THE APPRENTICE III

17

The first thing that she could hear was the sound of Stephen's voice, speaking to a familiar, female one. The longer she pondered on it, the easier it was for her to realize it was Christine's. Maybe it was all a dream? Maybe she passed out and had too much to drink, from her wedding. Her eyes peeled open to a white ceiling and an almost sterilizing bright light. She tried to get up, but realized her hands and feet were bound to some sort of table, and her left hand had a needle in it. There was a tightness around her throat, partially from the agitation, but mainly because of the metallic collar around her neck.

"What the fuck?" She panted as she wiggled on the table in an effort to break free. Her body felt weak, like it wouldn't be able to lift a stack of papers. Her breathing began to heave.

"You're in a polycarbon box and these are cuffs made from the sands of Vishanti." Christine began and approached her box. "You're being sedated,"

"What? Why?" Tears began to brim in her eyes through the shock and panic. She tried to lift her limbs, but the drugs were too strong against her. What happened to Stephen? "Where's Stephen? What did you do-,"

"-I'm here, Hazel. I'm here." Stephen's rough voice sounded from the left. Banging began to emit from that direction. "Please, you don't know what we're dealing with. She's not the threat, we're not the threat! Wanda will tear apart every atom in this universe if she gets ahold of either of them,"

"She'll be with us, for safekeeping." She responded and went a little closer to the side of Hazel's head. She looked up at her by rolling her eyes upward.

"What do you mean? 'safekeeping'? Haven't you gotten that statue, already?" Strange's tone began to get more cranky and defensive. Anxiety began to course through her veins and the fists were clenching.

"We need to perform tests on her, seeing that we haven't had the chance to-,"

"-No! Help- ow!" Hazel let out a scream.

She attempted to use her magic to break free, but a jolt of electricity traveled from her neck and down her body. This triggered her defenses even more, sending another shock. It was a sharp, almost numbing, unimaginable pain that made her cry out.

"Stop that! What are you doing?!" Stephen kicked at the polycarbon wall that kept distance between them. America's skin shivered at the sound of her continuous wails. "You're treating her like a fucking animal!,"

"This isn't right!" America Added and banged on the wall.

"Hazel, I suggest you stop resisting as the collar is activated when it detects magic." Christine was on the edge of her toes. She clenched her jaw when the shocks wouldn't stop. "Hazel! Please!,"

"I can't stop! I-I can't control- it- it just happens- please!" She wailed, her words barely comprehensible. Her mind couldn't even think— her hands and feet were bound, head fogged up, and skin was jumping at the electricity. Tears were streaming uncontrollably down her face. "I can't stop!"

Her skin was on fire, but every time her body wanted to faint, electricity would only wake her back up. Never has she ever felt this dehumanized, this vulnerable in front of other people. All she could hear was her own screams battling against Stephen's. She could recognize Christine, who was urging for her to stop using her powers, but couldn't exactly make out what she was saying. There were cracks appearing on her skin. Each time a new one formed, a shock would come traveling down— it was vicious cycle of agony that she couldn't control.

"I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die!" Her voice was filled with sorrow and she shook her head a little.

Another shock came, and this one made a loud popping sound emit from her skin. Her flesh sizzled from both of the sources. All she could think about was getting out, or at least saying goodbye.