The Karma Study

Chapter 8 - Phinneas Gage

Zoe

I don't remember falling asleep, but I'm jolted out of my dark oblivion by a shock that ricocheted through my bones. I've been in this electric kennel for about twenty hours now. I have about a square foot of space that I can sit without the risk of charring my skin. I used to do well in this cage, I'd be able to stay away for at least three days without sizzling, but I suppose my comfy bed with silk sheets and a down comforter back at the manor had spoiled me for far too long.

The Karma's made me weak, and I think my father knows that. I wasn't surprised at all when this was the first situation I was placed in by Khal. When the orderly came to retrieve me from my room, I knew he was just wheeling me to torture. I wouldn't expect anything else from Khal Hera.

The only thing I have yet to determine is, why now? My father clearly knew I was alive all this time, and after all he is the one that created me, he knows how my brain works. He could have gotten me back a long long time ago.

During my time locked in this kennel, I tried to occupy myself with thoughts of my guys. Thoughts of what they may be doing, or thinking. Or if they are still my guys after all this. Max is going to be pissed that I disobeyed. Brandon will be hurt and surely blame himself if they learn about the text. I bet Dean doesn't know what to feel, but I'm sure he's resorted to ignoring his feelings of fear and focusing on the hate; I hope he doesn't hate me. And Teddy? I know Teddy is feeling everything, he has always bathed in his crazy and let the world see his demons tattooed on his skin for all to witness. I know Teddy must be wreaking havoc across the streets, but I also know he'll eventually blame me. He'll think that I left, that I abandoned him in a way that his parents did, or his sister.

Worst of all, I think I hurt them. I ran to save them, for it only to bite me in the ass.

What was that thing Drake said once?

"The dildo of consequences rarely arrives lubed." I whisper to myself followed by a quiet self-pity laugh.

That's the thing about karma, it's about intention. The intention behind action is what matters. When you finally understand karma, then you realize you are responsible for your own actions and reactions. Karma bides its time, but it's unforgiving and will always get payback.

The room I'm in is completely empty, similar to the one I woke up in. White concrete walls completely absent of any windows and just a single metal door. It's cold, really cold, which leads me to believe they might be holding me underground. There's a camera in here too, but instead of being mounted to the wall it's on a tripod, sitting close to the kennel to watch my every move.

I think back to the few lessons Brandon gave me, and I recognize the blue cable running from the camera to a port in the wall only confirming that this camera is in fact connected to a network; which means it's possible Brandon can be viewing this also.

I hate that they might see me in here, weak and at the mercy of a man I know they now hate.

Do they hate him? Could this have possibly been their intention all along? When I originally started trailing the Karma brothers, I thought they might have been working for the Cambions. I have to admit, I did get distracted by their charm, and their beauty, and pretty words. What if they were working with the Cambions all along, and I was blinded by my own loneliness in my search for a place to call home?

Khal did train them, after all, he trained me. I always thought I was the scariest beast in every room I entered. But what's to say they weren't the bigger badder monsters all along?

I'd rather sear my flesh against this cage a thousand times, than bare witness to them betraying me this whole time.

I should have never let my guard down, I should have never let my heart shed its stoney ice exterior.

Just as my eyes were starting to flutter shut again, a deafening buzz echoed in the room followed by a piercing sound of dragging metal, I sat up abruptly at the noise and turned to find the door swinging open.

"Well, Participant Z-7-4. That was disappointing to say the least." Khal claps his hands together when he stops at the front of the kennel. My instinct is to cringe away from his closeness, but I can't without risking another shock. "Seems my theory has proven true, the brothers have weakened you. Perhaps that's what happens to whores." He spat.

My eyes narrow, but I don't dare speak a word. I have a quick flashback of when I was caged in one similar to this when I was nine years old. That day I decided to speak up while locked in here, and in retaliation he shook the kennel to make sure I fell off balance and repeatedly fell against the electrical currents. With this image in mind, I press my lips together and bite my tongue to revert any rebuttals.

"Nothing to say for yourself?" He quirked an eyebrow, "Well, at least they managed to make you pliant."

I growl rumbles in my chest, hating the way he's casually talking about the men I've sold my soul to and making me feel weak for doing so. But still, I continue to keep my words to myself.

My father flips the switch on the floor next to the kennel, shutting off the power. I want to relax, but I fight the urge and stay stiffly in my position.

Two more orderlies enter the room as if they were signaled. It's two men that almost look identical in form. The only difference I can spot is their hair color and nose shapes. I can't help but notice the void of life in their eyes. They are withdrawn, cold, and missing something that would categorize them as humans. They're robotic. I try not to focus on what they look like, but instead what they are carrying.

The blonde orderly to the left is carrying an arms full amount of restrains, and the redhead on the right is carrying a pistol and a cattle prod.

Good news is, I'm leaving the kennel. Bad news is, there is still no chance for escape.

"Gentlemen," My father greets them as he begins to unlock the kennel with his handprint. "Please take Participant Z-7-4 to the surgical wing for prep. She should be exhausted by now and shouldn't put up too much of a fight. But remember, she is valuable to our future, so if you must cause damage, make sure it can eventually be healed."

When the kennel door swings open finally, I wait for the command to exit. With the flick of his wrist, Khal signals me to get out and join the two orderlies.

I hate the demeaning aspect of it all, but as long as I bide my time, I might be able to not only escape, but to get more information as to what he has planned. Slowly I stand at my feet, and it's not until I'm completely stretched to my full height that I remember I'm completely bare in front of my father, and these two strangers. I find comfort in knowing that, if this wasn't all a rouse, Teddy will take their eyes in no time.

As the blonde begins to strap my restrains on me, the redhead holds the cattle prod close enough to my skin to make me shiver.

"I have one question." I finally speak to my father, my voice is horse and thick from the lack of sleep.

"Proceed, Participant Z-7-4."

As the blonde latches the show color around my throat I finally speak, "Why is it no longer just Participant Z?"

"Oh my sweet daughter." He says with a thick layer of condescension and my stomach roils at the fake humanity. "I have built many, many, more Z's."