Page 99 of Gifted

Clausen carefully removes a vial from the cart. “We have a theory about pain. Well, more specifically a theory about causing it.

“If Ben can artificially cause the release of neurotransmitters, there must be a way to induce nociceptors to fire even in the absence of physical stimuli. There’s been extensive research on psychosomatic symptoms, and we already know pain is associated with the brain’s interpretation of the sensory receptors’ signals, not any inherent nature of the stimulus itself.Which brings us to this.” He holds the vial out in front of him, and I can tell from Daniel’s pale face that he understands a lot more of Clausen’s speech than I do. “We think we’ve figured it out.”

“What’s he talking about?” I ask, panicking at Daniel’s terrified look and Clausen’s triumphant one. “Is this part of your plan to save the masses? You can cure cancer now?”

Clausen finally turns to me, and my blood runs cold at his expression. “Maybe not cure it, but if our formula works and we can successfully cause pain, we’re only a small step away from stopping it.”

“What are you saying? All those fancy words to say you developed some magic potion that will hurt him?”

He considers my analysis. “Actually, yes. To some extent that’s accurate. Of course, it will be unlike anything he’s ever experienced before. We’ve tested in small isolated areas, but never experimented with our ultimate goal: to cause a universal reaction where every nociceptor in the body fires at once.”

I’m still not sure what he’s talking about, but I completely understand their horrific objective. Bile rises in my throat. I want to argue but no words come out.

Clausen turns away, dismissing me again. “I’ll admit it could get ugly. We need to gather as much data as we can. This isn’t a trial we’ll be able to replicate often, at least not at this intensity.”

He approaches Daniel, needle drawn, and something otherworldly ignites within me. “You can’t do this!” I scream, jumping up. “This is criminal!”

A guard grabs me and forces me back to the wall. “You can’t do this! How can you let him do this?” I direct to the others who watch stoically as Daniel tenses and pulls away from Clausen’s initial attempt to inject him. He resists the second attempt as well, and the remaining assistants have to hold him steady while Clausen makes his move.

Daniel jerks and gasps. His body stiffens all at once and then breaks into violent convulsions. Eyes clenched shut, his face contorts in agony as he fights against the poison coursing through him. After a valiant battle, he finally loses his hold, and I break down in sobs when his desperate cries tear through the room. Someone gags him to reduce the volume of his response.

“Stop! Please, stop!” I wail, appealing to whatever ounce of humanity might be left in the brutal animals. Daniel’s heart rate soars while the other machine barely keeps up with the patterns it records from his brain. He screams into the tape, straining against the chair. I can’t stomach anymore and lash out with a violent string of words while twisting against the guard’s hold.

But Clausen doesn’t even remember me as he stares with calm awe at the horrendous scene.

After an interminable minute that feels like days, the wave pattern begins to diminish. The convulsions slow in frequency and intensity. His eyes return to focus, and they remove the gag.

“Incredible,” Clausen whispers. Daniel coughs violently, gasping for air and visibly trembling. He can’t speak, and I’m afraid I’ll vomit.

“It worked,” Clausen says, nodding to an assistant. “Gather as much data as you can. See what we have. Daniel, are you ready to record?”

Still struggling for a breath, Daniel wouldn’t have been able to respond even if he wanted to. Clausen waits patiently, like his stepson just needs to tie his shoes before they go on a hike. Fire rips through me, a hatred so dark it becomes clear in that moment I’d kill the evil man if I had the means.

Daniel closes his eyes.

“So, what do you think? Notes? Observations?” Clausen asks again.

Daniel remains silent for another moment before drawing in a tattered breath. When he focuses again, his expression cuts through me. He nods slowly, and my heart stops.

“I want to make a deal.”

Chapter 18: Ghost

I wake to a cool breeze and chirping birds. My eyes squint against the bright light streaming through a large window and make a slow scan of the unfamiliar surroundings. The cheerful room should’ve been comforting but leaves me nervous with its unexpected embrace.

“Rebecca, can you hear me?” A woman in scrubs pats my arm, drawing my attention. She’s young, pretty. Strong hands.

“Where am I?”

The woman smiles and takes the chair beside me. “You’re at the Olde York University Hospital. You had quite a fall.”

“What?”

She sighs. “Don’t be frightened. Please don’t worry if you can’t remember much. Based on what happened, amnesia is a very real possibility.”

I swallow and close my eyes. The last thing I remember is my mother leaving me alone in front of that new school. “How did I fall?”

The nurse offers a sympathetic look. “We don’t know. One of your instructors found you unconscious on the floor of the auditorium. We think you may have slipped off the stage and hit your head.”

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