Mesmerised

"Come now, Alan. You've read the documents - you know what we want from you. You're to co-operate in everything we ask, basically.

"We need to find out what makes you tick, and find out how to pass your talents on. Pass them on to people who'd know what to do with them, to put it bluntly."

While Lewis was talking, I couldn't take my eyes off the knife he held. It was as if the glint along its cruel edge was hypnotising me.

Here in the basement, the only light was from harsh low-energy bulbs, and combined with the tension of the situation, I could feel a tight pulsing throb in my head. The room was beginning to feel horribly claustrophobic, as if we were miles underground.

"So what kind of things are you planning to do?" I managed to ask.

"Oh, we think we know which areas to look into. We've learnt quite a bit from earlier experiments, though with - how shall I put this? - mixed results. There will of course be a series of tests, during which we'll endeavour to keep you as comfortable as possible.

"Then, once we know what we're dealing with, there are likely to be certain ... procedures which - and I won't soft soap you here - may leave you somewhat diminished as a human being."

The smile he gave when he said the word diminished was truly horrible. He seemed to be really enjoying this.

"And if I refuse, you'll harm Kate, I suppose."

"Dear me, no Alan. You'll do this to spare your little friend Jenny, there. Ms Wilson here is playing a different role in this. She's here to prove that you should take this seriously."

And with that, he drew the blade across her throat.



Story begins here.