Short Stories

Pain in the New Society

Pain in the New Society:

HE refused to use the gag.

He thought he could tough it out, be the man he wishes he was. But in truth, he was cocky as hell. He didn't think he needed to use it. Bullshit, she thought. Everyone needs the gag! He's getting glass taken out of his body for God's sake!

            Though he refused she asked again, "Are you sure you don't need it?" As she said this nurses were cuffing his wrists above his head to a bar, and chained his feet to the floor, ensuring that he won't move. She could tell he was nervous, she was when she had to do it.

            He nodded, a nervous look on his face. "Are you going to stay?" he asked, quite curious as a doctor entered the room. "Well someone has to keep you calm." She answered advancing until she was right in front of him. Now he really looked frightened.

            The doctor, Walden, then explained what he was going to do, "We're going to take your tracker out of your body. The reason why we are not using any medication during this procedure is: one, because we are have a limited amount of supplies, and two, because we believe in this new society we should be free from the old one, and knowing how much pain it has caused."

After he said that he suggested the gag one last time. The boy still refused.

That was when the doctor took his scalpel and began to cut in his back.

*

Sweat was dripping down his face as he screamed in pain. His sweat staining her hand, "Shhh," she whispered, stroking his sweat soaked hair as he choked on air. Soon enough tears came dribbling out of his eyes. She wiped some away, still saying soothing words as he cried out in pain. His body kept jerking, and she knew that was difficult for Walden to do his job, so she tried to get Gabe to stop fidgeting.

             "I-It hurts," Gabe moaned, gasping for breath. She nodded her head in agreement. "I know," he then squeezed his eyes shut. Gasping in discomfort as the doctors' pliers were plunged into his lower back, twisting and turning.

            He bit his lip so hard that soon enough a stream of blood was dripping down his chin. She managed to wipe it away. "You're going to be okay." She said over and over again. Holding his face his eyes met hers, "Gabe," she ordered, "just look at me okay?"

            That was when he cried out in pain again, "I know, Gabe. I know. Shhh, you're okay." He shook his head vigorously as even more tears began to drip down his face as he was nuzzled in her shoulder. His scream echoed in her ears.

*

Finally it was over.

            The Removal was finished. His chest was heaving and he was extremely sore. The nurses carefully unhooked his wrists and ankles from the chains. Once he was chain-free he fell forward. Leaving her to catch him.

            She caught him just in time, though she stumbled a bit with his weight pushed against her. He groaned in pain, his back sore beyond belief. She held him up and the nurses quickly whisked him away. She sighed, raking her hand through her hair and rubbing her eyes.

            "You did good, Raylan," Walden said, "You did good."

*

He was cleaned and stitched up. Though his muscles still ached whenever he moved and he was winced every time he moved too urgently. He carefully hopped off the bed and leaned on the wall to regain his balance. Just when he thought he got it he stumbled forward.

            He had no idea where he was going. All he knew was that he wanted to get out. The hospital wasn't a calming place for him, it always made him anxious and uneasy. So caught up in his thoughts he didn't realize footsteps were trailing behind him.

            "Where do you think you're going?" a voice drawled.

            In too much pain to turn he stopped hobbling and craned his head behind him. Raylan was leaning against a wall and her arms were folded in front of her chest. "Away," he answered coldly. "Why do you care?"

            "Why not?"

            He glared at her and then continued to limp down the hall.

            "Gabe!"

            He continued to stumble forward and refused to look back. The slapping of shoes filled his ears as he heard her advancing. "What do you want?" he demanded, irritated.

            "What's your problem?"

            He sighed but didn't answer.

            She rolled her eyes, "Well if you're going to escape, you might wanna know where you're going."

            That was when he stopped and turned to her, their eyes met. "Follow me," she whispered as she led him down another hallway. She wrapped her arm gingerly around his torso to help them get out faster, he winced, but he didn't complain.

            "Thanks," he muttered.

            "Anytime."