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valiantheartofficial · 8 days

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Valiant Heart: And The Impossible World

“Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.”

- The Great Dictator 1940

Valiant Heart & The Impossible World

Chapter one: A New Beginning

Beep, Beep, Beep.

Merely opening one eye was an arduous task. Her eyelid felt heavy, and her vision was blurry.

Her eyes were normally a brown comparable to the bark of an oak tree on a warm summer's day, with a small ring of yellow around her pupil reminiscent of golden sap. Yet now if gazed upon it would be the myriad of reds and purples of violent bruising that one would notice first, as one eye could barely open and the other was too swollen to comply with such a simple command.

She opted to move her head and was immediately rewarded by a sharp pain in her neck. She tried to move her one ‘good’ eye and found she couldn’t focus on any one object in her barely functional line of sight, other than the glowing of lights above. Abandoning her mostly useless eye, she instead tried to focus on other sensations instead.

The dulled clatter of tools in trays. The squeak of wheels on the floor far away from her. Hushed chatter she couldn’t make sense of. Her entire head throbbed with pain. It took all of her concentration to put what limited intelligence she collected to form a guess.

“I’m in a room.”

She thought to herself. On a bed in a room to be precise.

“Nice work, Sherlock.”

She chided herself. Even trying to quip was a strain. Maybe she could sit up? She made to move her arm and found it held firmly in place, and another twinge of pain for her effort. The attempt to move her other arm bore similar results, nor would her legs yield to her will. Her body was sluggish and limp, though not of her own volition or tiredness. Rather by some contraption weighing on her; Some harness that held her securely down and in a perfectly fixed position. Both arms and legs aimed straight down. A metal casket or helmet of some kind kept her head snug and facing forward.

She could hear small clinks and ticks around and on her. The sound of small sputters of steam from a radiator perhaps? She breathed in deep and could feel the metal casing over her mouth, feeding her cold, sterile air. The dull drum of pumps nearby? She had been laying next to some kind of respirator.

“I’m in a hospital, I think. But why?”

She tried to think back to the previous night, but everything was foggy. She woke up, didn’t eat breakfast, ignored her dying plant in the windowsill, didn’t take out the trash, went to work, had another uninspired day at the office, walked to her car-

Her train of thought was interrupted by a muffled ‘clank’ sound. The bed began to shift. Something had changed. The small clinks and sputters of hissing air around her grew more frequent. Her heart rate began to speed up. This was no hospital she was used to. All she could do was watch as a plate of metal slowly raised itself up from the top of her head and descended down over her face. Even with her dulled senses she felt the shift in her limb restraints as well. Little pricks and pokes on her bruised body as her ‘bed’ whirred to life. This machine had begun to dig into her flesh.

Being consumed by darkness, coupled with the feeling of being sliced open after being fully restrained was enough to finally break the dam of composure she had been holding onto. She began to struggle, the pain running throughout her body doing little to abate the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins in this acute moment of panic. While trying to thrash in her metal sarcophagus as best she could, the beeps that had awoken her grew louder and more frequent.

Beep Beep BeepBeep Beep

Even in her desperation and near feral state of fear, she could hear a multitude of frantic footsteps sprinting towards her. In but seconds she was surrounded by muffled panicked voices. Fingers prodding her mechanical tormentor and carts of tools being wheeled across the room to her side. This only exacerbated the situation in her mind. She tried to scream for them to let her go; At least she was certain that’s what she screamed. Even her own words sounded slurred and faint, overshadowed by a harsh and growing ring in her ears. She tried in futility to wiggle the mask off of her face. One voice silenced the others as it commanded them to hold her steady.

Her fight intensified, but against so many in her battered state she fared little chance of success. Her own unintelligible shouting and screams dissolved into unanswered pleas for help. She heard among the sounds of her bed’s motor and creaking pistons, a distinct “click” and all at once, her arm became numb, warm, and completely unresponsive. The creeping feeling of warmth spread to her legs shortly after, then her chest, and neck. Before she could croak out another feeble plea of mercy, the darkness claimed her.

~~~

The sound of tearing metal, cracking thunder, and the sudden force of the collision was enough to wake her. She opened her eyes right as her car went through the retaining fence. Everything around her slowed to a crawl. Even the feeling of her falling into the ocean seemed to play in slow motion before her. The rain falling looked so clear. She could see the surface of the water shatter like glass as the front of her car met head on with it. She could count entire seconds while the hard jerking motion forward sent her face into the steering wheel.

Then it all went dark again. What should have been the sharp pain of glass shards biting into her skin felt numb and easily ignored. The sounds of car tires screeching to a halt on the road far above her. Voices of people screaming and calling for help sounded so very distant and so much like a choir to the rhythmic drum of rain on her car. Frigid water was pouring into the cab from all sides, and yet all she felt was a warm and gentle caress on her skin. Like slipping under the covers after another long and thankless day at work. The sea under a stormy sky looked more akin to that of unforgiving tar then life giving water. As the windows creaked and cracked under the strain of the pressure. She drifted off to sleep for the last time.

Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep.

