|2|
Once the handcuffs were off, Toni let out a groan as her aching arms retracted back in front of her. She began to rub at the irritated skin. The feeling of release had felt so good… too good. What had she gone to deserve this kind of satisfaction?
The fear was still present, but had faded only slightly, confusion took its place. Why did he do that?
She tried to face the man, to maybe question the reason behind his actions, but before she could even turn her head she felt that same hand push her against the door. Her temple was pressed to the cold metal; he kept her firmly pinned in place. She made some sounds of discomfort, but they were ignored. He wouldn't allow her to look at him.
A million thoughts consumed her. She was angry, but tranquil- mournful, but accepting. But one emotion left her with a bitter feeling. The quick release from pain and how he had given it to her so quickly was something she felt unable without. As if she needed the feeling again to escape from the bad luck that seemed to stalk her.
Her breath quickened and a familiar rush of anxiety took over, something that had troubled her since she was a child.
No, not here... Not now.
She inhaled sharply and began to tug at the neckline of her shirt to ease the pressure from her throat. She wheezed, struggling to breathe. Her face and chest burned, she was suffocating.
She was succumbing to her weakness in a time when she needed to protect it.
The hooded man frowned, and his grip became stronger, unknowing the reason of her strange behavior. But the thought that he could inflict such a strong reaction from her slightly amused him as well as ignited his curiosity.
This would be the one. Ruvik made his choice.
He dug his fingernails into her shoulders before pulling her back into the darkness.
Wait for me, I'm coming. Don't worry.
The gates of the elevator shaft opened, Sebastian took a few steps out. After the hell he just went through, he was undeniably cautious. His eyes wandered around the long hospital corridor; there were a few abandoned wheelchairs and the bodies of three police officers on the floor. He remembered this sight from the security cameras, how could he forget?
The ground beneath him began to shake violently, causing him to lose his balance. The large column windows that lined the hallway began to rattle in their frames, and the ceiling above him shifted with the movement, causing small amounts of debris to fall. Sebastian took off running before the next wave hit; the pain from the deep cut in his leg was nonexistent, seeming to have drastically healed. Or was it ever there at all?
He burst through the doors as he entered the waiting area, the scene where it all began. The whole building was about to collapse. He didn't have time to check to see if his partner Joseph was in the room, so he pressed on. With only one blow to the entrance doors, he was outside. He immediately looked over to see if Toni was right where she promised she would be, but she wasn't. No one was waiting for him there.
Krimson City began to fall apart around him. Buildings began to collapse, and the horrid sound of windows breaking from above was enough for him to realize that he could not stand around any longer.
An ambulance quickly reversed, crashing into a police cruiser in the process. The back wheels stopped dangerously near the edge of a giant sinkhole that spread out over half of the parking lot.
Officer Connelly called out to him using the radio that amplified his voice from the overhead speakers. "Detective! Get in! Get in!"
He felt his level of hope rise. That's where Toni and Joseph are.
He made a run for it, sprinting toward the accelerating vehicle. He clasped his hands around the door, leaping forward and crawling through the window frame. The ground behind them was swallowed up by the earth as they fled from the mental hospital, a place of nightmares.
Sebastian caught his breath, using a finger to pull his collar from his sweaty neck. He turned around to look through the small window that separated the front seat from the medical unit. They weren't there. It was just the junior detective and two unknown individuals: a doctor and a patient.
"Hey," he turned to Connelly. "Where's Toni, where's Joseph?"
"Man, I'm sorry but he never came out. I'da waited but..." Connelly took his eyes off the road for only a moment, giving the detective a puzzling look. "Who the hell is Toni?"
Sebastian frowned, turning his head to scold at Kidman. She met his fierce stare and shook her head no apologetically.
He turned back around, angry and frustrated. For the first time, he had actually expected that for once Toni would at least try to keep herself out of trouble.
I should have kept her in the back of that goddamn police car.
A commotion from behind disrupted his thoughts.
The asphalt cracked behind them like a wave of devastation, effectively destroying everything in its path beyond repair as the black pit of nothing swallowed up anything that fell into its abyss. The rumble caused the ambulance to shake as the wave neared the back wheels.
"Oh shit." Connelly glanced at the side rear view mirror. "There's no going back…"
A glimpse of the roof from a building flashed at the top of the windshield as they glided under it, narrowing being crushed as it collided with the earth a mere distance behind them. The strong force of its landing violently shook the car, causing everyone to fumble about in their seats.
Once Connelly gained control, he swerved to the edge of the road and back out again, avoiding all obstacles in his path.
