Project S.T.A.T.I.C. Part 5: The Asylum

Pam’s eyes fluttered open as she came to. Her head was pounding and she couldn’t remember what had happened. She tried to piece together what had happened last, but things were hazy at best. She felt like she was underwater and her senses were incredibly dull. She tried to raise up, but she was stopped by restraints strapped down over her chest and legs. She frowned and craned her head to look down to assess her situation. She was strapped to an operating table. Immediately, her nerves began to surge and get the better of her.

Things slowly started to come back to her as she fought and bucked against the restraints in a futile effort to break free. She and Beth had been ambushed and surprised by one of Murray’s demented doctors and her security team. They’d deployed some sort of sleeping agent, a neurotoxin reminiscent of the cocktail Beth had used on her at the cabin. She’d used the last of her abilities and consciousness to get Beth out of there. After that, she’d fallen into a sea of darkness. Now she was here, but she had no idea where here was.

“Ah, patient one-four-three-zero is finally awake,” a female voice announced as a door in the corner opened, “We’ve been wondering how long you would sleep. I suppose I owe Jennifer a dollar after all.”

“Where am I?” Pam asked, looking around and trying to get a better view.

“You’re in observation, one-four-three-zero,” the woman answered and walked into view, “Let’s see here…hmm, vitals appear normal although your heart rate is extremely elevated.”

Pam frowned and watched the young woman as she walked around and checked the machines around her. She wasn’t much older than herself, and she had the same bleach blonde hair as her. However, her skin was far more pale than Pam’s, what little she could see that was exposed from her scrubs. “Where are the others?” Pam asked.

“Your friends are in their cells waiting for their next treatment,” the nurse replied, checking one of the bags that was hanging from an IV stand, “Oh, you mean your little girlfriend and the other witch, don’t you? Hmm, I don’t think that they’ve been subdued just yet. Doctor Murray is letting them continue to roam, but she’s always got another, smarter, stronger angle at play. What better way for us to test our latest projects and their capabilities?”

Pam swallowed and tried to hide the fact that her nerves and fears were continuing to build. “What are you talking about?” Pam asked, “Are you talking about that…that thing roaming the halls?”

“Chaos,” the nurse chuckled as she circled Pam, “Yes, the very same one. She’s marvelous, isn’t she? I’d wager that she’s perhaps the most successful project that Doctor Murray has created over the last year. She took a wild and unruly woman and turned her into an obedient, controlled, killing machine. The others, the byproducts of the parasite from Tellar, have been needing proper field testing before deployment. Your little friends are proving to be invaluable to the cause.”

“What in the hell are you talking about?” Pam asked.

“Isn’t it obvious?” the young woman asked and stopped herself, “What am I thinking? You may be tied down and helpless, but that doesn’t mean you deserve to be privy to our plans. You may be a dead woman walking, metaphorically speaking, but that doesn’t mean you need to know more than you already do. Now, hold still while I get another sample.”

“Sample?” Pam repeated, recoiling when she got close  with a needle, “What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Settle down, this won’t take but a moment,” the nurse rolled her eyes and got closer, “We need to make sure that we have a backup just in case something happens.”

“Get away from me!” Pam barked and kicked as the nurse got closer.

“Now, now one-four-three-zero, be a good girl,” the nurse chided, “Don’t make me sedate you again.”

Pam fought and tried to kick at the young woman, but she forced herself to stop at the threat of more drugs. She couldn’t afford to have more of whatever cocktail Murray had created in her system. The alloys in the walls, the spirits roaming the halls, and her anxiety were already making her day more difficult than it needed to be. The nurse smiled as Pam settled down. She waited a moment to make sure she was still before she took a few more steps forward. She smiled triumphantly as she undid one of the restraints on Pam’s wrists.

Pam swallowed the bundle of nerves that had formed a lump in her throat. She had one chance at getting free, but she had to keep calm for it to work. She watched as the nurse took a step back after unclasping the leather strap around her wrist. It wasn’t much, but it was something that she could work with. Her head was still pounding, but she had to fight through it. She closed her eyes for a brief second and tried to push the pain and weight aside to cast an innocuous spell. It took everything she had to find the strength and will to do it, but she managed to undo the restraints on her legs. However, she wasn’t sure it would be enough, but she could hope.

