Act 3.6: Piercing the Pupil of a Nightmare

Where am I? 

'SKEEEEEEEEEEEEE!'

That's right. I'm home. 

The whirring of machines as well as the muddied hands behind them. Needles prickling to suckle more nourishment from my veins. It's the same again and again. There was never a home. 

All of it was a lie. 

Time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and ti- 

'SKEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!'

If I could, I would howl in pain at the arousal. I dare to no longer peek at the torn disgrace I've become. Was it not for the bare minimum of fluid that floods my throat from morning to night would I be on my way to Heaven? 

Kage talked about such a prosperous home. A beautiful, tranquil place where a choir welcomes you into the embrace of some transcendental being called God. It must be as he described, a true paradise. Maybe I'll be allowed there alongside him? 

Even in this chained state, I'm allowed the light only from reflected metal sterilized by its prior victims. All I can witness is my past. The past horrors. Horrific sights of broken bodies yet culminating in the singular hunched figure of a child, beaten by rampaging mallets. 

You ruined everything, Kage. Her, you took her from me, didn't you? 

That must have been your plan. Why else would you have stayed near me for so long? 

You planned everything so that must have been the same. Kage, you're smarter than anyone I've ever met, you no doubt knew what would happen. That must be it, by taking care of your friends you also had to take care of Jacob as well. I had to see her euphoric gaping mouth moaning as that monster corrupted her innocence. It stole her and everything. 

Why am I not dead? Can these machines just end it already?

'SKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!' 

That would be a great denial to think these thoughts. There's no possible way he meant to harm me. No, Kage would never do that.

Kage, brother, please, let me go. I'll be good. I'll do what you want. 

This is part of your plan as well? To get me stronger? Yes, I'll be so strong by the end of this. I'll no longer feel pain; able to take whatever is thrown at me. Kage, you are so smart. Such a smart person that I could never hope to compare myself in any way. 

You wished for me to see her naked form penetrated to build character in me? That's brilliant, I should never doubt your intelligence. 

It all makes sense now! 

Why you didn't save me, why I'm still here, why I can no longer taste the cool iron that spills from the lacquered river flowing forth from my clenched teeth. Yes, it's part of the plan. 

Part of the DREAM. 

Believe in the DREAM is all I have to do. Then, when I'm a good boy we can return to it. We can save the world. This nightmare will end, it will all end. Then, over the mountains of devastating corruption will prairie grass flow with unburdened response. 

Children will frolic, playing to their hearts' content. Parents watching in loose response as peace rings free from valley-to-valley. Not a hit of decrepit anarchy present in their bones.

Please, Kage,

please 

please 

please 

please let me go. 

Please Help me. 

End it. Please, I've been too bad. I'm naughty daddy. I'm so sorry that I went behind your back but please, I can't take this any longer. Spare me, please. 

Kill me. 

"Just count the seconds child." My eyes, although open, can see nothing but the grinning darkness. The horrors of that whispered voice soothing yet filled by the prinpicks of a razor's edge. 

"As you count higher the closer you come to true freedom. Then, will come your dream."

I have to count, no matter what. Count the seconds so the DREAM can persist. 

We have to have the DREAM come true, right, Kage? 

"thr-thr-three million t-t-t-t-t-t-t–t-t-t-t-"

'SKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!'

NO! Why do I feel this one?!! 

"S-St-" My cry is cut as the machinery grows louder allowing its bits safe passage over the cacophony of wails shredding through the whatever room I am placed into. Then, my mind becomes an ocean wave of white. 

The ocean. I guess I'll never get to see the ocean. Never. I'll never get to see the plains of grass then flowers spread across this world. 

But Kage will.