Subject 12

Content warning: physical abuse, captivity, and psychological distress.

Luca was running across the long grass. Well, running wasn’t exactly the right word. Since the accident, he couldn't run very well. Each step was heavier, as if his knees refused to carry him. Leaving the group and traveling alone hadn’t been a good choice. Now, a group of men was after him.

Then, he stumbled.

It took only a few seconds for the men to grab him. They beat him, tied him up very tightly, and dragged him on a leash. Under the sun, they pulled him for hours with no food. He was so hungry, but no food was accessible to him. Then, he saw a tall building surrounded by armed soldiers. "I’m doomed," he thought.

***

"Here I am. They don’t even bother to tie me up anymore. Those asses could have given me a little more light. I can barely see these disgusting walls. But they are probably watching me through their one-way mirror. It’s easy to guess. It’s the only clean thing in this room.

I know. I’m going to rub my hands on the glass.

So… is it less clear now? It’s a shame. My hands are not dirty enough. They can still see me.

God, I’m bored. I can’t even shout it. I’ve already tried to communicate, but it is pointless. They seem frightened. Of course they are. They kidnapped me. They know I’m pissed. Wait. They switched off the light. I can’t hear anything coming from the outside. Either they left me locked here for good, or it is time to sleep.

But where? I don’t even have a mattress. They treat me like an animal."

***

"I had hope. When the food came, I tried to grab it. I was so hungry. But they punched me so hard I think I need stitches. I checked in the mirror. I don’t have my pretty face anymore. The apocalypse doesn’t make you age well. But still, I was just hungry.

They leave the tray on the table. And you know what? Everything is rotten. It smells so bad. I feel nauseous.

I can’t even approach the table. The next time there is food, I won’t try to grab it. I’ve learned my lesson. They probably left the tray to punish me. Light off again? Time to sleep, I guess."

***

"I don’t have any energy anymore. They gave me a shot. Not the kind you drink. It was a sort of vaccine, I think.

It’s probably not against stupidity. They are all infected. I’m starving.

They left another tray with rotten food. I wonder if they can eat that or not. I hope not. That would make them monsters. I don’t know what they injected me with, but I feel dizzy.

The light went off."

***

"I sang today. I have never been a good singer. I know that. But they entered shouting that I was having a crisis. Why do they always shout? My ears are very sensitive.

And they did it. They restrained me. They tied me to the chair and gagged me. I feel bored, alone. They don’t give me anything to do. I will never get out of this room.

They didn’t even untie me to sleep."

***

"While they brought me the tray full of rotten food, someone approached me. It was a young woman wearing a lab coat. I thought she was cute. Her hands were trembling when she removed the gag. I tried smiling to reassure her. She suddenly backed off with fear on her face. The guy who entered with her hugged her. She was sobbing. I will never see her again.

For the first time, I felt despair. I can’t even cry. If I scream, they’ll beat me. Why me?"

***

"They gave me another shot. But this time, probably because I was still tied up, they didn’t close the door. And I heard it. It was a scream. Were there others like me? Trapped?

I tried to call for help. Only a scream came out of my mouth. I can’t articulate anything. Again, they got afraid and beat me. In the process, I fell, still attached to my chair.

Then they left. Tied to this damn chair, I couldn’t stand up. I couldn’t move. They just left me there, lying on my side with the chair stuck to me. I can’t move, I can’t sing, I can’t smile. I feel trapped. Trapped inside my own body. No one can hear me, no one speaks with me. I haven’t been hugged in ages.

My rage came, irresistible, but I couldn’t do anything. For the second time, I cried, trembling. I couldn’t take it anymore. Next time, I will attack no matter what."

***

"I got one! Okay, it wasn’t very glorious. I am still attached to that chair, so I bit one of them. I tried not to, but they treated me like an animal, like a plague. Got you! Go disinfect your wound. I didn’t brush my teeth. I hope your mates will treat you better than they treated me."

***

"I heard them. They said it was the last shot. Why do they always speak as if I wasn't in the room? Well, they starved me, beat me. I shouldn’t be surprised.

But something is wrong. I can hear very well normally. But all of a sudden, everything seems so far away. It sounds like my head is under water. And now, it feels warm. I haven’t had this feeling in a long time. I think I am getting better now."

***

— "Doctor, is everything okay? Has the termination of all subjects been completed?"

— "Yes, Colonel. They are all dead. I have just finished the autopsies. The virus we injected into them has been very efficient."

— "Does it kill too slowly?"

— "No, it is necessary. The virus needs time to spread among the zombies. It can’t kill too fast."

— "Alright then. Pile up the bodies and burn them. I am launching Operation Eden. We will get all those monsters."