Cold Copy

Chapter 4

Genevieve feels a light tap on her leg from Everlee, who is sweating a lot as she makes her choice. "Are you alright Eve?"

"Yeah...I'm fine..." Everlee answers.

Genevieve reaches over and holds her hand, giving her some comfort. She stays that way, not getting up or moving from Everlee's side. Genevieve makes up her mind, making her choice which will affect her greatly. She decides to endure the tests. It's now 10 hours into the half day they were given, and an hour since Genevieve made her decision. Everlee, her hand still being held onto by Genevieve, straightens her back and sighs.

"What did you pick?" Genevieve asks curiously.

"...I'll be returning home," Everlee answers. "Knowing myself, and my family, I can't handle this, it's just too much for me. As for my family, what would they say if I come home covered in scars, devoid of emotion as a cold heartless shell? The daughter they once knew would be gone. I can't let that happen...What about you Genevieve?"

"I'm staying here," she answers.

Everlee squeezes her hand gently. "Good luck, you'll need it."

"Thanks. Hey, if I make it out of this alive I'll have to come by and visit your home some day, tell you all about it" Genevieve offers lightheartedly, trying to lift both of their moods.

"If they let you leave to visit me, I'll be waiting" Everlee says, then she tells Genevieve her address. "By the looks of it Gen, you'll be the only one."

"Hm?" Genevieve asks, turning her head to look around the room. She sees many blank, expressionless faces, and some tear covered cheeks around her. Most of the others have given up, feeling the same way as Everlee. "I guess you're right Eve, I am the only one."

"You won't let that discourage you, right? I mean, it would certainly be good if you bailed, save yourself from the pain-" Everlee replies.

"I made up my mind, and I'll stick to it strongly until the end" Genevieve tells her.

Everlee wants to speak up, to try and convince her, but she also knows to respect Genevieve's decision, realizing she's strong enough to do it. And before she could speak up, the 12 hours come to an end, and the head researcher and a few agents come back into the room.

"I see you're all here still, or most of you are. To the 7 who remain here, I'll ask that you make your choice clear. If you have chosen to leave, please do so. You'll find a few cars outside and an agent will drive you home personally. And for those who wish to stay, please stay seated" he says. He watches as all but Genevieve rise to their feet and leave. Before Everlee does so, she gives Genevieve a long, tight hug, wishing her the best. "Genevieve Athen, are you sure you wish to proceed?"

"Yes, I'm sure" Genevieve answers, a confident, determined look in her eyes.

"Very well, let's get started" the researcher replies.

The long white halls of the facility remain quiet, inactive. Mild screams can be heard by the guards who are stationed outside the building, and to those who are making their rounds inside the facility. Genevieve's screams echo through the vents, every hallway and every room. She can't tell how long she's been enduring the pain, it could be only a couple hours, or a whole day. She's been focusing her mind on a happier place, thoughts of her family and sister, anything to distract herself and keep her mind from breaking.

She lays there, strapped to a long table. She remembers the researcher's words to her, about the importance of a lack of pain. After that day when the others had all left, she was selected. She knew what she would be getting into, and for the first few days it's been nothing but pain. A crank of a handle extends the torture rack a little further apart, the cuffs on her wrists and ankles now digging ever so deeper into her. She feels as though her hands and feet might fall off, her screams getting even louder in the room.