Chapter 31: Numbness and Epiphany
Carefully, I am released from the restraints that have been holding me down, but I hardly notice it. Without thinking I follow the lab tech that brought me here, as he brings me back to my cell that I was in before. The whole time I hardly thing of anything, my mind just numb from the pain that shocked my system a moment ago. I can still feel the pain, I know that it has left my system but its phantoms are still there, tormenting me. The door closes and locks shut behind me, as I meander over to my bed and collapse onto it. I stare at the ceiling my eyes foggy, and my min blank and numb. my mind feels like what I imagine it would be like to somehow be able to survive with nothing on floating in space, just nothing. As I'm curled up in a ball on my bed I swear I hear sobbing, and something else I'm not quite sure, I've blocked everything else around me out.
'What did I ever do to deserve something as terrible as this,' I think to myself through the numbness that encompasses me. The pain, the numbness is almost enough to destroy me, but I cling to this thought and continue thinking. "Maybe, that isn't the right question to ask.'
Still numb from the torturous experience my thoughts are still moving very slow, wanting to keep the peace that comes when nothing happens, including thoughts. 'Maybe the question I need to ask is bigger than that...? But what is it, I know that I'm missing something.' My consciousness starts to get eroded by the numbness, but I do my best to keep it at bay, so I don't lose myself. Thinking back on everything that has led up to this moment, I start to analyze everything.
'I need to escape this place, but how am I going to even attempt that with the system sealed? Wait a sec, maybe that is where my problem lies, I'm relying on the system. It makes no sense that just because the system is sealed that my abilities no longer work. Just like how my Scythe Proficiency and other skills either started higher, or grew really fast, it feels like my elements growth has been slowed because I have no ability to utilize it apart from the system. So, if I'm able to understand how my ability works, maybe I would be able to use them again?" Along this line of thought, I was surprised to be greeted by a system notification.
-Quest update: Escape the Lab
-In realizing why your abilities have been sealed, you have taken the first step towards being able to escape. If you find out how to use your abilities without the system, you will be rewarded.
-Rewards: Captive status released, system will destroy prisoner limiter currently on host.
Shocked by all the sudden revelations from the system, I finally started to realize those sounds I had heard. The sobbing was actually coming from me, and apparently Talia was trying to call out to me, to no avail 'till now. With the new quest update, I finally remembered that everything isn't helpless, and that there is a chance to escape. Uncurling myself from my bed I wipe the tears that had accumulated on my face. Slowly the numbness starts to fade away, but it is still there hiding away deep down.
"Hey Talia, sorry about that, after... the experiment I just went numb, I didn't feel like myself, in fact I still don't. It's like I lost an important part of me, but I just can't pinpoint what," I say in a slightly more empty tone than when we were talking earlier. "How long was I out?"
Hearing my answer and question I hear Talia sigh in relief, knowing that I didn't lose myself to the pain. "Don't worry, it happens to everyone that comes here, each of us feels like we lost something, I can't tell what it is either." She was very quiet and meek in the way that she said it, but now I can identify a similar feeling of emptiness. "You asked how long you've been out, from what I can tell, with no light and all, it's been three hour's or so since you came back. Do you want to talk to me about it?"
"No, not right now, I feel like I'll break if I have to relive it right now. I'm going to meditate for a bit, try to get myself in a better place for now, thank you though," with a sincere voice I respond to Talia, my voice trembling a bit when I think of reliving it so soon after. With that said, I try to heal my mind and go into a meditative state.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
XantosZ
XantosZ Sorry for not updating much this week, it was an exam week, and I didn't have any time to myself. Thanks to all of you who are reading LaIR, it means a lot. As always I'm more than open to suggestions so if there's anything you'd like to say leave it in the comments.
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