But, somehow, for ten years, they had lost her. Perhaps, because she had immediately moved out of the area. If the infection hadn't gotten bad enough to affect her eyes, they would never have found her again.
It was that fateful recapture that had done her in.
With the DNA riding on a cancer cell, using Chemo and radiation, they had done their best to kill everything relevant to her original humanity.
That foreign matter must take hold!
What kind of sick scientist would be party to such experiments? Is it all to create their super race?
But something went wrong, again, didn't it?
Why am I so different from the other women? Obviously, they cannot hear the lascivious thoughts of these perverted men. I am the only one seeing visions. Why?
Not even the minds of the physicians seemed to have the answer to that.
At least, as long as she didn't touch; she didn't see. That was a comfort. Her head had finally stopped its violent kaleidoscope of sights and sounds.
Gemma sighed in extreme fatigue. Exhausted, she at last slipped away in asleep.
****
Gemma jerked awake. The feeling of being watched was over powering.
While she slept, the room had emptied, and she appeared to be the only one left in it. The wall opposite was covered by a large window, like a viewing room of a pet store. It was here Gemma found men peering in at her.
Am I hallucinating? That can't be Doctor Harmon, and Doctor Gee, again?
And why not? Doctor Gee always did give me the creeps. I knew he was a weird one, right from the first. The old perverted...
But...Doctor Harmon? He always seemed so kind and gentle. Man! Am I ever a misjudge of character. I'll never trust another man again!
Go away, you pigs! How dare you do this to me! I'm not some animal!
The two turned away, as a third man came up to talk to them. Even through the glass, she could hear every word.
"She is definitely flawed," the newcomer confirmed. "Sightless...the eyes were damaged by the infection. I believe, she is, also, considerably deaf, due to another infection in the ears, probably missed during radiation..."
Yeah, whose fault is that? Doc Gee would never listen.
"But, she still, actually, could make a good breeder..."
"Not where I'm concerned!" growled Doctor Gee. "I'll not mate to something defective! I've waited too long to be cheated. Put her down!"
"After all the work that's gone into her? Do you not want the final reward: a life free of labor; one of luxury...waited on, and cared for all your remaining days? You would be one of the governing body..."
"If the offspring were flawed, I would get none of that! My own life would be forfeited. No! Put the creature out of her misery...or...give her to the next applicant."
The third man turned to Doctor Harmon.
"You were next...do you wish to take the chance?"
Considering for a second, Doctor Harmon finally shook his head.
"She's too small," he decided. "She would not be able to give birth to my large frame young. And, no, I don't think I want a flawed one, either."
"So, you both want her destroyed?" demanded the third man. "What a waste of resources."
Silence fell between them, as the attendant appeared to hope for a reversal. Finally, Doctor Harmon bent a little.
"Give her to the servant workmen. At least, she'll serve some purpose there."
"Do you realize, she will be passed from one to the other?"
"Not if one is found compatible...and he chooses to protect her."
The overseer shook his head in discouragement.
"Neither of the two will live long; it will be a free-for-all."
"It is more merciful than out right killing her," Harmon disagreed. "We have made her like us; she cannot be returned to the life she had."
"As you wish," the third reluctantly agreed, and all three turned to walk away.
They had decided her future, with little compassion, or thought to her opinion in the matter. Gemma did her best to hide the tears forming behind her eyes. She would not let them see her cry.
I never asked for this; who made you gods?
Maybe, this is all a nightmare...
Or, perhaps, I am dead...and, this is hell?
Chapter 14
Gemma curled up despondently in her corner. She wondered, if now that she was rejected, would they even give her care? Food had long since been forgotten; her tongue clung to the roof of her mouth for lack of moisture, and her shivering, from the cold temperature, was constant. She closed her eyes, in the hope sleep would make things easier.
Many hours later she was jarred awake by the slamming of the door; they had shoved someone else into the room. It took a minute before she realized, it was her one, and only friend, Lydia.
So glad to see her new friend, Gemma forgot the usual result that touching brought about, as both ran to embrace the other, without a second thought.
But the contact was not as traumatic as might be expected. It was exceedingly comforting: the emotions of relief, the touch of silken skin against cold flesh. Lydia was as naked as a jaybird, her hair like a prickly black brush atop her head, but she was familiar.
The visions, not already known, were of similar mistreatment to that Gemma had endured. And after the initial first bombardment, the emotions of care, compassion, relief, and an almost loving attachment, were welcome, and eagerly embraced by Gemma. It was a blessed gift, to know the other's feelings mirrored her own.
They sank to the mat in each other's arms, cuddling close for warmth, not embarrassed in the least, that
