So, instead of the note I typed for this, I'll just have a short one here. I am no pro at medical knowledge nor technology. So if anybody would like to correct me in something said in this story, go right ahead and PM me : ).

Also, the Matti in this story has no relation to the one in my other story 'First Gig'. Don't try and make a connection because there is none.

Prologue

True or False

MEMORIES

A soft voice broke her clouded mind, colorful visions scattering from behind her eyes. She could not move. She decided to wait until the procedure finished so she would be able to move more freely. Why she knew to do that that, she did not know.

"…thankful we have a young body. Healthy, too."

"She took care of herself. Have you worked on 234, yet?"

"Ugh, his blood was black. I think he ended up being thrown out."

"Doesn't surprise me. I've been requesting to have him tossed for months. Must have kept him for some reason. Alright, inject the sedative before she gets up."

Through the fading, warm numbness, a sharp stab caused the girl's muscles to flex reactively. One of the men who spoke gave a grunt of disproval.

"Stick it in the other arm, then! We can't have her wake up on us!"

His partner snapped back, "I know! I was there when she destroyed thousands worth of equipment!"

A wave of comfort came upon her like a dark cozy blanket. Closing her eyes, she fell back asleep, blissfully unaware as one of the men fixed an IV to her vein.

Hot tears of shame fell from her cheeks as she curled up against the woman who held her. She felt so unwanted as she attempted to explain what upset her.

"*sniffsniff* Mommy…"

"Why are you crying?"

"I Don't Know!!"

The scorching summer sun only fueled her bad mood. The back of her shirt stuck to her pale skin. The echoing sound of young children at play filtered through her ears. She wanted to play kick ball.

"Honey, what is the matter?"

"Nikki won't let me *sniff* her group!!" She began to cry harder at the confession.

"Oh, honey…come on," She grasped the girl's tiny hand. "We're going home."

"Holy Crap! What is THAT?!" The fishing rod in her hands strained, then a man beside her burst out laughing, taking over for her.

"You caught a dog shark! Alright!!"

After settling the small animal on the dock, he lightly rested his foot on its tail. Carefully, he put his hand inside its mouth, shifting around to retrieve the hook caught in its jaw. Suddenly, pieces of crushed crab legs, water, and remnants from an unidentifiable creature spewed from the shark's mouth.

"Ewewewew! Why is he doing that?! Eeww!"

He laughed, "He's just scared." He cut the line, leaving the dissolvable hook in the animal's mouth. Carefully, he lifted it, sitting on the dock. He leaned over the edge, putting the shark back into the ocean waters. "Bye, Tough Guy!"

"I Need That Anesthetic Now!"

She swung her arms, ripping a hand full of cords that had been connected to various areas of her body. Several alarms sounded.

"Restrain Her! She's Hurting Herself!!"

"What About Us?!"

"What About You?!"

Two people held the girl down by her shoulders, shoving her against the icy metal table. Legs out of the question due to restraints, she snapped her jaws. Small bubbles of foam formed at the corner of her mouth. She tried to force a strong command for release, yet her voice just would not work. With a snarl, she cried out as something sharp penetrated into her tight muscle. Moments later, she involuntarily relaxed and closed her eyes.

"My God…"

"You haven't worked on this one?"

"Gee, you've been spoiled till now!"

"Why did she do that? What made her react so?"

"It's because…"

The voices faded as the girl thanked the darkness for taking her away to slumber.

She blinked, forcing her eyes to focus. A liquid substance submerged her face. Fear taking over, she started to squeal, squeezing her eyes shut. Weakly, her arms lifted, hands pressing against a thick sheet of glass above her. Her muscles were already worn down as she attempted to push after a few seconds.

Her lungs rapidly sucked air that was being supplied by a mask fitted over her nose and chin.

She felt so trapped, as though she were in a nailed coffin.

Suddenly, oxygen ceased to be supplied. She began choking. The thick liquid that surrounded her body flowed into her mouth, down her throat. Hurriedly, her hands covered her mouth then her nose as the gray water began to drown her.

A rush of icy air brushed the little amount of skin that peeked above the water. A rough pair of hands lifted her up. She barely heard the wavy voices around her as she gasped for air.

"…ok! You're gonna be ok! We're gonna take you out of here! Help is on the way!"

The girl swiftly turned. Despite the many tubes connected to her arms, she was prepared to swing and attack. Then, she saw his face.

He did not have a white coat. His hands were not covered by white gloves. He did not have the apathetic, unfeeling look in his eyes.

The man had a black combat suit on, a large automatic strapped to his shoulder. He had a patch over his left eye, the other still intact and a steel-like color. A grey mask protected his face from any harmful inhalation.

She looked around, trying to decipher what was going on around her.

Black dust clouded much of the room, chunks of debris scattered all over. Smashed lights hung from their sockets in the roof, causing the room to be filled with shifting shadows.

"…have to go. Someone will come to take care of you soon." The man let her go and started to walk away. She snatched his arm as her body sank in the tub. She struggled to move her deteriorated body out of the water, a sudden phobia of the liquid taking affect. The material of his armor was cold against her naked skin.

"No, you have to stay here," he ordered, "You're in danger if you move! Stay here and don't move! Someone will come to help you soon…"