New Zoo (Original Series by Wallace111)

New-Zoo-End of An Era

A small light was switched on in the dark, unmaintained room. A girl was within the centre of the room, her blue hair caked with sweat and dirt. She appeared somewhat malnourished, bruises evident on her body as they continued to sleep within the forced position. The sleep was the sole solace for the girl who had clearly been through a hard time.


The distinctive hum of the light began to pick up, the noise seemingly getting louder. The girl began to stir awake as if the noise was forcing her to. She opened her eyes. The spark that had once been within them had long since faded as they looked around aimlessly. They could hear loud noises from outside as they figured that the Doctor would be here soon.


"This, this place. Why...why did they send me here?" thought Amanda, hearing the door lock turning. She recalled her previous attempts to escape as she looked around the constraints of the chair she was in. Constraints had been put in place as a result of her escape attempts.


"Here we go again" grumbled Amanda bitterly as the door finally began to open. It creaked on its hinges, heavily demonstrating its age. Amanda cringed as the noise was like venom against her ears as she noticed the rather large rotund frame of a man walk inside.


"Amanda, are you awake?" said the voice patiently. Amanda stayed quiet as she glared daggers into the shadow. She recognised him, he had been the same doctor assigned to her since she arrived. Honestly, Amanda questioned the genuineness of his Doctorate.


Amanda, I expect you to respond" said the voice, a little more aggravated this time. Amanda took in the smaller details, noticing the large, claw-like fingers and stocky if small legs. She could make out the same lab coat he had always been wearing during her 'appointments.' The scrawled letters on the material contained what Amanda believed to be his name. She glared into his eyes. Despite the dullness of her own eyes, she internally insisted on being defiant.


"Yes, I'm awake" grumbled Amanda, noticing the Doctor's composure remained stoic.


"Anything else to add?" asked the Doctor, standing into the dim light as he looked over Amanda. He noticed the bruises on her arms and her malnourishment. He smiled to himself as he bent slightly. He looked directly into Amanda's eyes as he couldn't help but relish in the intimidation she felt in his presence.


"You can't do this...I have rights" said Amanda weakly. She could feel a deep chuckle coming from the Doctor as she felt rather small at the current moment.


"We've been doing this for over a month" replied the Doctor. Amanda managed to get a glimpse at the container in his hand. However, she wasn't able to see what it said visually. "I don't think anyone's opposed. After all...you need help" continued the Doctor.


"There's nothing wrong with me!" shouted Amanda, her voice feeling hoarse. She struggled to catch her breath as the Doctor shook his head. He stood up, not having to move far before turning back to face Amanda.


"I disagree" started the Doctor, his glance hardening into a glare as Amanda once again felt intimidated. "You still insist on believing delusions, confusing reality for fantasy" continued the Doctor.


"The New Zoo does transform people. I've witnessed it" said Amanda weakly, her voice still hoarse from her earlier shouting. She hung her head down, struggling to keep it upright as the Doctor shook his head condescendingly.


"As a scientist...I need more proof than your word Amanda" said the Doctor coldly. "After all...it is natural for people to get defensive when their worldview is challenged" continued the Doctor, once again staring at Amanda as he forced her head upwards. He made her stare directly into his eyes as he finished "What separates scientists from everyone else...is the ability and determination to challenge a worldview. This leads to discoveries which will ultimately benefit mankind."


"How's the Governor controlling everything helping mankind?" said Amanda sarcastically. She barely had time to dodge a swipe from the Doctor's hand. It missed, hitting the air as the Doctor glared back towards her.


"Don't challenge his authority. It's behaviour like that...which is why you're still here" commented the Doctor. He continued his glare as Amanda flattered slightly. The Doctor took advantage of that moment, pressing the advantage as he moved closer to her. Amanda was visibly uncomfortable at being this close but she was unable to move.


"You are a selfish little girl" started the Doctor, gripping Amanda's cheek uncomfortably. "Even after we've given you the best of care...you still try to escape" continued the Doctor. "Not everyone gets the luxury you are provided with...or a private room no less" finished the Doctor.


