September Stories

Trouble

I felt like I had almost no information at all, but yet it was so hard to comprehend it... To comprehend everything I knew already.

"I have the right to access my files." I heard me saying. Long shot but worth trying.

Doctor Ryder paused. I thought she would be studying me or my reaction. Instead, she froze in place and was staring into nowhere. I noticed her eyes narrowing, as if she was procesing a new piece of data. I kept a close eye on her face, reading any signs of communication. I could bet my life this moment, she has a phone in her ear, it just made sense. In fact, it'd be very unwise of them if she hadn't. Wonder what they were whispering to her now. After a few minutes she lowered her head just a little bit – nodded. I was right. Me looked satisfied as well.

"What do you want to know?" Ryder turned to me.

"Everything."

"Dears, you know I can't give you all of that."

"Then whatever you feel safe to give. Because you must be so scared of us, keeping us tied."

Doctor ignored the last statement and activated projector screens. One of her nails blinked as she did. A control right in your hand – convenient, I have to admit. People mostly used rings or gloves these days. Was it nail polish in her case? Never seen that before. But then, I probably did.

While doctor Ryder was showing me the files, I decided to bring my attention to the surroundings. I didn't plan to stay hostage here for long. The most depressing thing was that now nobody will even notice or care much that I've disappeared. Zoe's gone. Mother is used to my absense too much at this point to figure something is wrong. And somehow over the years I didn't make any close friends with whom I'd keep in touch more regularly than once a month or two. Work was the last hope. I didn't have a fixed schedule though, so they will also start sending emails and messages only in a week or so. They could call too, no earlier than two weeks since they notice. Such attitude and freedom was one of the reasons I valued my job and my boss so much. Well, that backfired.

Focus. I have now almost completely adjusted to the light aimed in my eyes. Still felt under pressure, being interrogated, but you get used to that. The light only gave me a bit of a headache, at least I could see more clearly now.

All around gave the vibes of an operating room which wasn't too promising. The two beds me and myself were tied to were in the center on a round base, I'd say three-ish meters in diameter. The light came from the ceiling. Two lamps were placed directly above us. The room itself was completely white and rectangular. I was hoping I was wrong, but it very much looked soundproof. So, no use shouting just in case things go south. This place was huge for an operating theatre. Fifteen by fifteen meters? I'd guestimate so. Unfortunately, I was very bad at measuring distance without any equipment. Time – sure, that came naturally. Space was a whole different thing.

A moving reflection at the far wall caught my eye. The light was almost blinding when I looked there. Very wise of whoever equipped the room. But that wouldn't distract me as easily as they'd hope.

A mirror! A mirror window. So, not only are we being recorded, we're also being watched live, welcome to the craziest reality TV ever. God, I hope it's not true. The surroudings made me shiver nonetheless. I couldn't imagine what could be people's usual occupation in this room. It had standard medical equipment from what I could see. Whatever else dangerous or just advanced they had in here – couldn't tell, but then I don't think they had any good reason to show off just yet.

I tried not to stare in the mirror window, I didn't want to get caught. I wasn't entirely sure whether it looked like a mirror just from my angle or not. Maybe it's simple glass. But I saw no ways of testing my theory. Deprived of the ability to move other than turning my head a little, there wasn't much I could so. We'll figure it out.

Next step, I tried to find something with my hands. Anything past my chest was pretty much a blindspot, so I had time to check what me and doctor Ryder were up to.

I saw a lot of images of myself. Different age. From late teens (eighteen-nineteen) to current. I can't believe this has been going on for so long, and I hadn't the faintest idea! Embarrassing, really. I thought I've prepared myself for anything and everything when, turns out, all this time I haven't spotted some research going on right under my nose.

Oh! I think I found a few buttons. Of course, all automated med beds came with a set of basic controls. I'm sure one of these buttons (probably the biggest and most fancy looking one) would be a call for help. It must've saved thousands of lives. Useless for me. I didn't have much experience with hospitals before Zoe. And then I didn't pay much attention to these when I visited her, but hopefully it was enough to remember at least something. Besides, those buttons should be intuitive to use. You wouldn't try to reach for a manual when there's an emergency.

Oh, thank God, Braille. Of course, they must have it. I guess this will be my language test then. I never finished learning it. And after a year or two I didn't remember much already. But it was enough. We had pain killers here – wouldn't mind but they will probably knock me out better than any hit on the head. Phone. Interesting. I could really use a phone right now. Whom would I call? The police? And tell them I'm a paradox, like they'd believe me. On the other hand, leaving a message to myself would be very helpful. Will keep that in mind. Next button – bed positioning. Sounds fun. I could get myself seated if I wanted to. Only to be punished, probably judging by the welcome we got. There was no option to control the belts. It's a shame, could've helped poor tied down lunatics escape, me being one of many. I wasn't really expecting to find a magical button that will get me out of here. But the search kept me occupied which was much better than nothing. 

There was more. I could move the bed. Exciting! I could actually move it around the room. But where? I scanned the room for exits. There was a door next to the glass-mirror thingy. There could be something behind my back as well. Now, assuming the controls will work at all, I could – potentially – get to the door. And knock them out with my stupidity? That's not exactly an escape plan.

There must be more behind my back. Be it people or a wall or nothing at all – it was still valuable because it was information. I could try to spin and risk Doctor and the watching audience learning that I can control the thing. Just a little peek...

"Satisfied?" Asked doctor Ryder as the projected files disappeared. "Should I do a presentation for your younger self now as well?"

I stiffened. She was looking at me very suspiciously. Did these people who monitored us tell her something over the earphone? M, think, and think quickly. I needed a distraction – any, the more grotesque the better even. Just get them out of their creepy nerdy scientisty minds. Make them freak out.

"What have you done to Zoe?"

How dumb. I could've thought quite literally of anything else.

"What do you know?" Doctor Ryder frowned. 

Oops, I was in trouble.