The Taking of Mary

This is a fantasy fiction about an abduction of a woman who thinks its all a dream, but turns out to be very real.

The Taking of Mary

It was a warm July day as I sat reading the latest novel I'd bought. I wasn't aware of the time since I was engrossed in the fantastic story. Not really paying to much to the television I had on for just background noise. As I was getting up to get something to drink, a breaking news report flashed across the screen. Another abduction had occurred in the United States. Someone had vanished with out a trace. I shook my head, saying “ if they'd only obeyed the laws this wouldn't be happening. This is America, we have a democratic society that the founders established for this great land.”

I walked into the massive kitchen to refill my water glass, then back to the living room to do more reading. After settling back down in my favorite chair, I went back to my book. Suddenly I saw another breaking news report. This time it showed an actual abduction of someone I knew. The woman lived a few blocks away from me. I had known her as a big conspiracy nut, always going on about things that didn't seem quite right in the world. I can remember hearing her saying ' just wait it will happen here, remember to keep on your toes!' Again I shook my head thinking ' she should have not spoke up; but I'm sure they had their reasons for taking her.'

For a few months things had quieted down with no abductions. Even in the war-torn regions of the world life was getting back to a normal semblance. I never heard what happened to my friend either, and I never bothered to ask. Even so it was a gloomy period in the history of this land. I wasn't to concerned with the abductions, I lived my life keeping mainly to myself. I do remember from history class, that we learned that things like this happened in Russia and Germany. Then the thoughts about history repeating itself hit home, but knew it couldn't happen to me. My husband had been in the military when he was alive, so I felt safe from what had been happening, even on our own soil or homeland. And I was not breaking any laws that I knew of.

The one day I was awoke about half past midnight, and a bag was placed over my head. These new enforcers had been trained in how to enter and exit a room or residence as quietly as possible. Since I had not heard them come in, I didn't know who they were nor why they had come for me. I was taken to an undisclosed place, as it seemed like we drove forever. I was put in a room with only a bed to sit down on. None of the takers ever said a single word either. After a few minutes, as I gathered my feelings of sanity, I removed the shroud that had been placed over my head. My eyes adjusted to the dim light, to see a small window above the bed. I did my best to see out the window, but I didn't recognize the area outside. For all I knew I was in the middle of an ocean on a remote island.

All I could think about was the fact I'd never get to finish the book I was in the middle of reading. I laughed to myself, while shaking my head then thought ' this cannot be happening, for God's sake I'm a law abiding American.' As I thought this a slit at the bottom of the door opened and someone slid a metal tray of what looked like food and a drink, along with some plastic utensils. I stood staring down at the meal for a long time. I didn't know if I should pick it up or not. I didn't even know why I was here; yet thoughts like

' what if the food was poisoned?' ran over my mind. A robotic voice came over a microphone saying “ Do not worry, the food is safe.” Again I looked around to where the sound was coming from, and in the corner of the high ceiling I saw a speaker and camera. So they could see me, and record my reactions.

I bent down and retrieved the tray trying not to act nervous. But my insides were shaking, and my heart was racing. I sat on the beds mattress, then looked at the food. I took the plastic fork and poked at what looked like beef, then brought it to my face and sniffed at it. It smelled alright, so I took a bite and began to chew the tender morsel. Soon the tray was empty, along with the cup of liquid they had provided me. It was an adequate meal, but not like my own cooking.

“ Place the tray back on the slide platform” a voice droned out of the speaker. So I stood up and placed it back where it had been. Then the voice said “ now rest.” I went back to the bed and sat down. This went on for a long time, how long I can't really say because after awhile it became routine. I can't recall when it actually happened, but one day they slipped some sleeping pills into my nightly meal. I only know this because when I woke up I had a bandage on my left arm. The voice yelled out “LEAVE IT ON””, but I didn't listen. I slowly removed it to reveal what they had done to my arm.

What I saw shocked me to the core. I saw a long number and lettered tattoo which I assumed was how they identified who I was, when I was taken, and more importantly from what region of America. I put the bandage back on, then my morning meal came so I ate. Even though my life had drastically changed, I was adapting to my new surroundings. I finally got up the courage to ask if I could have some paper and pencil, and the book I was reading. Soon I was given both, but the book ended badly so I was quite disappointed in the author. Had he even known what it was like being confined to a cell, I think not!

I looked around my room, I refused to think of it as a cell. That word had such a negative meaning, and I refused to give into negativity. I sat on the bed drawing, making pictures to put on the walls. On one I made a copy of the Mona Lisa, and some other paintings I could remember to brighten up the bland room. Anything to make this my own haven, I even wrote on the wall one word in large letters, 'HOPE.' I figured if I saw that everyday, it would keep me sane no matter how long I'd be in here.

One day I started speaking out loud “ I wish...”

The robotic voice came back with “ yes tell us your wish.”

I had my eyes closed at the time, so I immediately jumped up, then replied “ I wish you would go to Hell!”

I don't think the person or machine knew what to say because I didn't hear anything, It was like I'd hit a nerve or stunned them. Yet life continued the same with me being given three meals a day, and me trying to pass the rest of the time as best I could. I also realized that I had not been allowed to get cleaned up since my arrival here. But I didn't feel like I was dirty either.