"Do you even want help?" questioned the Doctor, noticing Amanda glaring at him.


"I..." started Amanda.


"That was a rhetorical question" interrupted the Doctor. "Now...I've grown bored of talking to you so we should move onto treatment" announced the Doctor as he presented the container from earlier.


"Dare I ask what that is?" snarked Amanda, her tone indicating she was tiring fast.


"It's an experimental treatment, might be useful in helping you overcome your delusions" explained the Doctor. He pulled out a syringe and stuck it into the container. He pulled on the needle, beginning to extract the warm orange fluid from the container before presenting it to Amanda.


"Has this been tested before?" asked Amanda, already having an idea of the answer. Despite this, the malicious grin on the Doctor's face still scared her.


"Nope, you're the first test subject" replied the Doctor, walking towards Amanda.


"Go to hell Mandrake," said Amanda, trying one last attempt at defiance. It fell rather flat as Mr Mandrake continued to walk towards her.


"You first" replied Mr Mandrake as he brought the needle to her skin, preparing for injection. Amanda was unable to move as she felt the needle prick into her skin. She could feel the fluid entering her bloodstream as the disorientation was almost immediate.


"Now...we wait," said Mr Mandrake, sitting down in a nearby chair as he prepared to observe his experiment.


Amanda didn't respond. Her disorientation left her unable to respond. It felt like her brain was upside down, drowning in its own fluid. She felt her memories playing out in her mind, regret filling her being as the aftermath of what happened played through her mind.


"Am...am I dying?" thought Amanda as she felt herself being mentally pulled into her memories as if to relive them for the possible last time.


One Month Ago:


Amanda moaned as she stared at the blank concrete wall. She shifted her position once more, trying to get comfortable on the supposed bed within her cell. Amanda once again groaned as she got another view of the blank concrete wall.


"I wonder if this is how all those people feel?" wondered Amanda. She recalled back to her friends, the others. She felt tears coming out of her eyes as the cost of her failure began to sink in once again.


"How did it all go wrong?" mumbled Amanda, the tears falling freely. She thought back to the others, her friends. "How did I lose my way? We were trying to save everyone...then I went and tried to prioritise my friends" continued Amanda, the tears continuing to fall. The memory of her seeing the Compound that they were trapped in crossed her mind.


"Why did I go against my better judgement?, what was I thinking in storming something like that alone?" thought Amanda, the lack of tunnel vision resulting in clarity that had previously eluded the imprisoned girl.


"Why didn't I trust John?" finished Amanda. The guilt swelled up in her. Even if John forgave her for what she did...did she deserve his forgiveness?.


"I guess this is what I deserve" finished Amanda, her tears drying up as bitterness replaced them. She looked around the cell once again, the blank concrete walls giving little to the imagination. The large door was heavy, with minimal light coming through the top as Amanda pondered her predicament in the near darkness of the cell.


"Maybe I shouldn't have attempted to escape...maybe then I'd at least have some company" mused Amanda. This caused her thoughts to shift once again, focusing on the girl she...left behind.


"I'm guessing she holds a grudge," thought Amanda bitterly, recalling how the girl-turned crocodile had given away her location. "I suppose karma does have a sense of humour" continued Amanda, recalling the girl had also been alone within the Reptile House with no company.


Amanda shook her head as she tried to banish the thoughts. She noticed increased light coming from outside. The beams of light that came into her cell seemed to open up something in the girl.


They seemed like hope.


"Yes...I can still atone. I can make things right. I just need to..." thought Amanda, her thoughts stopping in their tracks as she heard the creaking of the heavy door.


The door shifted open as Amanda felt a mixture of emotions within. She tilted her head for a moment as she noticed someone entering the cell. The uniform quickly caused Amanda to recognise the woman as one of the police officers who worked in the prison.


The Officer had fair skin, her uniform hung snugly across her frame. Her badge was clasped tightly onto one of the blue pockets of the uniform. The Officer gave a small sympathetic smile to the girl as Amanda looked up at her.


