Mind Over Matter

5 - The Things You Don't Know

Las Vegas, Nevada
March 27, 2034
8:14 p.m.

*JASON*

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The room was a plastered white, the bright lights from the various machinery were blinding, the sounds were ever present in the ear, the sounds almost becoming rhythmic as it assaulted the eardrums. The men surrounding him almost looked like aliens with their dazzling white lab coats and their huge goggles set on their eyes that gave them the look of monsters. They spoke in hushed tones, often looking at one another as they worked.

"Hello, Jason," one man, who was clearly the leader, spoke, stepping forward from the corner of the room and taking off long, black gloves. "So glad you could join us. You were sleeping for such a long time, we thought we had lost you."

The boy, the boy named Jason tried to sit up straight, his head swirling with aches. He was yanked back by chains that had been bound against his arms and legs, pinning him to the leather turntable chair.

No! The boy thought. His dreams had been just that, dreams. He was still here, reality was still his nightmare. He had thought that he had finally escaped from their clutches.

"You are a very interesting boy, Jason," the man continued. "You are the only test subject this far that has survived. And your mind," he laughed loudly as he approached the frightened child. "Ah, your mind, the power that it holds. Once we unlock your secrets, there is nothing that can stop us. We will truly be without limits."

The boy was crying now. How could he not? He was tired, hungry, and hurt. The bruises and marks from his latest 'therapy' session hadn't healed yet. And he was about to be granted a fresh new batch of them. He was desperately yanking at his bonds, trying to rip them free.

"Please!" Jason desperately begged through his tears. "Please, let me go! Why are you doing this?! I want to go home. Where is my mom? Where is my dad?" He was granted a harsh laugh.

"Your parents? Your parents? Who do think it was that brought you to our attention, Jason? We didn't find you by sheer luck. You say you want mommy and daddy, but they sure don't seem to want you."

Jason shook his head, the tears pouring now as he tried to deny the words coming out of the man's mouth. "No, that can't be true! They love me!"

The man slammed his hand on the edge of the turntable. "They hate you! They are afraid of you, of your gift. They are afraid of what your power can do. What it means for the world. They took you here, dumped you on our doorstep without so much as a kiss goodbye, and never looked back. You have no family, Jason. You only have us. And we understand what your power really means: a blessing. A blessing for all mankind."

Jason pulled on his chains more, his desperation increasing by the minute. He pulled and pulled by nothing happened. He was  screaming for help, his voice lost in the crowd of scientists who could care less about him. He kicked, but it came to the same conclusion.

"Just relax, boy," the man said and Jason felt the sting of the syringe as it embedded itself into his skin. "It'll all be over soon."

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I sat up straight, my eyes bulging and the sweat dripping down my face in droves. I was panting heavily as I looked around wildly, at the passing trees that were whipping past us from the window. I moved my hands around, desperately trying to clutch into something. They fell on another pair of smaller, warm hands who intertwined with mine and squeezed gently, calming me down. Then the fingers running soothing through my hair told me exactly who it was.