The Gift Issue 5

Why me? Why? What did I do wrong? Why are they doing this to me? Why?

Elise was in and out of consciousness. Her tiny body was wracked with pain. Needles and catheters entered nearly every vein and orifice of her body. They were injecting... extracting... probing... inflicting immeasurable pain.

What are they doing to me? What’s in my eye... it hurts so bad... can’t stay... awake...

She was strapped to a gurney and unable to move or shift her body even if she had the strength to do so. Many people and “things” came in and out of the room where she was being kept—observed. The creatures and men bore the same vestige as the other’s that had captured her and killed her family. They had been keeping watch over her since the days of her abduction. The symbol was a circle divided by a shallow, pointed “s”.

Who is that screaming? I am hearing voices... whispers... what are they saying? No… It’s not true…so many voices... stop it! Stop! I can’t... take it... anymore...

Experiments of untold pain and design happened frequently. Elise was able to count on them waking her or sending her into seizure-like fits. A hideous man-creature visited her often. It’s long razor-sharp claws pointed at her as it hissed and gargled in an unintelligible voice. Arraigned in a plethora of tools about his body, the monster’s tattered robes were splattered with bloodstains new and old. It was obvious to Elise this “thing” was a creature of cruelty and was about to prepare itself to perform more of the wickedness that she’d been accustomed to over the past few weeks. Each day it brought something new before her. It would present a new insidious device or concoction and appear quite pleased with itself. It would then use it…

When will they stop... stop the pain... please... someone help me...

She was frightened beyond the point of delirium. Everything to her was dreamlike now. Eventually, the pain of their mental and physical tortures was masked by a numbness that finally overcame her. She was unaware of time. She had almost forgotten who she was.

“Elise dear, wake up honey... its Mommy. Daddy’s here too”

...Mom? Dad? Oh Mommy, I had the most terrible nightmares... where are you, I can’t see you...

“Shh... yes dear we know. It’s ok. We’re right here beside you. Everything’s ok now... right Daddy?”

“Hi Sweetheart, its Dad. You’re ok. The medicine is making your vision cloudy... don’t worry. Get some rest and you’ll be able to see again soon.”

Help me... up. I... I can’t move...

“Is she ready yet?”

“Yes, let’s prep her for the final stage”

Daddy... what are you and Mommy... talking about?

“Did you inform the others?”

“Yes, they’ll have the observatory ready for when Master Taraketh arrives.”

Mommy... Daddy... help me... why aren’t you helping me?

“Rest easy child. We’re going to take you to your ‘daddy' very soon...”