Unstoppable: Revitalized

-05-

My body had clearly felt the wear and tear more than I'd realised, as I must've closed my eyes and slept partially. My eyelids seemed rusty and dry as I opened them, ignoring the headache beginning to from in my brain. As my body droned back to life, I took a few moments to observe my surroundings: This clearly wasn't a hospital. A single UV light hummed above me, shining a dim purple around the room. The walls were brick, darkened and chipped as time had eroded them away, the cement showing cracks and pieces missing. The floor was tiled, but even these were aged, a thin layer of dust covering them. The only signs of modernity down here were the door, right in front of me, and a cabinet to the left, doors closed. Both were made from wood, yet the cabinet looked ancient, cobwebs and dust practically welding it into place.

The door could be broken through if that's the case. With what, Adam? You're a kid, and a weak one at that. You start throwing yourself at that door, and all you'll do is draw the attention of people you really don't want to draw.

Attempting to stand, I found my body to be bound, pressure on both my arms and legs noticeable. The texture of rope grated against my wrists as I wriggled and squirmed, trying to get some leverage or lenience, but to no avail. They seemed bound, and tightly at that. I'd moved in my sleep, my skin already irritated by the hemp that kept me locked in place, blisters forming around my skin as I gritted my teeth, ignoring the pain the best I could.

Drugged. I was drugged by someone. Someone's messing with me, someone put something in my water or something I ate recently. It's the only explanation. My body is simply trying to fight it, and this place, the images I've seen... That's it. It's Liam. He's finally gone too far. It has to be. It just- it has to be that.

The creaking door quickly pulled me out of my entangled thoughts, the small spill of light activating my eyes alongside my ears as the cold, crisp 'clack' could be heard. They were slow paced, so either this person had no idea I was currently bound...

Or they know they hold all the cards.

The silhouette of a somewhat medium sized person was visible, the light beaming in from behind them as they approached, making identifying any facial features impossible, before gently closing it behind them. After grunting and muttering to themselves, they sparked a match up and brought it into a lantern, an item I only saw after it had been engulfed in flame. It looked like a storm lantern: Perfectly encased in glass, not a smear or crack on it, alongside shining metal. The flame was gentle to the room, not lighting much, but harsh on my eyes, forcing a squint until the holder was mere inches from my face. I felt a shift and a sigh, and after forcing my eyes open, I'd found he'd sat opposite me, a chair either being brought with him or stored in this room in one of the dark corners. Even in the new light, his face was almost bland: Average features, a nose that sat fine, eyes that were normal, clothes that seemed simple, the average man.

"Fuck, they beat shit 'outta yer, 'aint they?" He revealed a low, heavy voice, before clearing his throat and lighting a cigarette. He stuck one between his lips, paused, and looked at me, before lighting.

"Last fella we 'ad? Asked me for a ciggie, he did. 'An not nice neither. Yer know what I did with 'im? hm?" He leaned in, breathing the smoke almost directly into my mouth, causing me to cough slightly before locking my eyes with his.

"I slit the fuckers throat, and 'ung him upside down. An then I waited, till he looked like a dry sponge."

"I don't smoke" I managed to finally say, the smell of tobacco and tar leaving my lungs. My tone seemed more dull than afraid, finally realising the absurdness of the situation.

"Ah, good lad." He moved his chair back, forming a more relaxing distance between us. "The stuff'll kill yer." A guffaw and a sigh came from his direction, before the creak of his seat told me things had just gotten serious.

"I've been told by me boss, that I've gotta explain to yer how this is all gonna work. Right now? Yer gonna sit tight, We call this 'ere-" He gestured with his free hand to the expanse of darkness surrounding both of us "- 'The cooler.' Yer don't need ta know where the name came from. Till then, be a good lad. An keep seated, as I'll be here with yer."

My hands had began to twitch as he spoke, more out of nervousness than anything. However, my bad habits finally had a good point, as I'd discovered a small gap I'd began to tug apart, and as I did, i could feel the knot begin to loosen, my hands feeling the relief of more blood surging through them. I tried to be as careful as I could be to not show a reaction as he carried on filling the dead air, each agonising second passing until the rope loosened enough for me to pull it apart. Only problem is, once I did so, my grip seemed to loosen and it fell to the floor, a soft, almost angelic like sound emerging from it. As if flicking a switch, the man was instantly behind me, both hands already feeling my arms and realising a lack of rope. He sighed, before grinning, reaching for and pulling out a large knife.

"I tried to warn yer. I really did. And even then, yer wanna test an old man's patience. Fine, boy, I'll show yer how much patience I 'ave."

My body was so weak that as soon as my throat was opened my body fell limp. I felt it shake for what must've been the final time as my head hit the floor, rope around my body as he hauled me into the air, an agonisingly evil laugh continuously emanating from his throat. The hemp suddenly tightened around my ankles as the world spun upside down, my vision infected with my own blood as the world slowly ebbed away from me, my wounded neck barely able to spit out the curses I was trying to give him before I felt my soul leave again, my body seeming miles away as my soul roughly dragged itself towards the darkness once again.