~~~

A grogginess entered her consciousness, and she noticed the heaviness of her limbs. Turning her head to the right revealed a spacious room with wood plank flooring. dark green painted walls with gold filigree designs, and white trim floor moldings. A three foot rectangle brown sheet covered some kind of machine next to her bed; Small beeps and clicks emanated from underneath, with a set of rubber covered wires leading out from the base of the sheet, snaking their way up under the bed covers. The corner of her room had a lovely wooden round table and two chairs, and large potted plant sat by a large bay style window. Tilting her head up she saw a wooden fan gently spinning from the ceiling above the foot of her bed. The bed she laid in looked nothing like the one from her nightmare with it's wooden posts and frame, and a mattress with a heavy brown comforter and linen sheets of a soft grassy green hue.

Groaning with effort, she slowly lifted herself to a sitting position and rolled down the blankets. In doing so she noticed her body wrapped in bandages head to toe. Her skin seemed to slightly tickle as well. Like a small current off electricity was running through her. Looking to her chest, an exposed bit of skin was noticeable where a sticky pad of some kind was applied. It was square with rounded edges, the top of which had two affixed metal bits where the rubber tubes were connected.

She fiddled with the square for a moment before peeling it off, leaving a slightly discolored mark on her dark skin. As soon as the pad was removed, the beeps under the sheet covered machine fell silent but the clicks and whirring continued. A small light caught her attention above an ornate wooden door as its’ dark glass bulb flicked to bright red. That couldn’t be a good sign. Immediately she swung her legs over the side of the bed and made to stand. She felt a rumble in the ground that vibrated her legs. There was also an odd current in the air that tingled her skin.

What is that feeling?

She put those thoughts aside as she walked from the bed. There was a stiffness and soreness in her joints made every movement an uphill climb. Her body felt heavy and sluggish, and every step from the bed was exponentially more difficult than the last. By the time she reached the door her body felt ready to collapse under it's own weight. She slowly reached up for the door handle and tried to pull it down.

Her efforts were rewarded with a soft 'click' to tell her it was locked. She pulled down with as much strength as she had to the same result. Her frustration with the door was short lived as a sound filled her ears. The sound of rolling wheels and the clacking of heels on the floor from outside. Someone was coming and she was trapped. The adrenaline began to pump as she left the door and began looking around the room for another way out. She looked out of the window to see some sort of garden with trees and shrubs.

That'll do

She spotted a plant in a clay pot next to her bed and an idea for escape formed in her mind. Even with the pain shooting through her body, she felt a little less stiff with every step towards the bed. Just a bit lighter with every inch. Her adrenaline must have been working overtime to propel her towards salvation. She reached the plant and grasped the sides of the pot. She gave a great heave, and plant responded by barely raising a few inches off of the ground as a jolt of pain shot up Amelia's back and arms.

It's just a plant, why can't I-

Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of jingling keys. She wouldn't reach the window in her condition let alone be able to escape through it in time. She needed a plan B and now. She mustered as much strength as she had left and slowly but surely the plant came off of the floor. The tumblers in the lock clicked. Sweat rolled down her back as the plant was raised higher and higher. The door handle jiggled and moved. It was now or never.

The door slowly opened and revealed a woman wearing a white coat that draped down to her heals. About six feet tall with a brass name tag on her chest and a red cross with a number 1 on a patch on her right shoulder. A starched Flossie upon her head to keep her blonde hair in a bun firmly secured, her coat sleeves were rolled up to her elbows and a pair of black leather gloves over her hands. Her coat lapels were connected by a large silver chain, and a small pair of round rim glasses sat out in front of her eyes. She pushed a large wooden cart with brass décor covered in a large white sheet out in front of her.

The bandaged woman reacted quickly enough with the pot at chest level now. She brought it down hard enough onto the ground to shatter it on the floor. The blonde haired woman jumped with a shock when the injured woman grabbed a piece of broken pottery in her hand like a makeshift blade to protect herself.

“Don’t. . . take. . another step!” she hissed with ragged breaths while gripping her jagged pottery. The blonde woman’s features dissolved from shock to concern as she watched the injured woman fight just to keep herself upright.

“Goodness gracious, Miss! Stop! You’ll hurt yourself!” she pointed and yelled. She made to move forward but stopped under the concern of being stabbed.

“Better. . . than being hurt by. . . whatever you have under. . . there.” the injured woman seethed and pointed with her weapon to clarify. The coated lady looked at her, almost like she was waiting for her to make her move before cracking a small smile. “What’s so funny!?” The bandaged woman barked.

“Pfft. . . My apologies, love. I just never thought of trying to attack someone with. . . breakfast.”

Lifting the tapered cloth revealed trays of food. Eggs, both scrambled and sunny side up. A few slices of golden brown toast beside still sizzling bacon and small sausages on a hot plate. Sliced apples next to a large stack of fluffy pancakes, and seared fish fillet. A glass pitcher of water next to a visible breath of steam emanating from the spout of a copper pot. No doubt coffee bubbled within. A tall glass of lemonade with ice and a set of small, neatly folded cloths atop a collection fine china plates and bowls.

