Identity - Preface/Backstory

Night had fallen.1

The ground was uneven beneath my feet as I ran for my life. Underneath the cover of the trees, no moonligh shown ahead so as to illuminate my path. I wound my way blindly through closely packed trees and around fallen trunks and bushes. Tripping hazards which would make it only too easy for me to be caught. 2

We won't hurt you, one man had claimed when they'd cornered me earlier tonight. All we seek are answers.3

What could you possibly learn from me? I'd shouted, searching for a way out.4

Before they had a chance to answer me, I bolted through a small parting in their closely packed bodies — at least fifteen of them — and made for the forest. Promise for safety. Or so I'd thought. The cover of trees, the closely knit branches should've created a safe net where I should've been able to hide. What I didn't count on was their technology. 5

As I'd stopped to catch my breath, I heard the faint click as one of their tools focused in on me. Before they could fall closer, I took off, afraid to look back. 6

My heart thumped painfully in my chest, as if it were trying to break my ribs for more room to pump. My lungs ached in protest, desperately trying to pull oxygen from the air I was breathing in and out again too quickly. My legs were numb as they thumped against the soil and rock, moving along with the rythym of the blood pounding behind my ears. 7

The sound of their approach had been drowned out by my gasps. My eyes searched the area for somewhere to hide; anywhere. Somewhere they wouldn't be able to find me. Somewhere their evil technology couldn't detect. Ahead, I saw a break in the trees. Panicking, I broke through the last intwined branches, scraping my cheeks in the process. Blood dripped down my face as I picked up the pace, racing towards the cover of mountains in the distance.8

I, too, heard them as they broke through the trees. Their shouts were mere whispers as I gained inches away from their approach, and I tried my best to ignore them. To ignore the fact that I was being chased. Ignore the fact that should I slip up, trip or fall, it could very possibly cost me my life. Because there was not room for error. Every one of my steps had to be strong and sure. Ignoring everything else was so hard.9

"Please!" I heard a male voice shout, "we mean you no harm!"10

But I heard the lie in his words. The lie sent a shiver of panic down my spine, and I forced my legs to move faster. What if I fall? What if my knees give out? What if it's a dead end? My frightened gasps grew uneven as the possibilities I didn't want to consider skimmed my thoughts. 11

Ahead, I could see the faint outline of the mouth of a cave. The smallest sliver of moonlight lit the edge of the enterance. I grinned with hope. What if they followed me in? No, I would get there first and they couldn't possibly see me. Wouldn't they assume I'd gone inside, regardless? But then again, who would be so stupid as to run into a cave that possibly had no exit?12

Abruptly, another option appeared. One I'd never considered, because they would know the instant I used it. My footing faltered as I considered the option; could it? I'd been so careful, so hesitant since I'd discovered these people — if you can even call them that — and what they wanted from me. It was more than just information. I felt like a human being kidnapped by passing aliens, doing research on us. 13

I was their specimen. Their project. The only one. I was alone, and I would have to stay that way. I wasn't sure how much more I could take. 14

My legs were stiff and numb underneath me as I forced my self forward, knowing that if I stopped it would be the end. They'd gained three feet while I'd contemplated the option that I knew I couldn't take. Or could I?15

Too dangerous, I reminded myself. They'd find me for sure. That's what their technology is built for. It was so hard to decline, the promise for safety was almost in my reach. The sweetness of that promise blinded me. I shook it away, aware that I wasn't in the clear yet. But it had blinded me long enough for me not to see the small crevace my foot now caught on, sending me hurtling against the ground.16

I tumbled head over heels twice before I rolled down the small hill at the base of the cave. Skidding to a stop at the bottom, I was abruptly lost in shock for a moment before I realized what I'd done. Pushing myself onto my knees, I saw the blood trailing down both of my arms, and faster now down my face. Standing, I could feel that my ankle was broken, and possibly my leg, too. 17

I began running again, limping awkwardly on my injured leg. Both of my legs — as well as my entire body — begged for me to stop again. It'd tasted that fraction of a second of rest, and now it screamed for more. But I'd already rested too much. They weren't more than twenty feet away now, and gaining quickly. Wincing with every step, it wasn't long before I fell again. This time, at the exact edge of the cave.18

I'd come so close.19

This time I stayed down, my head spinning as the adrenaline I'd felt earlier vanished from my veins. The four that had pursued me came to a stop two feet from me. I pulled myself into a sitting position, wrapping my arm around my torso as a spasm of pain shot through my chest. The emotion was so painful, so sick, tears welled in my eyes as I knew.20

Defeat.21

"We told you not to run," the woman hissed, fingering the menacing looking weapon in her hands. "But you never listen."22

