Linked

Chapter 23

"Welcome to the show."

The Boss' words rang through my ears and my eyes fluttered open.  I observed my new location.

I stood in the middle of a huge building.  The ceiling seemed to stretch to the skies, and the floor was made from marbled stones.  With bound hands, I turned my head to see that Dustin, Cyrus, and Emily were by my side.  Yet, just as I'd expected...not Liam.

The other's had bound hands as well, and each of us had two guards a few paces away from us; waiting for us to try and escape.  The Boss loomed ahead of us wearing a solid white dress.  It made her figure look even more sickening as she was anything but pure.  Lastly, I noticed the huge curtain she was positioned next to, and my mouth went dry.  A show.

"Emily,"  I desperately faced her with questions, "Do you know where Liam is?"

She looked at me with pain in her eyes and replied, "Yes."

"Where is he?"  I bit my lip, and she nodded toward the curtain.  Oh goodness, I knew it.  He's the show.  I took a deep breath and continued on, "Do you know what's gonna happen to us?"  I asked, remembering her power to predict events.

She studied the room and responded, "I don't know.  Not yet at least,"  Thinking, I tried to reach the Boss' thoughts, but she and the guards were too far out of range.  I cursed inside my head.

Then I tried Liam.

Liam?  Liam what's happening?

No response.

Liam, please respond.  Just let me help you.

There was still no answer so I moved on from that option.

"Emily, do you know anything?"  I pleaded, "Can anyone can help us?  What does the Boss plan to do with us?"  I realized this was a lot of pressure for her, but I was past sense.  I needed answers.

Emily watched the guards.  She watched the Boss, her face, even the flow of her dress.  She watched the guards shuffling in their boots.  And then she stole a glance at the curtain and her eyes shut hard.  I waited for her reply, not knowing if what she said I could handle.

Instead of an answer though, Emily just tilted her head up at me and opened her eyes to reveal tears.  Her lip quivered and she brought me back to reality for a moment.  I couldn't hug her with my bound wrists, yet I don't think I would've hugged her if I could.  I just broke down inside and returned my head to the front of the room.  I fixed my eyes on a piece of tile and remained still as tears stung my face.  I really can't do anything, can I?

"Ladies and gentlemen.  Boys and girls.  Humans and pets,"  The Boss eyed us with hatred, "Today we have gathered to witness the outcome of a trade.  A trade of lives,"  I shivered.

"Take a look around and observe the four... pets standing in front of me.  No, they will not bite.  They have been stripped of all power and reason.  Regard them as nothing further than mere dogs.  For these fools are wild dogs that need only to be trained by yours truly, me,"  She fluttered her dress and held her chin high, "They are here simply to watch what happens next."

And with that she waved to the guard at a control panel and the curtain fell to the ground.  Before us there was now a huge tube of glass.  A viewing area for all of us to see.  Able to fit only one person inside... Liam.  He stood inside the polished cylinder with wires attached to each and every part of his body.  In fact, his shirt had been completely removed to fit all the torture devices on his skin.  At that time, his eyes met mine.  His face portrayed fear.  Fear for both me and him, I knew.  But he also had a sense of longing.  A longing to tell me more, and I guessed a longing to not do this to me... to spare me the show.