The static in the air died nearly all at once as a wave of newly released aromas assailed her nose. Her adrenaline began to fail her as the hunger took hold, and her grip on the shard failed as well. Her shaking hand lost its strength and the piece of sharpened clay fell to rest on the now un-potted plant. A noticeable groan from her stomach broke the stalemate of following silence. She looked to the woman and then down to the food on the cart, then back to the eyes of the woman, still stifling a small laugh.

~~~

“So, what is this feisty young ladies’ name?”The blonde woman asked as she served more pancakes to the starving woman. The dark skinned girl shoveled the last piece of its predecessor into her mouth, eyes never leaving her host while she ate. She grabbed the glass of lemonade and chugged it fast enough to nearly incite choking on it. She stabbed the new stack with her fork and popped a chunk in her mouth to chase the sweetened fruit juice. With her spare hand she plucked a piece of apple and threw into her maw with the piece of fluffy brown morsel to be chewed together. The blonde woman sat politely and waited for her answer. The bandaged woman slowed her chewing long enough to squint suspiciously at the newcomer. A few more chews and all food in her mouth slid toward her belly.

“This is a hospital right? Shouldn’t you have my medical record?” she retorted dryly before taking a large gulp of water. The woman laughed again.

“That would be quite a challenge! The medical report says you were found floating in the sea with only some tattered slops to your name.”

The brown woman quirked an eyebrow in confusion.

“Clothes, love.”

She thought for a moment, and then kicked herself mentally. A memory of throwing her wallet into the seat next to her before starting her drive home yesterday entered her mind.

“Amelia. My name is Amelia Carver.” She said quietly, her eyes still fixed on the other woman. Her gaze only broke away to look down to see her remove one glove and outstretch her open hand. Her hand was fair skinned and delicate looking with red nail polish and a band on her ring finger.

“Selena. Selena Loch. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, dear.”

Amelia made no move to reciprocate her gesture, and simply prodded a piece of apple with her fork and shoved it into her mouth.

Selena’s smile shrank some at this, and pulled her hand back before putting her glove back on. “Not the trusting type, are you?”

Amelia looked into her emerald green eyes. She read Selena’s face carefully before answering. “Give me a reason to trust you.” she asked stoically.

Selena’s face lit up again. “Alright, love. A little tit-for-tat, eh? You ask me a question. I’ll give my best answer. Then I ask you one, fair?” she asked, watching as Amelia slowly nodded.

Alright, Wait for her to prod me about home and family. She probably wants to know if I have immediate family who would look for me if I went missing, or-

“You like the food?” Amelia looked puzzled at the question. That was her first question?

Probably asking small stuff to butter me up first.

“It tastes fine.” Amelia answered dismissively. Her vision now locked on her plate. Some seconds passed, and Selena was still quiet. Amelia looked up to see her sitting back straight with one leg crossed over the other. Her hands folded and patiently waiting for Amelia’s question.

Start with something small, but personal.

“How long have you worked here?”

Let’s see how long it-

“It’ll be 16 years in two months.” Selena replied immediately. Amelia sat back at her answer. It was far faster than she had expected. “Alright Ms. Amelia, my question. How old are you?”

She can’t possibly be serious.

“I’m 27.” Amelia scoffed.

“A fine, young woman in her prime. You struck me as such!” Selena laughed.

If she wants to waste her questions, fine by me. I need to learn whatever I can about this place anyway.

“Alright, my question now. What happened to my clothes?” Amelia lifted her arms up to display her starched hospital gown for emphasis.

What excuse do you have for getting rid of my stuff?

“Right here, love!” The doctor replied merrily as she opened a swinging side door on the cart. She reached inside and pulled out a leather satchel. She handed it over to Amelia who immediately began to fight to undo the belts of the flap. It felt heavy and unyielding in her hands and took nearly 10 seconds to get it open.

Sweater, shredded. Tee, shredded. Jeans, shredded. Shoes, surprisingly in one piece.

“I'm sorry dear. There wasn't much of your clothes left to mend. I had to fight the other staff doctors just to get them back. Hopefully getting what’s left of them will ease some of your troubled mind.” Selena forced a broader smile. Perhaps trying to extend an olive branch. Although judging by Amelia's scowl, that was clearly going to be an uphill battle.

Does this chick really think I'm going to be so easily played?

“Did you sleep well?” Selena asked, her words practically dripping with concern. Amelia’s face twisted at the audacity of her question.

“No.” she practically spit before dropping the satchel down next to her chair before slipping her shoes on. Selena’s smile faltered again. Amelia officially had enough of the games.

I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE’S MOCKING ME!

“That machine I was strapped into last night. What was it doing to me?” Amelia’s eyes narrowed.

“Machine? We had you on an examination desk.” Selena answered.

“No it wasn’t.”

“Yes it was.”

“Stop lying.”

“I’m not lying.”

“I know that thing wasn’t an examination table.” Amelia’s voice started to raise.

“What did it look like?” Selena asked, reclaiming her cheerful manner.

“What?”

“You said you knew it wasn't an examination table. What did it look like? That’s my question.” Amelia leaned back threw her fork down with a “clink!” A look of dissatisfaction and annoyance on her face. She looked side to side. Selena sat quietly, waiting for her answer. Seconds passed, but they felt like minutes. Every so often Amelia would lock eyes with Selena. Seeing her still sitting all prim and proper like a statue, with that same stupid smile, still waiting for an answer. Amelia slumped down a little in her chair.

“I don’t know. . .” she conceded under her breath.

“I’m sorry, love. I couldn’t make that out-”

“I DON’T KNOW, OKAY?!” Amelia finally screamed. “I COULDN’T SEE ANYTHING! MY SIGHT WAS BLURRY! BUT I COULD FEEL THAT THING DIGGING INTO MY SKIN, CUTTING ME OPEN LIKE SOME KIND OF NASTY FROG IN A SCHOOL LAB!” Amelia waved her bandaged arms in front of Selena to accentuate her argument. Selena finally changed her expression. Her face shifted to one of curiosity and concern. She reached over to the cart next to them and pulled out a clipboard with paper on it. She pulled a pen from her breast pocket and with a ‘click’ she began writing something.

