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The creature’s head is filled two thoughts: ‘Obey’ and ‘kill’.
It thinks the words over and over and over again, an endless cycle in its head. It cannot see anything, the only smells are that of stone and chemicals. And its ears do not hear. It is only
Obey
Kill
Obey
Kill
Obey
Obey
Obey
Kill
Kill
Obey
Cold…
The creature is so cold, a deep chill runs through it, its whole body convulsing as it curls in on itself and trembles. Its mind starts thinking louder, of its need to obey, slowly downing out any discomfort.
The creature tries to fight it off, its hands come to its head and it begins to hit itself. Make it stop. Make it stop. The pounding and scratching at its head become an endless torrent, until the creature starts to feel a warm sticky liquid coating its hands. The mask on its face falls down in front of it and the creature’s hands still, staring down at the shiny silver skull on matte rock.
The creature pulls its hands to its chest, and slowly looks around. The Cell, no- Cage is small, pristine, clean, except for the scratches on the walls and the small puddle of red that has begun to form under the creature who is on his knees.
All of the sudden it wants to flee, claws grow out of the creature’s hand as it begins to claw at the floor, it’s a pathetic attempt. Its mind now screaming for it to get out. Where is it? What is this? Who is he? What is going on?
Suddenly it hears a tisk from behind. The creature whips its head around and is greeted by the sight of its master. Its first instinct is to flinch. “Logan.” The man says and the creature wants to run. “Attend me, Logan.” The creature wants to attend him. And the creature, no- his name is Logan, he is a person, other people have called him that before, people he loved. He does not move.
The master glares at him, a bone-chilling stare that makes Logan whimper. He wants out. Get him out. “I said attend me, Logan. That means heel. You know you want NOTHING more than to obey me, Logan.”
A wave of relief washes over Logan. Oh! That’s right, of course! What silly wants and memories of old love, how truly meek and simple. What a pain those wants were, how good that he has moved passed them! Life is so much better when he only wants one thing, to obey the master! Logan happily prances on all 4s over to the man, sitting at his heel.
The man smiles wickedly down at him, “Very good. Now what is the meaning of all this?” The man asked gesturing to the room. And dread fills Logan’s head, he had failed at obeying. Stupid Logan, awful Logan, making a mess instead of sitting quietly like he was supposed to.
The man leans down and takes Logan’s face in his hand, controlling his head. It is a firm grip, but Logan leans into it all the same. He must obey. The man begins to make a tisking noise, “What have you done to yourself, Logan? This won’t do. My people, in this beautiful new land of Revelation will be cared for. And that means being clean, does it not.” Logan nods his head and the hand on his jaw becomes a vice grip as The man bares his teeth, “Did I say you could move yet, Logan?” Logan whimpers.
Revelation throws Logan off of him, into the wall of the room, “Now Clean all of this up. Tidy your room and yourself. You know how.” And Logan does!
Logan stands up and makes his way out of the room towards the bath. After cleaning himself up, gelling his hair to make it all tidy, he grabs cleaning supplies and goes back to his room, scrubbing at the stone floor until all the blood is gone.
When he is all done he goes to find his master in the throne room, he’s there holding a neatly folded stack of clothes, with a shined skull mask resting on top. The man holds it out to Logan, “Attend me, Logan. Get dressed.” Logan walks over and gently takes the clothes from the man’s hands. Logan begins to get dressed, putting on his clothes while Revelation watches him. Logan finishes by putting his mask back on and being plunged into darkness, the master’s voice growing all the louder in his head, “Good… Now heel.” Logan comes to stand at Revelations' side like a dog.
Logan is happy, all of his wants are fulfilled, he has successfully obeyed the master. Happy to attend him, happy to clean, happy to obey.
—
After an hour or so, Logan doesn’t count the time, The Master gets a psychic call. Logan does not listen in, he hasn’t been asked to. But even if he had tried he was only met with silence, as if his brain wouldn’t let him. Logan waits quietly in the dark, awaiting instructions
The man begins to speak, “Logan” there we go, “Go to the front of the palace and wait for Sabertooth. Once she arrives, bring her to me.” Logan begins walking there at once. Rounding the corners and walking down a path his feet seem to know by heart. As he walks he hears people shuffling to get out of his way, and whispers that his ears won’t let him hear.
Once he finally reaches the front gate Laura is not there. So Logan waits. And waits. And waits. He waits for half an hour before he finally catches her scent. Kin. His Laura. Then he hears her voice, “Logan, it's been a long day.” Logan does not answer, can not. “I just want to go back to my room.”
Logan reaches out and grabs her arm, she’s not allowed to do that, she must go and see the master. Logan must obey. But as Logan touches her his grip tightens around her arm subconsciously, and his feet do not move. He stands there for a second, holding her, he feels something hot and wet drip from his eyes.
“…”
Oh! Ha! How odd, how strange? That was one of those old feelings that made Logan’s life so hard! Now Logan is just happy to obey the master, and he said to bring Laura to him. And so he does, loosening his grip and leading her back through the halls into the throne room.
Once they arrive the master thanks Logan. And asks for Sabertooth to follow him. Except as they step away Logan’s body does the strange thing again and it’s running at them. Grabbing Laura’s arm and holding on for dear life, his mouth begins to open as he tries to speak. Please. He thinks, his brain betraying his only want. Please not her. Please. Please let her go. Run, Laura. Leave me behind, hate me, just please save yourself.
None of those words come from his mouth, instead he lets out a pained whimper. And the master glares at him. What has he done? “Logan…” Revelation begins, “Get back to your room.” He turns to Laura and tells her to forget about this, before finally turning once more to Logan, “I’ll deal with you, and your disobedience, later.”
And Logan runs away, back to his cage, he can obey that command, even if he failed another. He feels sick, how could he disobey the master? Logan will pay for this. He slows down when he nears the cage, letting himself in and listening as the door is locked behind him.
The creature sits in the middle of his cell. He feels very, very cold.