It took me a moment to form a coherent remark. "I'd never listen to you. I'd rather die first."23

"I can make that happen, if you wish." she cocked what looked like an elongated taser — I wasn't sure I wanted to know what it did. 24

"Calm down, Kay. We need the information first." The man who had yelled before said, grinning slyly in my direction. Just then, thunder shook the sky, sending down a shower of rain onto my face. I blinked back the water, and heaved myself into a kneeling position. 25

Half a second later I was back on the ground, slumped over on my side. What happened? A sharp pain sounded centered in my chest as I attempted to sit up again. Suddenly, something struck my chest with such force, it took my breath away, leaving me gasping desperately once again. Something was different; I couldn't move. My body was rigid, every muscle stimulated with some sort of electrical impulse. 26

I was aware of hands under me, lifting me off the ground and carrying me into the cave. I felt the cold rock through my clothes. I could feel the blood seeping down my arms and legs, staining my clothes and running in my eyes. I still couldn't breathe. I gagged noiselessly, searching for the oxygen my lungs couldn't reach.27

"Stop it!" I heard the same male voice from before. "You're going to kill her! And we need that information."28

"What use is she to us?" Another female voice snarled as the oxygen finally flowed into my lungs, though I was still unable to move. "We already have pleanty information. We've already done the tests. What else is there to know?"29

"She is unique. Unlike any others. More advanced —" The final male voice explained, sounding annoyed.30

"There's been —" the first female, Kay, objected.31

"Now isn't the time, Kay. Yes, I am fully aware of that. But that, I'm afraid is next to impossible. Too strong. Too fast. We simply haven't the equipment."32

Kay seemed to sigh in frustration. "Very well." another wave of pain rocketed through my body, regenerating movement in my nerves. I curled into a ball, trying to escape the pain. Pleading. Anything. "But what else can she possible tell us?"33

"I'll never tell you anything." I snarled through gritted teeth as a sharp whimper escaped my lips. 34

They began bickering again, and I took the chance. I slid myself towards the exit, aware that I was unable to stand. Unable to crawl, even. Every movement sent a shot of pain through my body, every breath ached, every muscle spasm buckled my arms under me. I could see the rain pouring outside, even through my now blurry vision, I could see the trees shaking... 35

What is that? I wondered, peering harder out the mouth of the cave.36

"While you idiots are bickering, she's trying to make an escape!" the second male voice shouted, and I heard the same noise as before. Click. Buzz. I froze, waiting for the pain.37

Nothing came. I waited a minute. Two. Three. Still nothing. Then, I felt myself crawling back towards them, unwillingly. "Stop it," I demanded feebly as my hand searched blindly for something on the cave floor. "Stop whatever you're doing to me!" 38

I felt something in my palm, then. Hard and bumpy. Sharp. A rock. "What we need," the second male stated, I heard the laughter in his voice. Some sense of humor. "Is inside her."39

I gulped. 40

"Where?" Kay asked in excitement.41

Without my permission, I felt the rock digging into the pale skin of my underarm. It ripped through the flesh, allowing crimson liquid to spill onto the ground below. I cried in pain, but was unable to stop the unwilling movement. Gritting my teeth against a scream, I tried with all the force I could muster to overpower whatever was driving me. Whatever that man had done to me. 42

My hand lifted from my arm when I'd cut from my elbow to my wrist. Switching hands, I began on the opposite arm. Half way down, something scraped against the rock. The movement stopped. It began a horizontal cut across the object embedded in my arm. 43

I heard the rock clatter against the ground, but didn't recall allowing my fingers to release it. The sound was oddly faint, though I was sure it echoed in the small cave. I was only partially aware of something being pried out of my arm by black gloved fingers. I screamed in pain...44

"Excellent Brian, excellent." the second female grinned.45

Something appeared in the mouth of the cave. A dark, tall figure blocking the rain that pounded against the ground. The sound was nothing to my deaf ears. 46

What is happening? I panicked, black creeping over my eyes. Who is that?47

I heard a faint scream, barely a whisper as I was spattered with blood. My blood? There was no pain. That was the only thing I could feel now was pain. Would more make a difference? One of the women fell to the ground, crumpled awkwardly on the rock. The last thing I saw through the tunnel my vision had become was the glorious face of my potential saviour. 48

The blackness encased me, pulling me down into its dark depths. I couldn't see. Couldn't hear. Couldn't feel. Couldn't breathe. 49

Is this what death feels like? My last though... how nice...50

The darkness blocked out everything else, and I was sure I was gone. I clung to that last image. That brilliant face with burning eyes. My saviour. Their killer.51

If only he'd come faster.