The young woman got closer with the needle drawn and ready. Pam waited until she was about to stick her before her hand shot out and snatched the girl’s wrist. The young nurse cried out in surprise as Pam pulled her down. She brought her knee up at the young woman’s face. She managed to connect, but it wasn’t enough to knock her out. Instead, it just sent her stumbling backwards and falling into a nearby table. 

Pam cursed and began fumbling with the restraints with her free hand. If she’d had her full strength then she might have been able to knock the girl out. Then again, if she had her full strength then she wouldn’t have been in this situation in the first place. “Ugh, you miserable little brat!” the nurse shouted as she struggled to get to her feet, “Oh, I am going to enjoy watching you suffer.”

Pam couldn’t stop the panic that was welling up within her. Her hands were clammy and sweaty. She couldn’t get a grip on the straps despite her best efforts. She hated how much this place was affecting her. More than that, she hated being so far out of control of herself. The sound of her nurse knocking over more instruments, odds, and ends only added fuel to her fears and nerves. She jumped despite herself as the young woman got closer. She wouldn’t be able to undo her restraints before the nurse got to her.

The young woman slapped Pam across the face as she got close and forced her hand down on her forehead. “I said, hold still,” she repeated, “I was going to just get a sample, but now I think I’ll take more than that. Doctor Murray has been wanting those eyes, and I don’t think you-wha!”

The young woman never got to finish her sentence. A crimson shadow appeared behind her and grabbed the back of her neck. It had started as a small cloud of black and red smoke that snaked its way from her back after she’d struck the nurse and knocked her off her feet. Rage had managed to claw her way out of the back of her mind as she reeled and tried to piece together what was happening. As her fear spiked, Rage took advantage of the rush of emotions to free herself. It wasn’t easy, but Terror had given her the boost she needed to break free from her prison.

Rage pulled the woman back as her features became more defined. “Arrogant little shit, aren’t you?” she growled as her hands started to heat up and burn the back of the nurse’s neck.

“This shouldn’t be possible!” the nurse screamed as Rage pulled her back and threw her back to the ground, “You’re not supposed to be able to cast any spells!”

Rage held up her right hand and the leather straps caught fire and snapped allowing Pam to sit up. Pam was quick to sit up and try to get to her feet, but her equilibrium and balance were both off. She stumbled but managed to catch herself on the table before she fell again. Rage ignored her and stepped towards the nurse. “Who says she’s casting anything?” she asked, raising her other hand and summoning three spectral chains with wisps of ethereal fire rolling off the links.

The chains wrapped around the girl’s wrists and throat. They snapped into place and pulled her back to the ground. They began to tighten around her and squeeze. “This…this wasn’t in the data,” the woman managed to rasp out as she tried to scoot back and get away.

“Science types,” Rage scoffed, clenching her fist and tightening the chains further, “Always so reliant on their spreadsheets and calculations. The key to success is defined by heart and mind, little girl, thoughts and emotions. Consider this a final courtesy before we snuff out your miserable little life. Would you like to do the honors?”

Pam frowned and shook her head. “Let’s talk before we do anything,” she said as she made her way towards her, “Seal the door.”

“Yes, because you’re in a position to be giving orders,” Rage scoffed, although she waved her other hand to lock the door on the opposite end of the room.

Pam rolled her eyes but otherwise ignored her crimson counterpart. “Where are the others?” Pam asked, stepping towards the nurse, “Kaitlyn, Adelaide, Sally, Jason, where are you keeping them?”

“Why would I tell you anything?” the girl glared up at her.

“Because the amount of suffering you endure is contingent on your cooperation,” Pam replied, “I would strongly advise you to choose your next words carefully. I’m going to ask again, where are you and the rest of your staff keeping my friends?”

“Oh, I encourage you to act tough,” Rage smirked.

