Lindsay finds herself in a new kind of trouble, as she meets Heiter again. It looks like the man may be dead, but he sure won't give up without a fight. On the other hand she meets someone, who could be just as dangerous as the insane surgeon was, if not even more. What does this new acquaintance wants from her, and why? Will she find out his intentions? Is he with her, or against her? Or perhaps neither? All the while the young woman is worried about her best friend, who still lies on her hospital bed, which could be her deathbed too.
Lindsay woke up, and found herself in a familiar environment. It was some sort of cellar, with hospital beds, and medical equipment everywhere.
This is Heiter's lab. - She concluded.
She had a weird feeling about herself. The ground was closer to her eyes, than it normally should have been, but she was very comfortable.
- I'm on all fours. But why is it so normal for me now?
She tried to move around a bit. It worked, even tough she had to drag some kind of weight behind herself. The "weight" somehow felt alive, and an integral part of her. It was quite different than her time as the centipede.
She tried to stand up on her hind legs - she immediately noticed, that she refers to them as "hind legs", not "legs", like she normally would - but the weight behind her dragged her backwards. She knew somehow, that she has to lean forward to counterbalance it, which prevented normal, bipedal walking. It was more like a gorilla's, or dinosaur's posture.
She looked at her front legs - "Front legs", and not "hands"! Strange ... - but only a reptile's "hand" appeared in front of her eyes. It was similar to a lizard's or crocodile's front leg, but with human fingers, all of which ended in black, reptile claws.
- The hell is this?
She looked behind herself, and lifted up the "weight". She saw a heavy, strong, muscular tail, similar to a crocodile's, but it was thinner, and more mobile.
She heard steps from the hallway, so she let herself down, on all fours. She waited in that posture, until the "new person" entered the cellar. She immediately recognized that one.
- Heiter!
The man ignored her, and walked over to the bed in the middle of the room. He talked to the occupant of that bed, and addressed her as "Jenny".
Lindsey followed his monolog, which mostly consisted of ranting about the centipede's failure, and his new creation. Then he suddenly turned towards her.
- You, Lindsay!
- Me? What about me? - The woman was confused.
Heiter turned back to Jenny, and gone on a long rant about testing his new creation. He said that Jenny can go freely, if she can run away, then he untied her, gave her a scalpel, and sent her away. This prompted the curly haired woman to run out of the room.
Heiter did something with his watch, then stared at it for a time. Suddenly, he turned to Lindsay, and shouted a command to her.
- Get her!
Lindsay felt a strong urge to comply. She ran out from the room, up the stairs, right to the front door (which she found wide open) then trough it. Moving on all fours was easy and comfortable this time, not the slow crawling she had to do as the middle part. This was something entirely different.
She left the house and ran into the woods. Somehow she knew where Jenny is. When she caught up with her, the other woman turned back, holding the scalpel in her hand. She assumed fighting position, and held her weapon in front of herself, it's end pointed towards Lindsay.
When she recognized her best friend, she relaxed a bit. She lowered the cutting tool, and tried to speak to her.
Lindsay wasn't able to hear her words, as some kind of hunger, or longing overcame her body. The only thing she was able to think about was the ravening void in the place where her stomach once was, and the strong compulsion to fill it up, before it will make her wither away. She let out a strange sound, which was some kind of mix between a snake's hissing and a lion's growling, then her viewpoint got catapulted up, right to Jenny's chest.
The straight haired woman heard her best friend's scream, as she fell back, with Lindsay on top of her. The latter immediately bit onto Jenny's neck, then started to drag her left and right. It was mostly the same, as a wolf's attack, just from first person view, this time.
The next thing Lindsay knew, was the taste of meat in her mouth. It tasted like roast chicken, and it was perfectly made. She just kept her eyes closed and ate the delicious food, when she heard Heiter's all too familiar voice from nearby.
Feed on her! Feed on her! Then: Gorge! Swallow it, b****! Swallow up!
- Why can't you just leave me alone? At least let me eat my dinner, you inpatient, intolerant, jerk!
When she was finished, she tried to lay down and rest for a bit, but something diverted her attention. She felt something between her teeth, and when she removed it, she realized that it's a part of some clothes. She carefully looked at the place, where her meal was, and she found only Jenny's clothes. They had bite and scratch marks on them.
- What did I ate? What was that exactly? Because it's certainly looks like...
She began to fall into despair, as she realized what she had done. Then, she suddenly found herself on a hospital bed, a woman was standing next to her, and she was calling her "Miss Lindsay". It looked like she is trying to wake her up.
Lindsay sat up in an instant, and looked at her hands. They were normal again. She began sobbing.
- Jenny! She ...! I ...! ... Her!
She is still in the next room, and she is still in bad condition. - Said the woman next to her. - I'm sorry, that I can't give you better news.
I had a nightmare, right? - Asked Lindsay. She felt very tired, and exhausted.
It certainly looked like that. - Answered the woman, who wore a nurse uniform. Um, I know you don't want sedatives, but perhaps you should take some, to get some sleep. - She added.
Maybe you are right. - Sighed Lindsay. - Just don't knock me out with it, please.