Sebastian caught his breath, thinking it was over. He looked out a distance ahead of them, eyes widening. The rest of the city in front of them turned on an axis, shifting to the left; the disconnected roads would only be aligned momentarily.
"Shit…" He grabbed at the frame of the door for stability.
Connelly accelerated, veering around a parked bus barely making it across before the street behind them was closed off. Now the worst was over, it had to be.
They descended into a tunnel, blind to the destruction of the once proud standing city.
The worst was yet to come.
Toni rolled back her stiff neck as two of her fingers clawed at the examination table she laid on, groggily pawing at the thin cloth. As an instinct, she had tried to lift her hand to scratch at her skin, but soon felt the movement of her actions restricted. Now she was completely awake.
Her eyes shot open in a panic as she clenched her fists and pulled back against the leather straps that were wrapped tightly around her wrists.
No no-not this again. I learned my lesson.
She struggled for a while, but soon accepted her fate. She had no control here.
The room was pitch black- complete darkness, and had a musky smell of old wood and aged books. An apprehensive uneasiness crept back into her consciousness and her pulse increased. Her body ached from the prolonged stated of immobility, but with each little attempt at movement came a warmth as the blood began to flow down the length of her physique.
The sound of footsteps neared her as they walked across the tile floor, and with the unknown presence brought a shift of cold air. She became deathly quiet, blind to the source of the disturbance.
The light directly over the table flickered on, causing her to flinch away from the invasive brightness.
The pressure around her wrists immediately vanished as the metal buckles from the straps unclicked. The sudden change of momentum caused her to roll off, her hands stopping the fall. She lifted herself up and crouched behind the table as a form of protection. Her right arm was draped over the edge, her face hidden behind it. She peered under the table, breathing heavily. Her eyes were now at level to the pair of burnt legs that stood on the other side.
"An interesting hiding place. You certainly are a creative one."
It was a voice instantly recognizable; a voice that did not hide the mockery.
Toni tilted her head up, emerging her face from the dark protection. Her eyes met his penetrating gaze, staring into the blank threatening expression of his face. He studied her movements, paying close attention as she grabbed the edges of the table and pulled herself up; she was mentally exhausted and physically drained.
(Curiosity, it was only curiosity.) Her conscience returned, she didn't know whether or not she missed the company.
Once she was on her feet, she gave him a weak glare as she coughed once more before hooking her fingers and tugging at the neckline of her shirt that was still slightly damp from the rain.
Ruvik cocked his head down, a raspy exhale hummed inside his throat, eyes narrowing. He took a step forward, and in return she quickly pushed the table away in his direction before retreating back. She was more alert than he had originally thought, but this was a good thing.
He opened his palm, allowing the table to hit his hand with no effect. "That won't help you" he said, casually sliding the object that separated them out of the way, hitting the wall with a loud rattle.
She eyed the door at the far side of the room, but thought the man too clever to allow her an easy escape. Or maybe that's where he would expect her to run, leading her into another pit of deception.
She eyes darted around the new environment, which looked to be a place of work.
There was a large wooden desk shoved against the wall, on top of it laid medical tools and equipment as well as scattered sheets of paper with scribbled notes. Facing away from the desk was a large metal chair similar to what would be seen in a dentist's office, but this one was quite different.
Behind it were various tubes that interconnected at a large vector that seemed to store the machines energy; around the headpiece was a sharp clip that would attach to an individual- or rather a victim. All it needed was for a host to feed it back to life. It was rusted with age, but very much alive with abhorrent memories.
Ruvik observed her as she stared at his creation, a sense of pride overcame him. He was quite familiar with what she was looking at.
"I feel you know what is expected to come next." His deep voice cut through the silence.
(Being curious is a dangerous game.)
Her eyes darted back at him anxiously; his assumptions were correct. She stood completely upright, her actions taking on a predatory stance. "There's no way in hell I'm sitting in that chair."
Her words, though bold, riddled with a hint of insecurity.
A smirk dried up on his lips. This was the exact reaction he was looking for, and she had given it up so easily. He didn't need to resort to violence to get what he wanted, at least not with this susceptible individual.
He leered at her, his words perfectly clear. "Sebastian would appreciate some effort on your part. "
The familiar name crept from his lips, rolling off his tongue like poison. Her hard expression quickly deteriorated into a sickly pallid, satisfying his intentions of hurt. That name defiantly had meaning to her.
