Author note: Hello one and all! I offer my deep, deep apologies for the lateness of this update. School stuff got in the way. I had choir and Italian on my mind (btw it might just have been worth it; A for my Italian speaking test and our choir came in first place in category when we were competing!) but now I only have one more major essay until after Easter/Eostre. The next chapter in this fic is 008 and he absolutely rocks! (008 and 004 are my joint favourites fyi) Look out for more of TotD too! Oh, also, in the last chapter, there was a hint at what was to happen at the end of that chapter. 007 nicknmed 003 'Ophelia'. Of course, in Hamlet, Ophelia ends up in tragedy. It was kinda prophetic (love that word!) and stuff. No, it's probably (wink) not leading anywhere unless I feel adventurous... Until next time!
Bridge 003 - Burden
Françoise?
Oui, Jean?
Prometts un chose pour moi.
Oui, qu'est que c'est?
Ne renonce jamais…
D'accord…
The darkness is slowly diminishing, replacing itself with pinpricks of light, things that only I can see; my three-dimensional scope, before I've even opened my eyes. Then the sounds. Strangely, the far sounds first, two soldiers talking. I recognise one as Rémi, the other, I don't know. Or, I know his voice and appearance, but, we've never met. Then, the hiss and thump of a massive machine, the crackle and hum of high voltages, and loud voices of men in training. The voices of my comrades drift into my cloudy mind like blood through water; I register them, but then they fade into the overall din.
I drift in and out of memories and dreams, dancing through eighteen years of Françoise, a month of 003 and nearly sixty years of void. Who am I now? I only wish I could tell for sure. Because, during our sleep - those decades - we did not dream; we were unaware of anything. Did Françoise Arnoul ever exist? Or, is she my dream? A way of coping with this lack of identity, maybe…
Or is this Françoise's dream? I find it hard to believe that she and I are one. She had hopes, dreams and family. I have only metal walls and death at every corner. Someone, let this dream end. Either let me wake up at home again or let Françoise fade forever…
She's coming around… Get some water, would ya?
The voices of the others pierce a hole into my dream. The cold feeling returns to me, inch by inch until I shiver all over from the cold.
She's waking up…
No, no, No! I don't want to wake up again! Let me sleep! Please, Laisse moi!
Hey, is she OK, man? She looks kinda bad… Where's the kid?
Leave me to be. I don't want to wake up again; not to that world. But, even if I try to block my nightmare out my senses betray me. Even with my eyes closed I can see each and every person in this entire facility perfectly; where they are and what they're doing. In the room with me now are 002, 001, 006 and 007. 004 and 005 are two rooms down the corridor talking quietly and urgently to Dr Gilmore about me. The other doctors are two floors up from us, discussing their new subject in the same way that I - I mean Françoise - used to talk about dance recitals. Nearer me 006 speaks up from the din of the world.
002, if you spoke much louder she'd be able to hear you from a mile away; without her enhancements! I'll tell you one thing; if we ever get out of here I'll personally…
Gents, 007 cuts in. This is hardly a time for warring amongst ourselves! We can settle this after feasting on sweet liberty, but, not now! The poor girl needs our help right now, compose yourselves!
My head swims. I just don't care anymore; just as long as this ends…
As I open my eyes the others stop arguing and fall quiet, as if waiting for an answer to a question. I can't even find words yet. I know what will come, in only moments. The questions, and accusations. I know I won't be able to give them an answer, or at least, one they'll accept and understand.
Hey answer me something, 002 says. The kid said you passed out 'cos you ain't been eating nothing. What the hell are you thinking?!
The room is still, quiet apart from our heartbeats. I'm not even sure if I can muster the right words. I just feel so, empty, I can't even explain it. It's like there's just nothingness where all me feelings used to be.
I, I don't know, I manage to say. I was, empty… No, more like… I can't really tell you why…
And you realise we might not got another chance to get out of here, right? 002 says.
Of course she knows, snaps 006. The girl's not a fool!
And you're just ok with her endangering our lives and ruining our chances? Butts in 002.
It was a stupid move, I'll grant that, 006 continues. But, there have to have been reasons for this. We will find a way through this.
What does it matter that I'm even awake? They haven't stopped arguing. I might as well not be here for all the good I'm doing. They're so caught up in their fight, each trying to get the last word in. Now 007 joins in, trying to cease the fight with no avail.
A noise fills my mind, the others hear it too. The fight ceases and the others look around slightly dumbly.
Now isn't the time to be arguing, 001 says, from his corner, after ceasing the noise. We have a situation on our hands.
And then, almost as if they had been waiting for their cues 004, 005 and Dr Gilmore walk in. I catch a rather irate glance from 004 just before he speaks.
You may or may not know this already, He begins. But, there's a problem. The new test model is done; the eighth one and one of us has to fight him. But, it's no random decision over who goes. 003, you're meant to fight this guy. I tell you Schwester, you couldn't have picked a worse time to pass out. They're really happy with this one and unless we find a way of letting them make a switch you're going to fight him.
And, as I've already told these two, Adds the Doctor. It's not in their nature to make switches on the base of illness. If I were to ask for a trade trouble would ensue. They're already starting to think things…
The weight of this whole situation begins to close in on me. We will never get out of here. Never see the sun again or hear the wind. I feel so small compared to all this.
Well, there is the option that I go, 007 says. I am an actor - by trade and by nature - and these gifts might come in handy now… See, look, let me give it a shot.
He turns around, a strange popping noise sounds, and then, I see myself standing by the doorway. But, is that really what I've become? The other me that 007 has created, she seems so, wrong. Her eyes are empty, her hair is flat and messed, her clothes hang loosely from her and she seems like nothing is worth anything to her anymore, it can't be me! But yet, it is, in a strange way. He mimics my sad walk and stares only at the floor.
I feel a drop of water splashing onto my hand; tears swell in my eyes and my breath comes out in ragged sobs. Even through my tears I see them, staring uncomfortably, wondering what to do. Just, stop, staring! That isn't even me!
It doesn't have to be this way…
In a flash my sadness burns away into anger. Every part of my mind flares into rage. These people have no right to take us and turn us into their playthings! We all had lives, hopes and dreams and they were taken from us! If I even had half the power of any one of the others I'd take my vengeance and make these people suffer as we have. In a moment I'm on my feet, wiping tears from my eyes.
Please rest more, 005 says. You're still unwell, you may not recover if you over-exert yourself now…
Naturally. But, I'm not as weak as they all might think. Sixty odd years ago I promised my brother that I'd never give up. I promised Natalie that I would never stop.
Don't worry, I say. I'm going to be fine. Besides, the other scientists are coming. They're not going to let anyone else into the test bar me. I'm ready.
He's stringer than you think 003, I hear in my head. You're not going to get by on your senses alone. The new subject is a trained soldier!
I don't care. And 001 knows this now. I'm tired of being pushed around by people. If I can get a chance to go home I'm taking it.
The door swings open. The vile woman, Rita, walks in; followed by a man I've heard her refer to as Prof. Takuma Nekasa. He is a nervous man and I catch the worried glance on his face as he looks me over.
I suppose there's no need to explain what's going on, is there, 003? Rita says. Come on.
I follow, ready for a fight and knowing, secretly, that I might never see anywhere but this facility ever again.
TRANSLATIONS
Oui, Jean? - Yes, John (In French)
Prometts un chose pour moi. - Promise one thing for me (In French)
Oui, qu'est que c'est? - Yes, what is it? (In French)
Ne renonce jamais… - Never give up (In French)
D'accord… - Ok (In French)
Laisse moi! - Leave me! (In French)
Schwester - Sister (In German)