Dark Arena: Part 2 - Visit in the Dark
#2 of Dark Arena
Gabby could not keep track of time in her cell after waking. There was no light that came in from outside, and the only time anyone came near was the two occasions that a guard brought food to her. He would slide the plate in a small opening under the door, and saunter off as soon as he had done so. She couldn't even ask him what time or day it was.
The food wasn't the most appetizing, and its appearance was especially disturbing. But when she tasted it, she found it wasn't as nasty as it looked, and by plugging her nose, she managed to finish the entire plate. When she didn't throw it back up or become nauseous, she guessed that it was at least edible.
Gabby could on occasion hear a far off voice, often a scream from somewhere else in the complex. As far as she could tell, her cell was set far off from any other, so even if she screamed, few would hear her. She was essentially all alone.
But it wasn't for long.
Again she heard the sound of the nearest door open and close, but oddly, two sets of footsteps followed instead of the usual one that meant a meal was coming. She could also hear the jingle of keys, and listened as the metal sound of the keys inserted into the cell door and turned. A second later, the door swung open.
Two figures stood in the doorway, only illuminated by the single lantern in the cell's hallway. They were covered head to toe in a black cloak, showing not an inch of skin or fur, or even the glimmer of an eye. They approached her slowly and silently, and Gabby scooted along the ground away from them until her back was to the wall. She feared for her life now.
One of the two figures lifted its arm, and from the long sleeve dropped a shiny round object, hanging from a thin chain. Her eyes instinctively locked onto the object, and for a moment she wondered why such an object was being shown to her. Slowly, it began to swing back and forth, and willingly her eyes followed its motion.
"Sleep," said a whispering voice. Gabby started to realize what was happening, but by that time, she could not draw her eyes away. Her thoughts started to muddle, and she could not keep her mind clear.
"Sleep," the whisper repeated. Her eyes clouded up, but they did not close. Her body was relaxing, and her mind receded slowly from conscious thought, leaving her with only the barest responsiveness, while bringing forward her unconscious and subconscious thoughts.
Gabby now sat dumbfounded, unable to speak or move. She could only listen, but even sound seemed muddled to what she could consciously understand.
The two figures lifted their arms and pushed back their hoods. The figures showed themselves as a Hypno, who had been holding the object, and an Absol.
"Your hypnosis appears to have succeeded, Somnus," spoke the Absol in a deep, but distinctly feminine voice.
"Naturally," the Hypno answered with a cocky smirk. "Now, since this is your idea, Deyanira, you can do the rest."
"Very well," she answered as she stepped forward. She knelt on one knee in front of Gabby and sighed. "Dear Gabrielle, I wish I could trust you enough to speak to you more forwardly, but I cannot risk you being stubborn with so little time."
Gabby could hear the words, but they made no sense to her with her mind so groggy.
"You are such a sweet thing, and I do not wish for you to be hurt like you were again." Deyanira continued speaking, cupping Gabby's cheek in her palm. "I wish I could have protected you... I couldn't risk it though..."
Somnus shook his head and sighed. "I suggest you put aside personal feelings for now, and remember what we came here to do."
Deyanira sighed, and drew her hand back. "I'm sorry. I won't take long." She gazed right into Gabby's eyes, which only stared back blankly. "You will do as I say, understand?"
Gabby nodded.
"Good girl. Now, you will be thrown into the arena tomorrow. After your first experience, you should know what Rex is planning for you. You are strong on the inside, and you must use that strength to turn the tables and protect yourself. Do you understand?"
Again, Gabby could only nod.
"Good girl. Tomorrow night, I will come back, and we can talk face to face, for real," Deyanira said with a soft smile. "When Somnus snaps his fingers, you will fall asleep. When you wake up, you will not remember us being here, but you will remember what I have told you, understand?"
Gabby nodded once more.
"Good girl." The Absol leaned forward and kissed Gabby's cheek, before rising to her feet. She and Somnus turned away and stepped out of the cell. Somnus snapped his fingers, and Gabby fell limp, and her eyes closed as her mind receded into complete sleep.
"Rest well, sweet one," Deyanira whispered before they closed and locked the cell.
When Gabby finally woke up about an hour later, she was still feeling groggy, but could not recall falling asleep. She could sense an unfamiliar smell that was not there before, and she moved slowly about trying to find the source of it. But before she came anywhere close to finding the smell's source, she heard the guard's footsteps.
As expected, a food plate was pushed into her cell and the guard walked back off. She picked up the plate and sighed.
Something clicked in her head, and she started thinking. She couldn't help feeling like this meal was very important. She gulped at the thought, but pinched her nose and swallowed what pride she had left, and started to eat.