The Human Zoo (1)

Chapter 13 - Priya

A blinding white light flashes in the sky like a shooting star as pain radiates through my body from head to toe. I scream out loud. The realization that I'm alive registers in my brain. Frantically, my eyes flutter open but all I see is black. Panicked, I try to sit up but my body slams back down to the metal table beneath me. Again, I try. Resistance.

Breathing in then exhaling loudly, I try to calm myself but wince as a sharp pain runs through my left side. The world feels like it's closing in on me as I violently start to shake my body, attempting to break free from whatever it is holding me down.

"Priya, you're awake. Thank goodness," says a familiar voice.

"Dr.—" My voice is hoarse and weak. It's as if I haven't had water in weeks.

"Shh, my sweet girl, it's okay. Hold still for me so I can take the tape off your eyes," says Dr. Jenkins.

He presses his fingers against my forehead and tries to peel the tape off as gingerly as possible. After two quick pinches, I'm able to open my eyes and blink furiously, like butterfly wings. I look down and see clear cuffs wrapped around my wrists and ankles. My chest and lower half are hidden underneath a thin cloth as the rest is open and exposed.

I look up at Dr. Jenkins who wears a grim expression.

"I'm going to undo the restraints now but please, do not move until I assess you."

I nod. Dr. Jenkin's undoes them for me.

"Tell me: how are you feeling?"

"Help me . . . please," I beg.

"First, I need to check your brain and since I don't have the equipment to do so, questions must do. Tell me: what is the last thing you remember?"

I squeeze my eyes shut and a memory slowly starts to form until a few images are clear. I see the tree, escaping, the little girl, and falling.

"Falling," I say as tears pool in my eyes. The realization that my only opportunity to escape has failed starts sinking into my bones and suddenly the physical pain subsides, replaced with deepening desperation.

"Priya, you sustained quite serious injuries. You cracked three ribs, lacerated your scalp, fractured your ankle, and broke your wrist. I've cast that, stitched the cut, and wrapped your ribs and ankle. If you hadn't landed on a body, your injuries would be much worse."

The rest of the memory comes together as the man I pushed over the ledge barrels into my mind. Then the Guardian. Then Li. Then the little girl. The grief collects at the base of my throat, and my tears start to fall. "Dr. Jenkins, I ... I failed."

"Oh Priya," Dr. Jenkins uses his hand to pet my head softly. "Sweetheart, you didn't fail. You're still alive—that should be worth something. I know it is to me."

"I wish I were dead." The truth of the words surprises me.

Dr. Jenkins frowns. "I know how you feel. When my wife died, I tried to kill myself. It didn't work and now I'm grateful but that doesn't rid me of those feelings. It almost makes them harder. You almost died twice: first from falling and the second from euthanization. This life you live isn't worth a lot to you, I know. Still, I'm happy you're alive."

There's nothing left to be said. In a moment of pure weakness, all the walls that generally hold me together crumble. The knot in my throat finally escapes my mouth as I start to sob with despair. Dr. Jenkins helps me sit up so he can take a seat next to me. He wraps his arm around me, pulling me close to him as I bury my head into his chest. His hand repeatedly strokes my hair as he coos. Time slips away as we sit there together, an animal to a human.