The Girl in the Black Box

What do you see?
         I spy something that is cold and soulless.
         I spy it across the street in a room.  This is the neighborhood watch.

I managed to remove the bag tied around my neck
I still can’t see anything.

What can you see?
         I see a box.
         It’s black.

I’ve cut my arms on the nails.
I probably have an infection by now.

Go to it.
         I wonder what’s in it.
         What can it be doing over there?

My parents are dead.  I saw him slaughter them.
I can’t help but see their helpless faces.

What’s inside?
         It’s locked.
         It’s bolted with loose nails stuck inside its edges.

I can’t breathe.
My mind is numb and my organs start to shut down.

Open it. 
         I gasp.  I intake one small breath of air.
         Why, there’s a little girl.

Light? It hurts so much, please turn it off.
I squint my eyes.

Is she still there?
         Barely breathing.
         But she’s still alive.

I’m cold.
I miss my bed at home.

Touch her.  What happened?
         She’s cold, and white.
         She’s going to die soon.

I can feel myself going.
Nobody wants to hold me anymore.

Help her into your home.
         She’s awake.
         Her eyes are red.

What’s happening?
I feel myself moving, but I... I can’t.

Comfort her.
         “It’s okay.
         It’ll be all right.  I promise I won’t hurt you.”

There’s a man.
A man?

Feed her.  Is she hungry?
         I have stew on the stove.  I give her a bowl.
         She smells it and slowly eats.

I smell food.
I haven’t smelled food in so long.

What happened to her?
         I ask her for her name.
         She looks at me.

He asks for my name.
I weakly tell him.

Talk to her.  Talk to Alice.
         She stares at me like I’m a monster.
         She starts to scream.

I’m thrown into a room.
I see it now. 

What are you doing to her?
         Her eyes widen.
         She reaches for something to hold on to.

Not again, not again!
Someone help me!

Stop it.  I think you’re hurting her.
         She starts to cry, thinking she’s helpless.
         I finish.  She cries at the corner of the bed.

It hurts so much.
The darkness hurts more than the blinding light.

I think you’ve done enough.          
         I start for the door.
         I go to leave her house.

I’m breaking into sobs now.
He’s finally leaving now.

Say goodbye.
         “Goodbye Alice.
         “I’ll see you next time.”

He says goodbye.
This is my room.

         I leave her house.                    

He leaves my house.