Chapter 3: Headquarters of Hell.
"You have two choices Emma." Grandmother said finally addressing her by name. "Either you come with me and live to become a sister or mother raising children to become cattle like yourself, on a farm. Or you die and become Gotzuzel's next meal." She gestured to the demon towering next to her that looked at Emma like a gourmet steak.
"It's your choice sweetheart." She taunted with her long wrinkly bony witch-like hand out towards Emma.
Emma froze in terror at Grandmother's horrific proposal. Either die right now and be painfully chewed apart and eaten by this demonic creature, with only the wicked grandmother and her mother figure to witness and know the truth. While her foster siblings, the children at Gracefield would think she has been happily adopted and taken home by a kind family.
Or option two, become a Mama just like her own Mama and raise children in a beautiful and cosy home with love and care. Under the pretence of raising them to be adopted by equally caring and loving parents. But in reality, she was raising them to be cattle. Fattening them up so they can be a meal on a demon's plate before they even had a chance to become teenagers.
What kind of sick choice is that? Emma thought as she ran to hide behind Mama Isabella. Surely grandmother was wrong, Gracefield wasn't a farm, the children weren't cattle. This was all some sick joke by this wretched old woman.
Emma hid behind Mama Isabella hugging her. "Mama please tell me it's not true. That we are not food and that we are all going to be adopted into loving families." Emma wept into Mama's dress. Mama sighed as crouch down to Emma's eye level and began wiping away her tears. "Oh Emma I'm sorry. But all of which grandmother said before was true. Gracefield is a farm and you really are all just food for the demons. It was my job to make sure you are well looked after, fed and intelligent enough so when you get shipped out of Gracefield your brains are delicious for the demon's harvest and consumption." Mama explained eerily calmly.
Emma shook her head many times in disbelief. Mama that she loved so much and considered her own mother, had raised children including her and her siblings not to be adopted into loving families but to be demon food. Mama who had loved and protected her and her siblings in Gracefield house. Had also led countless of them to their deaths, including Connie and Norman to be a meal on some demon's platter.
"I'm just food?!" Emma wailed out loudly in emotional distress. Her entire life up until this point had been a pretence, an illusion, a complete and utter lie. She wasn't an orphan, she was just demon food raised to be slaughtered and consumed.. Mama quickly hugged Emma in an attempt to calm her down and to extinguish her cries, afraid that the children in Gracefield might hear her, despite being quite the distance away from them.
"Shhh, now, now, Emma." Mama hushed. "You don't have to become food. You can choose to live, to give up and become a Mama like I did." Mama reassured Emma.. "But I don't want to give up Mama. I don't want me or anyone to get eaten by demons." Emma cried out.
The grandmother's lip curled when she heard that. "We have already lost two of the previous premium meats. Do we really need to risk losing a third? The trifari is coming up and you have nothing to offer." She spat. The demon grew excited as he began to walk closer towards Emma. "Just let me serve this one up." he said, licking his lips impatiently.
But Mama gestured for them to stop. "She has shown the greatest potential results to become a Mama since my results. Besides you need new and upcoming Mama's and Sister's for the premium farms." Mama argued. Grandmother nodded in argument and quickly stopped the demon from approaching Emma.
Mama then turned back to Emma. "Don't be so foolish Emma!" she snapped. "You have a choice! I raised you so that you could live, so that you could become a Mama! Mama shouted. Emma could see there were tears in Mama's eyes, she was pleading with Emma.
"What about Sadie, Hao, Connie, or the other children that were eaten before you? No one will know they were killed except you! None of the children will remember them either because they will soon also be eaten. No one, Emma except you." Mama's words shook Emma to her core.
"Live, Emma. Live so they can live too, in your memory. Live, so they won't be forgotten, Live, Emma and become a Mama. I know you'll make the right decision." Mama hoped as she let Emma go and looked ahead at Grandmother.
Emma stared at Grandmother too who had her usual cold and emotionless demeanour and expression. "So what's it going to be, live or die?" Grandmother asked Emma again stoically.
"Come on I'm starving I'm not going to be here all night!" The demon growled in a gruff voice. "So,you better choose quickly, or I'll choose for you." He threatened.
