Purgatory: Part II
Sparkling drops fell around him. Rain spilled over his body, washing his clothes red with blood. Fear permeated through his soul. It made him afraid to run, to hide, to stay, to go. He painstakingly dragged himself up off the pine needle floor. He moved in blind terror, gaining speed with each step. The pain muddled his thoughts. He had no idea where to go; he had to escape them. Everywhere he turned, he could see them. Their knives glinting in the moonlight.
Far off he heard the sound of water, of gentle waves caressing sand. When he fell, he felt wet sand beneath him. He closed his fist around a small handful of the damp mud. He allowed his eyes to rest on the distance line of the opposite shore. The tiny beached across the way looked familiar, safe. His eyes remained fixed to the site as memories washed over him. If he stared hard enough, he could just see the place where his family took camping trips. He had grown attached to the supple clearness that stretched around him. It was impossible for his parents to drag him out of the water when the orange sun calmly sunk over the green mountaintops off in the horizon. His peaceful place had turned deadly. He turned back to the woods. He heard a cacophony of voices coming towards him. Terror rose in his chest. He crawled towards the freezing water falling in. The water splashed around him mimicking the falling rain. After swimming for several yards, he felt numbness spreading over his arms and legs. The water stifled his cries. He surrendered and sank silently to the bottom.
Jarod started in his sleep, drawing him to consciousness. He opened his deep brown eyes and gazed around the room. So many times when he awoke, he felt confused, not remembering where he was. He had always feared that when he opened his eyes he would be back at the corporation that had controlled his life and lingered in his dreams. Now the nightmare was the reality.
He attempted to roll over onto his side, but found he could barely move at all. He lifted his head and saw leather straps encircled his body, criss-crossing his chest and legs. His arms c lamped tightly to the table where he lay. His fists were duct-taped to metal bars that protruded out of the table, preventing any movement of his fingers and hands. He rested his head uncomfortably against the steel table.
"Good morning, welcome back to the living," said a voice off to the side. Jarod shivered at the memory of his dream. He turned his head towards the man.
"Did you miss me, Lyle?"
Lyle leaned back in his chair.
Jarod tried to move his fingers to loosen the tape a little. "I would not recommend doing that, Jarod." Jarod allowed his body to relax. He sighed. Lyle stood and walked around the table into view. His dark gray suit reflected the apathy in his eyes. Cold, indifferent, showing no emotion. Empty blue stared at the helpless man.
Jarod looked away from him. "What will you do to me now?"
Lyle ran his gloved hands along the sides of Jarod's face. He reached across Jarod's face pulling a thick leather brace around his head. He secured it tightly, positioning Jarod's head so he stared at the ceiling. He looped the brace around Jarod's chin, limiting his ability to speak. Through clenched teeth, Jarod demanded an answer. Gently, Lyle wrapped his hand around Jarod's neck. He moved his fingers across the skin.
"I will do as I please."
He massaged harder and harder until Jarod gasped for air. He allowed him to writhe before letting go and picked up a syringe and small bottle off a nearby table. He drew out several cc's of an amber-colored liquid and flicked the bubbles to the top. He stared at the syringe.
"Amazing what several chemicals mixed together in the right combination can do to a human body." He squirted the air out, glancing sideways at Jarod through the cloud it created. The instant seemed to stretch on forever for Jarod. Lyle's terrifying look. A half smile: determination spreading on his lips. A cold insanity stared back at Jarod.
He tried to regain his composure to the best he could in his situation. Calmly simulating his way out, he focused his attention on the bottle. It was just barely out of his eyesight. He tried to read the label, but the print was too fine. "What does this specific combination do?" He mumbled through the brace.
Lyle ignored his question, stepped back, and pulled a stool close to Jarod's side. "How long has it been?"
"What?" Jarod asked, eyeing the needle warily.
"Since we first met," he paused, thinking. "Ah, yes, SL-27, four years ago in Sim Lab 56." Lyle twirled the needle around casually. "We were testing cardio benzene."
"I would not expect you to be the type to remember your lab rats and the mazes they run."
"You were quite the rat, David."
Jarod glared at him, "I'm not yours to control any more, Lyle. I will not believe your lies; I will not solve your problems. You benefited from my work, now it's your turn to pay."
"You are powerless here. Your tricks will not be tolerated. You are a mere subject and there is nothing that you can do to stop me or the Centre. We own you, hell, we created you."
Jarod's face went white. "I belong with my family."
"We are your family."
"No!"
"Jarod, why would your family care about you now? They have a new son, an exact copy of you. They do not need you anymore. We need you."
"No, I promised my father, I promised I would see him again."
"Why would he want to see you again?"
"He's my father."
"He doesn't even know you!"
"HE'S MY FATHER!"
Through the restraints, Lyle saw Jarod's body shaking with determination or could it be fear? He enjoyed watching Jarod as he tried to resist the thoughts forced into his mind. He knew that eventually, in his present state, Jarod would probably win his struggle with them. Lyle played with the syringe in his hand, drawing Jarod's nervous attention. Lyle only needed to wait, try to be patient as Jarod slowly succumbed to the chemicals that would soon be coursing through his veins. He anticipated breaking Jarod's façade of confidence. A knock on the door swept away his reveries. Two sweepers accompanied Raines as entered. Raines glanced apathetically at Jarod's prone form before addressing Lyle.
"Are you ready to begin the procedure?" he breathed.
Lyle allowed his eyes to linger on Jarod's face.
"Yes."