Can you hear me?
Talking Thinking Emphasis ExplanationHello?
Is there anyone out there?
I can hear you, you know.
There's nothing that you can hide from me. So if you'll just come along and -- what? You...you can hear me?
Excellent.
Then, will you hear my story out? It won't take long, I promise. But there's so much to do...so little time to do it in. I want you to know that I'll always be here.
Do you dare to enter my lair?
~AlbertWeskerr
Everything's Gone
You thought I was looking for trouble? Far from it. I try to stay away from trouble as much as possible. Not that easy, though, as you can see. That's how I got here.
Chapter One
In Which Albert is Tricked
It was a normal day. Albert, a yellow Ogrin, was walking though Neopia Central with not a care in Neopia.Today's a gorgeous day, he thought, breathing deep. Days like this should not be wasted.
He skipped down a side alley, pausing at a house with a large garden. Upon bending down to sniff the nearest flowers, he realized that he heard a soft pattering sound behind him.
Who's there? he called. He turned around. A slight shadowed flickered to his left, but when he turned in that direction, nothing was there. Shrugging, he went back to perusing the flowers.
Oi! You there! a harsh voice growled. What do ye think yer doing with me flowers?
Albert glanced up from the current batch of flowers he was sniffing. I'm terribly sorry, he apologized. I didn't realize...they smelled so lovely, I just had to take a whiff. He backed away slowly from the imposing red Skeith in the door way.
The female Skeith snarled. They be me flowers! You be steppin' on them, ye see?
Albert winced, and glanced down. Sure enough, behind him, there were several sadly trodden-upon flowers in his wake. I'm so very, very sorry, he whispered.
The Skeith rolled her eyes. Just shut yer trap and get out'er me garden!
Trembling, Albert scampered off to the alley, leaving the fragrant garden and unhappy Skeith behind him.
Well, that certainly didn't go as expected, he sighed miserably. He continued to plod along.
You are alone...
The Ogrin snapped his head up and looked around. Who's there? he called bravely.
Keh keh keh. You have no idea... it hissed.
Show yourself! Albert demanded. Coward!
You, who are scared of a single Skeith, are calling me a coward? It laughed. If you could see me, you wouldn't be saying that.
Then show yourself! What have you got to lose? Albert challenged.
A small breath escaped near Albert's left ear. I value your life, young Ogrin... To show myself now would mean your death. Wait...and sleep...
Albert's eyelids began to droop. No... he said feebly, and passed out on the ground.
Keh keh keh...
Chapter Two
In Which Albert is Changed
Albert woke up under a bright light. Where am I? he slurred. He tried to get his feet under him to see where he was. Why...can't move?Ah, so you're awake, a clipped female voice said matter-of-factly. I'm surprised you came around so quickly. I wasn't expecting that. A pencil scratched against some paper.
Who...you? Albert whispered. His tongue felt fuzzy and thick; why couldn't he form words?
Me? The voice sounded incredulous. Why, that no-good devil! He forgot to introduce me! Footsteps moved closer to the metal bed Albert was lying on. A Zafara's head moved into his line of sight.
Who are...you, Albert asked, finally managing to control his tongue.
The Zafara laughed coldly. I am Avalon. I am the one who is in charge of you today. She made a point of looking at her clipboard. She was painted Christmas; her Halo wobbled precariously atop her head.
Avalon? Albert shook his head vigorously. Can you tell me why I'm here?
Avalon laughed, a lovely sound that Albert could have listened to all day. Can I tell you why you're here? Why, certainly, but where would be the fun in that? She grinned wickedly and reached for a walkie-talkie hanging on her belt. Doctor, are you ready?
Doctor? Albert inquired, but Avalon ignored him. Please, what is going on?
Avalon refused to answer his question. Instead, she grabbed the gurney he was strapped to and proceeded to push it across the room.
Please! Tell me! Where are we going?
Avalon continued to push the gurney. They traveled through darkened halls and eerily abandoned wards. Finally, they arrived at a solitary red door.
What is this place? Albert thought, trembling as he huddled against the stainless steel gurney. And why am I here?
The doctor will see you now, Avalon cackled, wheeling the gurney through the blood-red door. She took three steps inside, shoved him completely into the room, then turned around, walked out, and shut the doors behind her.
Albert cringed as the doors slammed with a deafening boom. He began to whimper.
You're the specimen it brought back? a cold voice asked. Surely not. I told him to get me a strong one. I didn't ask for...this.
Albert had a vague feeling that he was being insulted. Did you just gesture to all of me?
The voice paused. You're a smart one, aren't you? I have a place for things like you. The doctor clapped his hands and light flooded the room. Albert found himself blinking away the spots in his eyes...again.
When the spots had vanished, he found himself in a sickening, dirty-white room. Is this a hospital? he wondered aloud.
It was at one time, the voice told him. It was coming closer. Of course, once Fyora found out that the...sanitary qualities...were not up to code, she shut us down. But that's nothing. The voice was now right above Albert now. Now, this space is used for the most important research of all. The owner of the voice leaned in towards Albert - and Albert experienced a very weird sense of Deja Vu.