Stockholm Syndrome

Firelight

The flickering firelight washed over the photographs and it looked like Derp's eyes were filled with flames. I just hoped that wherever he was, he was ok...

Blades of silver, splattered with red. Hanging off the ground, cold manacles bound round wrists. I watched the flickering furnace flames as they threw out sweltering heat, sweat drenching my sore, aching body. I let my eyes close, trembling in fear. I'd been dragged into the laboratory five times now, tied down with rough ropes or tight chains, forced to endure such harsh pain that I didn't think even had existed. My body was slowly becoming weak and yielding, more mutilated and scarred by the day, or hour, I wasn't sure anymore. I was sure of one thing though; I was doomed. Doomed to suffer and scream in a place where no one could help or hear me. The door opened and I savoured the short gust of cool air that hit my hot body. "Hello Joseph. My little experiment." The scientist switched on a machine hanging from his hand and a noxious gas was released from it's nozzle. I whimpered, panting for breath in the suffocating fumes, my mind becoming woozy. "Now, close those eyes." I slowly did as he said, sighing. I missed my family so much, my mother would often stroke my hair softly until I fell asleep. Close those eyes pet, get your rest. My quiet memory was interrupted with the deafening SCREECH of metal against stone. Then intense pain, so much so I could barely breathe as the blade sunk deep into my side, sliding between my ribs. I screamed soundlessly as it was wrenched out, cold fingers running over the ragged, bloody flesh. Rough fabric was tied over my eyes, blinding me. "You don't really need these do you?" I flinched as those cold fingers slipped under the skin, grasping hold of my insides, making me retch. "You see, these intestines, they'll just slow you down, your metabolism makes you human." His grip closed round the slippery organ, my heart in my mouth as he began to pull. "Keep those eyes shut Subject." Why did he call me that? His voice had turned cold and forceful, striking fear into my shaking body.

"Derp? Derp are you ok?"

The agony as it was wrenched from my insides, my resounding screams as blood gushed from my side. Screaming for help, for the torture to stop, for my family to be alive-

"Derp wake up!" Awake. AWAKE. Grab hold of Ian. Shaking. Mind is shaking. "T-t-torture! HELP!" He takes hold of me, holding me close. His heartbeat is like thunder in my head. "Derp it's ok! You were dreaming!" I pull away, shivering. Shiver shiver shiver. Shivers up my spine. Bugs under my flesh, crawling in my skin. Tears sting at my eyes. Black shadows slide down the walls of my room, tendrils of darkness reaching out for me. They used to do that; after the surgeries. The hall-uc-in-ations. Strangling. Smothering. Suffocating me. I scream in terror. Why won't they go away?! Sky Eyes, Sky Eyes, eyes like the sky above this dark place I'm going to die in, wasting away like a rotting corpse where not even he can save me. Ian grabs hold of me, bringing my face close to his. "Breathe Joseph, just breathe. Breathe. " The name, the name. It brings memories of sunshine, warmth and security. My mother's voice, Rose's singing as she picked daises in the meadows. Somewhere over the rainbow, there's a better place than this. This tortued, dark place I call my mind. Vision is blurred with tears. "I-Ian?..." "I'm here Derp, it's ok."

I hear a noise. SCREECH. SCRATCH. SCREECH. SCRATCH. They're coming. They're coming for me, cold chains dragging along the ground as the gnash their bloody teeth in anticipation of my screams. My memories are coming for me. I'm screaming now. Throat hoarse and raw. Ian shuts his eyes tight, blocking out the sound. His hand clamps over my mouth. Can't breathe; can't breathe. Won't breathe. Suffocate. To suffocate to die; to escape this hell. I shut my eyes and stop breathing. Then I feel Ian kissing me. Life. I need to live to love my Sky Eyes, he's my only light in this place. Need to breathe. Lungs expanding, pushing outwards. Heart thumping in my chest in time to his, worn muscles pounding at the scarred flesh. I reach up, my fingers seeking purchase in Ian's shaggy hair, winding round the strands, keeping a grip on reality. On the life I need to live for him. Breathing deeper. Slower. Heartbeat pounding weaker. Safer. Alive. To stay alive and escape to the light with Sky Eyes. He pulls away, his voice mumbles. "Are you ok?" Light. His eyes gaze into mine. I feel my mind floating away into the warm skies, the sunshine on my skin... "Derp? You were screaming..." Fear in his eyes. The warm winds blow cold, bringing memories of cold blades and cold scalpels. "Screams chase away the darkness and memories." He strokes my hair, kissing my forehead. His lips are so soft. "It's ok Derp. No more screams. I'll keep you safe." I nuzzle into his neck, savouring his warm skin and salty scent. "Safe..." I feel numb. The only thing I feel is my heartbeat. "Yes. Safe." Darkness.
***
I wasn't the first. I wasn't the last. They failed their purposes. I'm still alive. Subject 304. My adversary. My Master prepared me for this. Chains strain. Teeth grind. Soon I will be free. Soon the metal will weaken and my spirit will be strong once more.