Warning: Even when the first few chapters will be relatively light, the subsequent chapters could trigger some people. Themes like torture, human experimentation and even SA of a minor, discretion is adviced.

The Isolation Experiment

The lab was cold as usual, the sterile air heavy with tension as Violet and Dash stood side by side in front of two sensory isolation tanks. The tanks were sleek and metallic, filled with water heated to body temperature. Small headsets and electrodes dangled from the ceiling, ready to monitor every neural and physical reaction.

The lead scientist's voice echoed through the room. "This experiment will measure the psychological resilience of enhanced individuals under prolonged sensory deprivation. The tanks are designed to eliminate all external stimuli—no sound, no light, no physical sensation. You will remain inside for 24 hours."

Dash glanced at Violet, trying to mask his unease with a cocky grin. "What's the point of this one? Seeing if we get bored?"

Violet's eyes narrowed, her voice low. "Dash, this isn't a joke. People lose their minds in these things."

Dash shrugged, his bravado intact. "Come on, Vi. We've been through worse. It's just 24 hours. How bad could it be?"

The scientist ignored their exchange, motioning for the technicians to prepare them. Violet was hesitant but stepped forward, letting them strap a headset to her and guide her toward the tank. Dash followed, still smirking but stealing a nervous glance at the dark, foreboding water.

"Begin," The lead scientist said as the heavy lids closed over both of them, plunging them into complete darkness.

Hour 1*

At first, it wasn't so bad. Violet floated in the water, her body weightless, her breathing slow and steady. She tried to focus on the sound of her own heartbeat, using it as an anchor in the silence.

Dash, meanwhile, was bored and humming to himself, his voice muffled by the water. He couldn't hear it, but the vibrations in his throat gave him a tiny sense of control.

"Piece of cake," he muttered, though the darkness already felt endless.

Hour 4*

The silence had become oppressive. Violet felt like she was drifting in an infinite void, her body merging with the water. She couldn't tell where she ended and the tank began. Time felt meaningless—had it been minutes? Hours? Days?

Her mind began to wander, pulling up memories from her childhood. At first, they were comforting: her bickerings with Dash, family dinners, laughing at one of Bob's dad jokes. But the memories twisted, morphing into nightmares.

She saw flashes of their parents, their faces twisted with anger.

"Why couldn't you protect him?" her mother's voice echoed.

Violet's eyes widened. "Mom?"

"You're the older sister. You're supposed to keep him safe. And look at him now—suffering because of you."

"I'm trying," Violet whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I'm doing everything I can."

"It's never enough," her father's voice boomed. "You let them take you. You let them take him."

Her breath quickened. The water around her felt like it was rising, suffocating her. She clawed at the walls of the tank, but they were unyielding..

Dash, meanwhile, was growing agitated. The darkness felt alive, pressing in on him. He tried to count the seconds, but his thoughts became jumbled. He couldn't keep track.

"Vi?" he called out instinctively, even though he knew she couldn't hear him. "Are you there?"

No response.

A flicker of movement caught his attention—a shadow in the corner of his vision. He turned his head sharply, but there was nothing. His breath quickened as more shadows danced in the periphery, whispering his name.

"Get it together, Dash," he muttered, but his voice sounded wrong, distorted. He tried to think about home, about mom's pancakes, but his mind betrayed him. Images of Violet giving him her bread flashed in his head. Her pale, hollowed-out face, the look of pain in her eyes.

"You're a burden," a voice whispered, cold and accusing.

Dash froze. "What?"

"You'll just keep taking from her. She'll die saving you. She always sacrifices. And for what? You're useless."

"No, shut up!" Dash yelled, thrashing in the tank. But the voice wouldn't stop.

"You think you're a hero? You're a parasite."

A hand grabbed his ankle, yanking him down. Dash screamed, thrashing in the water, but there was nothing. Just darkness.

Hour 12*

Violet was sobbing silently, her voice swallowed by the void. She'd lost all sense of self. Was she even real anymore? Her thoughts spiraled into madness, her mind conjuring images of her family standing over her, looking down at her like a lab specimen.

"You're a failure," her mother's voice said, sharp and cold. "You couldn't even protect your brother."

"No," Violet whispered, her voice trembling. "That's not true..."

Then she heard another voice

"Violet, HELP ME! IT HURTS… IT HURTS SO MUCH." Dash's voice echoed in her mind, screaming in agony.

She reached out, but her arms met nothing. She was alone. Completely alone

Dash was clawing at the walls of the tank, his nails scraping against the smooth metal. He couldn't breathe—he was sure of it. The water was rising, suffocating him, pulling him under.

"Vi!" he screamed, his voice cracking. "Vi, help me!"

In his mind, he saw her floating past him, her body lifeless, her eyes open but unseeing.

"No!" he yelled, slamming his fists against the tank walls. "This isn't real! It's not real!"

Hour 20*

Violet floated in silence, her mind numb. She'd given up fighting. She wasn't sure if she was even still alive. The darkness had swallowed her whole.

Dash was muttering to himself, his words incoherent. His body was exhausted from thrashing, his mind fractured. He could still see the shadows, still feel the cold hands pulling at him. Continuing to see his sister's corpse even when he closed his eyes.

Hour 24*

The lids of the tanks opened with a loud hiss. Violet blinked as harsh light flooded in, her eyes burning after so long in darkness. Strong hands pulled her out of the water, but she could barely move, her body limp and unresponsive.

Dash was dragged out of his tank, coughing and shivering. His eyes darted around the room, wild and unfocused. When he saw Violet, he lunged toward her, collapsing at her side.

"Vi," he croaked, his voice raw. "Are you... are you okay?"

She looked at him, her eyes hollow. "I don't know," she whispered.

The scientist observed them with detached interest, scribbling notes on his clipboard. "Fascinating. The effects of prolonged sensory deprivation on enhanced individuals appear consistent with baseline humans, though their recovery may differ. Prepare them for further testing."

Dash clenched his fists, his teeth gritting as he glared at the scientist. "You're insane," he rasped, his voice trembling with rage and exhaustion. "You're sick."

Violet reached out, her hand trembling as she gripped his. "We'll get through this," she whispered, though her voice was weak, uncertain.

But deep down, both of them knew they were teetering on the edge of breaking.