Sleep
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Sorry this is only one chapter. It isn't long enough for me to break it up into multiple chapters.
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I looked down the line my comrades and I stood in. We have fought together in the war. All in different squads but on the same side. We were too weak though. The Russians caught us. It is unlikely that we will survive the torture they will undoubtedly put us through. There are five of us. The sound of a door opening brought our attention to Vladimir, the head scientist in this facility. The other scientists saluted Vladimir as he walked past them. He stopped in front of us.
“As you were,” he said, his voice deep and gravelly. All around the room, the scientists resumed their work. They’re preparing something. What that something is, I do not know. But it can’t be good. Vladimir’s voice drew me from my thoughts.
“The five of you will take part in an experiment. In return, we will grant you your freedom. During this experiment, you will be contained in a cell, a nice one, and you will remain there for thirty days.”
I don’t trust this. The Russians are not known for their mercy.
“Follow me,” Vladimir commanded.
Like Vladimir said, the cell was well furnished. The room was in the shape of a square. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all made of concrete. On the wall to the left of the doorway, there were five cots. Not nice cots, just mattresses on a metal frame, but they were clean. A clock hung on the wall above the cots. On the wall to the right, there was a one way window. The scientists could see us but we couldn’t see them. On the wall across from the doorway, there were cushioned seats, shelves of books, and a table. On that table, there was a radio. At the corner where the wall to our left and the wall across from us met, there was a fully stocked kitchen. There was a door across from the entrance. On the other side of the door was a bathroom.
“This is where you will be staying for the duration of the experiment,” Vladimir said. He then turned and exited the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
“My best friend was shot during a mission. He died in my arms,” Klaus murmured, his voice shaky. Tears began to form in his eyes. There was a look of terror on his face as he recounted the death of his friend. It has been four days since the experiment started. The effects of the lack of sleep haven’t gotten to us yet. We are currently sitting around the table talking about our war experiences.
“My captain ordered me to push someone out of our helicopter. It was a little boy, no older than six, who had a bomb strapped to him. The look on his face still haunts me,” Karl said.
“This is war. You need to get used to killing people,” Stefan bellowed.
“He was just a kid,” Karl cried.
“He was the enemy,” Stefan snarled.
“Leave him be,” I warned.
“Or what?” Stefan sneered. He stood up.
“Cut it out, you two.”
We all turned to Günter, who was sitting next to Klaus.
“Why should we?” Stefan questioned.
“We have to spend the next twenty-six days together. Fighting will just make this harder,” Günter answered.
“He’s right,” Klaus added.
Stefan gave me one final glare before walking away.
We are now on day seven. There hasn’t been much talking. I am beginning to feel dizzy and my vision is blurry. Breathing is hard. I’ve had a migraine for the past few days. The others are having similar symptoms. I think the lack of sleep has gotten to us.
What day is it now? (I don’t know) It’s so loud. (No one’s talking) Why am I covering the window? (Because they are watching us) Why are they watching us? (Doesn’t matter. Cover the window)
The screams. They won’t stop. Why won’t they stop? (They will stop soon) Why is there blood? (They went crazy) Will I go crazy? (Yes) Why did they go crazy? (The gas. The gas is bad) But the gas is keeping us alive. (Yes, it is, but the gas is also bad)
The door is opening. Are the people in white going to help us? (No. Get away. Don’t let them take you) What are they going to do? (They will take us away from the gas) Why would they do that? We need it. (They don’t know we need it) They have me, what do I do? HELP ME PLEASE. DON’T LET THEM TAKE ME. (Kill them. KILL THEM. KILL THEM ALL.)
There’s so much blood. It’s all over me. Did I kill them? (Yes. You killed them) There are more. I don’t think I can kill them. (You have to try)
They got me. Are the others here? (Yes. All of us were caught) Will we die now? (Yes) I don’t want to die. (We will all die) I need the gas. Where is the gas? I NEED IT. I CAN’T BREATH. IT HURTS. IT HURTS. (The gas is gone) NO. I NEED IT. (I know you need it. We all do)
Where are my friends? (They’re dead) Dead? (Yes. But we will see them soon) How soon? HOW SOON? (Turn around. They’re behind you) They’re happy. (Yes, they are) Where are we? (We’re dead. We’re in the afterlife) I like it here. There’s no pain. (Yes, this is a nice place) I think I’ll stay here.
Report
The prisoners lasted 15 days. On day 7, they began to show signs of sickness, which was caused by the gas. On day 13, they covered the window with paper. One of the prisoners had started talking to himself. On day 14, the prisoners started screaming. The screaming lasted for about an hour. On day 15, we sent 5 scientists into the cell to check on the prisoners. The prisoners killed them all with their bare hands. We took them to the infirmary to treat their injuries. One prisoner had torn his vocal cords from the screaming heard on day 14, several others had used the kitchen knives to cut themselves open, some were missing organs (we found the organs scattered around the cell), and one had no physical injuries but he seemed to be hearing and possibly seeing things. The prisoners died within minutes of being taken away from the gas. The experiment failed.
The End.