"Amanda...you need to get up, we need to talk," said the Officer. Amanda tried to get up, struggling a little as she almost fell. The Officer caught her quickly, helping her regain feeling in her legs. Eventually, Amanda was able to stand up under her own strength as she turned back to the Officer.


"Thank you m..." started Amanda.
"Xandria," replied Xandria firmly. Amanda could feel a 'click' near her wrist as she looked down, noticing she had been cuffed. She looked at Xandria who gave her a firm yet sympathetic look.


"You have attempted to escape before...and it's policy" explained Xandria. Xandria began to walk away, Amanda keeping pace behind her as she looked around.


"Wonder where they're taking me?" thought Amanda as she looked around. The cells were surprisingly bare as she was escorted throughout the prison. Eventually, she arrived at a nearby door that Xandria opened.


Amanda looked around the room, seeing a few other police officers. She was seated within another chair as Xandria undid the cuff on her wrist. She then attached it to a hole in the table, ensuring Amanda wouldn't be able to run.


Xandria then joined her fellow officer on the opposite side of the table as she sat down. Amanda felt rather intimidated by the number of officers in the room. Xandria noticed her discomfort as she motioned to the other officers already standing up. Amanda noticed the officers beginning to depart, although two remained to keep guard.


"Sorry about that, but the higher-ups insisted," explained Xandria. Amanda nodded in understanding, almost missing the table before she could correct herself.


"We just have a few things we need to sort out" started the other officer to Xandria's side. Amanda was curious as she noticed a file on the table. It had her name on it as she felt further confused.


"I just want to apologize in advance for how you've been treated here. We didn't realise the extent of your issues and for that...I am truly sorry" started Xandria.


"What are you talking about?" replied Amanda, feeling truly confused as fear began to emerge within.


"We sent off a medical report to check your file and...we're not equipped to deal with your case. Therefore, you'll be transferred off to the Sanatorium for further treatment" explained Xandria.


"Wait...what issues?" asked Amanda, feeling truly confused and afraid.


"See for yourself," said the other officer, showing the medical report to Amanda. It was recently dated as Amanda eyed the comments within.


"Wait...paranoia, unable to tell fiction from reality" mumbled Amanda, feeling truly scared as she tried to stand. However, the cuff connected to the table caused her slight pause. "You're not taking me!" shouted Amanda in a panic, realising that somehow...they must have stacked the deck.


The people behind the Managers ran much deeper than she had anticipated. Now Amanda was paying the price.


Amanda tried to run, finding herself unable to move much as the table was welded to the ground. She wasn't shifting it anytime soon as the officers who remained standing grabbed her. Their grip was strong as Amanda continued to struggle against them.


"Let me go!" shouted Amanda, continuing to struggle. Her struggling came to a sudden halt as she felt something in the side of her neck. A small glance indicated that she had been injected by something. The sudden drowsiness that came over her heavily implied it was a tranquillizer.


"Damn..." started Amanda as the tranquillizer took effect. She found it difficult to remain upright as one of the officers supported her. Amanda passed out as her eyes drooped, closing.


"There should be a van approaching outside, make sure she gets there safely," said Xandria, her tone sounding uneasy. She watched as Amanda was carried out by the other officers. "She seemed like a decent girl...I hope we're doing the right thing," said Xandria.


"We are," said the officer to the side. She rubbed Xandria's shoulder reassuringly. "Amanda will get all the care she needs at the Sanatorium" continued the officer as Xandria gave her a look.


"You're the newest recruit. Sorry but I never caught the name" asked Xandria. The other officer looked at her, mock hurt before smiling.


"The name's Xianna boss" started Xianna, smiling as she eyed her superior. "After today, I can see why they look up to you" finished Xianna as she stood up. She headed to the door as she turned back towards her boss.


"You coming?" asked Xianna, her expression sympathetic as she eyed her superior.


"Not now...I need a moment" replied Xandria, noticing Xianna nodding as she departed. Xandria took a deep breath, trying not to cry. The knowledge of being a leader had its advantages and disadvantages. It caused people to look up to her. It also meant she needed to be strong for her department.


Even if it meant condemning her daughter.