- We won't, I promise.
Lindsay was getting ready to sleep, after she received some help. While doing that, her thoughts were occupied with the events of the nightmare. - Why am I dreaming about these things? Could it be because I'm afraid of reptiles (that's because reptiles are abhorrent)? But then, why am I dreaming myself as one? And why did I do that to Jenny? Heiter was there too, but I haven't attacked him. I could have killed him, I'm sure about that. No living human would be able to stop that ... thing I was. And still ... I left him alone. And how was he able to ... control me like that. Why did I complied to him? What was that ... urge to carry out his orders? And the hunger? Where did that came from? Sure I feel a bit hungry, but still. I haven't even used my stomach in ... how long, actually? When was the last time I ate? Not counting my ... feeding, of course! I have to find out what's happening to me. - Her eyes became heavy as the sleepiness, and the effects of the sedative caught up to her. - But not now, I'm afraid. Maybe later. - She fell asleep with these thoughts.
Somehow she knew it's daytime, when she woke up again. She felt somewhat better. Astrid came into the room, and stood next to her. After the usual things, she wanted to know how Lindsay feels about receiving visitors.
I have a visitor? Here? - She asked with clear surprise on her face. - Who is it?
- It's best if he tells you that. He may be able to help you.
- Okay, send him in, please. I'm curious about this man.
She still haven't got any clue as to who that man might be, or what would he want from her.
Soon, a man, dressed in a black suit walked into her room, and introduced himself. He was a tall, soft-spoken man, with brown hair, and eyes. Judging, by his looks, and gestures he looked like some sort of businessman. At least, Lindsay thought he is one. His name was Linus.
Linus gone over the usual questions about Lindsay's condition, and the like, and the woman quickly realized that he is deliberately avoiding the reason he is there for, in the first place.
Ok, then! I will have to ask him about it. - With that thought in mind, she tried to inquire about his offer, which prompted Linus to take a formal posture, as he began to speak.
I may have heard about your little ... accident, with that ... unsavory man, and I wish to offer you my help.
Lindsay's eyes narrowed with suspicion. - Why would you try to help me? And how exactly would you do it? - She asked.
As the first part of the plan, we can perform a new type of surgery, which can repair your ... exit. - Linus said. - It's not cheap, but we can do it for you, for free.
Really? - Lindsay choose her words very carefully. - You would do that for me? Just like that?
Not really, no. - Linus started to fiddle with his fingers. - Let's just say that ... I will cover the costs, from my own wealth. And you should hope, I won't do anything to you, because then, you would end up as a memory. The appropriate doctors would do it, but they are definitely not me. I can come up with ... cures to certain kinds of ... problems, but not these kind of things, I'm afraid. I think we should ... leave it as that. Anyway, back to the subject! Fixing your other ... difficulties, will be a whole lot easier, I think.
You mean ...? - Lindsay tried to ask.
- Yes. I assume you want to use your legs again, and that will be an easy operation. As well, as your dental implants. We will provide you with a set of false teeth for the interim period, if you would like that. The doctors can provide you with the details, I'm sure.
I have to decide about this right now? - Asked the woman. She wasn't sure what to think about all this.
No, my offer stands as long as you are here. And I'm sure you will want to talk about this with your friend too, when she wakes up. - Lindsay noticed the man's emotionless face, which made her even more suspicious.
When she wakes up? You know something? - The woman immediately became tense.
Actually, you know more about her, than I do, I'm sure about this. But she better wake up, or your country will bomb us to oblivion! - He said in a concerned tone.
Lindsay felt her anger flaring up. - We don't bomb people! Not into oblivion, and not into anywhere else! - She sneered.
Oh, sure you don't! - Linus changed his voice to a mocking tone. - I must have missed that part, somewhere. Like Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Pakistan, Serbia, and the others suddenly came up with the idea to bomb themselves! Like this: "Hey! I have a great idea! Let's just bomb ourselves, then blame the US. for it! That's great! Let's make it happen! Yeah!"
Lindsay sat up. - We don't bomb peop...!
Linus interrupted her with a wave of his hand. - Irrelevant! I don't care at the slightest about who bombs who, and where, as long, as Germany isn't on the receiving end of it!
I'm pretty sure this whole thing isn't reason enough to start a war. - Commented Lindsay cautiously.
- I can start a war for you, with anyone, anywhere, anytime, if you want that. Just tell me who you want to declare war on.
- Yeah. - Smirked Lindsay. - Your people have a great track record in starting wars. Like world wars. Two of it, in fact.
- That was an exaggeration. Do you know however, what will this cause for our tourism industry?
We aren't the first tourists who got into trouble, I'm pretty sure about this. - Said the woman, cautiously.
No, you aren't, but this thing... It's different. It's a whole new level of terrifying. - Linus began pacing back and forth in the room. - If a tourist manages to get itself killed, that's one thing. If said person get's kidnapped, tortured, then killed, that's another. But this! Nothing like this ever happened, anywhere! At least we don't know about similar events...