“I was hoping to save this for later, but you said your vision was blurry? Your hearing was muffled as well, correct?” Amelia shifted in her seat.

“Well yes, but-”

“And your speech was slurred and incomprehensible to even you?”

“Yeah but-”

“And you said you could feel painful sensations running throughout your body, correct?”

“Don't change the-” Amelia was cut off when Selena handed her some large negatives and paperwork.

“Near as we could tell. You suffered a TBI. A Traumatic Brain Injury. The swelling in your eyes and face in general were caused by a sudden and very forceful impact to the face. A miracle your nose wasn’t shattered by the blow.” Amelia remembered the drop into the water. The steering wheel.

“But-”

“What kind of accident were you in?” Selena asked. Her pen at the ready.

“I’m not crazy.” Amelia growled. Her voiced coated in venom.

“I didn’t say that.” Selena winced at her words.

“But you’re insinuating it.”

“I am not.”

“You’re trying to lead me and make he doubt what I saw.”

Now Selena cocked her eyebrow at Amelia’s bold statement. “What you saw?”

Amelia had finally had enough. She staggered to her quaking feet, and even managing to knock the heavy chair over backwards with a hefty shove. Selena leaned back and looked to reach for something in her coat. The now frantic Amelia clawed at the bandages and ripped them off of her left arm. The tattered gauze fell to the floor in strips revealing nothing more than small light colored lines on her skin. Barely scratches by any real standards. No wounds, no stitches. Only scratches, old scars on her arms, and sore muscles.

“But. . . But the machine. . .” Her words were cracking now. She ran her fingers over her arms to find something, anything to prove she wasn't crazy. “I'm. . . I know I'm not.” She slowly drew her fingers over her forearms. She looked back at Selena, with misty eyes. Selena leaned in and put her paperwork down. She took off her glasses and laid them on top of her pile.

“You. Are. Not. Crazy. But you were hurt. The dulled senses and machine you claimed that was attacking you was your mind trying to make sense of your accident. You were in a panicked state. You couldn’t get suitable information from your eyes or ears and you were hallucinating your situation. Numerous blood vessels in your eyes had ruptured. Your eardrums were blown out.”

She looked Amelia in the eyes. Her own green orbs were unflinching, caring, and honest. Amelia felt a lump in her throat now, and tried to think of what happened the night before. Sensations and pain were all that came to mind. She was screaming at a doctor with no evidence to her claims and even threatened her life when they met. She felt her face flush with shame and just looked down. Her legs were wobbling, barely keeping her up any longer. Her knees buckled. There was a clattering of dishes and a scraping of wood.

Amelia looked over to Selena supporting her. Her left arm was draped over Selena’s shoulder to keep her standing. After some fidgeting and a few tears, Amelia was sitting in a wheelchair. A decorated wood and brass frame with large rubber wheels. The cushion under her butt and behind her back felt like a cloud on her sore body. The cloth covered machine she woke up to had been mounted to the back and Selena was pushing her down a long hallway. Stark white with other similar ornate doors. Amelia was looking at some paperwork in her lap. Although, ‘paperwork' may not have been apt. More akin to that of a coloring book sitting atop her patient files and photos.

“So what is this for?” Amelia asked as she flipped through the pages.

“We need to assess whether or not all of your cognitive faculties are still present. Memories, motor skills, and basic knowledge can be damaged, warped, or be lost entirely. Please, it may seem silly, but do take it as seriously as any test.”

“Fine.” Amelia flipped back to the first page of the bound packet of paper. “Question 1. What is your favorite color? Orange.” She scribbled it in.

“Is your penmanship suffering at all?” Selena asked as she walked her around a corner.

“No.”

“Very good then.” Selena replied jovially.

“Hey, doctor.”

“Yes, love?”

“When do I get to be released?”

“Two weeks.”

“Do I have to spend all of it being wheeled around like an old lady?”

“Oh course not!” Selena laughed. “By our results, you should be able to walk freely by as early as tomorrow. Just so long as you don't cause trouble for the other patients.”

“Fair enough. Question 2. Which of these animal groups are extinct?” She scanned the paper over carefully. There were pictures of fish, mammals, birds, insects, dinosaurs? Weird cloud things? And something that resembled a cross between a robot and a jellyfish? Among other things that just looked fake. She rolled her eyes.

What kind of stupid question is this?

She quickly circled all the numbers of things that were clearly extinct and pure absurdity. She flipped the page. “What animal did humans evolve from? That isn't exactly proven yet.”

“Prevailing theories are acceptable answers.” Amelia shrugged, and wrote primates.

“Is the world round or flat? Oh come on!”

“I know some questions are ludicrous, but please don't scoff.” Selena hummed as she parked the wheelchair to open some large double doors. Amelia quickened her pace to finish this insulting test. Basic math, recite the alphabet. Draw this animal from memory. How many chromosomes do you have? Fill in the blank. Historical figures. Geography. Music. Vehicles. Chemistry. Oxygen concentration in the air? Name as many revolutions as you can? She moved through page after page and filled in whatever she could. She closed the thick binder as Selena parked the wheelchair in what seemed to be the opening of a large garden.

“Done.” Amelia stated as she passed the test over her shoulder to Selena. When she looked up however she was met with glare of golden light spilling through a large dome of glass up above, and the garden before her. It was the same garden she saw through the window and for the first time in a long while, she genuinely smiled.

She took the initiative and began wheeling herself out to the small stone path to see everything she could. Amelia couldn't explain it, but now she felt lighter. Whereas she struggled to lift a plant a quarter of her size. Now in the chair, she felt almost normal barring the pulses of soreness. Selena smiled at her childlike wonder before flipping through the pages. Carefully going over each answer and making a note next to some. Selena flipped back to the front page and made one more note in bold letters-

Level 8 Mental Hazard: Extreme care required.

Selena opened up a vertical sliding hatch in the wall next to the doorway and placed the test inside of a metal box inside. She closed the lid of the box, slid the door down and began to move a series of inconspicuous dials before pressing the center dial in with a 'click'. A small rumble moved throughout the wall and for a few seconds before returning to silence.