The chains around the girl’s neck tightened and pulled her back further. The ethereal metal started to heat up and singed her throat. They loosened after just a second and began to cool. “It doesn’t matter,” the nurse said, “You and the rest of your little vermin are going to wind up either under the Doctor’s knife, or under the thumb of your new masters.”

“Hmph, is that so?” Pam asked, “Then I suppose it doesn’t matter if you answer my questions. Where are my friends, and what are your bosses planning?”

“Go to Hell,” the nurse snapped.

“I’ve already been there and back, twice,” Pam scoffed, “You, however, have only heard stories of the underworld. Ordinarily, this is the part where I would give you a vision and a taste, but seeing as how you and your damn superiors have drugged me, that isn’t an option.”

“Oh, is this the part where I’m supposed to feel bad?” the girl asked.

The chains tightened around her neck once more and earned another gag from her. “Frankly, I don’t give a damn how you feel,” Pam shrugged, grabbing a scalpel off the ground and kneeling in front of her, “In truth, you’ll be wishing it were just visions soon enough. If I can’t use my powers, then that means we have to do things the old fashioned way. Luckily for me, I have a partner that’s proven the merits of the more hands-on approach. Try to hold still, dear, I’m afraid that I’m still a bit wobbly from your medications.”

“W-wait a second,” the girl stuttered as Pam raised the scalpel and aimed the tip at her eye, “You can’t be serious!”

Pam rolled her eyes as the girl tried to turn her head to the side and avoid the tip of the small blade. Frustrated, Pam grabbed her jaw and held her in place. “Come now, the more you move the more this is going to hurt,” she warned, “Don’t tell me you don’t see the fairness here. You were just talking about taking my eyes, remember? I believe the old saying is an eye for an eye, right?”

“H-hold on, please!” the girl shouted, “Please, I’ll answer your questions! Just…just put the knife down.”

“Hmph, that’s anticlimactic," Rage frowned, “I was hoping that we were going to see some blood. We should cut her once so she knows we’re serious.”

Again, Pam ignored her emotional counterpart in favor of focusing on the task at hand. “Talk, girl, and tell me where my friends are,” she said, “I’ll know if you’re lying to me too.”

“They’re on this floor,” the nurse answered hurriedly, “The Doctor keeps them locked in their cells until it's time for their medication or experimentation.”

“Hmm, that’s a start, but I think we can do better than that,” Pam nodded, “Rage may be right. Maybe we need a little incentive to jog your memory. Let’s see, I think it’s safe to cut around this area…”

Pam raised the edge of the blade and pressed it against her eyebrow. The girl immediately started to squirm and fight against the tip, but Pam gradually applied more pressure. Her hand slipped lower to cover the nurse’s mouth to keep her screams as quiet as possible. Pam started to twist the knife around and the girl started to kick and scream into her hand. Only a few seconds passed, but it felt like an eternity for the young girl. She could feel the wave of panic and terror radiating off of her. Those emotions normally tasted sweet, but now they were only adding to her splitting headache. 

Pam removed her hand and leaned back to steady herself. “Now then, let’s see if we can get more specific. Where on this floor? I doubt that Murray is keeping them close together.”

“No, no, she’s not,” the girl shook her head as her blood mixed with tears, “They…they’re on opposite ends of the building. Adelaide is the closest to this room. Doctor Murray keeps her restrained in one of the padded cells after her last outburst. S-Sally is being kept in intensive care for observation after complications from a mixup with her meds, and she’s been keeping Graves with Kaitlyn in the cells near her office. Kaitlyn is one of her personal favorites, and she’s been enjoying the effects it’s been having on Graves.”

“What are the room numbers?” Pam asked, giving Rage a signal to apply more pressure.

The young woman winced and tried to keep from crying out. “Sixty-three,” she managed to wheeze out, “A-Adelaide is in room sixty-three. S-Sally is in room seventy-five.”

“That’s better,” Pam smiled, “Now, what’s this about samples?”

“It’s another one of Doctor Murray’s special projects,” she answered, “I don’t know the details, I swear.”

“I believe you,” Pam said, “One last question: what is Murray planning for the rest of us?”