Suddenly, he stopped, and ran closer to Lindsay. - The first one? That isn't big news. The second one? Everyone, and their dog will talk about that, for three days, then they forget about it, and everything goes back to normal. But you? Half the world will speak about this! The half, which you haven't bombed to oblivion. Not yet, at least...
We don't bomb...! - Growled Lindsay.
Sure, you don't. But that's besides the point! If the press finds this out, our tourism industry will collapse! That will create unemployment, which will lower the available purchasing power, which will generate even more unemployment in turn! Then, the whole damned thing will come crashing down on my head! - He used pantomime to illustrate some of the things he was talking about, which Lindsay found very amusing. Especially the "comes crashing down" part, where the man crouched down, covered his head, and took quick glances at the ceiling, above himself.
You don't care about me, or Jenny in the slightest, do you? - The woman haven't tried to hide the disgust from her tone.
The man stared at her. - Of course I don't! I don't give a damn about you, or your friend! But I do care about Germany!
So, you want my help to prevent the collapse of Germany's tourism industry? - The woman's face clearly gave away her suspicions.
I don't want your help! Or anyone's for that matter! If you are expecting, that someone else will help you out, when you need it, you are a fool! If you expect help from anyone, you should get ready, to provide what they want in return. Otherwise ... you are out of luck. But I need your help, so I will work together with you. I'm even willing to tolerate your stupidity, and your pointless, boring questions. - Lindsay couldn't help, but notice the mockery in Linus's tone.
- I'm not stu...!
- I don't care, Miss Nuclear Scientist! - Said the German.
- I'm not a ...!
- Nuclear Scientist? Somehow I knew that! - Lindsay detected a sense of victory in his voice.
How would you deal with the news agents? - Lindsay decided to change topic, and get out from that verbal duel.
Linus's face became emotionless, again. - I can keep them away from the two of you ... for a time. As for later ... I am working on a plan to ... deal with them. Permanently. I will fill you in, when it's ready to go.
- Do I get a say in all this?
- Of course you do! I welcome any constructive criticism about it, when I will have something to present. Right now, I don't, so it's ... pointless to argue about it.
Okay, then. - Sighed the woman. - Do we have to talk about something else?
Not for now. If we do, I will visit you again. Until then: best of luck to you, and Miss Jenny. - The man turned around, to walk away.
Linus! - Lindsay slightly leaned forward in her bed, trying to smile. - You do care for Germany!
Linus stopped, and looked back, over his shoulders. - I don't give a damn about Germany. I care only for my reelection!
You are a sick man! - Yelled Lindsay.
That's funny from a woman who resides in a hospital, waiting for treatment. - Smirked Linus.
I kind of walked into that one, haven't I? - murmured Lindsay.
- Yes you did, Miss Lindsay. Yes you did.
Lindsay was getting ready to sleep, thinking about her previous encounter with Linus.
Can I trust him? It seems he needs me, and Jenny - for now at least – so I think he will help us, if he can. But … he would kill anyone without a second thought, if that's the only way to get what he wants. And I'm sure he has some enemies too. What if one of them would try to get at him trough us? It sure looks like we are just tools for them, so why wouldn't they cross the red line, and … do it? They wouldn't dare to go that far away? It's not the US, after all, so I don't even know how these … balkanites handle their issues. Judging by Heiter, it's best if I don't know.
Her pondering was interrupted by Astrid's voice, as she called her, by her name.
Perhaps she is sleeping. – Said a nurse to the doctor.
- Perhaps you are wrong. - Retorted Lindsay.
So, you are awake! – Cheered Astrid. – That's good, because we have news for you! She survived!
Who survived what? – Murmured Lindsay, while she turned to her side.
Your friend? Miss Jenny? - The nurse's voice gave away her slight confusion.
That had a sudden effect on the long haired woman. She immediately sat up, tried to hop off from her bed, while constantly speaking. - So she is okay? Can I speak to her? She needs anything? Can I ...
Astrid pushed her back to the bed. - She is still sleeping, and she needs it. It will take some time for her to recover, but she will be okay. And you promised something ...
Lindsay quickly laid back into her bed, turned to her side, and tried to arrange her blanket as it was, before her attempt to leave the room. - I'm sorry! Excuse me! I apologize! My bad! - She pounded.
- Control yourself, please, otherwise we will need to sedate you. But you are funny, when you are riled up like that.
Excuse me, it's just ... Can I at least hug you? - Lindsay found it increasingly harder to speak, as she began crying.
Of course. - Astrid gave her a hug. - But you should say thank you to doctor Eckart, and your friend, when she wakes up. He treated her, and Miss Jenny did most of the work, he just provided support for her. Oh, and wait with this until morning. All of us could use some sleep now.
I understand! - Sighed Lindsay. - Then good night, doctor Astrid!
- Good night, Miss Lindsay!
In the next Chapter, Lindsay will find out what she has become, or perhaps what she was al along, while she realizes that Linus is not what she thought about him, at first look. How can the young woman handle this revelation, and her new, uncontrolled ability? Where did she got it in the first place? Did Heiter did something to her? Something more personal than the centipede, that is? Or it was someone else? Can she find the help, she needs?