The Frozen Melody

07.Subject.

"We have activity! Subject is waking up!" Someone's voice exclaimed in the distance.

Tiger's mind processed the information slowly as he drifted in and out of consciousness a few more times. It seemed like a lot of things were happening around him. And he had a vague feeling there was something he had to do. But what was it? The haziness of his mind made processing information so slow and tedious.

Finally, his thoughts cleared enough for him to register the smell in the air. There was a heavy disinfectant smell like what a hospital would have. He had always hated the scent because of the bad memories it stirred up. Why was he in a hospital? Was he hurt?

He couldn't stop the soft whimper that escaped as he tried to move his arms to feel himself, but they couldn't be made to move; probably still too weak. That, or they were broken.

With no other choice, he gradually cracked opened his eyes, letting it get used to the glaring light bit by bit. His thick eyelashes helped a bit in dimming the bright glare.

"Amazing..." Came the breathless voice of a woman. He could feel her warm breath on his face. Too close for comfort. An even brighter light turned on as she spoke, blinding him.

Tiger tried to move his head to get away that unknown person and from the sudden new light shinning into his eyes. He squeezed them shut tightly again. Why couldn't he move? What happened? Did he get into an accident?

Thankfully, the light was moved after a bit and he finally chanced another peek through his eyelashes.

What he saw first was the face of the woman he had met days ago, the one he had delivered the package to. What was she doing here for? Was this a weird dream?

She smiled and greeted, "I must admit I am completely shocked at your physical abilities Tyson."

Tiger didn't answer; still trying to understand what was happening. He blinked a few times, trying to clear up his blurry vision in order to see his surroundings.

"Your heart isn't beating, yet you still appear alive!" She said with wide eyes.

Oh right, his heart. He had been warned to have it beating, especially in this type of world, but he couldn't find the energy or magic to restart it. Guess it would have to wait until he regained more strength.

He tried to move again, another failed attempt that ended with a moan escaping from his cracked lips.

The woman giggled and said, "That's not going to work I'm afraid. However, if you promise to behave, I can release your neck so you could at least move your head. Okay?"

Tiger didn't answer, just looked at her. What's she talking about? He asked himself, slightly more clearheaded. He flexed his arm muscles again and noticed a pressure around his wrist, elbow, and biceps, keeping them in place. But he could move his fingers, meaning he still had control over his arms. This couldn't be good.

A few clicks followed by a swooshing sound came as the pressure around his neck was released. He hadn't noticed the pressure until now, his body was that numb. Adrenaline slowly crept into his system as things started to click into place.

He slowly turned his head to see the woman clearer. She was to his side, wearing a white lab coat. She smiled at him as she noticed his gaze.

Craning his neck forward, he looked at his body.

And immediately wish he hadn't.

The mission, those maze-like hallways, the alarm, his failed escape, the pain as he attempted to shift, everything came rushing back. This wasn't a dream, this was a nightmare. A nightmare that also happened to be his reality. Tiger moaned again.