~~~

Amelia had to admit that the sun felt nice on her skin and eyes. She even took a moment to breathe in the sweet aroma of the flowers around her. The roses and sunflowers. Some she couldn't readily identify by the brown spiral shaped petals, or a pink one that looked just like a bird. She simply couldn’t take her eyes off one in particular. A flower that looked close to a lily is shape, however it bore a vibrant mixture of purples, reds, and blues with little spots of white on it’s petals. It looked almost like space. Amelia could have sworn it was just a trick, but the galactic design almost looked like it was moving.

Never seen one like you before.

Amelia smiled wider as she leaned in to touch a the enrapturing plant. With the disadvantage of being confined to a chair, the desirable flora was just out of reach. She tossed a cautious glance over her shoulder to see the good doctor was out of sight. This was her chance. She locked the wood and brass chair with a small lever. Planting both of her feet on the wooden slats they rested on, she slowly pushed herself up with one hand while reaching for the flower with her other.

“Oh shoot.” she whispered as her files and photos slipped off of her lap and onto the cobblestone path. She gave a heavy sigh. “Hey doc!” she called out. Silence was her only reply among the foliage. She sighed again. “The hard way then.” She slowly lowered herself off of the chair and onto her knees. She snagged the loose papers, photos, and x-ray negatives. Pulling them into a neat pile, but stopping on one in particular. A picture of her face.

“Girl, you’ve certainly seen better days.” she mused while looking over the picture. The image showed numerous bandages all over her head. The red spots on the gauze over her ears, her nose crooked, her eyes swollen shut. She could hardly believe that was her yesterday. It seemed impossible.

“A miracle your nose wasn’t shattered.”

“Numerous blood vessels in your eyes ruptured. Your eardrums were blown out.”

Amelia looked over the photo again. Yeah, she looked practically dead just the day before. Yet here she was, awake and talking. It seemed impossible for that to be her in the photograph. Her smile shrank, and an all too familiar anger began to swell in her chest. Her breathing quickened. She began going through the rest of the medical examinations. Every page seemed to contradict her state.

“Broken bones and numerous lacerations.” She looked at her arms and legs, just thin discolored lines.

Then why the bandages?

Pulling herself back into the chair, she grabbed the satchel off the back and opened it. She examined her shirt closely and saw that it was ripped up all throughout. Hundreds of little holes and tears at the torso. Her sleeves, ribbons. Her sweater and denim jeans were just as bad. Her clothes were completely destroyed and smelled of ammonia.

And yet.