The nurse furrowed her brow and shook her head. “I don’t know the specifics,” she began, “I-I’ll tell you what I do know. Blackridge and Thompson are both spoken for. Ms. Brunswick wants Blackridge for herself, and Thompson is spoken for as payment to someone in the home office. I-I don’t know her name, but she’s the girl who helped set up the security systems we have up here.”

“Isley,” Rage growled, clenching her fists and tightening the chains around the girl’s neck, “That’s just perfect, just peachy. We should have killed that little rat when we had the chance.”

Pam held up her hand to try to signal Rage to relax. She could tell it went against everything her furious counterpart stood for, but thankfully she was willing to relent. “And what of Rebecca and myself,” Pam seethed.

“You two are slated for conditioning, observation, and evaluation,” she hurriedly replied, “If…if it proves to be too difficult or troublesome, then you’re slated for decommissioning.”

“So I’m to be given into the hands of a psychopath while the woman I love is to be traded like some worthless token,” Pam frowned and took a deep breath, “Hmph, it looks like I’m inclined to disappoint you and your worthless boss. However, you won’t be around to see it. You’ve been fairly cooperative, though, I must say. Finish her quickly, Rage. She’s earned that at least.”

“Wait, wait, wai-ugh!” the young woman tried again to plead, but the chains around her tightened again.

They snapped into place and cut through her neck. The girl’s head rolled off her shoulders and the fires from those chains stopped the blood before it could pour out. The girl’s body went slack and fell to the side once the chains disappeared. Pam let herself fall backward onto her ass once the interrogation was officially at a close. Her head fell back and knocked against the overturned table and she let out a heavy sigh. Her head was still pounding, her body still felt heavy, and it had taken more out of her than she cared to admit to maintain that facade as she gathered what little intel she could.

“You look like shit,” Rage commented.

“Charming as ever,” Pam sneered, holding a hand to her head, “I suppose you want a thank you for back there.”

“That would be a start, yes,” Rage admitted, “I’d also like to say I told you so regarding that wretched nerd girl. Beth would have gotten over it, and we could have crippled part of their security systems and infrastructure.”

“They’d have found somebody else,” Pam countered, “I’m not going to argue with you because you know my feelings on the matter. If we’d done away with her from the start I would have been fine after what she did to her. However, we let Rebecca live after the hell she inflicted on us all. Beth made a request, and I stand by our choice to honor that.”

“Yet here we are,” Rage scoffed, “Cornered like the rats that we are continually compared to by that sociopathic doctor. That girl’s systems are part of what is keeping us locked in place, what has separated us from the others, and what has given the supposed doctor the edge she needs.”

“Which is what we need to be focusing and prioritizing,” Pam sighed, “Arguing with myself, literally, is doing nothing except wasting time and making me blend in with our surroundings here. We need to move.”

“You can barely stand, idiot,” Rage shook her head, “Do you plan on waging a war without any ability to fight or tap into the weave? No, we’ll be ripped to shreds before we can even get close.”

“Which is exactly why we need to find the others on this floor,” Pam argued, “While I may not be in any position to fight, that doesn’t mean we are helpless. I wasn’t always a sorceress.”

“Yes, how could I forget our time as a street rat,” Rage sighed.

“Get off your high-horse, Rage,” Pam sighed, “We can make it through this, but I need you to work with me if we’re going to make it through this. We work together, find the others, and if we’re lucky we can rendezvous with Beth and the others.”

“Or we find that massive thing that’s been stalking and hunting us since our housecall to Alexis’,” Rage said.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was speaking with Terror,” Pam shook her head, “I was unaware that you were such a coward.”

“Realism and cowardice are two different things,” Rage defended, “Do not rope me in with that pathetic, sniveling shadow.”

“Then quit your bitching and help me,” Pam snapped, “Please, you know we don’t have long before somebody comes to check on her. We need to make use of the time that we do have.”

“Hmph, fine,” Rage sighed, slowly beginning to dissipate, “There’s only so much that I can do, and I’m only doing it because you asked nicely. If I have to step out while these drugs are still in your system, then you’ll be off balance again. Let’s hope we can find Rebecca and that she can possibly remove these toxins from our system. Otherwise we’re going to be up shit creek without a paddle.”

