Surface R: Reunion

Part 04.3

::CODY::

My head throbs achingly when I wake. Something red is running across my forehead from my scalp. Blood. I'm suddenly scared when I remembered my previous moments awake.

They tricked me... why?

I only hugged the Doctor. I wasn't trying to hurt him. Corrin says it's only good to thank people properly. Trey says hugging is a good way if you're not trying to be formal about it—

CORRIN! TREY! I suddenly realized, Will I still see them? I need to get back, I still need to tell them how to save Lori!

I struggled and that's when I realized my hands are tied... No, not tied. There's some kind of big, metal brace bonding my wrists. It's similar to something Rhys called shackles in this base that's called a jail. It's not my favorite base. These look more... complicated, though. My legs are bounded the same way. Rhys said only bad people were kept in Jails and put into shackles.

So, why would they do this to me?

"Hey, the little savage is awake."

I raised my head and I feel how cold the floor is against my cheek.

It's so dark. How can people live here?

I see three men outside this glass wall. "Shall we test our hypothesis now?"

"With pleasure."

They did some tapping on a wall and a door slides open. In their contamination suits, they enter. I squirm to move back as they approached me.

"Don't hurt me please." I pleaded. "I didn't do anything wrong!"

They just laughed at me. "Wow, this kid's something else."

One makes me sit up and get on my knees by pulling my hair.

"Ow, that hurts!"

"It's supposed to, now shut up."

Why are these people so mean? All my friends up in Surface R are nice, why shouldn't they be? Why can't we all be nice? I hope I'll be able to return soon. I still need to help Lori.

"Stop fooling around and get him out of here." I see the man who tricked me into coming forward.

"Okay sir!"

I panicked. "No! I don't like that man, I don't want to go near!"

"Sure kid, like we'll listen to you."

One guy went ahead, the others dragged me by the hair. My legs are sliding against the floor. Next thing I know, I'm on my feet and in front of the mean man. I trembled.

"You're mean!"

"Yeah, okay." The man brings out this thing that looks like a syringe, which Corrin uses to give us some medicines. It was empty, though. "Think about how mean I am while you hold still, I need a blood sample."

The needle looks sharp and like it could be more painful than Corrin's injections.

"No!" I backed away. The guards hold me down and pushed me to the floor. "No, stop, lemme go!" The man bends down, leaning forward. He pulls my chin up so my neck is exposed. I had no choice but to show him my tears falling from my eyes. "No..."

"This will only hurt more if you struggle, so stop moving, brat."

I whined. "Corrin, Trey!" I screamed uselessly as the needle was pierced into my skin and more tears filled my eyes. It was too painful. "Ahh!"

"Okay, that's enough. Get him to the white room,"

They lift me up as the Doctor from earlier stepped into the room.

"Roland, well, this is a surprise." The meanest man said. "Is there a reason for this visit?"

Doctor Roland spared a glance my way. "I sent an alert earlier, I'm here to... collect the test subject."

"Please help me!" I pleaded. I don't know if he would help, but I feel like he wasn't as bad as these guys.

The guards slapped me to make me quiet.

"Ah, yes." The man looked a little disgruntled. "honestly, I really would like the tests to be underway, but I suppose patience is a virtue. You say you can help him withstand the experiments for a lengthier testing?"

"Yes, Councilor Levin."

The man—was it Levin?—gave him this serious look, similar to what Rhys makes when we interrupt him from working. "And it will be under discretion? We wouldn't want the public to be, ah, concerned with our private matters."

"Of course not, sir. I will update you after twenty-hours for when you can retrieve the..." Doctor Roland looked stiff. "savage."

The Levin guy looked please. "That's good to hear." he turned towards me and the guards. "Hand him over to the Doctor, he will have temporary custody."

"Will you require assistance, sir?"

Doctor Roland shook his head. "I am capable to take care of it myself, thank you."

"Hey! Please, when can I leave?" I asked as the Doctor. I shivered at the hard look he gave me, I thought he was nice...

"I'm sorry, but you're not going anywhere. So get used to this as you're our prisoner now."

I froze, my heart sank. What do I do? What would Trey do? "Noo!" I complained as the Doctor dragged me out, to the point that he had to carry me to get me farther. "No, no, no! Put me down, let me go! Corrin! Corrin! Heeelp! He—!"

"Shh!" Doctor Roland placed a hand over my mouth. "I'm sorry, it was a lie. It was necessary so we wouldn't be suspected. I apologize if it caused you stress."

I'm confused now. He's nice again. What's wrong with these Underground people? "Mphhf?" He uncovered my mouth, placing a finger to his lips, meaning I shouldn't be loud. "What do you mean?"

"He means," I jolted, my arms held up defensively, as an instinct, turning to the new voice. I see a new girl, who looked a little familiar, but I don't know why. She had a nice smile, though. "we're here to help you get home."

I brightened up then. "Okay!"