Chapter 3

Only then did I observe the others, like me they had also been forced to remove what they had worn. Stood as I did before these men, naked, vulnerable. Some trembled visibly, others appeared more solemn as if simply wanting this over with either way.

I had unwittingly wrapped my arms about myself, hiding what little I could from view to preserve any dignity I may have had left, noted my nipples had become erect from the frigid air only this time no heat moved to fill my face, no shame overcame me. I had reached this point and once there you become immune you might say or perhaps you simply do not care anymore.

With the small group now prepared for examination we were quickly ushered into the room from which the screams had come. We were all silent now, even my feet as I padded through the door made no sound. As if any noise from us would somehow bring forth hostility.
The room was large, sectioned off by hospital grade curtains, not the usual visually tantalising pea green but translucent white, beds could be seen in these makeshift rooms. Not beds such as you might see in a surgery but rather they were made of heavy industrial steel. Restraints were connected to each of these tables, constructed of the same durable material as the tables themselves.

My brow wrinkled then. I had seen beds prepared for the psychologically unstable, restraints to ensure safety were generally made of nothing more than leather for even the strongest human could not escape this once bound.

The measures which had been taken here were extreme, as if it was something much stronger they wished to restrain, something that wasn’t human. I shuddered then though my curiosity had also been peaked, so much that as my eyes flicked across to the small medical trays set up beside the beds no fear filled me. Despite the tools which lay there. Medical saws, vials of substances, syringes though not the plastic disposables we use these days. These were large, metal and glass, antique design yet oddly they were brand new. Gasps filled the room as others had obviously caught sight of these tools too.

I flinched then, torn from my reverie as a hand clamped around my arm. No words were spoken, I was simply guided toward one of the beds I had studied earlier. His grip was firm though I did not resist him only followed and closed my eyes as he laid me upon the table. The steel was frigid as it hit my skin and goose bumps raced through my body. Steel on steel could be heard as he opened the restraints, only to lock them a moment later. I moved my wrist slightly and felt metal encircling it. Solid, unyielding, I would not escape from this until the process was over and they decided to grant me my freedom once more.

I heard tools being moved as he prepared the tests in which I must endure. Felt the sting as the hypodermic punctured my skin but did not open my eyes. Instead I focused on the man whom I had seen earlier. The Governor who had wished to speak to me, no fear filled me, only awe at someone as powerful….as confidant as this man had been. It was then I realized I was attracted to him, felt my brow crease for this man had allowed the deaths of so many. Had unflinchingly given the order that had allowed thousands to perish yet this did not sway me, on the contrary it was almost an aphrodisiac, I felt a smile cross my lips, uncaring if the one with me saw this, hoped they did for they would know their actions did not bring forth fear, did not as with some make me tremble before them.

“Clear”

He said and this time I did open my eyes, watched as the restraints were unlocked and opened, allowing me to move them freely again. I lay there about to move when I heard the screams, terror filled them so pure that I had to wonder what could educe such pain…such fear.
I noted the doctor was speaking rapidly into some device though the conversation was blocked by the seemingly endless wailing. He replaced the device on his belt a few moments later and stood near the door, he did not indicate that I should move so I remained where I was. Shortly after I heard footsteps, heavy as if those making them wore boots. It was only then that he moved, threw me a blanket which I hastily wrapped around my form.