The Project

The Reason

-Nicks POV-

Leona glides further into the room, checking machinery, bottles, vials, fluid levels, acting perfectly casual. To an outsider, it may seem as though he has nothing on his mind beyond an obligatory hospital visit. But Cade and I know him too well, and even in his inbriated mind he seems to have figured out this is bad.

Why can't he stay out of trouble for just one week...just one. Is that too much to ask?

I glance at the Arista who looks a mix between terrified and furious. I wonder if Leona will make her watch this. Hell, I wonder if he'll make me watch this as well. I've known Cade for quite a while, but his renowned punishments have never been viewed by another Project member.

Isaac Leona turns to face us, well, Arista at any rate. He smiles at her as though he knows something she doesn't, and his eyes rove all over her. If it makes my stomach turn, I wonder what his gaze is doing in her mind.

-Arista's POV-

His look alone makes me feel pure disgust, there's filth in his eyes and the smile on his too wide lips is false. Cade moans from his place on the table, which catches the snake's attention.

-Cade's POV-

My vision is blurring in and out. Whatever the nurses put in me worked, I won't be on the glorious pain killer of adrenaline and alcohol when my punishment is doled out. The liquor is leaking out of my system and all I feel is a lead weight in my stomach, something I recognize as apprehension.

Getting drunk may have been a mistake...

-Nick's POV-

"Come with me, my dears."

Leona has his staff pushing Cade's table out the door and down the hall, to God know where. Some partially soundproof room in the back I'm assuming.

One thing about Cade's punishments is that they are considered a lesson for all who can hear his screams, as they are evoked through some demented method or another.

"Why, where are you taking him?" Arista questions, not making a move to follow.

"If you come with me and your little friends, you will see. Now hurry, mustn't be late."

"Depends on what you're going to..." she mumbles, but hurries after the disapearing table.

I have to jog to catch up to her and the hospital staff, and when I catch her all I can do is slip my hand around hers. I have a feeling its going to be hard to watch this.

-Arista's POV-

Nicks hand is rough, and dwarfs mine. But its comforting, having another human here with me thats not (A)a monster. (B)a mindless drone (C)drunk Cade.

"What are they going to do to him?" I whisper to Nick.

"I'm not sure. It varies. But when it happens, I would suggest either covering your ears or your eyes."

Well thats reassuring....

We reach a set of swinging doors, white of course. Passing through them I take a look around and notice it looks almost exactly the same as the hospital room.

Hold on. That can't be medicinal.

Knives, axes, saws, bottles of fluids that probably burn worse than acid, chains, whips, straps, and several other things that make my skin crawl are in locations all over this seemingly harmless room.

Either we just stumbled into the most hardcore BDSM club ever, or we are in Hell. I would beleive both at this point. Nick shudders beside me, and I scoot just a little bit closer to him. The harsh light in here has made us all look sickly, but I don't think Cade's appearance is a product of the lighting. He looks like death, his skin is green, his golden hair has gone a shade darker as it clings to his forehead, damp with persiperation, and he is violently shaking.

Leona oozes into the room, his presence made known by a crawling feeling up my spine.

"Oh my dear boy. 2460, it is times like this that I wish you were my child in the outer world, where I could simply send you to counseling for this disgusting little habit of intoxication. May I ask why you did it this time?"

"You know my answer you sonofabitch..."

Wow, even looking like he's about to die he managed some kind of insult. Bravo my friend.

"Language my child. Use of profanity shows a lack of intelligence and heaven forbid one of mine show that appalling sin."

"Excuse me, you offspring of a female dog. Better?"

"What triggered the memories this time 2460?'

Is Cade getting drunk just to forget something? If so, what is it that he's trying to forget?

"I don't have to tell you. Besides, you knew her better than I did." Cade spats. bitterly.

"It was a choice that was made my son. It was for the best. But now I am forced to punish you for this deplorable behavior you displayed in the hospital today."

"What are you going to do?" Cade questions shaking but seemingly, with rage "What are you possibly going to do that you haven't already done? Whip me? Cut me open? Almost drown me? You have no creativity left my dear sir" He sneers "You have put me through every physical pain you can think of. Now all thats left are the re-runs, and it doesn't scare me anymore." He laughs like a madman, Isaac looking calmly on.

He's too calm

"You're right 2460. I have run out of physical pains. Well, besides the ones that would flaw you externally and for the sake of missions, I will deter from those for now. But while I was thinking about a new way to punish you today I realized I've been going about this all wrong. While your screams of pain do wonders as a lesson for others, they don't seem to be teaching you anything."

He pauses and seeing that the whole room is listening, he continues.

"So I realized. The only person who has ever been able to teach you a lesson and have it stick with you is, well, to avoid being crass I shall just say she is no longer with us."

A strangled, gutteral cry rises from Cade, choked back almost the moment it emerged.

"But her memory lives on in your mind, does it not 2460? How she would call you by your name and your name only, not your number. Much like our friend 2520 here."

He gestures to me then procedes once more.

"Your memories are what you hide from. Now, I had not informed you, but some time ago our brilliant minds at work here created a rather rudimentary, but useful, machine. It is attached by a needle to the recipients neck, and through a serum pumped through said needle brings all memories that have been selected by those controlling the device to the surface in the mind. Doesn't it sound delightful? A charming stroll down memory lane. I hope you enjoy it 2460."

Cade's scream may be the most haunting thing I have ever heard in my life. And the machine hasn't even started yet.