Emma's memories of her life at Gracefield quickly flashed before her eyes. Happy memories of her playing and running with her siblings. Of Mama hugging them lovingly and reading them bedtime stories. The time where Emma and Ray used a tin can so they could talk to Norman while he was quarantining in sickbay as they were forbidden to visit him in person. All the laughter and love she shared together with her family at Gracefield now was all gone.
Then Emma suddenly remembered Ray telling her "When you are given the option to become a Mama I want you to promise me you will say yes." Then a memory of Norman nodding his head and waving goodbye before he left through the doors of Gracefield. Mama's words replayed in her head "I know you'll make the right decision."
Emma collapsed on her hands and knees in front of Grandmother in defeat. "I want to live. I want to live, please. Please Grandmother, let me become a Mama." Emma begged, sobbing at her feet.
Mama smirked in content. "Very well a Mama you become if you heed and obey my every word and command."She instructed. "Get up, girl!" She commanded. Which Emma quickly followed.
"Good, there may be some hope for you yet." Grandmother stared at Emma approvingly. She then turned to the demon "Forgive me, you won't have your luxurious dinner tonight. But rest assured this one will breed many more to come in the future." She said, gesturing towards Emma. The demon groaned in disappointment "Ashame, I was looking forward to munching on this one's juicy brain." He stared at Emma, while she looked back at him in fear. "But, alas you must sacrifice now, what will benefit you in the future." He said judiciously. He nodded to Grandmother, then to Mama, then to Emma and walked away, returning to the darkness, out of anyone's sight.
"May I take her from you now Isabella?" Grandmother asked Mama, referring to Emma. "
One moment please, Grandmother I want to wish Emma one last goodbye." Isabella pleaded. Grandmother nodded "Be quick." she commanded. Isabella curtsied in response. "Thank you Grandmother." She said gratefully as she gently approached Emma.
Mama Isabella then scooped Emma into one last bear hug as she cried into Emma's ear "Thank you Emma you have made the right choice. I'm proud of you." She then peppered Emma's face with motherly kisses. "Stay safe and strong. Study and work hard. Don't trust anyone except Grandmother and yourself. Never show weakness and prioritise your own survival first and foremost." She advised Emma. Then nodded at Grandmother to let her know she was ready.
Grandmother smiled, revealing her rotten teeth, with many of them missing. "Well said Isabella. You best take the advice to heart Emma if you want to live. Come on let's go now. Stick close to me." She commanded as she grabbed Emma by the arm and began to trot away. Emma looked back on Gracefield and Mama for one last time. The house looked peaceful as it stood still unbeknownst to the horror's that lie outside it.
She saw Mama smiling with pride and hope. "Goodbye Emma. Please do your best to survive and become a Mama. I love you so very much." She called out as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Before walking back inside the gate, locking it behind her. Returning to Gracefield house and to her facade of being a loving caretaker to orphaned children. When in reality she was just a farmer raising cattle to be slaughtered.
Emma walked timidly beside Grandmother, wiping away her tears. She was in shock and despair at the reality that suddenly crashed on her entire world. Neither of them spoke a word for a while until they reached the crossing bridge. Emma finally gathered enough courage to ask. "Where are we going?"
"Headquarters." Grandmother replied casually. "It will be your home and your prison where you will fight for every bite of food, every breath of air and every second of your life with all of your body, mind and soul if you have one left by the end of it." She explained bitterly. "You either win by becoming a Mama, a sister or one of headquarters lackeys." She spat in disgust at the last option. "Or you lose, and…well let's just say the beasts are always hungry." Grandmother snickered which caused Emma to shiver.
Finally, they reached headquarters, the walk couldn't have been ten minutes. But, to Emma it felt like they walked for hours. She found it very difficult to walk and carry herself after the shocking revelation made to her at Gracefield.
Emma looked up at headquarters. It was a very, very tall black coloured building that was shaped like a demon's skull with a round dome in the middle and two pointed pieces coming from each side. Lights that came from the building were of a red tint that you could see from a mile away. It also had giant red flashing indecipherable symbols printed on the front of the HQ's walls. There was a giant electricity-runned gate surrounding the entire building.