The phantom smell of blood hit her again, seeping its way into her nostrils. The bodies- the way they had been brutally handled was etched into her mind, leaving behind a permanent memory. Did Sebastian experience that same fate?
Jesus, stop thinking so crazy.
"What-"her hand involuntary grabbed at her arm, her face tightened. The softness melted away and was replaced with resentment. "What did you do to him?"
Her heart swelled with fear as she waited for an answer.
Silence came back.
He gave her an unreadable look, face like a statue. He turned on his heels and pivoted around to walk towards the wooden desk, his white cloak swaying with the movement.
"What he does, is not under my control…" His long disfigured fingers stretched out to bring a single scribbled and weathered piece of paper towards him; he studied it for a moment in silence. "But your cooperation will help him greatly. "
She stood in muteness, letting it all sink in.
It's a threat.
You promised me you would wait.
I know.
Why are you here?
Curiosity killed the cat; satisfaction brought him back.
(You promised.)
Toni's own guilt began to consume her. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand; the blood began to thump thickly in her ears and temples.
I'm sorry…
The hooded man turned around, eyes now focused on her as if he had heard her thoughts. She tried to look away, but his own gaze was keeping hers fixed on him. Her dry lips parted, but no words came out.
I'm so sorry, Sebastian.
It wasn't about her safety anymore, for she had fear for someone else's.
She took a timid step forward, but not towards the man who stood in front of her, rather towards the large metal chair. But this action was strictly voluntary- of her own will.
Ruvik was present to view her emotions unfold, none by his own doing; all infliction's existing wholly within her own mind. He watched intently as she stumbled along the perimeter of the room, avoiding close contact with him, even going as far as pushing the table away from the wall just to slip through to keep her distance from him.
(Killed the cat…)
When she reached the intimidating machinery, her feet became firmly planted to the floor- unable to move. Her forehead creased over the layer of perspired skin; her brown eyes turned a darker shade.
(Satisfaction brought him….. back)
With growing trepidation, she lowered herself into the chair, pressing her back to the cold metal. She began to clutch at her temple. The booming echo returned and left behind a searing throb.
(Was it truly curiosity? Or do you crave to disappoint?)
Ruvik arched a brow, never before had a patient willingly seat themselves in the chair. Others required a great deal of force, and for the pesky ones, a strong sedative was used. But of course, all of his previous test subjects had been mentally unstable. This young individual seemed to be relatively sane. And for that, this current situation was foreign to him; even from the start of his career while it was still in its infancy.
She stared at the wall in front of her, her fingernails sinking into her palms as she placed her forearms on the armrests. Her thumb began to lightly tap against the surface; she was ready for any games he wanted to play.
Not that she had a choice.
He walked toward her, squeezing his own hand around her left wrist. She tensed up, but did not move as he had seemingly expected her to. His fingertips were white from the force, but still; she provided him with no struggle.
He grabbed the metal hinge and locked her in with a loud click. He walked over to her right side, doing the same: grabbing her wrist. He brought her relaxed hand up for further inspection; it was delicate in his own, the skin broken around the wrist from all the previous restraints. He slammed it back down against the armrest, testing her equanimity.
Toni looked for a moment as if she had sunk her teeth into a lemon, but remained collectively still, continuing to stare at the wall.
It's not about your safety…
He then he moved behind her and began to make adjustments to the gadgets. She failed to conceal that she was already uncomfortable being under the force of his disposition.
"Do you understand that you are now under my control?" he spoke in a mocking tone as he grabbed the sharp instrument.
No response.
He seized a handful of her hair and lifted the heavy strands to expose her neck. The brisk air crept across her newly uncovered flesh, causing her to grip her hands around the end of the armrests.
He traced his icy fingers along the bone of her spinal cord, feeling for the correct placement. Once he found it, he tilted her head down using the pressure of his thumb.
"Be still…" he commanded.
With his free hand, he used the needle of the clip to press against her skin, allowing her to brace herself. Her shoulders twitched forward as her body tensed. The needle plunged in cleanly and they both let out a synchronized exhale.
She had now entered the first stage of the "treatment": the paralysis phase.
He released his hold on her limp neck as she slouched backward. He adjusted the position of her head, his scarred fingers entangling deep in the roots of her hair.
He paused, unconsciously reminiscing in the time his only sibling had let him toy with her silky black locks.
Laura….
His mouth went dry and sour, fingers curling into the shape of claws as he dug into Toni's scalp. The lock of his emotions was beginning to shatter.
He freed her of his demented grip, angered that he had allowed his beloved sister to be remembered in that way.
