The Chronicles of Andrainea: Darkness Falls

All I could hear now was my labored breathing and the frantic beat of my heart. I was so exhausted, but fear alone kept my head above the unknown liquid I was now swimming in. I almost begged for there to be light and to let me see what horrors awaited me now. However, I knew "The Doctor" could hear me and I did not even utter the slightest whimper. To do so would give "HIM" pleasure and that was something I wanted to avoid.

So, I waited and it seemed an eternity before I heard the slight hum of the electric wires in the area I was in. I could almost here the flow of the electricity as it raced along faster than light to whatever source it was to charge and possibly turn on. Maybe even let something loose in here with me, but I doubt that would happen now.

To maim me now would be a worthless effort and would not give "The Doctor" the pleasure he desired. Fear. Oh how he loved his favorite dish and he ate with relish whenever he got what he wanted. I could almost believe that the crazy fuck was something more than human. Maybe out of one of those story books I use to read oh so long ago. Like some fucked up vampire that fed off the fears of humans.

Well, technically I was no longer human. I knew this with an unsettling certainty that the mere thought of it no longer brought me fear, but comfort. Comfort in knowing that one day I would have my revenge and one day I would be free. Just because I knew I was no longer human and I knew I had the upper hand. If only I could find the strength before the madness crowded in and claimed my very soul.

Slowly, ever so slowly, a little light began to illuminate my surroundings. I could make out dark, solid shapes that were very still in the liquid I was in. Some jutted up like spikes and others were flatter. I slowly lifted my head and saw more dark spikes above my head. The shapes alone brought back old memories of caves. Maybe that was what this environment was.

I began to hear dripping all around me. Slow, steady, drips. I began to shiver as the temperature of the water began to decline to almost a frigid temperature. I could almost hear the squeaking of what could only be bats or maybe even cave rats. If that wasn't enough, there was a light below me coming on very slowly. To illuminate the dangers that lurked beneath.

It seemed like forever past before the "cave" was dimly light from below and above. I saw clearly the shapes all around me. A tiny island was the only sanctuary in this damnable place and it was only big enough for one being to lay in a fetal position. A only comfort out of the freezing water that I was now swimming in.

I debated whether to head to the tiny island or not. I knew my body would survive the frigid water, but my sanity may not. Nor would my body allow me to swim forever and there was no telling what "The Doctor" would do while I was in the water. The only good thing that came from being in, what I could tell now was water, was that it washed away the filth that clung to my body and hair like a second skin.

While keeping my senses on high alert, I slowly began to swim towards the tiny island in the middle of this fake cave. When I reached the small sanctuary, I slowly climbed out of the water and on the hard, rough surface of the island. I could feel it cut into my skin and make bleed. Several droplets of blood hit the water and I felt a moment of panic.

I knew many animals in the world honed in on the scent of blood and that gave me enough energy to quickly get on my feet. Once I was standing I got even a better look at my new cage. I could see a few speakers where the sounds of bats were coming from and I saw a few holes in the spikes above me where water was slowly dripping from.

Scanning the cave I noticed most of the sights and smells of the place were mechanically produced. As if I was in some kind of fucked up movie and on a high dollar movie set. Who knows, "The Doctor" may have paid a pretty penny for movie makers to come and create these "environments".

I heard the groaning and creaking of a door opening. I crouched low into a defensive position. Awaiting whatever was coming. I knew. I just knew something predatory was released. A sixth sense inside me flared as I felt the low hum of energy of a very hungry creature.

Slowly I saw my adversary slowly rise to the surface with a small smattering of released air bubbles. I heard the gurgling and hiss of an alligator not far from my right side. I looked the creature right in the eye and I could almost see the unnatural intelligence of the creature. The thing stared at me for a long time and I could almost see the thing licking its jaws in anticipation.

That was when I realized the damn thing was well over twenty feet in length and its head was massive. The damn thing could nearly swallow a grown man whole. Obviously another one of "The Doctor's" experiments and I almost felt sorry for the poor bastard.

