“Where are you taking me?” Merlynn asked sluggishly her head reeling in pain blurring her vision. “She’s waking Samuel.” An older man’s voice spoke up finally although not to Merlynn. “It’s not much further if we hit her with more it might screw everything up.” A younger man to the left answered as she felt a tighter tug on her left arm. Merlynn groaned then screamed in pain as she fought with all her might to free her arms but she felt them yanked harder upon instead. “Knock it off you. Prior put a sock in this bitch would ya’?” Samuel scolded Merlynn squeezing his grip tighter. The older man known as Prior grunted in confusion at the absurd suggestion. “Here.” Samuel impatiently interjected kicking his shoe off and tearing his sock from his foot. “Watch Prior, this is how you shut a bitch up.” Samuel shook the sock he clenched in his fist then shoved it into Merlynn’s mouth gagging her. She flailed resisting but only managed to kick Samuel’s shoe across the hall. “You...” Samuel jerked Merlynn closer seething in anger, he reared back to strike her. “Stop, we’re wasting time. He is waiting.” Prior spoke up catching Samuel’s hand. “We were told not to harm her. It could damage the vessel.” Prior followed up hoping to dissuade him. Samuel wrenched his hand back seeming to seethe less, then as Prior leaned away he shot forward slapping Merlynn across the face with all his might. Merlynn howled in pain through the foul sock, not from the blazing handprint across her flushed cheek, but the writhing baby she carried within her that was rapidly coming into the world.

Merlynn’s vision began to clear as she swayed back and forth while the two men awkwardly shuffled at her sides. She managed to make out cobblestone walls all dank and adorned with red tapestries bearing strange markings she knew not of. Torchlight lit the long corridor sparsely but well enough Merlynn started making out poured concrete floors with drainage grates at the side. She noticed a shoe lodged in one as they passed making Samuel utter a solemn curse. The drab pattern continued as she faded in and out until she felt a bright light beating at her face. Unable to shield her eyes she was blinded once again as she was carried into the light. Her vision spun as she felt the cold chill of stone against her back bleeding through the thin hospital gown, she found herself to be wearing. Her vision recovered quicker this time although finally seeing clearly, she almost wished it wouldn’t have. She looked down discovering she was chained to a marble altar from what she could tell was extremely old. Around and below the altar were several different modern additions. An IV bag set off to her right. A cart with an assortment of blades, scalpels, and different trays. Makeshift stirrups that she failed to pull her feet free of. Everything she would need if she needed an emergent delivery and just outside of the light's boundary, shadowy cloaked figures brushed into one another speaking in hushed tones.

Merlynn tried calling out to them and felt nothing come up. She dug deep in her soul and pushed forward screaming to move but lifted not a finger nor made a whisper. She beat against her body pressing her will to manifest but it never emerged. Pain wreathed through her as if she was being constricted and set on fire at the same time forcing her body to reel and the meekest whimper escape her lips. Hearing this one of the hooded figures stood up straight turning its gaze to Merlynn. It then moved effortlessly across the ground barely ruffling its red robe as it moved. “Merlynn...” Its voice quaked with ancient power speaking Merlynn’s name without audible sound but telepathic presence. The red hooded being then raised a sleeved hand that fell away revealing a whispy shadowy grasp that reached out all but caressing her. Merlynn peered into the void of its hood as it lifted its gaze to hers. A new fear crept through the back of her mind as she swore, she could hear the very air around them being sucked into the growing void inside the figures hood. The being began to chuckle as whisps from its fingers plumed off like rolling vapor onto her skin. As this newfound fear began seeping into her soul another figure walked up to her in a boot cladded stride clattering noisily upon his approach. The new figure made no obvious reaction that he was aware of the mysterious being as he stepped exactly where the being stood, causing it to dissipate. The fear that was creeping up on her subsided then was replaced quickly by a new one as the new figure spoke. “Hello Lover.” A cold calculated voice humored himself as he withdrew his red hood.