Grandmother approached the pad with buttons on it next to the gate. She held down a button that lit up while she spoke into the speaker, " This is Grandmother, I have collected 63194 from Plantation 3 as a potential candidate for the Mama or Sister position. Please let us in and have Deborah deliver the candidate to her new room." "Right away Grandmother." A voice responded. Suddenly there was a buzzing sound then the headquarters gates slowly opened automatically.
"Let's go." Grandmother instructed as she walked through the gate, which Emma reluctantly followed. Soon they arrived at the front door which was giant and 15 ft tall. The door was made out of see-through bullet proof glass and had cameras on each side of the doors. Which gave Emma an ominous feeling of dread. This was done to track who comes in and who comes out.
Emma saw a middle aged woman who wore a nurse uniform through the glass window. She raised her thumb to the pad on her side of the door. A clicking sound was heard as she opened the door, letting both Grandma and Emma inside. "Good evening, Sarah." The nurse politely curtsied in Grandmother. Grandmother responded with a polite bow of head. "Good evening, Deborah I have collected 63194, the newest meat from plantation 3." referring to the terrified Emma next to her.
Deborah smirked and raised her eyebrow in interest. "Those from that plantation are normally quite promising aren't they?" she quizzed. "Indeed." Grandmother answered. "Show this one her quarters and explain to her what she has in store for her." Grandmother said ominously, "Very well." Deborah bowed. "This way please." She gestured towards Emma. "Hi, I'm Emma." She tried to politely introduce herself to the nurse. But in return she received a cold slap on the cheek from Grandmother.
"Not anymore." she sneered. Tears went down Emma's newly red cheek as she grabbed it in pain. "You are now just a number. Number 63194 and you best remember that." she threatened. Emma still clutched her cheek in pain as she silently wept. "Do I make myself clear? Grandmother demanded. "Yes…" Emma whispered quietly in response. "Yes, who?" Grandmother demanded again. "Yes, Grandmother." Emma whispered again.
"Good." Grandmother remarked, satisfied. "You may take 63194 to her room now Deborah." Deborah, unphased at what just happened simply nodded her head "Come along now 63194" she put her hand behind Emma's back, leading her away from Grandmother, who gave Emma a cold-iron stare as she walked away from her.
"I hope you ate enough before you came here. Because you won't be permitted to eat tomorrow as you will be going under surgery." Nurse Deborah explained as they walked down a long well-lit but still a very creepy hall. Surgery? What on earth for?! Emma thought scared. But she was too afraid to ask and she felt demoralised by this whole atmosphere
Soon, they reached the end of the hall where there was an elevator. Deborah pressed a button which caused the elevators to open doors wide. She entered the giant elevator with Emma following close behind. The elevator had two lines of buttons on each side of the door. One of the lines had normal numbers next to each of the buttons. The other row of lines had strange symbols next to them. Which had reminded Emma of the symbols she saw outside of headquarters.
Deborah pressed the button with the number 3 beside it. The elevator doors automatically closed. Whoosh the elevator raced. Emma felt confused and afraid since this was her first time on an elevator.
Ding…
The elevator finally grinded to a halt as it reached its stop. The elevator doors gently opened as Deborah exited the elevator. Emma took a moment to catch her breath beforing following after her. They entered another well-lit creepy corridor but this time it was smaller and had many doors on each side. Both of them walked to near the end of the corridor when Deborah stopped a door and unlocked it with her thumbprint on a pad next to it.
Click
Deborah pushed the door open, allowing both of them inside. Emma's first impression of her new room was that it was grey and empty…Grey walls, grey floors and grey ceiling. There was a clock on the wall, a plain desk and chair in the corner. A single bed with grey sheets, a grey cushion and a thin grey blanket on top. Above the bed, there was a small window with bars covering it. That was all there was in this spacious room.
"This will be your room from now on." Deborah spoke. "There is a toilet and shower in there." She said pointing to a door leading to the bathroom in the corner. "Thank you." Emma said politely. Which Deborah replied with a curt nod of her head.
