The pain, it was all encompassing and certainly not what I had signed up for. The Atlas Corporation had promised perfection, not agony. The sensation that my head was being pounded like a war drum was accompanied by the incredible ache of the many injection sites that now marred my limbs.
What ever had flowed from those needles into my veins was a mystery to me, at the time it didn't matter. All that mattered was what that goddamned poster had promised…and now I was a bit more concerned with the fact that I felt like my head might implode at any given second.
Another sharp wave of pain over came my entire body, sending me crying out as I fell from my cot to the cold metal floor. Dots danced in my already blurry vision, and I screamed as another onslaught of agony came, causing me to convulse violently.
With what was left of my consciousness I begged to what ever god that was listening to make this end. Bile rose in my throat as I heard what sounded like bones breaking, all that I had eaten that day then exited from my mouth as I felt that pain from the fact that those were my bones breaking. Pain was now a complete understatement for the feeling I was now ablaze with.
My silent plea for help was answered with the sound of the heavy metal door to my room sliding open.
"Lilith?" Thea Steele, the albino girl with whom I shared this room, called out rushing to my side.
In response I whimpered pitifully, straining with all I had left to lift my head out of my own vomit. I felt a pair of cold hands gingerly grab my still burning shoulders and pull me into a sitting position, leaving me crying out in pain again.
"Shh," her voice was calming and close to my ear, "it will pass. I promise."
If I was in any position to argue I would have stated that promises were what got me into this mess. But as she had guaranteed, after what felt like a decade, the pain began to subside.
"Wh-what just happened?" I asked, still shaking in the aftermath of my…episode.
She grinned wickedly at me. "I'll show you. Now come on, let's get you cleaned up."
Thea helped me to my feet. I followed her, walking as wobbly as a new born foal, as she made her way to our shared bathroom. I leaned heavily on the door frame as she pulled out a wash cloth from the cupboard, dampened it in the sink and held it out to me.
I proceeded to clean my face as best as I could without looking in the mirror.
"Are you ready?" She asked whilst smiling at me.
"For what?" I was beginning to sound like myself again.
"For this," She pulled me till I was facing the mirror and I found myself staring down a goddess.
I blinked rapidly. "Is…that…me?" I whispered, now not caring for her reply. When ever I'd looked in the mirror before a homely girl, a girl I hated, had looked back at me. Now those muddy brown eyes were replaced with beautiful golden ones, the improvements didn't end there.
A smile broke out over my now perfect lips. The painfully events of moments before were now forgotten, for I felt contented that this was well worth it. They had promised perfection, and was what I believed I'd found.
A/N this is my first fic, so constructive criticism is warmly welcomed.