[center][h2][color=DB7093]Cynthia[/color][/h2][/center]

The alarms pierced Cynthia's skull, shaking her out of the first peaceful night of sleep she'd had in weeks. Void 2 had finally ended the life of the latest captive in its Pit: a young, chocolate skinned doctor by the name of Julian Smith. She had grown close to Cynthia, and in the end, it had been her downfall. During an experiment involving Void 2, she had been captured, and dragged to the Pit, where her torture was the focus of Cynthia's nightmares. Though it was only Void 2’s second victim -and the incident occurred weeks ago, the entire staff was on high alert when around her, and a lethal collar was affixed around her thin neck. 

Cynthia sighed deeply through her nose, gripping the sheets and pulling herself up. She rubbed her temple, her head swiveling around her living area. Her room was usually pitch black at night, and illuminated with soft red heating lamps during the day. Now, the LED display of her bulletin board was lit up, casting grotesque shadows across the space. The bulletin board read: 

[hr]
[quote][sub][color=green]//:DEAR RECIPIENT

YOU HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO ATTEND THE AUDITORIUM AT PRECISELY 6:00AM THIS MORNING. AS THIS IS AN HOUR BEFORE CURFEW RELEASE, AN INSTITUTE EMPLOYEE WILL ATTEND AND MANUALLY RELEASE YOUR DOOR. FROM THERE, YOU WILL HEAD DIRECTLY TO THE AUDITORIUM AND BE SEATED.

NON-COMPLIANCE IS NOT AN OPTION. ::[/color][/sub][/quote]
[hr]


Cynthia groaned, dragging herself out from beneath her sheets. She hurried towards her closet, covering every inch of her skin in her standard outfit. She checked to make sure nothing was peeking through her clothing, and slid on her leather gloves at last. She stared down at the embroidered stars and whorls on the fabric, thumbing it gently. They were her prized possessions, hand stitched by one of the kinder scientists. She sat on the edge of her bed, admiring the light blue stars, until a firm knock came to her door. 

“Number 15, on the ground!” A rough voice urged, and Cynthia complied, sliding off the bed and onto her knees. She chewed on her bottom lip, watching as the door burst open. Two beams of intense light swept across her, and she hissed, closing her eyes and attempting to cover her face. Her entire body felt withered, and she struggled to remain upright. 

“Hands at your sides!” Commanded the guard, a beefy man in protective leathers. None of his skin was bare, but he stepped towards Cynthia with utmost precaution. Cynthia pinned her hands to her sides, her eyelids slammed shut. Deep inside, both Voids cried in outrage, grumbling in gnarled voices as their host was bathed in intense light. 

The guard neared, and Cynthia laid down completely, her face pressed against the cool flooring. The guard inspected her, and cuffed her, before guiding her up by the crook of the elbow. She stood, dwarfed by her escort. [color=DB7093]“I thought we were past this, it's been so long. Void is sorry, [i]I’m[/i] sorry.”[/color] A half truth. She was more than sorry, for what she had done to Dr. Smith. She had watched the poor woman suffer, and failed to do anything. Void 2, however, was anything but sorry. It had relished in the prolonged death of the doctor, and every victim before her. It craved the disgust and shame Cynthia felt when she watched it, the bitter sadness. It would never stop, and Cynthia would never stop apologizing. The guard tensed for a moment, considered her words, then carried on, dragging her out of her room and into the hall. 

The walk to the auditorium felt longer than usual, perhaps it was the awkward silence weighing Cynthia down, or the way the guard kept peering at her out of the corner of his eye. Either way, when they finally arrived in the auditorium, Cynthia sagged with relief. She took in her siblings, her heart swelling with affection. The guard uncuffed her, and hurried away, taking up post in a corner of the room. Cynthia massaged her wrists, and walked around the room, enjoying the open space.