Amelia clenched her hand into a shaking fist and crumpled what was left of her shirt in the process.

~~~

“Amelia!” Selena called out as she walked down the cobblestone path. The heels of her boots making and audible 'clack!' with each step. There were plenty of branching paths Amelia could have taken. Twisting around many large plots of soil, filled with exotic flowers, shrubs, and trees. “Where has that silly girl wheeled off to? Ms. Carver!” she called again.

“Over here.” Selena tuned left and followed the voice down a curved path to her left. She rounded what looked similar to a palm tree and saw Amelia sitting in her chair, next to a bench. The yellow rays of the early sun drenched her clearly with no trees in the way. Selena stopped just short and stood under the shade of a nearby tree.

“Ah, Amelia! I was just about to start worrying. You’re surprisingly fast for someone in your condition.” She laughed.

“Yeah, I imagine you’d want to keep an eye on me at all times.” Her tone sounded drastically different. She no longer carried a sense of careful optimism. Her voice had a distinct contrast to the warming sun. It was cold and calculated. Selena made to walk towards her patient.

“Hey doc, can we play that game again?” Selena stopped stopped walking just short of the shade she was standing in, and gave a small head tilt in concern.

“Something wrong, love?”

“That’s what I want to find out.” Selena felt the bite in those words. This felt vastly different from last time.

“Okay then.” Selena stated with some renewed confidence. “Should I-”

“I’ll go first. Where are we?”

“Well, your in-”

“Hold on now, I’m not asking some broad question, like what building are we in? Or what garden? I’m asking you where exactly is the location of this hospital on the map? I felt it from the moment I stood up, and I thought it was just my legs. But I still feel it, even sitting down in this chair.” Selena’s eyes widened slightly. “The floor, it’s all got this slight rumble in it, like it’s moving. You’ve been here what was it again? 16 years. I’m not surprised you don’t notice it anymore.”

“We’re. . . Over the sea right now.” Amelia cocked an eyebrow.

“You expect me to believe we’re on a boat.”

“A ship of sorts. . . I mean, you were found in the water.” She tried to laugh, but there was nervousness mixed into it. Amelia’s eyes narrowed.

“Alright, lets say I believe that. Lets say I believe this MASSIVE building can somehow stay afloat in the water. Strange that I would never hear or see anything in the news about this building sized ‘boat’ hospital, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Well, our facility is relatively new-”

“16 years isn’t relatively new.”

“AND we value our privacy on these matters.”

I’ve caught you slipping. Now just add pressure.

“Now I believe I can ask a question? Are you enjoying the garden?”

She’s trying to control the conversation again. Not this time.

“Yeah, yeah. These flowers are lovely.” Amelia half-heatedly answered.

“That’s wonderful to hear, love.”

“Yeah. Ya know, I’ve never seen flowers like this one. Where are these from?” Amelia Pointed to the ones that looked like a yellow bird.

“They’re from Asia.” Selena replied instantly.

“Where in Asia?”

“East Asia.”

She’s being vague. I need specific questions.

“So. . . Has your breakfast settled? OOOO maybe you and I could go sneak some deserts eh?”

“Sure, you have ice cream?”

“Oh my favorite! We have sooooo many flavors! What kind would you like? Chocolate? Vanilla?”

“Ya got cookies and cream?” There was a slight pause in Selena’s face at the name and Amelia’s eye twitched in agitation.

“I’m sure we have something that’ll suit your specific tastes, love!” Selena lowered her hands as she saw Amelia’s embittered expression.

“Why do I have these bandages on me if I don’t need them?”

“They’re sanitized and insulated to ensure you don’t catch anything and help you warm up from the water.” Selena’s answer was more robotic and stilted this time. Almost an automatic response.

“So let me get this straight. You wrapped me in sanitized bandages that also somehow keep me warm when I have no injuries?” Amelia opened up the satchel and pulled out her clothes. “How is it that I don’t have a single cut on my legs, arms, or body, but these were completely trashed?” Amelia lifted her shirt and jeans, letting them unfurl in front of Selena. The tears were significant. Her jeans looked closer to a long pleated skirt. Her sweater sleeves were hanging by threads. She let them drop to the ground.

“We’re as perplexed as you are. . . It must have been by some miracle-”

“Like the same kind of miracle that my nose wasn’t shattered by the blow? But it was broken. Lots of my bones were, And my eardrums were blown out, and my eyes had practically burst. It’s right here in the medical report.” Selena looked down to file in her lap and her smile wavered slightly.

“We reduced the swelling and a good night’s rest can-”

“Broken bones don’t heal in a night. Neither do eardrums, or soft tissue damage to eyes. It takes months. Sometimes years. It takes surgery, not sleep. You don’t need a degree to figure that out.” Selena bit her lip.

Did you really think I’m that stupid? I need to keep pressing her.

“Are you enjoying the sun?” She asked in a strained voice now.

“Yes. Now where am I?”

“You're out at sea.”

“What sea are we in?”

“That’s two questions.” Selena responded. Her smile cracking.

“You haven’t really answered any of my questions.” Amelia shot back.

“The Atlantic.”

“I crashed on the west coast. We should be in the pacific ocean.”

“You put-”

“I lied. Who are you?” Amelia’s voice was raising now as she crossed her hands in her lap.