“Hmph, quite the expression,” Pam smiled, “Beth has rubbed off on us, hasn’t she?”

“So it would seem,” Rage said as she returned to Pam.

Pam closed her eyes as the crimson smoke returned to her body and her senses started to awaken. She still felt like she was underwater and off balance, but she felt strong enough to pull herself to her feet. She reached behind her and grabbed hold of the table to pull herself to her feet. Her knees were shaky and her steps were wobbly at first. She tried her best to shake off those unsteady feelings and regain her footing. Her first few steps were shaky at best, but she managed to keep herself from falling down again. Her head was pounding and she felt dizzy as she turned around. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than nothing.

She stumbled around the room looking for something that she could use. Her magic was out of the question except for Rage, but she couldn’t afford to let her counterpart off the leash again. She’d likely wind up trapped on the ground if Rage were unleashed again. So, she grabbed the sharpest instruments she could find and stash for her protection. Scalpels, needles, and a few bobby pins that she could use as tools or means of escaping. The nurse had a badge on her waist. She made it over to her and grabbed it. It was another testament to how badly the drugs were affecting her when she felt the blood rush to her head as she bent over.

If Pam was lucky, the badge would be enough to get her through at least a few of the locked doors she was bound to run into. Pam took another moment to collect herself before she made her way to the door. She squatted down in front of the door and unlocked it. She took a deep breath and turned the handle to push it open. She was careful not to make too much noise and was careful still as she peeked out into the hallway. There was a sense of relief when she saw nothing beyond an empty hallway. That was one plus, but it wouldn’t be long before she had company.

She noticed that the halls were slightly cleaner on this floor. There were still stains that she guessed were blood and other bodily fluids, but there was far less clutter than what she’d seen downstairs. The lights were bright and almost disorienting as she made her way out into the hall. They added to the growing migraine that she had been steadily nursing. Pam made sure to stay low as she tried to hurry her way through the halls and past the first few doors. She needed to find room sixty-three. After that she could get Sally from seventy-five. Adelaide was the closest to her, and she figured that she could use the talented young woman’s skills to her advantage. At least, that was what she hoped.

The rooms were numbered outside of each of them. She read through them as carefully as she could while she made her way through the maze. The bars on the windows stood out to her and reminded her of just how much of a prison this place truly was. It was more than just a simple house of horrors and monsters. Thankfully, the room numbers were in the upper fifties from what she could tell. Pam held onto that slight hopeful feeling and tried to use it to combat the pain and disorienting feeling that was overwhelming her.

“What is taking her so long?” an annoyed woman asked from down the hall, “I swear, we need to stop sending recruits for these jobs. We need to have someone supervise these newbies.”

“Calm down,” another voice said, “I’m sure that she’s just having some fun with our newest patient.”

“Shit,” Pam sighed and looked around for something to hide behind.

There was a cart that had clothes and blankets in it nearby. She doubted that they were clean, but she could make use of it all the same. Pam tried to keep a grip on her faculties as she rushed over to the cart and practically fell into it. It rolled a bit as she settled into it and buried herself under the discarded scrubs, robes, and linens. The stench was horrendous, but she knew what horrible alternatives were waiting for her if she were to be discovered. This whole place was like something out of her nightmares that she couldn’t wake up from.

She laid as still as she could as the sound of those women’s feet got closer. Pam closed her eyes and resigned herself to the mercy of fate. She hated being out of control almost as much as she hated these feelings of fear. Hospitals had never been places she was fond of, but this was the type of thing that she’d been truly terrified of. She was powerless, helpless, and was resigned to hiding and hoping for some sort of relief. It was infuriating, but there was nothing she could do.

Rage was clawing at the corners of her mind and begging to be released, but Pam refused to let down the walls. It might have only been two women, but she couldn’t risk running into more trouble. She had to stick to the plan, which meant she had to wait for them to pass. Pam held her breath as their footsteps grew louder as they drew closer. It was only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity as the nurses walked by. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, their footsteps faded into the distance. Pam waited another moment to make sure that they were gone before she fought to climb out of the cart. It was difficult, but she managed to make it.

