Shattered Innocence

Shattered Memories and Unwavering Resolve

Zack's pov:

Once we're back at the lab, Nora takes a seat in the chair, her head held high in defiance, challenging us to stand in her way. But we won't. This is her decision, and she knows her own limits better than anyone. After catching glimpses of her past, I realize there was nothing she couldn't endure. Her father, a despicable and merciless man, subjected me to unimaginable horrors during my childhood, leaving me scarred. Yet, to subject your own daughter to such torment... It must be devastating to wonder why her father harbored such hatred for her. While he remained a stranger to us, to Nora, he was supposed to be her protector, her source of love, and her guide in distinguishing right from wrong. Instead, he shattered her repeatedly, attempting to ruin her. However, he didn't succeed, because there's something Dr. Davis could never comprehend through his data and genetics—a soul's strength. Children like us are unbreakable. Unstoppable. Just like Nora.

She could have chosen to hide away, seeking solace and healing for the rest of her life. Yet, here she is, standing with us, determined to help us bring an end to this darkness once and for all. And that's something her father could never explain through tests or genetic markers. It's an innate quality, something you're born with.

"Are you ready?" I ask, fully aware that she won't back down, not when she's resolved to see it through. It's an admirable trait, and my admiration for her grows exponentially. "No, but let's do it," she replies with a grin, earning a chuckle from Yuri. He blows her a playful kiss. "That's my girl." In response, she playfully flips him the finger before closing her eyes, focusing on her painful past.

An immediate transformation takes hold of her. Her expression contorts in pain, her lips curve downward, and her complexion pales. She appears as though she's encountered a ghost, which in a way, she has—her father. The man she spent so long running from is now standing before her, confronting him on our behalf. The earliest memories are the most agonizing, ones she clearly wishes to shield us from witnessing. However, our minds have a peculiar way of unraveling what we'd rather forget.

No words are spoken. We stand in solemn silence as we witness a little girl screaming and pleading for her father to stop. As her memories progress, she grows increasingly silent within them. Her tears and cries fade into nothingness, leaving behind a broken little girl who discovered that seeking help yielded no respite. It shatters my heart to witness her in such a vulnerable state—alone and terrified. Memories from my own childhood resurface, the very same memories we all strive to bury, so we don't have to carry their scars. Yet, witnessing Nora's experiences brings forth all of my own. I would scream until my throat bled, claw at the walls until my nails broke and bled. Those were the days he locked me away, curious to see how starvation and darkness would affect my mind. But it never broke me. I refused to let it. Those experiments were relatively mild compared to the electrocutions, water tortures, and toxic gases. Even now, they haunt me.

Nora's gasp snaps me back to her memories, pulling me away from my own torment. The torture and experiments she endured recede, replaced by darkness. Yet, amidst the darkness, I can clearly hear Dr. Davis's voice. "Remember, Nora, we focus solely on the darkness. This is our secret, isn't it?" "Yes, Father," she whispers. The lab. He's leading her to the lab. She had mentioned him blindfolding her. I notice she's mouthing numbers and words to herself, counting something. Steps? Turns? It's all a blur to us, but her determination is evident.

"Nora, are you trembling?" I inquire, concerned. She nods, still mouthing numbers and words, until suddenly, her blindfold is yanked away. Blinding white light assaults her eyes, causing her to flinch both in reality and within the memory. She finds herself in a white room—the same one as before—with restraints and a familiar machine on the table. The shock machine. The memory shifts abruptly, and she's already seated in the chair, her body trembling with fear.

"Crank it up. Let's see if she can withstand the same or even more than before, now that she's accustomed to it," Dr. Davis commands. "Nora, come back!" I demand. "I can't," she whispers as the machine is powered up. The shock courses through her, and she convulses and screams in the chair. "Turn it off!" I shout, rushing to her side. Ivan hits the kill switch, and she goes limp. I gently lift her, noting her closed eyes and parted lips. "Nora?" I ask, my worry mounting. Fear washes over me as she remains silent, feeling fragile in my arms. Ivan joins me, checking her pulse. "She's alive, just unconscious. The sudden onslaught of painful memories must have overwhelmed her. Let's get her to the lab where I can monitor her condition."

"Will she be alright?" I inquire, though my focus should be on securing the entrance to the lab, a pursuit we've been engaged in for years. "Ivan," I growl when he doesn't respond. Nervously, he admits, "I don't know. We may have triggered some brain fragmentation. Only time will tell." The general, who we failed to notice entering, interrupts, barking, "Gentlemen, who cares? Did she retrieve the information?" We were all so fixated on Nora that we didn't notice his arrival. Stepping forward, I block his view of her. Yuri and Mikhail quickly move to my side, shielding her as well, while Nikolay positions himself beside Ivan, cradling her in his arms. We are all protecting her, and the general notices, his eyes twitching. "Never forget who's in charge here. She's merely a tool," he snaps. "I want that location in two hours, or you'll all be dismissed." Damn it.

"Understood," I step forward, feeling a surge of anger. "But you will not interrupt us again. Remember that you need us, general." His face reddens as he turns and storms away. I sag slightly, running my hand over my face. "Time is running out. Let's get her to the recovery room, ensure she's stable, and pray that she retrieved the information. We're all counting on Nora now."