Wiped

Darkness within

It was smooth like sliding into a pair of silk gloves. I stepped in, easily, there was no resistance. Jack was calm, his reactions were tamed, there was no fight. Yet, the feeling of dread could not leave my system. I lost the feel of my metallic parts, the composure of non-human existence. The fear climbed to my throat, my stomach was empty but I felt nauseous still. I never experienced anything like that before.

- Never? - the voice was familiar but distant. - How about this?

Waves of terror washed over me. The darkness, the room, with the door only slightly open, the scream. The smell. Sickly sweet, plasticy with a hint of sweat. I saw it, I had to, but I closed my eyes. I couldn't remember. And then the steps. Coming, ever closer.

There was no place to hide. No closet, no door, no shade to disappear behind. He came, faceless, huge monster, smiling. Teeth shining in his face, loud. From the darkness, into the light. I closed my eyes, that was the last place to go. There he won't be able to follow me. There, I will be safe.

I screamed as the energy jolted through me and as it subsided I curled into a ball. The memory of pain lingered in my brain, burning in the synaptics. I gasped for air, as if I was short of breath. My body did not react.

I was optimal. And yet I felt I was about to suffocate. Anger zig-zagged within, finding no outlet, eventually decaying into robotic movements repeating themselves to eternity.

- Help me! - I wanted to scream, but all that came out was a slow electric whine. I felt a spray of raindrops hitting my face. And then there was darkness.