Disclaimer: Dollhouse belongs to the wonderful Joss Whedon, beautiful Eliza Dushku, and FOX. I don't own them and I do not profit from anything. I just like to play with the pretty Dolls.

This is kinda my take on Sierra's Dollhouse world, probably a little Echo here and there too. Spoilers as the episodes progress. Exploring the relationship of Echo and Sierra - because I see subtext potential!

Pain. That was all she felt. Her body feels it all; coursing through every muscle, seeping through every tissue. Her mind couldn't register all of it.

How did she end up like this?

Despite her body being abused by the torturous ordeal, she remained lying prone, staring up at the lighted ceiling, unable to move. This pain exhausted her, scared her, and yet it kept her awake, telling her not to run as it immobilized her. Each time bright surge of lights flickered around her, she felt her muscles contract painfully along with it. All she could do was whimper softly. She prayed for the shadows hovering around her to hear her cries, but she could only feel their gaze as they continued to perch around her, murmuring amongst themselves.

Why wouldn't they help?

When will this end?

Through the electric static and hums around the room, she then hears a soft faint click and her raw body could feel a different surge of air enter the room; far from the menacing atmosphere she was currently in. She slowly turned her head to glance at this new, more welcoming ambiance.

She could only see their long dark locks and feminine figure through the blue haze clouding her vision. But her eyes then locks onto a curious brown gaze looking back at her; confused at the scene they were in.

Please, help me.

"She's not asleep." stated this new figure softly, gaze remaining locked onto her almond gaze.

The shadows in the room spun around, wary and tense as they too noticed the new figure.

"Just – keep mapping the tissue!" ordered one.

He then comes around and pushes the confused intruder out, closing the door behind him along the way.

Don't go.

Just as she was about to give up on any hope of being rescued from this agony, she realized the Shadow and her supposed savior were still outside. As her body went through another wave of pain, she suppressed her cries so she that could catch their muffled conversation, hopeful that the young woman outside would stop the process happening in here. Trying to disregard the pain, she strained her ears to listen through the loud electrical hum of the machines, keeping her gaze on the wooden doors; anticipating.

"…What are you doing here?"

"She…"

"…That's because it's…to do more extensive…"

"Work?"

Suddenly the pain intensified, distracting her as she felt it stripping her muscle strands off one by one. Biting her lip, she stifled the rest of her cries. She wouldn't break in front of these 'creatures'. As she tried to form firsts with her hands, she found her fingers stuck on a heated surface, restricting her of any movement. And as quick as this form of new affliction came, it was soon gone. Breathing erratically through her nose, she moistened her throat with what little saliva she had left and tried her very best to pay attention to the conversation once more.

"..Aren't you…getting your physical…Doctor Saunders FAR from here right about now?"

A new voice then mumbled ever so quietly in the next room. She couldn't hear what they said, but she remained hopeful that they would come and help.

Suddenly the soft and gentle voice seemed further away as she stated something else.

"…Was something great!"

She felt her heart drop and she painfully looked away from the door.

The conversation had ended and the door shortly opened once more, with the Shadow coming through it alone. Making sure the door was now properly closed and locked, he turned around, his expression grim as he casted his eyes on her.

No one cared enough to help.

--------------

When she opened her eyes, and not really knowing when she had them closed in the first place, she looked around the room. Taking in the large various machines positioned in a corner of the room, to the multiple screens placed closely within one another, showing information she didn't understand. Her eyes then landed on a sandy haired man standing beside her. His had his arms placed behind him as he smiled faintly at her.

It was only courteous she smiled back, graciously.

"Hello, Sierra." He greeted.

Thank you for reading. Let me know what you think with a review!

--FlexibleFish--