After a few pathetic attempts at resisting their force, I gave up. I let them drag me away to the place. Two oversized, muscular men hauled me down the rugged halls and into a brightly lit, white room. In the center was a platform serving as a table. They lugged my small frame up onto it and strapped me down. I learned not to complain. Since the first time it happened, although the ocassion I could not recall, I knew that speaking at all would only fuel their fury. That was, until he came in. He was who performed the sequence. He was evil and I hated him. His name I did not know, but they called him Chang. He was small, probably my same height, of Asian ethnicity and a sardonic grin. His pet name for me always sent shivers through my body.

He entered the room, pulling on gloves. "How is my pretty little psychic today?"

I stared straight up at the paneled ceiling and refused to look at him. I would not answer his questions; I would not acknowledge his presense. I would only remain silent until the process was over. He would try to get me to talk, but I wouldn't. He'd get his answers without my help and I didn't plan on aiding him in any way.

"Any interesting dreams last night?" He stood behind my head and began to take down wires.

His faithful bodyguards shuffled out of the room. A thin nurse replaced them and came to stand by my side. Her hair was graying and her hands were cold. She didn't show any emotion on her pale face, just followed orders.

"We know you aren't going to tell us anything," He trailed his finger down my bare arm, "So, as you know, we have to take measures."

The wires had been clipped to my body. A cap was secured around my head and locked into position. The pain was coming. I closed my eyes, ready to accept it.

A rapping on the door startled the nurse, and caused her to pause over the power button. I didn't open my eyes completely, but I couldn't help but peak.

The doctor went over to answer it, someone shoved a piece of paper towards him. He read it over quickly, paused, looked at me thoughtfully, and then nodded at the messenger.

"Gleena, you can do the process without me. I'm needed elsewhere." He said to the nurse and then left the room.

Gleena had an unsure look on her face, but wasn't about to let him down. She walked back over to the switch. Before she flipped it on, she turned to me and murmed a sympathetic 'sorry.' I only closed my eyelids once again and it started.

It only took a few seconds before the electricity waves took over my thinking and sense. I was unaware of them turning it off and unconnecting me. I didn't remember them dragging my limp body back to my cell. I do remember having no visions.

After my so called "treatments" my visions would cease for a few nights. I would be able to stay in my cell in peace. The darkness wouldn't be disrupted and I wouldn't be disturbed. There would be no fear of sleeping for fear of having a vision. They wouldn't come until they came back. And they both would come back.

When I woke it was not out of shock from my visions, for none had happened while I slept. I woke from the pain in my body. Every inch of me ached and pulsed. I then remembered the few seconds before the start and the few seconds after of the raging pain. I knew I had probably slept days, but I felt thoroughly exhausted.

I knew it was now time for the third part of my being. The first was the isolation of my cell, the second the pain, and the third: my other him. The good him. Roscoe: my angel.

It was a soft push that opened the door, not the loud thudding fists. Before I could move, I had a beam of light from a lantern being shone into my eyes. His warm fingers were pinching my wrist and he sighed in relief when he felt my dull pulse.

"Oh, Alice..." He breathed. "Can you hear me?"

"Roscoe..." I rasped out. It wasn't a question...but a confirmation. A sweet, sweet confirmation.

"I'm here. It's okay." He whispered soothing encouragements to me while he checked my body for fatal injuries.

"Can you move your fingers?" He asked, holding my limp hand in his large one.

I flexed them the best I could. Before he asked I bent all my limbs at their joints...already knowing the procedure. Roscoe came in after every treatment. He would always nurse me back to life. Sometimes, even, he would stay with me. He'd let me talk to him, but he wouldn't question me. All he would do was sit next to me, hold my hand comfortingly, and listen to me tell stories of my past life. They would normall cut off short at my sudden loss of the memories. Tonight I was struggling especially.

"She tried to stop them. She was fighting the doctors. Her name...her name was..." My mouth gaped open, but no name came out.

"Cynthia." He filled in.

"Cynthia...yes. How did you know?" I asked.

"You've...told me this story. Many times. You're very fond of her."

"Oh...well, yes. She's really all I remember of my life." I blinked back tears. Tears never came to my eyes. They were forbidden. They were symbols of weakness. And I was not weak.

"You're life is not over." He touched the tip of my nose before rising. "I better go. They might wonder where I've gone."

"Alright..." I got up as well. "Thank you, Roscoe."

"No problem, Alice."

"I'm sorry..." I shook my head. "I must bore you with my stories."

"Quite the contrary. I happen to love them. I look forward to seeing you." He stopped. "Not that I enjoy your suffering..."

"No, I understand. You better leave."

"Yes. Well, goodbye."

"Bye, Roscoe."

Then he left. He took his light with him and he took my happiness. I felt happy whenever I was with him. He brought me the only warmth I knew existed. It was a shame that he thought he was so incapable of helping me. He considered helping me to be freeing me from this living hell. I considered helping me to do exactly as he does: to just be there for me. To help me when I'm ready to give up, to listen to me, to be my friend.

I hardened at the thought that to see him again I would have to endure another shock treatment. They were horrible...a living death. But if it meant I could see him again...then so be it.

So I slept...and awaited the visions to start my circle of life all over again.