It was like being in a coma but remaining alternatively aware. That first attempt was her only chance, when the device was still manual. Now there is no escape. When Jade feels the slightest spark to be able to move again, the machine buzzes and stabs her once again.
Vision blurs and she slips away.
Every day.
Every day she nearly dies.
Unbeknownst to her was the passage of time. There was no clock, calendar or any other indicators of when it was. All Jade knew was fully awake paralyses, pain and sleep. Everything got bright and then it got dark again.
At this point she would settle for Lyriz or one of his sheep to talk to. Can the undead lose their mind? Duh, just look at your captors.
One time she tried to count the seconds to herself the moment she woke up but she lost track well before the device activated again. She has also attempted to keep track of the days but again, Jade lost count somewhere in the double digits. Hell, that's only assuming she is stuck once a day. For all she knew it probably ran every few hours.
This was absolute agony. Jade was trapped and her only companion were her thoughts. And lately, hatred and self-loathing haven't been the best of company. She just shut her eyes, waiting for the machine to knock her out again.
Waiting for death.
Or a miracle.
Jade had some happy thoughts to entertain her mind. She explored her memories quite extensively. Her mind was probably starved for stimulation to produce nightmares and dreamscapes. So it must dig into the archives instead for stories.
It was late one Halloween. Mira always felt sad that in the city they couldn't trick or treat like a lot of other kids do. But she did enjoy herself because Jade made sure it was fun. Their favorite thing was making popcorn and watching scary movies on TV.
Night of the Living Dead was more than halfway through and Mira was hiding behind her big sister. Jade was actually enjoying it even if was quaint at times with the obvious music cues and stiff, lumbering zombies.
Mira lost it when it got to the gut eating. The movie was black and white so it wasn't graphic but the squishing and chewing sounds made it absolutely gruesome. She gripped tightly on Jade's arm but still unable to completely look away.
Jade looked behind at her sister and smiled. "Too much for ya?"
"Nnnnno!" she stammered. "It's not."
"Don't worry kiddo," Jade squeezing her arm back. "I won't let the monsters get you."
"I won't let them…"