The Marionette

A Puppet Girl

When the guards come the next day Shadow was ready for more but this time they took Katie. This was the way it was for a few days, there alternating schedule. They would take Katie after their lunch, but they left Shadow the next day. It wasn't until one week later did they take Shadow for a test. By now Shadow was rested and heald, which meant this was going to hurt.

The got right to work and finally removed the poles that had been wedged between her joints for ages. Shadow sighed in relief, but that didn't last long. The started with her left leg again, they sawed off her connective joints and then replaced them with a bone like clay. They had preserved her nerves and tendons that were placed into a channel made for them. Finally, they covered it in a layer of skin to move smoothly and look natural.

After they finished with the original joints the Doctor went back to her hands. He didn't pop the knuckles out but just carved her skin then sawed off the bone and replacing it. When all was done Shadow had blown her voice again and she was covered in tears. Once more they dropped Shadow on her bed and left her to be with Katie. As soon as the door was closed Katie ran to Shadow and cupped her face in her hands.

"Oh my God, Shadow what have they done to you!"

Katie looked over Shadows newly altered form with fear and panic. Shadow was still hyperventilating and crying. Katie her took time and helped Shadow breath once more, drying her tears with her shirt. After everyone had calmed down Katie spoke with shaky words.

"I think I know what they've done, they gave you ball joints, like a doll."

It was nearly three weeks after they replaced her joint when they took her for another test. Shadow couldn't even fathom what else they were going to do to her. They no longer needed to strap her down as she couldn't control her body anymore. This time they carved two lines from the corners of her mouth to her chin. Before injecting something into her lip that turned them a bright shade of red. They embedded pale pink strings made of unknown materials to all the loose, broken joint. The strings connected to her nerves so she, and they, could control her body with the strings.

They brushed her long raven hair, before pulling it into pigtails, and putting in chemicals to keep it from growing any more. Finally, they cut a hollow square in the center of her collar bone. It went two inches deep and three inches wide, placed inside was a wooden box. The lid covered by a layer of skin with a small handle that looked like a freckle. In the box held a wind up key that when turned would make Shadow sing any song the person who was twisting it thought.

When all was done they dropped Shadow in her cell and Katie was finally allowed to touch her. She pulled Shadow's limp body to her chest and began rocking her useless form to try and comfort her. The doctor began working with Shadow to learn how to walk and move with her new body. 

It took a few months till Shadow could run and walk and jump. She couldn't stand straight, her knees bowed inwards and she couldn't hold her wrists up when extended. Her head lulled around and she limped and dragged as she walked. Her tests were now about learning to use her new body and manipulate it the best she could.

(the art is mine)