"Now, get some decent rest. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow." She instructed before leaving, closing the door behind her and locking it. All before Emma could ask any questions. But what questions she did have she was too tired and in shock to bother asking.
Emma sighed as she finally dumped her suitcase on the floor. She then threw her hat on the floor and took off her jacket, stockings and shoes uncharacteristically leaving them on the floor messily along with her suitcase.
She then practically leaped into bed ,she stared out at what she could through her barred window. She could just make out her old home, Gracefield orphanage, it looked so peaceful. So, close yet so far away. Emma pulled the blanket over her face praying that when she awoke, that this was all just some horribly awful vivid nightmare. Emma drifted off to sleep instantly…
That night she dreamt of her time at Gracefield. Emma and Norman were discussing what they wanted to be when they are older.
"I want to be a teacher! Wait, an athlete, no I'll be an astronaut. Ahh there are so many great options." Emma complained indecisively. Norman chuckled, "Well, whatever it is that you decide to do. I'm sure you will be amazing. As for me, I think I would want to be a househusband." "A househusband?" Emma asked surprised. Norman nodded "Uh huh, I want to have a lot of kids, take care of them and raise them with lots of love."
Emma smiled at the idea "Oh, maybe we can adopt lots of children from orphanages like Gracefield. Or maybe we can open up our own orphanage one day." She suggested excitedly. Norman smiled happily; he loved Emma's excitement. "Of course that sounds wonderful as long we are together."
"Definitely." Emma affirmed. "What about you Ray?" Emma turned to Ray who was engrossed in his fantasy book about kids who gain magical powers and save the world from monsters. "Rayyyy?" she asked again. "Huh?" he finally stopped reading and turned towards her. "What is it Emma?" he asked.
"What do you want to be when you're older? Norman wants to be a househusband and I'm undecided. What about you?" Emma explained.
Ray just stared for a while in contemplation, his expression was hard to decipher but Emma could have sworn there was a twinge of sadness and pain in his eyes. He then casually shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, never given it much thought."
"What? Come on Ray! You have never thought about what you want to do when you're older?" Emma pushed. "I guess it didn't cross my mind." Ray said dismissing Emma.
"Well, how about you think over it now? What would you really like to do when you're older?" Norman suggested. Ray sighed as he quietly mulled over it in his head. "Hmmm I guess if I had a choice…I think I would want to become a doctor." Ray decided. "A doctor?" Norman parroted back. Ray nodded "I would want to save people's lives and help them if I could."
"That's sweet Ray don't worry I'm sure you will have no problem becoming a doctor." Emma encouraged. "Yeah Ray you are really smart you can do it!" Norman agreed with Emma. "I'm not as smart as you though." Ray said bitterly to Norman.
"Hey it's not a competition." Norman reassured and playfully smacked him on the shoulder, which caused Ray to flinch, annoyed. Emma smiled "That's right. Let's stick together when we are adults so we can all help each other achieve our dreams together!" Emma exclaimed. That's a wonderful idea Emma. I promise to stay with you both and help you achieve your dreams when I'm an adult." Norman promised. "I promise to help you both too!" Emma said positively.
Ray didn't say anything. But Emma and Norman stared at him intently waiting for a response. Ray then raised his hands up in defeat. "Okay,okay fine I promise." Emma and Norman smiled as they went to form a group hug with Ray, much to his chagrin.
BRRRRR!
Suddenly, Emma was awoken from her heaven by a loud alarm on her wall. Being brought back into the hell that is headquarters. Her head felt dizzy as she struggled to get up after being suddenly woken up and still being unfamiliar with her new surroundings. But, it didn't take long before Nurse Deborah arrived and practically dragged Emma out of bed then dragged her into the bathroom.
"Shower. Then change into these clothes. Be quick." Nurse Deborah demanded dropping a paper bag of clothes on the bathroom floor then closed the door, giving Emma privacy. Emma used the toilet which was cold and grey, causing her to shiver when she used it. After she was finished, she quickly fully undressed herself then she saw a sign near the shower head she was about to turn on.