However, I also knew it was either me or it and I chose me. I didn't want to die yet. Not with the thought of one day having my revenge. That was the only thing that kept me going and it burned hotly deep inside my core. I wouldn't let the crazed, deranged doctor have the last laugh. Not in this life time or the next.

So, I slowly turned and faced my enemy with a confidence that came with the knowledge that whatever abilities that was forced upon we was fixing to be tested against the brute strength of the now twisted force of mother nature. I said a silent prayer for her to forgive me as I planned the best way to end the poor beast's agony.

I watched as it started to slowly circle me. Round and round it went. As if it sensed that I was not going to be easy prey. It waited for me to make a mistake. One wrong move and it would move in for the kill.

But, I refused to make that mistake. I refused to give it the edge it needed to strike and carry me under the water. Where I wouldn't be able to breathe or put up much of a fight. So, I waited in turn. I waited for it to get angry and strike out in sheer hunger.

The feeling of exhaustion was gone while I was facing death and I used the energy it gave me to hold my ground. To wait for that single vital moment to strike the under belly and end it's misery. I knew from long ago that alligators had a soft belly and I only hoped that "The Doctor" hadn't altered the damn thing where it had armor all over. That would make it damn near impossible to kill and give me a much harder time.

It seemed like days we played the waiting game, but I am sure it was only a few hours. I could see the frustration in my opponent as it circled more erratically and hissed at me from time to time. I knew it would strike at any moment and I did not let my guard down.

The thing began to slowly move away to the darkest corners of the cave and I knew the damn thing was going to charge. That was going to make my life a living hell and make it harder to kill the damn things. As big as it was it could easily knock me off and drag me under.

I could hear the water rushing over the damn thing's back as it rushed forward at full force and speed that it had. I crouched a little lower and got ready for impact. I could see it getting closer and closer. Time seem to slow down for me. I watched in almost slow-mo as it launched itself at me at full force and I quickly flipped on my back as it's lower belly came into view.

I punched as hard as I could into the chest cavity of the beast and felt as my bones in my right arm shatter, but I kept pushing until I felt the bony caged that housed its massive heart. As quickly as I could I broke bone and grasped the heart. I heard the thing scream as I ripped the heart from it's chest.

Soon it fell limp and drug me under water. The very weight of the beast nearly pinning me down as we sung below the water. I wiggle free and watched as it sank to the bottom of the "cave". I made my way back the surface and gasped for air as I broke the surface. I slowly swam to the tiny island and dropped the heart on the middle of it before I crawled back to my feet.

I stood in defiance while the heart lay at my feet and I looked up at the spikes. I felt sorrow for the first time after being imprisoned here and I screamed at the top of my lungs. It was more of a guttural roar than a scream. It held all my anger, sorrow, and hate that dwelt deep inside of me.

The beast let me kill it. I saw relief it it's eyes when I ripped the heart out and let it die. I felt even the relief as it took its last breath and that shook me to my core. A creature as beautiful as it once was did not deserve the brand of hell I lived and I wept anew from the loss of such a beast. However, with sorrow came the rage and I felt it burn hotly in the deepest depths of my soul. It branded me and I knew nothing but the urge for revenge.

I felt my mind slowly sinking into the darkness of madness and I knew that this time nothing could prevent me from sinking. I began to laugh hysterically as I slowly began to sway on my feet. I dropped to my knees and tilted my head towards what I thought were cameras. I laughed anew and gave them a quick kiss.

My fate be damned and when the doors opened, nothing would prevent me from running rampant. I got the taste of blood and that tiny morsel pushed me over the edge. I was now deep into the recess of my mind and locked away deep. The new me was a stranger and I let it take over. I was weary and had no will left to fight the madness that now claimed me.

I slowly sank into the safety of darkness and felt it wrap around me like a blanket. I felt comfortable here and I didn't want to leave. I was safe here or at least that was what voice said. It told me to sleep and it would take care of whatever I needed. I believed it and slowly closed my eyes and let the darkness claim me. Heart and soul.

"Hehehehe... oh how I have waited for this moment. Now it is time to have fun." A pair of red eyes gazed at the cameras with deadly, crazed intent. "Are you ready to play?" Laughter rang out in the cave as the room was flooded white with light.