Experiment X

2 | The Voice

2 | The Voice       

 Need to get out. It’s no longer safe here. Got to move. There’s no time. We have to leave. They’re coming for us.     

Oh God! No!       

Where am I?       

Where are you?       

The darkness here is like a poison. It blinds me. Leeches out all life. It’s sickening. Overwhelming. I can’t think. Only do. Only run. It’s futile. Why won’t my legs go faster? Oh GOD!       

I see them! I can hear their shouting voices: hear the barking, monstrous growling of their dogs. Dogs trained only in purpose to murderously kill, rip out throats of people like us. Bandits. Runaways. Escapees. Those who still have a little amount of hope. Those of us who still try to out, before it’s too late.     

It’s too late.     

 I hear her screaming in my ears now. NO! Do they have her?       

Then a chilling, gut-wrenching boy’s voice pierces the cold night air. My heart collapses into my stomach, and my blood congeals. I know that voice. It’s the voice I could never forget. Calling out to me. But why? Is he hurt? No. It suddenly stops, and then I realize why.       

It’s me they have—       

Her eyes snap open, as she gasps for air. It’s Emberly’s eyes that snap open. It’s Emberly who gasps. Blinking rapidly, she feels her body stiff, her head spinning nauseously. What is she staring at?     

 Oh, her hand, she realizes as her vision clears. Methodically, she opens and clenches it, feeling life once again tingle through her veins, through her fingers.       

Why is it so bright?       

She squints in the blindingly white light, her face drawing in discomfort. Emberly couldn’t see anything but the overwhelming bright light and herself. Nothing of her physical surroundings. It is as if she is floating in midair, swallowed by incredibly fluorescent light; although she could distinctly feel the hard coolness of a floor beneath her, pressing firmly against her skin.       

Am I dead? Is this some sort of heaven? Purgatory?       

No, she is alive; she couldn’t be dead, this couldn’t be death. It all feels too real. It is then she began panicking, her quick breathing convulsing her chest.       

Where the hell am I? Damn! Why can’t I remember anything? Emberly’s eyes widen, horrified.       

I can’t even remember my own name. Wait…take in a deep breath. Think. Calmly. Rationally. She swallows, her mouth becoming dry, as a lump clogs her throat. She begins to feel the tears burn the corners of her eyes, as her body starts to shake uncontrollably, her mouth falling open.   I     can’t remember my name. I can’t remember my name. I can’t remember anything! Why can’t I remember…There must be a reason. There has to be. I’m dreaming. That’s it. Wake up. Wake up…     

 But it’s no use…     

 “I can’t remember…” She could hear her own choked sob escape her lips. This is all some twisted nightmare, she concludes.     

 So many questions…and no answers. Figures. I need to get up. I need to think through this. There has to be some freakin’ explanation to all of this…There has to be…