One day I got bored after eating my morning meal. I know it was morning time, because I usually got some kind of cereal or eggs and toast. So I decided to move my bed, that's when I found a small letter from the former occupant which I quickly hid from the prying eyes behind the camera. After moving the bed, I settled down to read the letter, I glanced up at the word I'd put on the wall and smiled.

It read:

Dear new occupant,

My name is Linda, and I was taken on the infamous day of the WTC calamity. Where I do not know, yet I am well taken care of. Even though I haven't showered since my arrival, I don't feel dirty. Whether they have some new technology for me to remain clean I have no idea. I never see anyone, but they always see you. Nobody has come into my enclosure, I refuse to call it a cell although it's what it is. I assume I was drugged at one point shortly after my arrival, I have a tattoo on my left arm �" SFD911SN. I have finally deciphered this cryptic coding, the first two letters are sex �" female; then the date I was taken, September 11. I assume it was the same year of the disaster in 2011, because that was the last thing I remember. It took me quite awhile to decipher the last two letters, but I realized it meant ' sector- north'. Meaning I was taken from the Northern part of America. I had resided in what was known as Montana, now I have no idea. It doesn't matter either, soon I will be no more since I am not going to put up with this kind of life. We all have to decide for ourselves, I chose to end it.

I glanced up at the word I'd written on the wall, and thought Linda had lost 'hope.' Then went back to reading her message.

I am not the only one here, some how I found out there are millions. Ones who were law abiding citizens snatched for no reason, and brought to this hell of sorts. Caged like animals, only to be fed and watered on a daily basis. A human can only take so much isolation before going nuts. I lasted around ten months before I ended my existence. I pray for whoever is reading this message. Do me a favor and put this back where you found it, along with your own message if you decide to end your life. If you can hold out until you're released I thank you for listening to me.

Sincerely,

Linda

p.s. May hope be on your side!

I folded the letter back up and held it in my hand for awhile thinking. I saw the tattoo on my arm, then went to replace the message back in the place it fell out of. Well now that I know who was in here before, it made me kind of sad she was gone. She never said how she did away with her life, but maybe that is why I have plastic utensils instead of the real thing. Don't they know you can do just as much damage to human flesh as you can with metal?

I glanced again at the tattoo �" SF102SW....everything was the same except the date and sector part, with a 'W' which could only mean West. I laid there trying to think, but my brain was tired so I soon fell asleep. I awoke to the sound of knocking, and while trying to stir the book I had been reading fell on the floor. I got myself up, rubbed my eyes then went to the door. I opened it only to find two young girls selling something, I quickly said “ no thank you” to them and shut the door.

I leaned against the door, thinking to myself ' wow, what a bizarre dream I just had!'

I wondered what caused me to think such wild things. I went to pick up my glass of water, and found it was colored funny. I hurried to the kitchen to pour it out and refill it with some fresh water. While taking a drink, I noticed something on my arm. So after setting the glass down on the counter, I pulled up my sleeve and what I saw shocked me. Not only was the one tattoo I dreamed about, but under that one was another set, just a different date. This time it had the year included; it read SF1022020SW, showing I had been gone for nineteen years. Yet how could that be, did I ever get to write a message like Linda had? I was left with more questions than answers.

Just then the phone rang, but I was in my mood to answer it, opting to let the machine get it. What I heard freaked me out further, I heard the same robotic voice from my dream. It said “ Thank you for your participation in our human experiments. You are one of many who showed us that some humans have a soul worth saving. Your mark is not permanent, and will fade away in time. We will not be contacting you ever again, also your earth word 'HOPE' will be left on the wall for all those who will occupy the room.”

I stood dumbfounded by what I'd just heard, still I couldn't believe that I was locked away for that long without someone ever noticing. Just then I heard the front door open, and my husband saying “ Honey I'm home, what's for dinner?” Laughing to myself, I replied

“ chicken.”

Thank you for reading this story that is pure fiction, yet is it really? Stranger things have happened and could happen.... missing people disappearing without a trace.

Could something like this actually happen, will a rogue government or alien beings come and abduct other humans to do some experimenting on. That remains to be seen for a future event in time.

Author's Note

picture to follow... let me know what you think and if anything needs changing.

Reviews

[Alex Cook]

Very good. Well written.
I have a new web site. I just got the domain bought so it may be a little hard to find for a few months. I would like, if you would let me, to post your story there. I only have my work thus far which is not as good as yours. I have several others who have agreed to submit their work. It would remain yours. Your name and date of the post would be added. I really like your writing and think you will just get better. Think about it and let me know. I promise the site will get better.
The address for this site is
http://alexdeancook.wix.com/cooksworld-sci-fi
Thanks and keep up the good work, Alex

[David Jae]

I love the sense of intrigue you create, as well as the message of your story. It has everything you need for a good story; a compelling Protagonist, a sense of mystery and a lot of drama.

If there is an improvement that I could suggest, it would be that you use too much exposition in places. Try to show the reader what is going on, not just tell them.

For example, when you are describing the news report, you simply tell us what it says. It would have been more powerful to use some dialogue and actually hear the news reader speak.
However, this does not take away from the fact that this is an enjoyable story. Good work.

[Ice QueenJen]

I might do a follow up story from her husbands point of view. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions, I will keep them in mind for the next installment to this scenario.

[David Jae]

No worries. I enjoyed reading it.