They approached the cage, and Hudson's heart squeezed. Poor bloke. Taylor might have been brash, rude, and often inappropriate, but he didn't deserve to be locked up in a cage like a rabid beast. Inside that ferocious leopard beat the heart of a man, a good man despite his many flaws and past indiscretions. Taylor's change over the last few months had come as a surprise to everyone in Unit Alpha. At some point, the inappropriate comments had ceased. He no longer spoke incessantly of sex or his conquests. Where he'd once flirted with anything and everything that had a pulse, he had become thoughtful and at times playful. Hudson had overheard him reprimanding a fellow agent for boasting in lurid detail of his night spent with another agent. Hudson had no idea what had brought on such a change in Taylor, but it suited the man.
Dex slowly approached the cage but stopped far enough away that if Taylor were to swipe his paw through the bars, he wouldn't reach Dex.
"Hey, buddy, it's me."
Taylor continued to pace, fangs bared as he hissed. He was agitated and frustrated by his confinement. Canid Therians despised being locked up, but they could cope far better than Felid Therians. A trapped Canid Therian would lose heart, whereas a trapped Felid Therian would lose its mind.
"Taylor, listen to my voice. It's Dex. You remember me, right? I know you can smell me." Dex edged closer, gingerly approaching the bars. Hudson remained still. If Dex should need him, he'd have to move quickly. Dex crouched in front of the bars just a foot away, and Hudson stifled a gasp when Taylor roared and made a swipe at Dex through the bars. To Hudson's astonishment, Dex smacked Taylor's paw away before he could get slashed. He'd never seen a Human move that fast.
"Knock it off," Dex scolded. "Don't be a jerk. I'm here to help you." Taylor hissed, and Dex moved closer. "Hey, what did I say? I'm here to help you, you ass. I want to help you. I know you're in there. Come on." Dex moved his hand closer to the bars, and Hudson had to refrain from asking him what the bloody hell he thought he was doing. If Dex lost a hand, Sloane was going to kill them both.
Hudson waited with bated breath as Dex slipped his hand between the bars. "Come here," he said softly. "It's me. You like me. I like you too."
Taylor flattened his ears. He lifted his head and sniffed. When he opened his mouth, Hudson thought they were doomed. Instead of biting, Taylor stuck out his tongue. He was sniffing the air, trying to get a better idea of who Dex was.
"Yeah, that's it, buddy. It's me. Come on." Dex held his palm up, and Hudson stared, stunned as Taylor edged closer. He stretched out his thick neck and sniffed at Dex's hand.
"Yeah, that's it. You remember me, don't you? It's okay. I'm not mad."
Taylor rubbed his head against Dex's hand, and the very distinct motor-like sound of purring filled the room. Oh, thank bloody goodness. Hudson released a shaky breath.
"Yeah, you remember. I'm here. It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay."
Taylor lowered his head, releasing a grieving wail that broke Hudson's heart. He padded to the corner of the cage, where he curled up in a tight ball, his back to them.
"Hey, don't do that. I know you didn't mean to. You probably don't even remember most of it, and that's okay. It wasn't your fault. Someone messed with you. Why don't you shift so we can talk about it?"
Another low wail followed by a mewl came from Taylor. Hudson was familiar with the sound of a heartbroken Felid. Curious. Taylor no doubt felt remorse for his actions, but why did he sound so... despairing?
"We've been worried about you. You need to come back to us."
Nothing.
Dex took a deep breath before speaking, his voice gentle. "Ellis Taylor, you listen to me."
Taylor's ears perked up, and he looked at Dex over his shoulder.
"It's okay. I promise. Please. I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be right here. For you."
Taylor stared at Dex for a minute before getting up. He walked to the center of the cage and released a huff. After several failed attempts, an anguished cry left Taylor's mouth as his muscles flexed and shifted beneath his fur. Hudson shut his eyes tight as the roars gave way to harrowing screams. Taylor was clearly in great pain. It was to be expected after how long he'd been in his Therian form. When the screams ebbed, Hudson opened his eyes. Taylor's transformation was nearly complete.
Hudson turned to one of the guards. "Bring us a blanket, please."
"Someone open this door," Dex ordered, standing aside while one of the guards crossed the room, then opened the cage door just as Taylor finished shifting. He was so weak he lay curled up on his side, shivering violently. Hudson took the blanket from the guard and handed it to Dex, who quickly laid it over a stark-naked Taylor.
The door opened, and several medical officers rushed into the room. Taylor flinched and curled up even tighter, shaking his head vehemently.
"Hey, it's okay," Dex assured him gently, r
unning a hand over Taylor's head. "They're going to give you PSTC and take good care of you. I promise. Then we'll talk, okay?"
Taylor opened his mouth to speak, but only a hoarse sound escaped. He cleared his throat and tried again, his voice low and rough. "Don't go."
"I'll be right here," Dex promised.
They stood to one side as the medical officers administered PSTC. They dressed Taylor in a pair of sweatpants and a white T-shirt, a hoodie, and white crew socks. He looked like he'd been dragged through hell, deep dark circles around his bloodshot hazel eyes. Once Dex coaxed Taylor into eating some protein, they helped Taylor out of the room and into the room next door. It was as sparse as the one they'd vacated, but instead of a cage, it was filled with medical equipment, including a state-of-the-art hospital bed. They helped Taylor sit on the bed, and then Dex pulled up a chair next to him. Hudson took a seat beside Dex.
"Tell me what happened?" Dex asked gently.