I bolted upright and screamed, releasing the surge of terror, pain and blackness that had previously engulfed me

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Aidan Morrison 11C

I bolted upright and screamed, releasing the surge of terror, pain and blackness that had previously engulfed me like a valley before a crumbling dam, or at least, I tried. Unable to move or speak, for the unyielding restraints holding every possible part of my body that could move or even squirm, for the cool, foamy and seemingly large gag forced so far down my throat that my body threatened to convulse and retch. Also unable to see, for a sheet of metal curved around my head, this, like rest of my body, was unable to move. It allowed only a line of light to creep up the metal surface and highlight how dependant I was on my senses, almost mockingly allowing me to know I could still see, and move and speak, but not realise my surroundings.

As a result of being verbally, physically and visually restrained, my other senses seemed to be enhanced; I could feel the cold metallic surface of the chair I was in, sending shivers down my arms to the pit of my stomach, making me shiver despite the warmth in the air. A smell of chemicals greeted me which, though unpleasant, smelled clean and sterile adding to the emptiness around me. A gentle humming of electricity, that I was only subconsciously aware of until now, plagued my mind, what was it, where was it coming from? My left or right, from front or behind? Where was my front? Was that my right? Where was I?

Simultaneously two things happened, firstly a light struck in my head like a match, revealing corners of my mind hidden in the darkness, keeping silent yet knowing the answers, I was in room. I had heard rumours of this place, people said it was a gateway to hell, others claimed it did not exist, until now I had refused to think about it.

Secondly a quiet mechanical whirr filled my ears, overpowering the now almost unbearable hum, though something of a welcome, I feared what the new noises would bring. The curved metal plate that had been restricting my view moved aside, sliding round and back behind my head. In place of the restricting metal sheet my eyes were greeted by a blinding white light. As my pupils contracted I realised I would be faced with the room. After several seconds the light was still there, but then I realised the blinding light had indeed subsided, on every surface, above, in front, left, right and down as far as I could make out was covered in pure white tiles that seemed to give off the humming sound and the rooms light. They were so seamlessly placed together that they could have been one solid surface, only broken by what appeared to be drains, small dips that were barely half a foot across and an inch deep ran along the side of the walls and met in the corners where there were drainage holes.

 Above them were large sprinklers, pointing to the floor. Their purpose was a mystery to me, but they still made me shiver with fear. Though without them the walls would most certainly be indistinguishable from the ceiling or floor, probably giving the impression of being in a vast, white abyss.

As far as I could see, I was a few paces from the wall in front of me, the same distance from the walls either side of me; though I could not turn my head fully to the side because of the restraints, which were two metal poles with flat sides somehow fixed squarely on my temples, or for the vertical metal sheeting behind my head, restricting any view of behind me. Another mechanical whirr erupted from behind me, causing my head restraints to part from my head and move back.

Before I could even stretch my aching neck mucsles the chair swivelled round to face the other end of the room. In the far wall about 15 feet away was the door, it looked like a door from a submarine, complete with a lever and seamless edges. To the right of it were several levers, coated in plastic. In front was a large grate embedded in the floor, and to the left, and to my immense surprise, was a desk.

Like the room itself, it's only piece of furniture was cold and sterile, grey, with metal legs. Sitting behind the desk was a man, a man with his elbows on the table and his fingers intertwined, supporting his head. A man who was confident enough to grin in this room, his name, or at least the only thing that can be connected to a name that I knew him as was Strife.

"Welcome, to your end. Or rather your re-birth, so to speak" He said in barely a whisper, and yet each word was as clear and distinguishable as though he was speaking in my ear, each word sank my heart further and further.

Join now!

He stood up, pushed the chair under the desk, which seemed to click into place. His muscled face shot up, he glanced at me with sharp, green eyes that surveyed me with a look that carried a sense of disgust across to me. Though he only glanced at me the moment our eyes caught each other seemed to go on for eternity. His cold, calculating, crushing gaze bored into me like a knife and equally caused as much pain.

Finally he looked away at the desk, sending relief through me; I couldn't have continued looking into that gaze for much ...

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