Now standing before Merlynn in replace of the being stood a tall man of fit stature, chiseled chin, and fine combed blonde hair. “I hope you were treated fairly. After all our daughter will need her mother in the days to come.” The blonde man spoke more for himself than her. He brushed away stray hairs from his icy blue eyes as he approached from the other side of the altar. He brushed the backside of his hand across her cheek noticing the vibrant handprint that still marred her fair complexion. He then grunted in disgust snapping his fingers. “Yes sir.” Another hooded figure answered in a younger male voice. “Tell Samuel and Prior to report to me immediately.” The blonde man demanded removing his robes revealing a rather expensive white Italian suit. He tossed his robes to the side as Samuel and Prior both quickly appeared before him. “I gave you one simple job. Samuel...lie to me.” The blonde man demanded cracking his knuckles. “Uh, boss, I don’t get it.” Samuel answered confused. “What’s not to get. I want you to lie to me. I know if I ask you what happened, you’re going to lie to me anyways so let's get that out of the way first. Then your second can tell me what really happened.” The blonde man stated piercing him with a cold stare.

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“I don’t know what you're talking about sir, honest.” Samuel responded before being dragged forcibly by his collar over to Merlynn. The blonde man then gripped Samuel by the head of his hair wrenching him closer to Merlynn’s face. “Then what the fuck! Is that!?” The blonde man screamed slinging saliva as he threw Samuel to the floor. “It was an accident I lost my temper; honest it won’t happen again!” Samuel screamed begging for his life. “He did lose his temper and despite my warnings he did strike her, Michael.” Prior spoke up standing straighter than you would have thought for someone his age. Michael turned to face Samuel again who was crawling on the floor whimpering.

“You disobeyed your second and violated the most important rule I gave you. Your lucky time is too precious else I would punish you like you deserve.” Michael turned away fixing his suit and hair. “Oh! Thank you, sir...” A loud roar echoed out silencing Samuel as smoke rolled from a small pistol Michael had drawn from his suit. “Let us proceed.” Michael barked holstering his pistol before the metal could cool. Michael strode with practiced purpose as he methodically sterilized himself preparing for surgery like he had done countless times so far.

He then thoroughly inspected his equipment exchanging out pieces, he deemed inferior or inadequate with others he pulled from a private stock. Four more robed men, faces half veiled from their hoods, circled Merlynn attaching cords to her while one ran the IV into her right arm. With barely the strength to keep her eyes open Merlynn wept a single tear as the men finished their work then stood by awaiting like dogs for a command. “Don’t worry love this will all be over soon. Then we can be a real family.” Michael approached Merlynn standing between her legs. With only her eyes, Merlynn burned into him every why and betrayal she had racing through her veins. “I’ve really grown to love you, Merlynn.” Michael responded seemingly knowing all the questions she was burning with. He reached forward rubbing her leg with a gloved hand causing the last ounce of strength Merlynn didn’t know she had to fizzle out as she barely managed to jerk her leg away from his touch.

“Don’t worry, after you see her, you won’t feel this way anymore. You’ll come to understand that I saved you.” Michael attempted to calm her. “Not necessary...only the Vessel.” The robbed men chanted then hummed in unison as if empowered by the words. Merlynn’s eyes flittered around between the men as panic firmly set hold. “Easy love. They cannot do anything to you from fear of my wrath. I’ve laid clear to the order that you are mine. That I would handle the procedure myself because you still have value to the cause. You still have value to me.” Michael cooed as he reached out grasping Merlynn’s hand. He then nodded to the man on his right returning his gaze to Merlynn. “See you soon honey.” Michael’s voice faded rapidly as a mask was forced on her face slamming her senses with gas.

“LYNN!” A familiar voice cried out as Merlynn could feel herself being shaken but felt too weak to respond. “Gods what the fuck happened here. Lynn! Wake up speak to me!” The voice called again shouting frantically. “Lynn please! It’s Daisy! Please wake up!” Daisy screamed at her with all her might. “Lynn!” Claire’s voice suddenly broke through the nightmare like a beam of light crashing through a dark stormy cloud as Merlynn shot up from bed sweating profusely. “Are you okay? You’re worrying me, hold on I'm getting Gloria.” Claire cried leaping from the bed swaddling her naked body in a blanket.

Claire ran out to the living room frantically looking around for anyone after quickly realizing she hadn’t been shown around. As she walked towards the elevator remembering she had passed other doors she stepped in something warm and squishy.

Immediately disgusted she looked down to see Hiro’s face squished beneath her heel. “Oh, I’m so sorry...wait...Gloria where is she Merlynn needs her now!” Claire frantically demanded despite her quiet tone. Hiro leapt to his feet as his face reformed. “This way!” Hiro answered stumbling his way down the hall to the first door on the right.