Theme 019 - Inevitable (about 1,036 words)

Inevitable. Something that is bound to happen, no matter what. If things don't change that thing will happen...maybe it will happen even if things do change. Rex not listing to orders and running off? It was inevitable. It was bound to happen. Why didn't providence (and Six) listen to Holiday's warnings? There are many things in life that are inevitable. This? This was one of them. It was inevitable that a child so young would snap under all the stress and expectations that they placed on Rex. All the training and harsh words. Anyone would break. Especially a little boy. Holiday told them it was inevitable and now they saw for themselves just what happens when you push a child beyond their limits both physically and mentally. The inevitability that they would snap and disobey, run off or worse get hurt. Maybe all three.

It started yesterday. During morning training. Rex turned and snapped a remark towards Six then stomped off. Six wasn't prepared for such a thing (and even if he was he just wasn't good with kids) so he made things worse when he yelled at the ten year old and pulled at his arm to stop him from getting any farther. He continued to yell at the boy about his disobedience until the kid was practically in tears. Rex managed to get free from his guardians grip and run off before he could get caught again. Now they didn't know where the boy ran off to. He was still in the base that much they knew because none of alarms were tripped and they were sure he didn't know about them or was in the mind set to think about there being alarms for him to use his nanites to disable them.

Where in the large base he was hiding was just a large game of find the needle in the haystack. He was tiny and a good climber. He could have crawled into just about any nook there was. Both known to the other agents and unknown to them. They were sure the boy could find a place to hide that no one else knew existed. The ten year old was good at things like that. They first check his room to be sure, as expected he didn't run off the the closet of a room. They checked all corners of the petting zoo, cafeteria, the labs, and all the main rooms. Nothing.

They checked the other bedrooms, but he didn't seem to have ran into any of them. Where could he be? They figured he'd come out of his hiding place when he was ready and that it was pointless to wast energy trying to find him. He would only be found when he wanted to be found. Simple as that. With a sigh Six went back to the petting zoo to continue his own training.

Rex meanwhile was between two raptors hidden by the ceiling tiles. He had climbed up a small service latter that was broken and slid into a small opening. He stood hunched over with each foot securely, or so he thought, on a raptor. His breathing was slow and even. Quite so not to be detected. A recon skill that Six had taught him. He lat a loud gasp escape as his right food started to slip from it's placement in the center of the raptor. He gripped his hands tighter to the angled raptor at his side. But it was to late he was slipping. He was going to fall. The fall was a good thirty feet at least! He struggled to stay put but in an instant his foot slipped off the the other foot came quickly after. He was left dangling , holding on with a slipping grip. He tried to regain his footing but couldn't pull himself up far enough. His hands were slipping. He screamed as his hands slipped off and he fell towards the concrete floor.

He felt and heard the snap of his leg as he made contact with the floor.

Six heard the screams and came running, swords drawn just in case. When he saw Rex on the floor, he figured what happened. The boy had fell from his hiding spot. In the raptors. He put his swords away and went to help the boy.

"My leg.." The ten year old moaned. He rested his head in the green clad ninja's lap. Cuddling close to his adoptive father. "Shhh it's alright. I know, I know you're in pain but be strong okay?" he comforted the boy  But it didn't last long. Six contacted Holiday to let her know they were on their way "Holiday we have a situation. Rex fell and hurt his leg, it might be broken. We're on our way" He said into his communicator "I'll prepare the lab, get here soon." she replied. "I'm on it, Six out." and then he picked the boy up in his arms and carried him off to Doctor Holiday's lab.

Rex rested his head on Six's chest and curled up close to him. "I'm sorry I ran off Six..." he mumbled quietly.

Six shhhhed him once more. "It's fine, don't worry about it...not now. I forgive you for running off but it's my fault for pushing you too far, I'm sorry too buddy. I should have saw the inevitable and stopped myself before you snapped..." He said giving the boy a kiss on his forehead. Rex curled close and closed his eyes tight as he let out another moan.

"Hang on kiddo , we're almost there Holiday will get you all fixed up." They got to the lab and Six set the boy down on a near by cot that Holiday had ready for him. She gave the boy some pain relief medicine then looked to his leg. "It looks t be broken but we'll need an X-ray to confirm it...even if it is broken there's no need to worry. The nanites will take car of most of the healing we only need to stabilize it for a few days or so instead of about the month it would be for normal humans..." she ruffled his hair and left to go set up the x-ray machine.

