The Black Widow

A second procedure

"She is already here for that other procedure, why don't we do the surgery as well?" The man liked that idea, it would save time as well as another trip.  He didn't appreciate traveling all these miles to get here in third class. He was important. The success of this whole project depended on his ideas and they had the nerve to put him in third class! When this was a huge success that wouldn't happen anymore.

"It isn't as tested. hat if it kills her? Then where will we be." The woman was trying to be cautious but this man seemed to be against all caution.

"We were planning to do it anyway when she was older, what difference does it make if we get it done right now."

"She's six!"

"And a half" He knew he was being heartless but soon the child wouldn't care either way. It's not like it was his fault that she was here, Ivan called it in and she had to go and have a tantrum.

"I was already against both I only agreed to do it when she was older because-"

"Because you thought I would find something wrong. Well, there isn't anything wrong with either of the procedures. She is doing both."

"Don't I get a say?"

"Not this time" The man stormed out of the room. He knew he was going to get his way. He had her prepped for the second procedure a half an hour ago.

Ivan's POV
I didn't want to do the procedure. I was very sure that she would be able to handle herself without it. But not after this... this temper tantrum. I knew most six years old do this but she can't. Not with what's coming because I won't be there to calm her down or to protect her. There will be no place for anger like that in the Red Room. There won't be a place for any feelings. She needs any advantage she can get. 

I think about what that man said the day she was born. About them turning her into a monster. Is this it? Was it not whoever they are but me? Am I the one turning her into a monster? No, he was just some conspiracy nut.

 I watch as they lift my little girl into a sitting position. A doctor picks up an impossibly large syringe filled with a blue liquid. He inserts it into the back of her neck. As the liquid exits the syringe I want to cry. I imagine it flooding her body. Drowning everything that's her. Killing her. Erasing her.

A middle-aged woman walks in the room. Her face is all pinched up like she is constantly smelling something terrible. She has long brown hair that is tied up in a tight bun. Her eyes are a cool gray. She is holding a black briefcase. 

"You did the right thing, Ivan, calling us."

I only nod.

"There is no place in the Red Room for childish emotions, this procedure will get rid of it all."

I nod again and hold back tears.

"We didn't even offer this procedure to a lot of the other girls and the ones we did reject it like you had," she smiles but I can tell it's fake, "We are glad you came to your senses."

She hands me the briefcase.

"These are more injections. She will need an injection once a week for the effects to stick."

I take it from her. The case is uncharacteristically light. 

"I know this is difficult but think of how much better she will be."

Better? Better! How will she be better? She won't be herself anymore. She will be a shell, ready to be filled by them. I don't say anything.

"She'll have an advantage like I said they decided against it," She stares at her unconscious body through the window, "She has been a favorite from the start."