The sign read: Limited amounts of time for hot water per HQ resident. Then proceeded to label how much time of hot water each type of resident is allowed to use. Permanent residents/staff are allowed unlimited use of hot water. Any pregnant woman on site is only permitted 20 minutes of hot water over 30 degrees celsius, to protect the foetus while it develops.
Emma read that Trainees were allowed 10 minutes of hot water, while Advanced Trainees were permitted 20 minutes of hot water. Sisters were given 40 minutes and Mama's were given 1 hour of hot water use. Emma then saw right at the bottom of the list was "Fresh meat" which Emma guessed was her since that's how Grandmother referred to her earlier. Fresh meat were only permitted 5 minutes of hot water.
Emma wanted to cry at the unfairness of it but didn't . She missed taking showers at Gracefield already. She took a deep breath, slowly turned the shower's hot water on then went inside. Emma saw a timer on the wall and it was counting backwards from 5 minutes. Emma quickly applied soap all over her body and then rinsed it off. She skipped washing her hair and quickly turned off the shower and got out.
Emma looked at the timer and realised she didn't even use half of her allocated time for hot water. She sighed then quickly dried herself off with a towel. She then picked up the paper bag full of clothes that Nurse Deborah gave her and began to get changed. The clothes were grey cotton medical pyjamas with light shoes and a change of underwear.
Emma suddenly became anxious when she remembered Nurse Deborah telling her last night that she was going to have surgery today. She quickly got dressed not wanting to keep the nurse waiting, before meeting her outside the bathroom. Deborah smirked "Wonderful, you were quick. Maybe there is hope for you Gracefield." She teased Emma as she quickly dragged her out of the room and into the corridor.
Quickly enough, they were both in the elevator again. The serious nurse had pushed the number 6, Emma became scared and not just because of the elevator, but she was terrified of this surgery that was going to happen to her. All the fears and worst possibilities ran through Emma's mind.
"It's okay you'll be safe and in the most efficient hands possible during surgery." Nurse Deborah reassured Emma, sensing her nervousness. "Thank you." Emma smiled gratefully. "What surgery will I be receiving?" She asked the nurse, finally gathering enough courage."You will be getting a tracking device inserted into your heart" The nurse answered in a matter of fact tone.
"My heart?!" Emma exclaimed in horror. "Yes, you will be made fully unconscious so you won't feel a thing. SInce you are considered high quality meat to the demons. The surgeon's will be very careful not to damage you in any way to ensure you remain high quality in the future."The nurse explained while keeping a straight face.
What the nurse said didn't help Emma calm down at all. In fact it terrified Emma to the point she began crying, her entire body began to tremble and she felt as if she might have thrown up in the elevator if it wasn't for the fact she was forced to skip breakfast. The nurse did little to comfort her once the elevator reached their destination. She forcibly dragged Emma by the arm out of the elevator and into the medical examination room.
There they were both greeted by a surgeon in full medical gear and the terrifying demon next to him. "This is another fresh meat?" The demon asked the nurse. "Yes, this is 63194 from Plantation 3. She has been recommended to become a Mama or Sister Candidate. But needs to be processed before she can begin any of her training." Nurse Deborah said as if she was talking about an animal instead of the life of a young girl.
"Very well, perform the necessary tests and requirements for the surgery. If she passes, bring her to the operating room. If she fails, well..You know what to do." The surgeon said ominously as he walked away into the operating room. The demon also walked away in a different direction but not before ghoulishly licking his lips at Emma.
Nurse Deborah then began performing numerous tests on Emma and writing them down on her medical notepad. Starting with Emma's height and weight. She had Emma stand against a grey wall where she had her height measured at 148 cm or 4.85 ft. She was already a few centimetres taller than 145cm, when she last measured herself at Gracefield months ago.
The nurse then made Emma sit on a chair which took her weight. She weighed at 40kgs or 88.2 pounds. The nurse then calculated her height and weight to get her BMI score which was 18.26. That meant Emma was slightly underweight. Nurse Deborah made a note on it then continued her testing.
She then took Emma's temperature with a thermometer through her ear, 37 degrees celsius or 98.6 degrees fahrenheit. Normal, healthy temperature. The nurse then listened to her heart through a stethoscope. She tested Emma's blood pressure twice with a sphygmomanometer. The nurse jotted down all the results of the tests on her final test was a scratch test to check to see if Emma had any allergies to any medicine or objects that were going to be used during the operation.
