What Was Missing

Two: -Madeline-

    "What?!" I exclaim, tightening my grasp on the bed-rail. I might be new to this whole Iss thing, but from what I've heard, it can't be good.

    "Maddy, I saw into the Iss. From what I've glimpsed, I can conclude that there's a way out. It's way too... big... to be a trap. You can control a body in there, a physical clone of your current body. I don't know how it all works, but I know it does." Her head, eyes weakly opening, turns to me. She speaks out loud this time, her wheezing breath tickling my face. "The abort adapter tried to close the connection because of my overactive brain activity. It failed, but it did restore some control over my body. When you saw me... change... I was controlling the movements, but I couldn't actually see you."

    She coughs wildly, holding up a hand. Quickly, it fades. "There is so much in there that we don't understand. The only way we can figure it all out is to go inside ourselves." Her eyes close. "We have to get back in. Without the abort." She clenches her hand. "I need to be there... paralyzed, or not. If we don't... my life, and your father's, are forfeit." She chokes again, her racking coughs filling up the room. "I'm dying, Maddy. I'm partially paralyzed, because my time was cut short. My other body is in there. I need to reconnect."

     She whispers now. "You've seen what I can do now. So much mental ability that we didn't know existed can be unlocked with a simple visit. It's the only way I can get your memory back."

    I sharply inhale, then let it out. "Fine," I begin. "Let's do it."

<>  <>  <>

    After a bit of readjusting, my mother begins to speak. "Your back has been injured in several places. I'm going to try to fix it up a bit. Turn around, this won't take too long." I push away the chair, and shuffle to the left, twisting until my back faces her. "Grab onto the bed rail, and hold on tight. I'd love to say this won't hurt, but it will." I do as I am told, and brace myself. "Relax your muscles," she tells me, and I do. She pulls up my shirt, and plants her hands on my lower back. Her fingers are surprisingly cold, and I shiver. "What are you doing?" I ask nervously, but I immediately feel my answer.

    Slowly, to my disgust and horror, I feel the bones in my back readjusting. Their movements make me nauseous, and I try not to vomit. The world starts to spin. And then comes the pain. Agonizing convulsions shoot through my body like rockets. I feel small bone fragments squirming through my torn-up body, and I barely stifle a scream. Then it is done. A dull throb sets in, but quickly fades.

    My mother seems worse for wear. As I turn back around, she grimaces in pain. She speaks to me in a wheezing whisper. "I fixed up your body, but I absorbed most of your suffering." She collapses to her bed, looking exhausted. Her voice comes back in my head. "I'll have to stay still for a while. I can't sustain my body and my mind for much longer. I'll guide you through your instructions from my bed."

    Silence, for a moment. "I think I can expand my speech to reach the house. That's where you'll have to go first. Don't let anyone know that anything's wrong, and try to act normal." I can sense her pondering in my head, and then she continues. "Take off the white clothes you're wearing, too. It makes you look too much like a patient." I wearily get to my feet. "I am a patient," I grumble, and I can somehow sense her laughing. It's a bubbly feeling, and for whatever reason it makes me want to laugh too. I don't.

    I look around the room, and see my old clothes on a table. Sweatshirt, stiff jeans, t-shirt. "Will this work?" I say aloud. "Yes." Using my bedsheets as a robe, I quickly change into my casual wear. "Ready?" I hear in my head. "Yeah." I go over to my mom, and hug her still body. She flinches, but painfully raises her arms into the embrace. We stay like that for a second, then she releases, and I head for the door. "Good luck, Maddy," I hear her say. I find it odd, because she's going to be with me the whole time. I thank her anyway.

    Slowly, I ease open the whitened door. My first impression was right; I am in a hospital. And I have no idea how to get out. "Ask a worker at the desk," my mother sends. I look down the hallway to the left, then to the right. Seeing it on the right side, I head towards it at a brisk trot.

    The checkered tile floor blurs out of my vision as I look back up at the desk. "Excuse me, where can I find the exit?" The attendant looks at me strangely. "Down the elevator." She points to a pair of doors next to her, and I smile. "Thanks." I walk over, and press the button indicating an upward facing arrow. One foot taps nervously on the floor. "Stop that, it's gaining attention." I stop, then begin to think about it. "How can you see that?" I hiss, and the desk attendant stares at me like I'm a psychopath. "I can see through your eyes. Now quiet down, and act normal."

    I do, and the elevator finally dings. The doors slide open soundlessly, and I step in. There's a boy slightly younger than me, and he's looking me in the eyes. The doors slide to a close, and I look away. "Hey," he says. "I'm Max." I nod, but don't look at him. "Maddy." His green eyes unnerve me, and I feel like I've seen him before.

     "Have you heard about the Iss Accident?" he asks. I glare at him. "I don't know about him," my mother sends suspiciously. "It can't be coincidence that he asks that now." I squint at him. "No, I haven't." I turn, and look away. He throws up his hands, and goes silent.

    I can hear the elevator's pulley slow down, and I'm eager to get off. "My mom was one of them," he says sadly. I look quickly at him, and look back down. "I'm sorry," I tell him, and the elevator stops. I climb out, but look back. "Where are you going?" I ask. "This is the bottom floor." He tilts his head, and smiles oddly. "I'm going to the basement." The elevator doors slide closed again, and shivering, I walk away. I push open the glass entrance doors, and walk out into the morning light.