Chapter 1: Shock Therapy

"Rena, wake up! It's happening again." I looked around in alarm. The screens throughout the room were all flashing the same symbol.

               

Chapter 1: Shock Therapy

              

A girl was nudging me awake. It was Ariel, her brown hair ran around her neck and tickled my cheeks.

     "Rena, wake up! It's happening again." Seeing I was awake she leant forwards and gave me a quick kiss, then hurried off.

     I looked around in alarm. The screens throughout the room were all flashing the same symbol. A small lightning bolt, it symbolized what they called shock therapy. I pulled my knees together and held onto them tightly, anticipating what was going to happen. They make the timing unpredictable, to keep us afraid.

     I lifted my neck in the last moment. A powerful electric shock emanating from my collar ran through my body. I couldn't move, my body was twitching of its own accord. I lay there unable to do anything other than endure it. It hurt, and the spasms only got worse over time. It took less than a minute, but it was more than enough. My body ached, and I was terrified to think we might go through it again.

     I grabbed my pillow, clutching it tightly, and sobbed. After a taking some deep breaths I carefully slid my legs out over the bed. My calves were sore, and my hands and feet were stinging. I was shaking, some of it might be due to anger. It was unforgiveable, that they do something like this, and to little girls - of all people.

     

Fortunately the girls in our night-house were all 16 years old, as old as you are allowed to get within the camp. On your 17th birthday they come and take you away.

     I could hear sobs around the room. Many of the girls break down and cry after being shocked. I could see a few of them, between the rows of bunk beds.  It was frowned upon, since it was seen as a sign of weakness, showing that they could shock us into obedience, but I felt sorry for them.

     I would console the girls, but Ariel told me not to, because they must learn to take care of themselves. She also told me, "It's only going to get harder from here," and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't worry about that.

          It hadn't always been this way for me. When I was younger I had lived in a small town with my parents and little sister, Lily. Our town had been trying to rebuild when we first encountered these people. The consequences had been severe, and my father had been one of the first to die in the survival effort. I haven't seen my mother since we were taken, and I was separated from Lily shortly after that.

     At first they had attempted to break me down, like they do with all the new arrivals. I was manipulated and fed propaganda until they were satisfied that I wasn't dangerous, then they put me in here to work for them.

    

I heard the bunk above mine give a groan, and was surprised to see Jennifer jump down. She grabbed a hold of my nightgown and shook me aggressively.

     "What the hell, Rena you b***h. Were you awake?" I nodded without thinking. "Why didn't you wake me up? I thought we were buddies, you selfish c**t!"

     She was hurting me. I tried to push her off, but she got through my arms and slapped me. Her eyes stared into mine, they were furious, but tears were rolling down her cheeks. Then her demeanor changed altogether and she collapsed onto her knees, crying.