Returning Home:


Amanda felt groggy as her eyes began to open. Strong beams of light came through the nearby windows as it took some getting used to following the near pitch-black cell that had been her residence.


"Wait...is this a mattress?" thought Amanda, feeling rather comfortable as she took a moment to enjoy the material. It was a godsend after the previous slab that she had become accustomed to.


Amanda looked around the room. It was much more comfortable compared to the bare cell she had been in previously. The carpet seemed comfortable and warm, a nearby television was right ahead of her as she noticed the rich material of the nearby curtains. There was even a chandelier for lighting as Amanda began to feel relieved and creeped out at the same time. It was a truly magnificent room as Amanda soon set her sights on a door.


"A door!" shouted Amanda as she tried to get up. She was surprised to feel herself be pulled back as she realised that she was once again, cuffed to a post on the bed.


"What is this?, where am I?" wondered Amanda as she heard the door opening once more. A small girl walked in, her white hair was a direct contrast to her black dress and boots. She had icy blue eyes as she stared at Amanda. A small smile adorned her features as Amanda noticed she was carrying something under her arm. She loosened her boots as she began to enter the room, not wishing to invite mud onto the expensive carpet.


"You're home," said the small girl, taking a moment to skip towards Amanda. Amanda was rather confused as something hit her face. She cringed slightly before looking down, seeing what appeared to be a newspaper of some kind.


"Just a bit of morning reading," explained the girl, chuckling as the dark expression never left her face. Amanda was beginning to feel creeped out as she scanned through the newspaper.


"Wait...all of this...is about the New Zoo?" wondered Amanda, feeling a sense of panic coming over her as she looked at the small girl.


"Oops, must have selected the wrong paper...although I'm sure daddy had them specifically labelled," said the girl mockingly as her smile widened.


"You need to help me, get me out of here" begged Amanda, noticing the small girl shaking her head.


"Nope" started the girl bluntly, taking a moment to enjoy the look of unease on Amanda's face. "I can't disappoint daddy. However, I have total faith in you" continued the girl mockingly.
"Where am I?" asked Amanda.


"Always the least interesting questions" muttered the girl. She turned to face Amanda once again. "You're home, where daddy sends all the people he doesn't like," explained the girl. "I hope you'll at least be more interesting than our last guest within this room" continued the girl.


"So, can I leave?" asked Amanda.


The girl laughed in response to the question. The sounds of her chuckles spread across the room as she was continually amused by what she perceived as Amanda's idiocy.


"Can you ask at least one worthwhile question?" mused the girl, her expression indicating boredom.


"Ok...who are you?" asked Amanda. She noticed the girl's face brightening up.


"Took you long enough...my name's Tammy. I hear you're already acquainted with Daddy" replied Tammy. "In answer to your previous question, you can leave once you're cured of your delusions. Otherwise, you'll be here for the long haul" said Tammy, giving a sinister smile.


Tammy then began to skip back to the door, she put her boots back on. She turned back to face Amanda one last time.


"Dinner will be a few hours, Treatment will begin tomorrow. I do hope you're more interesting than the last guest" said Tammy as she prepared to leave.


"Finally, welcome home" finished Tammy as she closed the door behind her. The sound of a lock could be heard as Amanda was now left alone.


Amanda looked around, still rather confused by her encounter as she looked around. She took another glance at the newspaper she had been given before throwing it away from her. She noticed the cuff on the post of the bed connected to her left wrist. As feeling returned to her legs, she began to feel a cuff around her right ankle, which could now be visually seen via the bottom post of the bed.


"Ok...now what?" thought Amanda, finding herself at a loss of what to do. She began to feel concerned about tomorrow, wondering what the future would bring.




Back to the Present:


Amanda felt her sense returning to her as she looked around. Remembering where she was, she tried to focus on something, anything as she felt herself coming down from whatever haze the chemical had subjected her to.


"Well...that was something" mumbled Amanda, eying Mr Mandrake who was looking intrigued at her.


"Well, that was a bust," said Mr Mandrake, wondering what treatment to try now. He began to feel a sense of frustration come over him as he noticed Amanda smiling smugly out of the corner of his eye.


