches. Usually Rex wouldn't need them with how well his nanites healed him but if they didn't heal him at all yet they couldn't leave it to chance. Not until she knew why they weren't doing anything.

"Sorry Rex but I'm gonna have to put in a few stitches." She offered up a sympathetic smile and ruffled his hair as she left to fetch the needed supplies.

Alright this won't be pleasant but we have too do it so just hang in there kiddo" Holiday said returning. Six tightened his grip on the boy's shoulders a bit so he wouldn't move. The good doctor went to work closing the wound and the boy hissed and tried to move but Six held him in place.

You've been though worse , come on be brave." Six said as encouragement for the boy to stay still. The boy bit his lip and stopped trying to pull away from the doctor. He knew it was for his own good and that it needed to be done. No sense it trying to get away or stop it form happening.

Once the stitches were done the doctor wrapped the area in bandages to help keep it clean.

"Alright that should do it. But I do want to get a blood sample to figure out whats going on with your nanites." The boy nodded and held out his good arm. He was use to blood samples. He didn't like it but could get it done.

With the sample taken Holiday ruffled Rex's hair once more as Six let the boy go. "You were a good boy Rex. you can go now. Why don't you head on over to your room for some rest?" He nodded and hopped off of the table and headed for the door. "Thanks Doc." He said on his way out.

They figured out his nanites were just low on energy because Rex was over stressed. They helped him with reducing his stress levels and the nanites went back to normal. The stitches came out soon after. Way sooner then it would on a normal person. The nanites finished the job and healed the arm the rest of the way. But the whole ordeal left a decent sized scar as a reminder of what it was like to be fully human. To be normal. And as Rex thought weak. That's why he didn't like to think about the scar.

In the present the sixteen year old let out a sigh and shook his head. He wasn't weak. He was just being silly. Stupid again.  Over thinking it. He looked down at the scar for the first time in  a long while and for the first time ever smirked at it. It wasn't a weak spot. He wasn't weak. He was strong and the scar was reminder of such. He felt better now that he realized such. Maybe the scar wasn't so bad after all.