WHO: Alpha and Harding WHAT: Alpha is dethroned and Harding kicks off the Attic plot.
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Alpha woke up to the gentle hum of machinery. He didn't sleep often; he was twitchy, on edge. He rolled over countless times in his sleep, and he woke up frequently to wander off, trying to tire himself out.
This time, he woke up groggy. His body felt heavy and rested. That was how he knew something was wrong.
He attempted to sit up, and failed. He was bound by his arms and feet---to a chair. Not just any chair, but Rossum's chair. Alpha's chair. Alpha struggled, grunting with effort, and then yelling. Wires hung from the ceiling, dangling down until they connected to Alpha's skin with adhesive.
"You're not getting out of there." Harding sauntered into the room as if he owned it, hands in his pockets. "You know that better than anyone."
"Harding!" Alpha leaned forward hard, baring his teeth. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Ambrose will---"
"I've taken care of Ambrose. Good move, by the way, removing his handler cues and replacing them with yourself. You had us all by the balls for a while there." Harding came to a stop right in front of Alpha, taunting him. He knew it was torture, not being able to reach out and snap Harding's neck. "You've been out for days, Alpha. It wasn't easy to catch you resting long enough."
Alpha laughed, with little humor. "Don't try to out-villain me, Harding. Cut your shit. This isn't a Bond film. ---And where the hell is Whiskey?!"
"She's headed where you're headed," Harding said gently, as if placating a child. "She should be getting there soon. Ladies' first."
"Getting---" Oh, God. At that moment, in that one, terrifying moment, Alpha panicked on behalf of another human being. "NO! No, no, no---!" Alpha fought, twisting in his bonds like an animal.
And then there was a scream. A blood-curling, dying screech coming from the next room over. Alpha couldn't breathe. In his mind, Pasha and a dozen other personalities screamed, the sound erupting out of Alpha's mouth.
"You'll be there soon!" Harding shouted over him, going to the dash. "And you won't be alone."