Sitting on the filthy mattress, I sat with my arms wrapped around my legs as I leaned against the cold concrete wall. I feel as if I have been sitting here for an eternity. I don't know how much time has passed since I had been taken from that room, and back to my cell. All I knew was that I never wanted to go back, so instead I heeded Erik's warning. I did what I was told, and I ate what I was given. No more trying to escape.
Looking up from the wall in front of me, I stared at the buzzing light on the ceiling "If you keep doing that, you'll go blind" spoke the familiar voice of Erik as he unlocked the door and stepped through. Hearing the groan of the door and his key's rattle, he came to stand in front of me.
"Good" I replied with a sigh. Feeling the burn of my eyes, I finally looked down but all I could see were odd shapes of white until my vision cleared "maybe then I won't have to see this horrible place anymore" hearing him sigh, he took another step forward before gesturing his hand up.
"Get up. It's time to go" following his instruction with a frown, I stepped up from the bed; the metal frame creaking and the cold floor making me shiver.
"Where am I going?" I questioned with a tilt of my head "More tests?" haven't they done enough already? I don't think I have any blood left for them to take. Besides, the creases of my arms were starting to bruise purple and yellow with scars and punctures.
Shaking his head, Erik walked me out of the room. After a few days, the guard had stopped accompanying him when I left the cell. I imagine there was no use, since I had seen how secure this facility is first hand – I don't think they thought I was going to try again. Feeling Erik stay close just behind me, he guided us down the series of corridors. Passing several of the security gates, we stopped outside of the familiar examination room. Opening the door, Erik gave me a light push to nudge me inside.
Standing in front of me in the clinical white room were two familiar looking men; Gregov and Zola. Facing each other, it became clear we had interrupted their conversation before Zola turned to look me up and down with his sunken eyes "My, you are getting skinny" said the short man. Wanting to scoff, I held it in "we can't have that, can we?" looking at me and then Erik, he instructed with a solid tone "change her meals. I want this one fit and healthy" I wanted to sneer at the command that made me feel as if I were a pet.
Nodding his head, Erik replied clearly "Yes, Doctor" If it wasn't for the fact I knew Erik, I would have thought him to undoubtedly be the image of an eager pupil. Willing to follow his master's commands.
"Come sit" patting the leather seat of the gurney, Zola waited "Let me have a closer look at you" stepping forward, I was hesitant but I followed his orders. I don't want any more trouble. Getting up onto the gurney, the man with his odd glasses stepped closer as Gregov handed him a chart – mine, I presume. Watching Zola sift through it, he hummed in a sort of satisfaction "very good. You're a healthy girl. Perfect" holding the chart by his side, Zola turned to Gregov "prep her for the procedure, and keep me informed on her progress"
Nodding his head the same as Erik, Gregov replied "Yes, Doctor" turning back, Zola gave me a large eerie smile and I couldn't help but shiver from the look. Making his way to the door, he stopped to look at Erik "come, we have much work to do" keeping my eyes down to the ground as the two men left, I listened to the rustling of Gregov as he fumbled at one of the benches.
Hearing his steps, Gregov came to stand in front of me "Look at me" keeping my head bowed for a second longer, I found the courage to tilt my head up "I want to show you something" taking a step back to give me room, he nodded to the door "come" feeling confused, I got down from my spot.
Opening the door, Gregov went first and I soon followed. Staying behind me with a thin skeletal hand on my shoulder, Gregov walked me down a few corridors. Where are we going? What did he want to show me? Seemingly endless, we turned down a particularly daunting hallway and the further we walked, the darker it became. It seemed as if even the synthetic light from above wouldn't dare touch the place we were going.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I jolted slightly at Gregov's voice from next to me "The first time I laid eyes on him. He was confused, uncontrollable, and reckless. I remember standing at the table as he lay unconscious, and thinking what could this man do that was so important. He was nothing, but a mere soldier when we dragged him from the snow. So close to death" Who was he talking about? Zola? Erik?
"You found who in the snow? Erik?" I asked confused.
Letting out a low laugh, Gregov shook his head "Erik…" he said with another chuckle, although it all sounded cynical to me "Erik…he is a man with a brain, and a head…lodged too far up Zola's ass" I gather Gregov doesn't like my caretaker all too much "Smart, I admit, and talented in many area's…not quite sure what he's doing in a place like this"
"He works for you. Zola. He's…helping you" I did wonder myself why Erik had chosen this path. He was handsome and capable. He could have been 'something' better in this world. Why would he waist his life to the likes of this?
Not looking down at me, Gregov continued to stare forward down the hall "I can see it in your eyes. You've grown a certain attachment to the handsome young Doctor. Haven't you?" not answering, he had asked the question as if I had been caught with my hand inside the cookie jar. As if it were a simple, childish crush.
"…He's good" I stated while remembering back to Erik's promise to help me. He's the first person to show a single shred of kindness. He's the only person I could trust, for now.
"Good?" looking up, Gregov shook his head "…you make me laugh little dove…you think he's good. Think again" looking down at me, the old man smiled "remember, when you hit him over the head. When you tried to escape" feeling uncomfortable, I squirmed slightly from Gregov's hand on my shoulder. Nodding my head, the man continued as we walked "do you remember that woman. The one you tried to help" nodding again, I grimaced from the image. Ever since that day, that same woman had haunted my dreams "little girl. Who do you think is responsible?"
