"Baby how does this one look?"
A smile flashed across my face. Oriah looked absolutely beautiful in her wedding dress. The excitement for our biggest day grew within my heart every moment, and I knew her anticipation was just as great as minds. Her demeanor was more then evident. Somehow, though, my mind was elsewhere.
I found myself counting the cars I watched passing by, laughing internally at the exaggerated shape of the mannequins, being annoyed by the chatter of a high pitch voiced lady across the room. Most of all, our potentially ground breaking project at work. She unknowingly interrupted my daydreaming...
"Have you and the boys picked up their tux's yet?"
The tux's! In the cloudy midst of the days excitement I had forgotten to check on my groomsman. She paused for a sec, and the glee on her face slowly withered away transforming itself into a look of disappointment.
"Let me guess....your minds been conveniently focused on that new project of yours at work."
She starred at me, waiting for her answer. Without even looking I could feel her retinas aligning with my soul, trying to find the answer herself. My eyes danced around the floor below, hoping I could find her answer in the stitching of the carpet. It was of no help. I slowly lifted my eyes to meet hers.
"Baby I-"
"Save it" she interrupted.
Now our eyes were locked onto each others. The lining of her eyes began wetting up, as the tears of the pain I have caused her were starting to show themselves. The first dropped down her cheek, slowly making it's way to her chin. I reached my hand out and placed it gently on her cheek, making an attempt at removing the tears from the soft surface. I opened my mouth to unveil some words of comfort...
"Oriah. You know how important this day is to me. My job, this new project...it compares nothing to the anticipation of sharing my life with you forever. I want you to know that-"
RING RING RING
No. That was not what I needed right now. It continued to ring, and whatever comfort I had brought to her was instantly replaced with the anger she had summoned before, but this time, it was her unwilling spirit that made my heart drop. She slowly but firmly removed my hand from her face.
"Just...go. Answer it. I'll be fine here. Mom, Deirdre and I will finish patching things up here with the wedding planner. They are on their way now. It's obvious where your focus, where your heart lies right now."
What could I possibly say? As her back turns to me, every step she takes away from me I can feel in my chest. I look around to see some of the women staring disappointingly. Girlfriends and siblings whispering to one another. I noticed even the annoying high pitched lady shut up just to watch the altercation between Oriah and I. The buzzing and ringing continues. I look down at my phone.
W. Clauson?
Why would he be calling now? I informed everyone I was busy today.
I answered my phone with unsureness...
"Doctor Clauson?"
"We need you to come to the lab immediately."
PRESENT DAY
Memories pop in an out faintly. The machines churned louder and louder as they chipped small pieces of flesh off my body. I scream out in pain as the pincher's gripped tightly the muscle in my thigh and pull.
The veins running throughout my body enlarge as my blood pulsates through to each section of need. Bruises and cuts are found everywhere. Thick, red liquids pour out all over me, as the saw prepares to sever my arm. My eyes are blackened and bruised from the officer punching them repeatedly after every no answer.
"Tell me NOW!" he screams.
"What do these items stand for?!"
He punches me some more, then spits in my face. Just as soon as the saws blades start to rip through the skin on my forearm, an unfamiliar voice calls out.
"Aljret mu shavanak!"
The machines shut off instantly. The platform I lay upon twist me upright. My senses pick up footsteps. Big ones. I am able to somewhat open my eyes to see layers of my blood below me. I feel so weak, but I must stay composed now. Someone just helped me a great deal. My eyes direct my attention forward, as two seemingly hulking men come into the room. They begin to unloosen the latches and straps that hold my body down. As I am finally loose after lord knows how long I drop onto the floor. I am picked up, and the men start to drag me towards the door. As we pass the officer, he smirks at me and says to the men-
"Take him down to level 3 with the others. He will remain there till morning."
I find the strength within to blurt out-
"Wait! "
I turn my head to him and say in return-
"You should have blurred my vision a lot worse then what you did. When I find out who I am and why I am here, you will be the first I celebrate the good news with. You're going to wish that I didn't see your face."
His commanding smirk instantly turns to a nervous fear. My mind no longer triggers in me fear.
Now, it initiates survival.
