Page 60 of Ashes

“I know you do,” Sully said. “But it’s not going to happen. We have several more tests to run on you. Your teachers have been made aware of the situation.”

“T-there isn’t a fucking situation,” I argued, almost too exhausted to do so. “I’ve done my time. Let me out.” I stumbled to my feet, my heart in my throat. “You can’t fucking k-keep me here.”

The orderlies rushed in and took me by the arms as Sully nodded to Jenkins. My heart jumped hard as Jenkins produced a syringe and approached me.

“No! No!” I struggled weakly against my captors, knowing I wasn’t strong enough to fight all of them.

If this were a few days ago, I would’ve killed them all. The best I could do now was slam my head into one of the orderly’s head, knocking him back.

His nose gushed blood as I went in for the next one.

I didn’t make it halfway into my next attack before the needle was plunged into my body. The hold of the drug was immediate. I sagged, and Sully caught me.

The heaviness grew, making it feel like I was being weighed down by lead.

Sully maneuvered me back to my bed.

I couldn’t fucking move.

Panic rose in my chest as a numbness washed over me.

All I could do was breathe and move my eyes.

Terror. Pure fucking terror.

“Get the gurney. We’ll take him back now,” Sully said.

Please, no. Don’t take me. Don’t fucking take me. I don’t want to go. Mama, please. Help me.

“Relax, Malachi,” Sully cooed softly. “You’re perfect for what we need. This is a place of healing. You can’t heal while demons infest your soul. You may be a lost cause in that respect, but your body is still useful.”

Fear clawed at my chest as a gurney was wheeled in. The orderlies moved me easily onto it as I lay there, my gaze darting around.

Fuck this. Fuck THIS.

I strained so hard to sit up that my guts ached.

But I had nothing left.

I couldn’t move.

I could only blink my fucking eyes. My brain was beginning to feel foggy.

“We’ll get to round two of the medication soon,” Sully continued. “Soon you’ll be able to listen without issue. You’ll do what you’re told. We just need a few more tweaks to the dosages. You did so well last time. So well. I was quite happy with your performance.” He reached out and raked his fingers through my hair. “Beautiful.”

They pushed me into the hall. I kept trying to look around.

Church. Fuck. Where are you? Ashes? Sin?

God, what if they’re doing this to Sirena?

My angel.

I was taken to a dimly lit room. The gurney was locked into place.

“Leave us,” Sully said as Jenkins pulled out a vial and another syringe before handing it to Sully.

“Do you know what the best part of all of this is, Malachi?” Sully drew up a dosage of the amber liquid as Jenkins tied a band around my arm.

---