While the nurse awaited for the results of the test, she collected a sample of Emma's blood with a winced at the pain of the needle but the nurse held her arm down firmly while she took her blood. Once she was finished she put the blood in a test tube, labelling it '63194' before sending it off to the lab.
The nurse returned a while later, with a tiny shot glass of water in one hand and pills in the other. "Take this, it's pain killing medicine so your not into much pain after your operation." The nurse explained handing her the pills and the glass which Emma obediently took. "Good." The nurse nodded her head in approval.
"Now, let's check the results of your scratch test." She said, rolling up Emma's sleeve and inspected the site of the scratch test. She smiled at the results. "Wonderful, you don't seem to have any allergic reactions. I think you're ready for surgery now. Let's go." She said as lead a very reluctant and scared Emma to the operating room.
They were greeted by the same surgeon that they met earlier. "All clear, Deborah?" he asked the nurse. "All clear, Gerald." The nurse responded. "Although she is slightly underweight despite being from a premium farm." she added handing him the report.
"That's alright," He said quickly going over the report. "I'm sure HQ will make her gain weight and muscle soon enough. Although I'll make a note to the nurses feeding her in future to make sure she gets slightly bigger portions and eats it all up." He said handing the report to another nurse who went to put it away
"Bring the patient to the operating table." The doctor demanded. "Right away sir." Nurse Deborah curtsied at the doctor before going to fetch Emma. But, Emma ran away from the operating room. Whether that was because the lights, equipment and all the people in medical gear ready to cut her open had overwhelmed her. Or the reality of having a microchip tracker that was about to be surgically installed into heart, finally dawned on her.
Emma ran as fast as her feet could take her out of the medical centre, down the corridor and reached the elevator in less than half a minute. But she was suddenly stopped in her tracks by a demon exiting the elevator. The demon's smile grew twisted and licked her lips as she picked Emma up with two fingers. "Mmmhh delicious, a free snack." She said, about to place Emma between her sharp teeth.
"STOP!" A few members of the medical team yelled at the demon. "Huh?" the demon said confusedly as she moved Emma away from her mouth. "What is the meaning of this?" the demon played dumb.
"That girl is a potential Mama or Sister candidate and is of premium quality. She is to be operated on and not to be eaten..yet." Gerald the surgeon explained. The yet at the end of his sentence gave the demon hope for the future. But sent a chill down Emma's spine. "Aaahh..what a pity. Forgive me." The demon apologised, reluctantly handing Emma back to the surgeon, unscathed.
"Thank you Misura. I'll be sure to put you on the list for higher quality meats in the future." Gerald said gratefully. "I'll be looking forward to that." Misura cooed as she returned to the elevator. The surgeon stared at Emma coldly and angrily. "Come on, let's head back." He muttered, holding on to her tightly, making sure she didn't escape again and carried her back to the operating room.
Emma saw Nurse Deborah staring at her unimpressed, "You're lucky I won't inform Grandmother of your little escape attempt. I'm willing to write you off this time as your nerves are getting the better of you. But make no mistake, don't try something like this again or you will sorely regret it." The nurse threatened. Emma quickly responded by nodding her head in fear.
Emma was then placed on the operating table and held down by numerous doctors and nurses even though she had stopped fighting. She was still just as terrified as she was she knew it was impossible to fight several grown adults by herself and that by trying to would just make things a whole lot worse for herself. so she begrudgingly resigned herself to her fate letting the doctors hold her down.
Emma then felt her hair being tucked away in a shower cap. A kind woman's voice that wasn't Nurse Deborah's whispered "Don't worry, I'll protect you. You'll be safe I promise." That helped calm Emma's fears a little as she felt a sharp prick in her arm and saw the doctor had put the needle in .
It is done now. Emma just had to hold tight and wait. Soon she became lightheaded and felt like she was floating, soon enough the Doctors and nurses voices became muffled, her last thoughts were of her Gracefield family's faces before she finally drifted off into blissful unconsciousness.
End of Chapter 3
