The Marked People

Two versions

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Indigo

So apparently this is all in the name of research. It figures. I've never liked researching, even when it's a mission so why should this be any different. Of course usually my researching includes tracking cargo envoys and spying on the farms. Having the research done to me is an entirely different thing.

By now I can't scream. My jaw has locked itself up, my teeth narrowly missing my tongue. My vision has gone black though I know my eyes are wide open. If my eyes worked I know I would see people standing around, all observing, trying to understand what's happening to me. I just wished they'd figure it out already.

By now they don't even need the straps to hold me down. My own body has frozen while inside my blood tears away at itself; fighting a battle I have no control over.

A touch on my arm has me sighing in relief. I have no control over my body has it presses closer to the touch, its only relief in the pain that covers it.

My sight returns as the pain seeps away grudgingly crawling away, my cells convinced to stop fighting each other for the moment. Even with my sight I can't see much. My face is half buried in Phoenix's chest.

I'd long given up embarrassment at finding myself like this. After three weeks stuck in here together there isn't much Phoenix and I don't know about each other. And besides we've grown accustomed to holding each other, or more Phoenix holding me while I grip onto him as if he's drug.

"That's enough! Look at her, you do it again and she won't come back!" Phoenix's snarl is near my ear and I wince, my senses still coming back online.

Around us there is silence, the silence that says they're deliberating on what to do next. I cringe against Phoenix, not again, not today.

After a moment they begin moving their equipment out, leaving us alone, well as alone as we can be considering we're surrounded by glass.

After a moment I finally let go and Phoenix moves, letting me get some space. We both are sitting on the ground, our backs leaning against the metal chairs that usually hold us strapped in.

I half shiver from the memory "That one felt a lot worse than the others, I couldn't see after a while."

Phoenix gives me a worried look "Indigo your heartbeat flat lined, it wasn't for long but you didn't start breathing again until I grabbed you."

I'm too tired to even try for a joke "You mean I technically died?"

He nods the dark circles around his eyes making him appear tired, though I doubt I look any better. It seems that over the weeks I'm not the only one having a hard time. " You'd think they'd have figured a cure out by now."

I give a tight smile, Phoenix is right. So far all these people have done is work out how to induce me into an episode. From what I can tell high amounts of stress seem to trigger it, which considering my lifestyle means that any moment I might have another round of pain.

I will admit that at times I've wondered if there's any point in trying to escape. After all, my home is gone, the rebels captured or killed. I'm sure there are a few people out there but nothing compared to what we were. It seems that finally the Marked People have us.

Phoenix rests a hand on my shoulder "Look it will be alright."

His words, are just words to fill that oppressive silence that we have trouble staving off. I turn to him, willing to try if he is "Yes and we'll escape and take them down and live happily ever after."