Artificial Tears

Chapter 23

I suddenly wake up from the sound of a heavy metal door opening and the pain in my wrists.

Did I fall asleep?

In a place like this?

How is that even possible?

Maybe I fainted again...

"Good morning Edith." The digital voice speaks to me, making my blood turn cold in an instand.

"Sorry I didn't let you go free, I'm used to all my other friends wanting to leave, so y'know..."

In my imagination I can see him shrug, but in reality I can't see anything.

Not even my own body, but I can still hear that it's there, thank god.

Something is being dragged throughout the room, the killer must have taken something heavy with them.

Wait...

Thing?

Or person?

Alive or dead?

"You are very silent today, is something the matter?"

"N-no I'm fine."

"That's good, but if something was wrong, know that I can help you. I'm the only one, we are very much alike after all."

I want to yell at them, that they're insane and that they should let me go, but I decide that the wisest course of action is to just remain quiet or agree.

I have no idea what they want from me and what they mean with 'We are alike'.

"Here is a friend for you."

They place something next to me.

A body?!

No, it's still warm and breathing.

But it might not be for long.

They shackle the person next to me to the same pole (?).

"I picked a girl from the street, she seemed nice."

The voice sounds a bit threatening, making it feel like a thousand bugs walking over my body.

"Do you like it? It's still 'alive'."

"Thanks...?"

A digital laugh sounds from the other side of the room, echoing throughout.

So the room must be big and empty?

I'm not giving up on escaping yet, they have kept me alive this long.

Maybe if I keep acting and going along, they might let me go in the end, but I should not be too hasty. Or it might end bad.

The masked killer leaves the room.

Could this really be Ian? It sounds more like someone who would get him to work for them. Ian is way too timid and this person seems rather confident, but it could be because of the mask.

I can hear the sound of the door slowly closing and getting locked with something heavy.

As soon as I feel it to be safe, I move over to the other person in the room.

"Hey, hey. Are you okay?"

A soft groan is audible from next to me.

"Hey, wake up." I add whispering: "Please."

Then a few sobs.

"Where..."

"Don't panic, are you okay?"