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This wasn’t a memory about the cure research--that had been under his mother’s control, far away from him This hat they had done at Thuret hi him like a specimen, the way they had studied that Red Nico

A plastic mask was lowered onto s The overload of sensation das to my system

He’d toldprocedures, so the machines could better monitor their normal brain functions and h the,in closer, waiting for their turn I couldn’t s around ue; saliva dripped past cracked, swollen lips into the muzzle they’d secured overdownsensation that left me breathless with pain It was--it was like a static shock had been cranked up to a thousand levels higher I couldn’t control myself as ain, this ti back from the table The stench of bleach was replaced by piss and blood and burnt flesh I would have e in it In thatto have choked on h me as one of the researchers waved a nurse over to cleanto kill you--I’ to kill you, all of you--The words were lost assheet of pure, burning white

My gaze dropped frolow overtook the room and blinded me coain, the clatter of oddaive out The wo on--, I want to hold your hand, I want to hold your hand, their bright voices perfectly in sync with the cheerful , off-key, as another bolt of white-hot lightning tore through es retreating, , but it was dark around me, sweetly dark, and the surface under ood report of progress--"

"--carefully adjusting treat--"

The stocky, balding doctor shook hands with a man in a jacketwhat color was that? Not-bluenot-bluePanic rose up, gripping rasped for the word The man in the jacket pulled his mask away I see beard I see nose All familiar Head hurts--no name, only face Face next to Father Phone Report ReportNo go, not without--withoutsounds Letters Tongue stuck Ar--

A sroaned He came forward now It was safe Nico Nico, help

A cold cloth onMy hands Neck Careful Careful, Nico Aching head, soft touches, soft fingertips Nice I was lifted, arms put into sleeves, shirt down overSafe "It’s okay I’m here" Cup to lips Water Metal to lips--not-forknot-forkwhat isspoon Spoon Sweet Meal

Nico Ni-co-las

Crying

War--