“My name is Selena Loch. . . Head. . . Head doctor of this facility.” she was sweating now.

“What’s this facility’s name?”

“It’s name is Britannia Oceanic General.”

“As in England the country that’s part of Britain? Or United Britain, the landmass?”

“I’m. . .I’m not-?” Selena’s words were starting to crack.

“You’re not familiar with England? One of the most well known countries of the world. Even children know where England is and you somehow don’t?” Amelia let out a long sigh. “What is the United States of America?”

“Where. . . You live.” Amelia closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Alright. Now that I know you’ve been lying about everything. Do you want to tell me anything that’s actually true?” Amelia emphasized her point by throwing her file at Selena. It didn’t even make it half way before falling apart. Selena didn’t flinch at her aggression, she simply looked down and stepped forward. She knelt down and started picking up the file’s contents. Amelia sat still, watching and staring daggers.

“I don’t know why I thought I could do the Ethic department’s job.” Selena chuckled. “I’m a doctor, not a briefing officer.” She shook a little dirt off of the manila file cover before feeding everything back inside. She walked in front of Amelia and held the file out to her. Amelia just stared back. She looked tired and understandably angry. Selena frowned. “That’s fair.” She whispered.

They were both quiet for a minute or two before Selena finally broke the air of silence. “You never let me ask my question.” As she sat down on the bench next to Amelia.

“Do I actually have a choice?” Amelia asked quietly.

“You always have a choice.” Selena whispered.

“I don’t believe you.” She whispered back. Her whole body was shaking. Selena leaned forward. Her perfect posture had dissolved as she looked down and folded her hands. She closed her eyes in thought for a moment before opening them again. “Whatever. Just ask.”

“Do you think I’m trying to hurt you?” Amelia leaned back and gently punched the arm of her chair. She huffed and scowled while Selena waited for an answer.

“No. Somehow I don’t think you’re trying to hurt me. . . Even though you hurt me.” Amelia felt a tightness in her chest. Selena felt heat in her cheeks.

“Do you know why I lied to you?” Selena still didn’t look up.

“That’s two questions.” Amelia countered.

“You asked me two questions in a row.”

“You asked me like 10 earlier.” They both fell silent again. Selena with shame and Amelia with anger and sadness.

“I’m sorry for trying to deceive you. It was wrong.” A single tear escaped Amelia’s eye. This time Selena offered her a soft cloth from her coat pocket. Her eyes still showed the same genuine care as before despite the serious look. Amelia slowly reached up and took it from her.

“So, my question.” Selena’s eyes seemed to have a fire igniting in them.

“Are you serious right now?”

“Very, yes.”

“Fine.”

“You asked me for a reason to be trusted, right?” Amelia stopped wiping her eye and gave her a cautious glance. “Can I still earn that trust?”

“What are you going to do?” Amelia said with a distant disinterest.

“Something. . .Adventurous!” Selena offered with a bright, toothy smile. “Now, please watch your feet.” Amelia looked down and saw a round metallic disc in the center of the walkway. Brass colored and about two feet in diameter, the center had segmented lines and small gaps. Selena knelt down next to it and grabbed the center segment and pulled. A brass colored bar slipped up from the ground with her hand. She twisted the vertical bar horizontally with a series of 'clicks' like the tumbler of a lock and then pushed it down.

A great hiss of steam erupted from around the disk as the plate split in half. The ground under their feet shook and rumbled as each half of the plate then slid in opposite directions under the walkway with the sound of heavy gears spinning underneath. Amelia slowly wheeled herself over to Selena’s side, eyes wide with bewilderment and curiosity. A tall brass cylinder rose from the floor. Small pistons, gears, and shifting panels placed in particular segments on it’s surface moved in unison to raise it up from the ground.

It stopped raising just at Selena’s waistline with one last hiss of steam. Selena looked over to Amelia with one more smile before she stepped forward. A flat, rectangular piece of brass on top of the cylinder seemed to pop up slightly on two small metal arms. Gears at the joint of the arms began to to spin quickly as the plate flipped over, revealing a decorative wood and brass adorned keyboard. It lowered itself back into place with a ‘click’ before the keys lit up. A green light erupted from the top of the cylinder and words seemed to write themselves inside its luminescence.

Please Insert Password.

Amelia sat as far back in her chair as she could. Her eyes wide with confusion. Selena began deftly typing on the keyboard while Amelia’s eyes darted back and forth, starting at the doctor and then to the machine, trying her best to fathom what was unfolding before her as the doctor hit the enter key. There was a small pause before the a new prompt appeared in the light.

Password accepted. Please state name, rank and your channel of communication.

Selena grabbed a small device from next to the keyboard and pulled up a small circular thick disk like plate attached to a spiraling rubber cord that connected back to the base of the console. The top of the plate unfolded in her palm revealing a small grid-like mesh of metal. She pressed a button on the side and cleared her throat. “My name is Selena Loch. Commander of squad 1 of the 336th battalion Venerate class carrier

VALIANT HEART