Pam nearly flipped the cart by accident as she struggled to make it out. She managed to catch the edge of the cart as she fell out of it and onto her back with a soft thud. It didn’t roll away, but it was difficult to stand. She struggled to get back to her feet, but somehow she managed it. She glanced behind her to make sure that the women weren’t doubling back and tried to press onward. She hurried down the hall in hopes of finding Adelaide’s room. She could see the number sixty-one close by. She was closer than she thought.

Pam smiled to herself as she spotted Adelaide’s room. She stumbled again and nearly tripped over her feet as she made her way to the door. She fell against the door with an audible thud that was much louder than when she’d fallen out of the cart only a few moments ago. She grunted and forced herself back into an upright position. She grabbed the badge she’d taken from the young nurse and hoped that it could unlock the door. Pam slid it over the reader outside of the door and waited to see if it would be enough. The door mechanism beeped and unlocked.

Pam breathed a sigh of relief and threw the door open. She tucked herself into the cell and tried to close the door. She made sure to leave the door cracked. “Come for another round of fun, doc?” a voice she hadn’t heard in months asked in a cold tone, “Or are you…wait a second…Pam?”

Pam turned around to see the familiar face of the redhead that Kaitlyn had taken under her wing after Rebecca’s assault on the city. She was bound in a straightjacket, her face had bruises, and there were bags under her eyes. Her hair was a matted mess, but there was a fire in her eyes that spoke volumes. She’d lost weight and looked almost malnourished. Pam held her hands up and tried to keep herself steady. “It’s me,” she said, “I’m here, Addy.”

Addy narrowed her eyes and shook her head as though she couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. After only a few short minutes, she frowned and glared at her. “Where the fuck have you been?!” she snapped.

“Good to see you too,” Pam scoffed, slightly taken aback by the usually submissive girl’s aggression.

“You, Jake, Beth, all of you  just up and disappeared,” Addy growled, “You left us here…left us at the mercy of these monsters. My mistress…she…she’s…”

Addy’s voice broke and Pam could sense the waves of despair and heartache. She was reminded of that night at the cabin from so long ago with Beth. The anger and borderline hatred she felt were all a mask, a cover, for the pain she was contending with. She was angry at what had been done to the people she cared about. She couldn’t stop herself. Pam took a step forward and enveloped the young woman in a brief embrace. She couldn’t have pushed her away if she wanted to, but Pam felt her lean into the embrace. It wasn’t quite the same as it might have been if it had been Kaitlyn, but it was better than nothing.

“I’m sorry,” Pam whispered, running her fingers through the girl’s hair, “We…we were ambushed by Voidfoot and the others. Beth and I were sent to different dimensions, and Jake was eaten by Courtney. He had to claw his way out of Hell to make it back, but we’re here now. I promise, we’re here and we are going to find a way to get you, Kaitlyn, Sally, and the rest of us out of here.”

Pam relinquished the hold she had on the young woman and started trying to undo the restraints in the back. Addy let her work and slipped the jacket off once she was free. She rolled her shoulders and wiped away the stray tears that had been filling the corners of her eyes. “If that’s true, where are the others?” she asked, “Jake and Beth, why aren’t they with you?”

“We got separated,” Pam explained, her legs suddenly giving out on her as she collapsed again, “Dammit.”

“They drugged you,” Addy sighed, kneeling down beside, “Great, fat load of good this is going to do for us. Tell me you at least have something I can use to fight.”

“I’ve got a few things stashed in my belt,” Pam replied, “Give me a minute and we can start making our way towards Sally.”

“Fine, but you’re filling me in while we wait,” Addy scoffed.

“Don’t take that tone with me, missy,” Pam warned.

“I don’t serve you,” Addy rolled her eyes, although Pam could feel her mood swing in a more positive direction, “Just tell me what’s been going on, and what the hell you all have been doing.”

“Fine, fine,” Pam sighed, leaning her head back, “Keep an ear out while I catch my breath…”