The White Room

Chapter 10

Bethany appears, she's looking around the room for any way to get out. I get out of her way as she looks at the vent.

Her face drops when she realizes she doesn't know how to get out.

Her face slowly goes white as she realizes the terror of the white room.

The fact that I thought I knew no has the one thing I had never seen on her face. Panic.

She starts to cry and curls up on the floor.

She screams out words.

I go next to her and hold her close to me.

It may not be accurate but I can touch her, hold her.

She blacks out after a while. Then she fades away. At least I get a break.

I imagine it's probably live, that when she got in the white room they didn't start filming right away, that I would be seeing her in real time as she experiences it.

But I still won't actually be with her.

I walk around the room pacing to break the terror that the white room gives.

I knew the fear but I knew how to control it as well. We were like frenemies who learn how to live together in an uneasy relationship.

It seems like an eternity before she shows up again. She's looking around in wonder, so she must be in a simulation.

Her face brightens as she sees somebody she probably knows and loves.

"I'm right here!" Her face twists with confusion.

"I'm right here!" She yells shaking an invisible body.

Then she stumbles back as if somebody had stricken her.

A fear I have never seen on her face before comes on.
"Stop! Please!" She begs whoever is beating her.

I do the unthinkable and I stand to accept the blows. She would feel them in real life but I wouldn't let her suffer in this simulation.

Pain comes over me. Then I black out.

When I wake up the project assigner sits across from me. My hands and feet are chained to the floor.

"What was that?" He asked me.

"You know this isn't the first time I've interfered with the video." I venomously reply.

"As you can see you're out of the white room."

"You think I can't tell? I wouldn't be chained if I was in the white room."

"Yes, and it represents your future. The white room won't have its full effect if you don't stick around to see what we want you to see. It will go much quicker"

I strain against the chains, longing to hurt this guy.
"Shoot him."

A bolt of electricity laces my body, then the room grows black.

I wake up in the white room again, chained. The chains are short so I won't be able to move much.

I sit and wait for the next vision they will show me. No doubt it will be about Bethany.

Why do I care for her so much? It's not love, but it's like she's a sister who I can't bear to lose.

Maybe it's because I feel like it's my duty to protect her.

Whatever it is, I won't let her die, even if it costs my own life. 

Word Count: 538