Veronica Topple and the Machine of Deluded Dreams

Chapter 5 - Richard

My hold on my identity is slipping. I want to resist the machine, but it has become too strong for me to do so, or is it that I have become too weak. I am unsure either way, the drugs they inject into me make it hard to think clearly and the visions provide endless distractions. Vincent is taking control and I am powerless to resist.

***

After another treatment of hellish images, Veronica was returned to her cell to recover. Once again washed and clean, she curled up in her bed and tried to sleep. Lack of sleep from the night before and the new serum had taken its toll and she no longer resisted. The faint hope the spirit had given her was false, she had no access to any doorways.

"Give up," she heard Vincent say. She had been hearing him since the end of the mornings dream session, taunting her. Now that she could hear her own alter ego talking to her, she knew she was going crazy.

"You're nothing but a pathetic dream," he said. "I'm the one who should live, not you."

"Shut up," she yelled, hoping he would take notice.

"Why should I?" he asked. "I've watched what you've done to me and I was silent for so long. Not anymore, I'm taking my body back."

"Leave me alone," she demanded, rolling on her side and pulling her legs up into the fetal position.

Vincent wouldn't be silent, he kept taunting her until she cried. Her eyes were so dry that no tears flowed. As she sobbed, her body finally gave into exhaustion and she fell into a disturbed sleep. Vincent it seemed, had taken over her dreams too and used them as another opportunity to taunt her. Like an endless nightmare, her alter ego pursued her, destroying the last refuge she had to escape to.

***

She was woken a few hours later by the nurse and instructed to get dressed. The nurse had brought her some casual clothes, pants and a long sleeve shirt cut in a typical boys fashion. There were also a pair of boy sneakers and socks. With Vincent in control, she got dressed and then sat on the bed waiting for further instructions. Two men entered the cell carrying a collapsible table, something that would have peaked her interest in the past, but in her submissive state, the detail was ignored. The table was assembled and then three chairs were brought in. With the setting complete, a waiter entered and placed a white sheet over the table, then proceeded to set down cutlery and glasses.

Once the preparations were complete, Doctor Preston arrived, followed by a girl about Veronica's age. She wore a simple autumn dress and looked more like a boy than a girl with her short hair. Vincent didn't seem to care, the dress was enough for him to know which gender she was. As they entered the room, the ghostly shadow that seemed to follow Preston around soon made its appearance. Vincent ignored the apparition.

"Vincent, I'd like you to meet Rachael," Preston said, introducing his guest.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Vincent said, standing and offering to shake hands, Rachael accepted the offer and then Preston directed them toward the table.

"I thought you might like some company for the midday meal," Preston said.

"That was most thoughtful of you," Vincent said. Veronica was an unwilling participant, dragged along by the alter ego that had taken control of her body.

Vincent helped Rachael take her seat and then took the seat next to her while Preston sat on the opposite side.

"Rachael, would you like to tell Vincent a little about yourself?" Preston asked.