Theme 018 - Freedom (about 1,036 word)

All humans have a natural drive and desire to be free. Everyone wants freedom. Those denied their freedom yearn for it with a greater passion. Those who are free don't realize what they have. They don't understand the longing to do as they please, they already do what they want freely. Rex wasn't granted much freedom at providence. So when he was allowed to do as he pleased he was reluctant to return home. He loved freedom. He fought and augured with doctor Holiday and Agent Six so he could have more free time. That's why he loved flying so much. Soaring though the skies without a care in the world felt so free. There were no boundaries. He felt as if he could do anything. Ever. In a way he could. He could go anywhere in the world he wanted and could avoid all the stress and time consuming hassles of travel. He loved it. It felt so amazing to be at cloud level with the wind in his hair, as he flew alongside the birds.

He had sneaked out for some free time just today. That was where he was now. He was in the town that was closest to providence. It was easy to find him here but he didn't care at the moment. He just wanted to hang with Noah and get some pizza or burgers. Then maybe play basketball. Normal stuff. Stuff providence didn't let him do. It was the weekend the fourteen year old should be able to go out and have some type of fun after working all week. He deserved time off at the end of such a hard work week.

He was enjoying himself. His time with his best friend. The food. His freedom. It was truly one of his best days ever. He met up with Noah at McDonald's and then after their meals the two teens headed to the basketball court for a quick game or two. Rex was hoping providence wouldn't find him until at least one game was over. He hadn't played in a long time , let alone with Noah so he wanted to get at least one game out of the way.

The made it to the court and started a one on one game of basketball. Noah was winning and Rex was throwing out teasing words as he ran around the court trying to get the ball. Midway though the game a providence jump jet flew over with it's search light on. (Since it was starting to get dark out)

Rex sighed.

"Oh great! They found me!" He complained.

"What's the big deal? You've been out a few hours, isn't that good enough? I mean I'd like to hang out a little long at least to finish our game but if you have to go, isn't the time you've had just fine?" Noah reasoned as he sensed that Rex was about to rant and pout. As he finished what he had to say the jump jet's light came over top them and hovered in place for a few seconds, maybe to verify that it was indeed Rex and Noah then it flew off a few feet so it could land.

Rex signed once more "Yeah I guess so but I prefer my freedom over being locked up in providence...but hey I should look on the bright side I guess I mean at least I can leave my room..."

"There's the spirit we need." Noah offered a weak reassuring smile as Six exited the jump jet and headed over to the two teens. low level providence grunts, as they are lovingly referred to by Rex, stood on either side and behind the green clad senior level ninja agents.

"It's time to go Rex, let's move out." came the simple statement from the caretaker (not that he'd call himself one.)

Sighing for the third time Rex simply nodded in the distraction his ninja nanny "Later Noah" Rex said his goodbyes to his friend and tossed the basketball from his arms into Noah's before he headed off towards Agent Six. "Maybe next time I can beat you in a full game!" he called over his shoulder.

He could always run off but they would just follow him. He was good for the day. He had a good day. A good amount of freedom that day. He could use a nap in a soft bed. He figured he could always sneak back out late after dinner, evening training and nightly reports. Midnight was a good time. Sounded like a good time for him. He and Bobo Haha the monkey could go out and get tacos or something. They would have to see what was open so late, worth eating and worth the money.

"and how was your day?" Six asked midway on the flight home.

Rex was surprised Six would ask. He blinked once, then twice in surprised and paused before answering.

"It was okay. Fun. Noah and I went to McDonald's then headed off to the basketball court for a few throws we only got through half a game before you showed up. Not complain since I'm happy I got a chance to get out. Get fresh air , you know?"

Six nodded and then smirked. "Freedom's a nice thing isn't it?" Six sighed. "You're lucky we didn't need you today."

"Freedom is the best." Rex replied also smirking. " I was only gone a few hours , what could happen in such a sort time?"

"You know what. Rex you know very well" came a monotone reply from Six. Rex sighed.

"I know, I know but I just wanted some fresh air...some freedom."

"Maybe we can work something out so you can get free time out side of providence without sneaking away? I can probably work something out for you"

Rex smiled. A big grin appearing across his face. "Thanks Six you don't know what that means to me.."

"Holiday and I will get on it. I'm sure between the two of us we can get you some more...freedom...you deserve to be free" with that they arrived home and Six quietly sent Rex off too bed for the day. They would have to deal with this snaking out in the morning. It's been a long day for everyone.