Burst Shorts

Running the rat race (Part 4 of series)

(This takes place a month later)

Sora lay on the cot, trying to enjoy the few moments of peace she had. Almost everyday for the past month had been trips to the gas chamber to see how long she’d last against different chemicals. Some were mild reactions such as headaches or passing out. Others were more life threatening.

With these tests, Sora had figured out that she could hold her breath a lot longer than she used to. She also learned she had a higher resistance to the chemicals she'd been exposed to than normal people. She had no idea what Ashtem had done to make this possible. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know either.

Sora and Galaxy had figured out how to switch back and forth for the most part. Sora was the main one in control unless she allowed Galaxy out or he took over by force, which he promised not to do unless he deemed it necessary.

Her arm had healed within a week, faster than it would've before the experiments. Ashtem added testing the speed and capability of her healing to his list of tests.

For now though, Sora and Galaxy were trying to relax and enjoy the peace of being left alone. It was proving nearly impossible as they could hear the footsteps coming up and down the hallway. Everytime one would pause by their room, Sora would tense up and hold her breath hoping they weren't there to retrieve her for a test. So far they had only been there to observe.

I wonder why they keep coming and just staring at us. Galaxy said. I don't know but I don't think you'll be wondering for long. Sora said.

Heavy and familiar footsteps came down the hallway and paused at the door. The door opened and Ashtem walked in, ignoring the low growl coming from Sora.

“You’ll be happy to know that I won't be putting you in the gas chamber, for now. Instead this series of tests will let you expend your energy and shouldn't cause pain as long as you don't fail.” He said. “And what is this ‘test’?” Sora asked, flipping over and sitting up to face him. “You’ll see.” Ashtem replied.

At that the men that Ashtem had dubbed her handlers came in and hauled her to feet before dragging her out the door. She tried to wiggle out of their grip but to no avail. They dragged her down the hallway, past the gas chamber, and turned down a hallway she’d never been down.

They eventually came to a door that opened as they approached. They tossed her in and the door shut behind her.

The room was dark, the only light coming from small dim white bar lights that were along the top and corners of the walls. There seemed to be several walls, placed in such a way one could assume this was a maze. It smelled of metal and there was a low buzz that came from the walls.

It wasn't long before Ashtem's voice came over the speaker above her. “I want to see how fast you can find your way through this maze. You have ten minutes to reach the door on the other side. If you fail, well, let's just say the punishment is less than pleasant. Your time starts now.” He said.

Sora bolted into the maze, a fear of the unknown driving her. She ran into one dead end after another. Galaxy attempted to help, but they were both lost and panicking with the knowledge they were wasting time with every wrong turn.

Sora decided to try and use the walls to take corners faster. She quickly realized her mistake as electricity went through her the moment her hand touched it. Yelping in pain and retracting her hand from the wall, she continued through the maze and hoped she’d find the exit.

Before they knew it, there was a loud buzz that resounded in the maze, all the lights turned red and a red spotlight shined down on them. Their time was up.

Sora felt her stomach drop and a wave of cold run through her. She didn't want to know what the punishment was, she was terrified, it could be anything.

Her handlers came into view, their solemn expressions doing nothing to quell her fear. Before she could do anything, they were dragging her out of the maze. She began struggling in their grip, trying to bite, claw, kick, anything to get loose. Galaxy was barely restraining himself from taking over, keeping his promise to not do so unless it was necessary or she let him.

When they had left the maze they were met with Ashtem and several scientists. Sora struggled more, she didn't want to go through another unknown experiment. She could see the amusement in Ashtem's eyes as he watched with a neutral expression.

He led them down a series of hallways and finally through a pair of double doors. Inside was a metal box with thick walls and several wires and tubes connected to it. It had leather straps inside and an indention for a person to lay in it.

“Strap her down when you put her in. We don't want her getting loose before the lid shuts.” One of the scientists said. They slammed her into the box, quickly strapping her down as they were told. They then backed away from the box, a button was pushed and the lid began to shut.

Galaxy, hel- Sora didn't even finish her sentence before Galaxy had taken over and knocked her out. He activated his strength ability and began pulling at the restraints. They squeaked and squealed but they wouldn't give. He glared at Ashtem, snarling as he continued to pull at the restraints.

The lid closed and locked with a click, forcing Galaxy to lay in the indention. He couldn't move, he was trapped. Before he could even think, hundreds if not thousands of needles stabbed into his body.

He felt high volts of electricity coursing through him and he couldn't tell what the needles were doing other than adding to the pain. He screamed, yelped, and howled in pain. He couldn't focus on his abilities, he could only focus on the torture he was going through.

At some point he began feeling lightheaded, his throat was raw, and everything burned. His muscles spasmed from the electricity. He knew he wasn't going to die, but it sure did feel like it.

After what felt like eternity the electricity shut off and the needles retracted. The lid opened and the scientists unstrapped him before dragging him out.

He could smell blood, which told him he was bleeding from the needle punctures. He smelled burnt flesh from the electricity. He caught Ashtem's pleased expression out of the corner of his eye. Oh how he hated the man.

The scientists dragged Galaxy out of the room and through the hallways, tossing him into his cell when they reached it. He didn't have the strength to move, let alone stand, so he just crumbled to the floor.

He heard the door shut and footsteps walk away but he could hear a heartbeat coming from the other side of the glass. He didn't even have to guess who it was.

“That is the punishment you can look forward to every time you fail. I hope that is enough motivation to do better.” Ashtem said.

Galaxy wanted nothing more than to rip the man’s throat out and watch him squirm as the life left his eyes. But he couldn't, he couldn't even twitch a finger, he could only listen as Ashtem walked away.

Galaxy laid on the floor in silence. Sora wouldn't be awake for awhile, at least he hoped that was the case. He didn't want her to feel the pain he was experiencing. He made up his mind then and there that anytime they failed the maze, he’d take over and deal with the consequences.