"What next doc?" asked Amanda, her tone somewhat mocking as Mr Mandrake was rather tempted to try and hit her once again.


"You're rather smug given your predicament" commented Mr Mandrake, noticing Amanda smirking.


"It doesn't matter how many times you idiots try to gaslight me...you'll never convince me otherwise," said Amanda reassuringly, feeling rather empowered for the moment.


"You...disappoint me Amanda" replied Mr Mandrake. He headed towards the door, pressing a button. The led shined from red to green. "However, there's always tomorrow" finished Mr Mandrake as someone new, clearly another scientist entered.


Amanda glanced as she noticed the scientist's rather stiff movements. He stood rather firm as the glasses he was wearing kept his eyes unable to be seen. His hair and coat were unkempt, his hair sticking up in several places as his coat appeared to be stained with various chemicals. A pair of black safety boots adorned his feet as he looked towards Mr Mandrake with an icy, cold stare.


"Take this one back to her room. I'm not getting anything productive out of her today" said Mr Mandrake as the Scientist nodded. He then moved towards Amanda, his stare seemingly freezing her in place. The Scientist undid her bonds as he forced her up. He attached a cuff to her arm, a feeling Amanda had become quite familiar with.


"Move, now no funny business" stated the Scientist coldly as Amanda found herself forced to comply. She began to walk away as the Scientist nodded towards Mr Mandrake.


"Well I survived today...now to prepare for tomorrow" mused Amanda as she felt a sense of dread. Still, she was satisfied that she survived today.


Once the pair left, Mr Mandrake closed the door that they had departed from. He felt a sense of frustration as he approached a nearby phone.


"I could use some guidance right now," thought Mr Mandrake, hearing the phone dialling.


"Hello Old friend," said the Governor, his tone surprisingly warm as Mr Mandrake already began to feel more at ease. "How's our new guest doing?" asked the Governor, his tone curious.


"She's proving to be harder to crack than anticipated" replied Mr Mandrake, unable to hide the frustration in his tone as he was rather tempted to hit the wall.


"Calm yourself, Old Friend," said the Governor, the words almost soothing Mr Mandrake as he decided to change the subject.


"So...are your plans regarding the Zoo in place? Have the new developments been completed?" asked Mr Mandrake, curiosity in his voice.


"Yes, everything's in place and my daughter is now ready to play her part" explained the Governor.


"And what of the Society?" asked Mr Mandrake.


"If they intervene, let them be distracted. It will allow us to focus on our other projects away from prying eyes" replied the Governor.


"Perfect" commented Mr Mandrake, nodding in approval as his thoughts returned to the current situation. "And what of Amanda?" asked Mr Mandrake.


"You should have some more fun with her. You've always been a man of science" started the Governor. "Why don't you try your more experimental procedures?" suggested the Governor as he could almost sense Mandrake's enthusiasm rising over the phone.


"Well...I have been wanting to try a few experiments" commented Mr Mandrake, his tone slightly jovial as his passion for science took centre stage.


"Go ahead and if she dies...I'll find you a new test subject" stated the Governor. "Just remember...keep calm. After all, we run the Sanatorium. We don't actually intend for Amanda to leave. Unless it's in a coffin" commented the Governor as Mr Mandrake chuckled slightly at that remark.


"Ok, I'll break her spirit. Hopefully, this test subject will be more durable than the orphans" commented Mr Mandrake.
"Now that's the Mandrake I know," said the Governor. "Now I have to be off, got more policies to implement, projects to approve and more enemies to destroy" finished the Governor as he hung up.


Mr Mandrake heard the dial tone for a brief moment before putting down the phone. He thought back to all his other experimental procedures. Things that had little foundation other than his scientific curiosity.


"But now...I have an opportunity to test them," said Mr Mandrake amusingly, unable to resist chuckling at this remark. "Amanda has barely experienced what I'm capable of," continued Mr Mandrake as he sat down on the nearby chair. He smiled, content that all bets were now off as he began to look forward to seeing Amanda again tomorrow.


After all...she was expendable and in the pursuit of science, that made testing on her invaluable.