"No…" I said firmly. Shaking my head back and forth, he was lying "Erik, he wouldn't do that. That was you. You said so yourself" I argued while stopping our walk to look up at the evil man. He was just saying that to make me afraid, to make me give up on what little hope I had left.
"I did no such thing" said Gregov with a smirk, while dropping his hand from my shoulder to rest at his side "Erik is no angel. Believe what you want. In fact…ask him yourself. See the look on his face…" giving me a push, we continued to walk as my mouth hung slowly agape. I will, I thought to myself. I'll ask Erik and this lie will be put to rest. It cannot be the truth.
Coming to a stop in front of a thick metal door, Gregov swiped a card he had taken from the breast pocket of his white lab coat. Hearing the buzz and the click of a heavy lock, we stepped through and turned down another dark hallway. Looking around, it was dimly lit with only the yellow flickering lights above to guide us through. Looking down my feet made contact with small puddles of water and I crinkled my nose from the slight stench that surrounded me. Where are we?
Jumping, my throat caught a gasp as a cry for help echoed from down the hall. It sounded like a woman. Was Gregov taking me to see another butchered human? Was he trying to taunt me into submission? Did he like the look of horror in my eyes?
Walking down to the end of the hallway, I eventually caught sight of a glass strip that had been placed into the side of the concrete wall so that you could peer through into the room on the other side. Coming to a stop, I covered my mouth with my hands as I found Delilah standing in her thin grey dress looking around with horror in the nearly pitch black room. Looking at her, her lip was slit open with dried blood and her hair tangled atop her head "What are you doing? Why is she in there?" stepping closer, my hands braced against the glass and I tapped with the palm of my hand. Watching her looking around, she peered to where the sound was but didn't come closer or acknowledge me.
"Don't bother. She can't see you" explained Gregov with a sigh, as if this were boring "it's not her I wanted you to see…it's him" frowning, I angled my head to look back at the Doctor behind me. Pointing through the glass, he took a step forward "go on…take a closer look" just then, the lights in the dark room lit up and a tall brooding figure clad in black stepped from the shadow of the corner.
Looking the brute of a man up and down, his brown hair had grown long and messy. His steel blue eyes pierced the whimpering girl who stood sobbing in the corner; trying to get as far away from him as possible. Following my gaze, I noticed the lower part of his face was covered in a black mask which made him look lethal and disturbing. Peering down, that's when I caught it – a shiny glint and gleam as the plates that made up his metal left appendage shift, as he clenched his fist.
"Impressive, isn't he…" not taking my eyes off of the man on the other side of the glass, my voice shook as I spoke. Right in this moment, I feared for the girl on the other side.
"Please, don't hurt her. She's done nothing wrong. She has a little sister, Meredith, she needs her. Their family. Please" sobbing my plea, I looked up to Gregov as he stood next to me; his hands behind his back as a single tear ran down my cheek.
"I'm not going to hurt her, he is…and as for the little girl, she is no longer here. There were several complications…I'm afraid we had to dispose of her" feeling my heart clench, I couldn't fathom the words that had left the Doctors mouth. They had disposed of her – killed her. For what? Because of complications? What complications could mean an innocent girls death?
Feeling the rage, I could hear Erik's voice screaming at me from inside my mind, but this act I couldn't ignore. Turning my body, my fist raised and I beat them down on the man's chest next to me. Fighting with all my might, Gregov stood look unimpressed at my tantrum while trying to hold me away at arm's length "You're not a Doctor…you're a murder…a monster!" I hissed, my words coated with venom.
Having enough of my weak excuse of an attack, Gregov shoved me away and I stumbled back. Catching myself against the wall, the Doctor stood forward before grabbing my jaw. Standing behind me with his body pressed against mine, he made me look into the glass window "Although I admirer your strength to protect your friend. I am…a Doctor of science…I create life" squirming in his grip, he held me somewhat still "…look. Watch" I had no other choice as he forced me to watch the scene unfold.
Looking at Delilah as she whimpered and pleaded to the man in front of her, I watched as the brute approached her; his steps heavy and chilling. Moving toward her swiftly, he reached out as she swung her arms to defend herself. Ignoring her, he threaded his metal fingers through her golden dirtied hair. Tugging forward in a fierce grip, I watched as her body slammed to the tiled floor with a thud and crack. Using her arms, she went to push herself up as the large man descended on top of her "What are you doing? Stop it!" I said wiggling in his grip.
Watching through the glass, the man clad in black started to push at Delilah's dress. Watching her as she now lay on her back, her hands reached out to slap and scratch but nothing was stopping the animal that clawed at her "She'll be fine…it's all a part of the process. Once we are done, we will have what we need…after this, time is all that stands between us and the next step of human evolution. Just as I said"
"This isn't right. You can't do this to her. She's a human, not breeding stock! You won't get away with this, I promise you" I hissed "When the time comes, I will make sure you die slow and painful" standing with a solemn look on my face, I listened to the spine tingling screams of Delilah.
"I would like to see you try. I've heard those same words from the lips of many just like you. But after their spirits and bodies are crushed from existence, their promises are not so true. Your Erik won't be able to protect you...tomorrow, you will break" peering through the glass window with a squint, I looked at Delilah's empty face as the light in her eyes dulled with a haze. I never thought it was true, but standing here I guess it was – like a caged lion in a Zoo, you could tell from the look in their eye that they have given up. That they are defeated.