Whisper (part 23)
Alexander Erickson shifted his weight in his seat looking nervously around. John Stenberg put a hand on his shoulder and smiled warmly hoping to reassure him. Harold's exposition had weighed heavily on Mark's mind though it aligned with his expectations. Lexington and Zach Anderson had been attempting to get Erickson to open up about his experience. Katie Price came over and held his hand finally coaxing him to speak. “When did you first become interested in Christ?” she asked with genuine interest. “I was raised Catholic and the priests always told me I had better be the best version of myself or the devil would get me.” John stammered. “They often berated me about my appearance and told me I was lazy and didn't care about God.” he said. “That's awful, I'm sorry you went through that.” Katie replied.
Erickson was noticeably becoming more calm and seemed to enjoy the dialogue. He ran his long fingers through greasy wheat colored hair. “Thank you for the kindness.” he replied. “Of course! Can you tell us how you ended up at the medical center?” Katie responded. “I was working in a packaging and distribution center in Nebraska. Just loading boxes onto palettes and into trucks and stuff. The work was monotonous but it was a good workout and I liked the guys I worked with. One day my boss called me into the office and told me I was being terminated. I asked why and he said it was because I had been goofing off too much and that my attitude was poor. I sensed something was wrong because I had been exceeding my quota and joking around was something everyone did as we worked. I was so frustrated and told him I didn't understand. He said it's not up for discussion and left it at that.”
John Stenberg cut in. “That's a load of crap. I bet someone got to them.” Erickson nodded his head and a look of defiant anger appeared for the first time. His confidence was building as he shared his ordeal. “Yea I was really bummed out. Anyway, I said my good byes and went back to the apartment. I just sat on the couch and stared at the wall for a few hours trying to figure out what to do next. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. A man with a laundry cart waited outside. I was suspicious as I had never seen the man before yet he had a big smile on his face, and seemed nice, so I opened it a crack and asked what he wanted. He looked both ways down the hallway and shoved his way in.
I yelled as loud as I could but he put his big meaty hand, draped in a rag, over my mouth. It smelled of chemicals and then everything went black. Next thing I knew I woke up in a holding cell at the facility.” Katie gave him a hug and said she was sorry once again. “Everyone seems to be extraordinarily concerned for John Mark thought. Maybe it's the injured bird thing.” But he had a strong sensation the man had been through more than his words were describing. “Will you tell us how you met Harold and what happened in the facility?” She asked with a calm tone. Erickson became agitated again and his leg started bobbing under the table. He seemed ready to bolt for the door. “It's ok if you don't want to. We understand.” Katie said. “No, no it's alright. I will tell you it's just...just..it was a really hard time.” he said and tears started to well up in his eyes.
He rubbed his eyes and let out a long breath. “It..it was awful. Every morning a guard came to my cell and escorted me to an operating table. At first they drugged me in my cell then wheeled me strapped down on a stretcher. But as the days turned into weeks my will was broken. They injected me with the drug and I experienced terrible hallucinations. It was nightmarish. One I can remember; I was transported outside the city and everything was broken and falling apart. There was an epic sense of scale and ominous finality. Like the world was ending or something. I was in an abandoned house with half the walls missing. It was grimy and sooty and all the furniture was broken. Like a scene from a world war two movie or something. Only it was my home town and I had a strong sense that something had just wiped out the city. I was sitting on the second floor looking up at the sky and I saw a giant dark thunder cloud forming. It looked like a normal thunder cloud, at first, only it began taking the form of a massive ram. It was enormous and galloped over the glittering city lights in the distance.”
Zach Anderson drew in a deep breath and moved about anxiously in his seat. He looked around at the rest of the team and gave them a reassuring look. Alexander continued. “There was a epic sense of dread and yet I somehow didn't feel any fear or terror. The ram began charging towards me. It galloped up growing larger as the thundercloud continued to form. It finally reached me and stopped. I stood before it and suddenly felt a sense of power. It went down on one knee and lowered its head. I jumped up on its back. It began leaping into the sky and as it moved I felt a sense that the world was ending and yet I was in complete control. Then I woke up in my cell.” Katie had removed her hand and was now sitting quietly with a look of disbelief.
Mark was intrigued. What else do you remember Alexander? “Other times it wasn't so extreme and I was still somewhat conscious. I felt a sense that I was outside my body and something else was controlling me. I didn't see myself from outside but felt like I wasn't me. There was a feeling of great pleasure and euphoria. I even became attracted to the doctors and technicians. It felt like some invisible force was guiding me. They would unstrap me and let me walk around the room. I flirted with the staff and gave them hugs. They spoke to me of atrocities they would commit on my behalf but I didn't seem to care. I had no concern for anything or any critical thoughts. It was like waking from an extremely pleasant dream all warm and snugly. Other times they would terrify me with flashing lights and they kept me up for 48 hours and forced me to stand. I didn't seem to care as the drug made me feel so good. “
Lexington could see that everyone was on edge and decided to end the discussion. Alexander, I know this is hard on you and I can see it's taking a toll on us all. We will end this discussion here and you can relate more of your story to Zach or I later. Is that ok with you?” Erickson replied with a look of sudden embarrassment. “Oh, yea, that's fine. Sorry.” “It's ok just a very heavy topic and many of us have experienced similar effects.” Lexington responded. “I did have one more thing to say quick” Alexander interjected.
“As the experiments progressed I became increasingly compliant and paranoid. When I was not on the drug I began to crave it and would often tell myself the guards hated me. That's why they didn't give me more of the drug and kept me locked in this cell. I started feeling that everyone in the facility was against me specifically. I would hide under my bed hoping they wouldn't find me even though it was obvious where I was. I was terrified by any natural sounds like the heat kicking on and coming through the vents or someone closing a door down the hall. Normal lighting seemed to blind me like the sun shining in your eyes. I asked for sunglasses and preferred to lay in bed rather than read a book or write.
It was horrible. I think back to those times and it gives me the heeby jeebies, though I now recognize this was all delusional.” he said. Eventually, they stopped the experiments and moved me into a new holding cell. There I met Harold and with time, and sobriety, began to feel like myself again; although I am still on edge and feel a lasting sadness and inability to trust anyone.” Katie smiled at him for reassurance. “It's ok John. That is completely understandable. We are here for you. Let me know if there is anything you need. You will be alright kid. Keep your chin up.” She stood up and flipped her immaculately dyed pink hair with a flourish. The rest of the team expressed condolences and Mark sat deep in though as they exited the room.