I am sending a direct message to every ship channel. Both private, and open.” The column of brass hummed in response.

VOICE RECOGNITION AUTHORIZED. OPENING ALL VISUAL AND VOCAL CHANNELS, COMMANDER LOCH.

Amelia slowly turned from the console to Selena who was removing her Flossie and tucking it into her pocket. She reached up and pulled two small pins from the tight hair bun that was hidden under her hat. In but a second, her long wavy blonde hair flowed down over one of her eyes, past her shoulders and down to her hips. She undid the buttons on her lab coat and pulled it open.

Underneath her coat she wore a brown corset with small belts and zippers that hugged her body. Underneath was a sleeveless military frock. Her striped leggings had numerous belts of their own around her thighs attached to her larger waist belt. Her black, button up boots reached up to her knees. Selena pulled a new hat from inside her coat. An officers cap that she brushed off and firmly secured to her head. Her doctor’s coat was now draped around her shoulders and secured only by the chain on her lapels. She straightened her stance and spread her feet to be affixed at shoulder width. Her left arm tucked behind her back and her right hand laid gently over her heart.

ALL CHANNELS CONNECTED, COMMANDER.

A small panel above the keyboard flipped open. Inside a long cylinder of brass extended. The base of the bar had an orb of some kind attached. Small spinning gears and minute pistons spouted steam as it began to vibrate. The whole of it’s body was no longer than Amelia’s forearm. The bar split open into thirds and opened up. Each third of the bar pieces tilted slightly, bearing resemblance to a propeller. A small hum and they began to spin. The device ascended from it’s dock and floated towards Selena. Surprisingly quiet for it’s parts, the only sound it made was the clicking of small gears, and sputters of occasional steam from it’s vents.

The front of the orb split open, revealing a dark green lens. The orb hummed for a second and then a small green beam of light jettisoned from the lens at Selena’s boots. The beam worked it’s way up her legs, torso and finally her head. Her entire body was shrouded in a bright green light that lingered on her a second or two before receding into the orb’s eye. Another hum and a perfect model of Selena appeared in the light of the main console’s beam.

“Attention all crew mates. I Commander Selena Loch, am now posting a priority alpha message to you. I am canceling phase one of the ‘MERMAID PROTOCOL’. You have exactly two hours to assemble on the main deck in front of conference room 1 to meet our new guest. End of transmission.” With her message delivered, the floating orb’s hatch closed around it’s eye. It turned from her and hovered back to the console where it docked, and receded. The beam dissipated with a ‘bwip’ sound. The floor rumbled again, and with another cranking of gears and hisses of steam the metallic column slowly sank back into the ground.

“So, Ms. Carver. How was that?” Selena asked rather stoically as she turned to the chair-bound woman. Amelia sat quietly. Her hands shaking, and small beads of sweat rolling down her brow. “Ms. Carver?” Her words were lost on her patient. Her breaths were sharp and fast. Selena prepared herself for the worst.

“THAT WAS AMAZING!-” Amelia squealed. Her eyes were wide and pupils dilated. Selena shifted slightly. Her worry turned to confusion. “THE MACHINE! WITH THE LASER! AND THE FLYING EYE THING!

“Amelia, breathe.”

“THEN THE GROUND SHOOK. THAT HOLOGRAM, AND ROBOT COMPUTER GUY! AND YOU’RE A COMMANDER! AND THAT FIRE OUTFIT!” The sound of her frantic heartbeat filled her ears.

“Amelia, focus.” She couldn’t. It felt as though the entire room had begun to spin. She truly had no idea what was happening anymore. Her trembling hands began clutching at her chest. Her nails digging into the fabric and even skin. She hunched over in her chair. She teetered on falling off altogether.

CHEST. . . CHEST HURTS-

Just as her vision began to go dark again Amelia felt something warm break through the fog of her panic. Something was holding her up. She could feel another heartbeat close to her. Another person breathing in her ear. Slow and rhythmic. Some kind of anchor to hold onto. Amelia focused on it. Clinging to those feelings. The garden started coming back into focus. Her own heartbeat slowed to match the pace of her savior. The skipping in her mind eased. Her gaze slowly brought Selena’s shoulder into focus. Selena had pulled her into a hug.

“It’s okay, love. I’ve got you. Just take your time, and come back to us.” Amelia’s breathing steadied, and slowed. She slowly brought her hands up and reciprocated Selena’s affection with a hug of her own. Selena held on to Amelia for a minute or two more before letting her go.

“What. . . what was all that?” Selena’s smile softened as she rested her hand on Amelia’s.

“That. . . Was the truth. And I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting that kind of reaction from you, especially based on your test. Most people tend to have whats called a 'negative experience'.” she emphasized her point with air quotes.

“Well we do have holograms, just not as cool as that!”

“Well, if you liked something small like this. You’re going to absolutely adore what comes next. But! Only if you relax. Can you do that?” Amelia gave a small nod. There was excitement in her eyes.

“Yes! Yes I can do that!”

“Good. Luckily for you, we have two hours to get you up to speed. . . You know, so you don’t have a heart-attack.”

“So. . .What do we do next?”

“Next? We take a little walk.”

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