(It hinders your abilities…)
The voice-not his own, writhed into his thoughts. His woven hatred for that degenerate scum Jimenez came flooding back but he disregarded it, forcing his attention back to the scribbled notes on his desk detailing the work of a previous patient.
Leslie Withers (TS 59)
Subject's case history cites developmental delays and indicates issues with communication, social cognition, and repetitive behaviors. Signs of synesthesia reported. Genealogy suggests increased susceptibility to external stimuli and pattern adaptiveness.
He must focus on the important matters, the-
(task at hand…)?
A pulse began to beat like clockwork at Ruvik's right temple, the memories he loathed to relive returned like a cancer.
The pale haired individual would struggle, pushing his frail body against the back of the tub, causing murky water to weep over the edge. His screams were becoming insufferable for the observing doctor to tolerate; but alas, the procedure would continue.
Ruvik keenly watched the patient as he gripped the lever, ignoring the unwanted presence in the room that stood a short distance away. He knew Jimenez would be searching for any flaw he could find.
"No, NO. I wanna go home!"
At ease Leslie, it's all in the name of progress…
The lever shifted down, after a few last mumbles the boy became silent. His body remained laying limply in the tub, weightless. His mind had drifted elsewhere.
Ruvik walked over and clamped his hands around the rim. He studied the patient in his slumber-like state, wishing all the unknown could be delivered to him.
The doctor took a step towards them, but before he could near any closer Ruvik cut him off with a look of hostility.
Jimenez furrowed his brow. It was becoming more evident that his most valued subject was no longer his own. His body stiffened and he returned the gaze. "Do you wish to know what separates a great scientist from mediocrity?"
Ruvik scoffed, returning his attention to Leslie; he dipped two fingers into the pool of water. "Enlighten me, doctor." He spoke with a hint of ridicule.
Jimenez began to move forward, hands clasped behind his back. "It's the division of emotions and the task at hand. Your pain, your rage…. "He spoke in tones of deepest frost, "it hinders your abilities. It taints your work."
They both listened to the gentle breathing of the young man laying peacefully in-between them.
Ruvik clenched his jaw, controlling his irritation. "What is it you're insinuating?" he asked heatedly. Now looking across the tub at the man that stood opposite of him.
The doctor pressed on, picking away at his composure piece by piece. "Do you know the true reason so many patients were lost?"
Ruvik grew more ill-tempered, disgusted with the accusation that had not yet been directly stated; but oh how it lingered.
His face was carefully set, his eyes burning a hole through the doctor's. "They were inadequate."
"They were corrupted," Jimenez snapped back, "and at the hands of your own instability. This patient will be-" He drew in a heavy sigh, turning around to walk towards the double-wide entry doors. "It's all the same, I see no difference."
Ruvik stood frozen for a moment, watching him leave.
The doctor placed a hand on one of the doors, pushing it open slightly. He looked once more at him, his face pallid.
"You are blind to your own destruction."
And with that final statement he was gone.
Ruvik came out of the hallucination, finding himself staring blankly at the lever of the metal chair that when shifted down would awaken the machine and bring it roaring back to life. He clenched his jaw, his eyes focusing on the individual who was seated in the chair just as he had left her. The only movement from her body was her chest rising and falling in the rhythm of slow steady breaths.
His motives for reaching the outside world had gone unchanged. After so many tries, so many failed attempts on previous subjects was he finally able to find a host that was compatible with his own physiological weight. He would use Leslie, infecting and overtaking his body like a parasite to reach reality.
But he had not finished. No, not yet. His work was not yet completed. There was a missing element, something he would have to go back and recapture. Piece by piece his patients would bring him closer to completion, the horrid things they experienced served a higher purpose: they furthered his research. Leslie was the final piece to the large complex puzzle that he had spent so many years assembling. But that final piece wouldn't be enough.
His hand reached out and pulled down on the lever, sending a shockwave through Toni as she jolted backward against the chair with the force. Her hands pulled back, but they weren't going anywhere. Her mind slithered away, leaving behind her body. She had now entered the next phase: complete possession.
She was now forced into the mentality of Ruvik's most valued patient: Leslie.
He stared at her with dark shadowed eyes, moving the back of his hand under her nose, wishing he could feel the warm breath against his disfigured fingers that were almost touching her lips. He then pressed his fingers to her sleeping forehead with a hideous gentleness, wondering what torments were frolicking just behind the ridge of bone.
His final thoughts came out in a whisper: "This is my will."
[A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! they mean a lot. C&C are always welcomed. ]