Jax laid motionless on the mattress. The cotton sheets were soaked from the sweat and fever that he had experienced. Dr. Wilhelm placed the heart pod on Jax’s exposed chest. His skin was tinted blue and glistened from sweat, a sign that he was most likely suffering from hypoxia. The device hummed as it took readings to assess his current state before performing an intracardiac injection. The device chimed signaling that it had collected sufficient data and it was ready to perform the injection. The injection would deliver nanobots into his system to complete a thorough evaluation of his condition. The device chimed again requesting authorization to continue. Dr. Wilhelm tapped the device and the needles emerged from the device, quickly penetrating Jax’s chest. Despite his unconscious state, his body responded as his face contorted and his body tensed from the pain.

***

Amber embers crackled as the fire danced wildly in the fireplace. How long have I been sitting here, lost in some tranced state. I pulled my legs up and tugged at the blanket, feeling cold despite the obvious heat that filled the room. Something slid off the blanket and onto the cushion beside me. A book. The pages turned as it fell open. I picked it up, strange that I can’t remember what it is about. I flipped through the first couple of pages and the story seemed a little familiar, it was about a futuristic explorer. Strangely, the explorer has the same name that I do. I started back at the beginning of the book and had become completely absorbed in it when I felt something touch my face. I froze, afraid to move until I heard a familiar voice.

He ran his hand down to my shoulder and squeezed as he said, “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

I let out my breath as I said, “Bren.”

I placed my hand on his while wondering why I had been scared.

I laid the book on the table beside the couch and turned slightly so I could see him. He stood there with a warm smile on his face and a coffee cup in hand. He reached out and placed a hand on my forehead while looking concerned he said, “you look really pale. Do you feel ok?”

I smiled at him and held the blanket open and said, “just cold.” Hoping he would take the hint and offer some extra warmth.

He walked around the couch and sat his coffee cup on the table beside my book. Then he sat down beside me and pulled me closer to him. Warmth radiated from his body as I pressed myself tightly against him. I leaned my head against him and breathed in his comforting scent, a mix of coffee and cloves. He brushed his hand through my hair and his fingers found their way to my scars. Normally, I would have pulled away because they are a painful reminder of the past and I find them ugly. But somehow things have changed and I don’t mind when he sees them or touches them. He leaned over while I was distracted by my thoughts, my skin tingled as he started leaving a trail of kisses up my neck. By the time he reached my mouth we were both fully in the moment and he fell back onto the couch and it didn’t take long before I was on top of him. His eyes sparkled in the firelight as he looked at me, and even though we were silent I felt like so much was being said. Suddenly, I felt short of breath and felt pain in my chest. I began to panic and feel scared. I didn’t even realize where my hand was until Bren was pulling it away from my chest and asked, “what is wrong?” His words seemed to wash away whatever I was feeling but I was hit with an immense sense of exhaustion. I looked at him and just smiled. Why do I feel so tired? Not now, please. I pulled the blanket over the both of us. I could feel his hot breath on my skin but everything was dark. His arms wrapped around me and I felt a single kiss on my forehead as he chuckled and said, “just sleep.”

I didn’t fight it. I couldn’t fight it!

***

I became aware of my discomfort, wet bed sheets lay beneath me and I felt cold and exposed. I didn’t want to open my eyes and face reality, maybe if I didn’t I could sleep again. Maybe I could dream again of Bren, and feel his warm embrace and kisses. Even if it were a dream it was a happiness I could accept instead of existing in this painful reality. I could feel tears forming beneath my closed eyes. I shook my head and squeezed my eyes tightly in anger. I moved my legs as a phantom pain resonated, a memory of what I had been forced to endure. What could be the purpose of creating something so horrible? After the injection took effect, I felt like my whole body was on fire. It really felt like I was burning alive! The longer I endured I felt like I was in delirium. I begged the doctor to end it, to let me die but his unfazed eyes just stared at me coldly. It shouldn’t surprise me that Creso was interested in Dr. Wilhelm, they both are soulless creatures who take pleasure in other’s pain.

I heard a noise in the room so I finally opened my eyes, afraid that the doctor had returned to torture me more. The room was dark and, as I had assumed, my arms and legs were strapped to the bed. I looked around to see if anyone was in the room with me. I couldn’t see anyone and since my view is limited I couldn’t find the source of the sound. My throat was dry and I could assume that I wouldn’t be getting a drink anytime soon. I looked towards the door where the guard usually is stationed, a shadow danced across the small window. Ironically, I found that a little reassuring, the idea of being completely alone scares me for some reason. I couldn’t see the clock so I had no idea how long had passed or how long until the doctor would visit me again.

My skin crawled and my stomach tightened as I thought about what Creso and Dr. Wilhelm might have in store for me and the others. I needed to ensure that Bren and the other’s were safe. I pulled angrily at the straps, frustrated that I can’t do a damn thing like this! I slammed my head back against the pillow feeling completely useless. I couldn’t even pull a blanket over my cold and exposed body. How do I think I am going to help my friends? What the hell! I have to figure something out!