Known identity: The Shady Lady
Other aliases: Lady of the Shade, (The) Lady, Shady, (The) First, (The) Caged One
Location: New Jersey
Abducted: 2:48 AM
Current location: Unknown-Captured
Current status: Alive-Injured-Worsening
Captors: The Executor, The Advocate, Proxy 269
Assisting: Proxy 271 (Deceased), Proxy 85, Proxy 93 (Deceased)
Objective: Extract information-Make an example
Personal belonging(s): Cellphone (which was found taped to her chest), pocket knife (strapped to her wrist initially)
The Lady sleeps. She will sleep the full length of the night with a piece of me. I watched her for a short while; peering into her mind at the blackness she seems to favor. Its silence that of peace. I see now that is the only time of silence she can enjoy. Pity for her it will be ceasing.
I weaved together a web within her head; a lucid dream within a dream. In simple terms: I crafted a place for us to play without her becoming aware she was within a dream state. I do doubt it will last; her ability to adapt is fortunate for her and unfortunate for myself. I am intrigued to see how long the thing can remain within the dark for; so to speak.
I constructed it to fit the identity of where she was. The Caged One did not tread here; perhaps intrigued; perhaps it was not its territory to do so. Fortunate for me.
It was a quick construction I did during her time of being distracted by physical pain. When she slept I transplanted her conscious to acknowledge its new location to awaken within. Her temporary coma state was successful.
The female woke up; what felt to her like hours later; reality said it was only minutes. I entered the room we have been keeping her in, I believe she would take more comfort in it for it reflected alike traits as her basement. Cold, dark, made of cement. She was near the center of the wall; linked in shortened chains; relaxing sourly against the frigid wall. The female looked ready to pounce with her legs drawn to her chest; a look of death radiating from her.
How it and the Caged One mimic one another was intriguing on its own. Finding what was hidden within its head would be delightful. I was looking forward to feeling delighted. I beckoned in a new face to the scene; at least new to us. A child, a boy 9 years of age stood at my side and I did not need to introduce him. The Lady's reaction was silent but deadly; she looked between us both and finally stared upon the child for a lengthy period of time. I could see her skepticism clearly; doubt on how this was possible. I told her the following:
"It is as possible as your doppelganger back home."
Oh how that struck a nerve. I sent the boy forward to stand before her; she did not react with violence. The female regarded him as if he were a foreigner to this era. I watched her ignore my gaze from behind the mask; intently focused upon the child.
The Lady reached out and tugged on the sleeve of his sweater; inspecting the child from every angle she could. The boy was confused but did not object. She took his small hand in hers and examined the lines; every nick was traced over. Was he familiar to you now, Lady of the Shade?
She said the following:
"I am sorry but I do not remember you as well as I should. I did something wrong, didn't I?
I don't remember your name, I don't remember smile, your eyes, hell... I don't even remember your age.
Mr. Sunshine is who I know you as, a vicious man. But you're not vicious now, are you? No. Look at you. Who would have guessed I would find innocence in someone so tainted."
Not an exact memory but she was beginning to see the pieces come together. The boy shifted shyly; he recognized her all his own but did not have a concrete understanding as to why she was older than he here. Kindred spirits they were; they would feel happiness together as they would suffer together.
269 entered with a chair and plucked the child from her grasp. The reaction this time was a lurch forward but the Lady restrained herself to watch the events unfold themselves. I excused myself to the far side of the room and allowed 269 to bend the boy over the seat. That is what first set the female off. She sprung to her feet and moved out as far as the chains could take her. Demanding whatever was to transpire be halted. I gave no signal to stop; 269 had no reason to stop. He proceeded by unraveling the whip he had brought in with the chair.
The child began whimpering when 269 tore open the back of his sweater, shirt included; bare in the back he was. I watched the Lady's reactions change from seeing her attempt to cease the process was failing to resorting to a new method. Crouching down she directed the boy's attention. The following is what was said and transpired:
"Hey! Kid, hey! Look at me."
The child looked around as he held the back of the chair.
"Hey! Kid, kid! Pay attention now."
The child whimpered shakily.
"Hey! Look at me right now, damn it!"
He looked at her from between the metal bars.
"Look at me, right here. Right in the eyes. Don't look away, okay? Whatever you do just keep looking right at me until I say otherwise. Can you do that?"
He nodded.
"Good, you're a smart kid. Just keep looking me in the eyes."
269 began. The boy was none too pleased.
"Hey! Look at me!"
He pried his little eyes open and did so.
"Don't stop."
Crack after crack. Bleeding and the child did not stop.
"There you go. Just-Just keep focusing, okay? Pain doesn't have to be pain... You're stronger than that. Okay? You-You are a lot stronger the way I know you now."
"Like a hero?"
His little voice questioned through sobs. I saw her reaction; face paling considerably at the mentioning of that one word. I was glad to be wearing this mask during this time.
"Yeah... Just like that. Just like a he-hero."
Pitiful. She could barely ease the word out. Something to look into on a later note.
The process continued for a short while. The female and the boy had fallen silent and relied on the comfort of silence and locked eyes as a distraction. It did not take away his pain nor her own, however. Upon finishing 269 backed away and awaited. I offered the Lady mercy upon the boy, she looked the child in the eyes still and remained quiet.
I could feel the shift in the air; so to speak. A wave of doubt; despite her sincerity towards the illusion. She tried to peer through the folds I created within her own layered mind. I forced the dream to continue.
269 grabbed the child by the arm and carried him into a neighboring room. The screaming began and echoed through the concrete building. Let the girl imagine the worse; and how she did just that. Her body flung forward in a motion to grab my throat; the chains prevented her and instead made the female look like a trembling statue.
Then began the tremors. The Lady began her doubting further. The process proceeding faster than initially expected. Through suspicion her mind began pulling forth the event that she dreamed about and more. This is what was seen:
The two were in the field once more; he was dragged away by Him and she was left screaming. There was a transition to a dark town within the night; a building gone up in flames. Another transition to the Lady standing as a child within the night; a smile carved into her face as the boy stood across from her at a distance. Another transition to her submerged within the water; held down by two hands. It fades out afterwards.
Who is your attacker, Lady of the Shade? Could it be the Sunshine you seek to save? How does it make you feel?
Perhaps that was not the best question to ask a beast of rage. Her figure trembled; no longer was she looking to kill me. Her eyes focused upon her hands as they shook. I pondered what she was doing for no thoughts echoed through her head. It would seem none were needed. Her person shifted; the shaking of her moving so rapidly there appeared to be 2; ah; but there were, weren't there?
The Caged One has come, latching onto the Lady who was processing what she had bore witness to. One emotion in unison combined. Her hands formed fists near her head; trying to void the voice that tried to assist and soothe the forced memories. The combination of fury exploded; chains becoming useless. The room itself destroyed by one sudden outburst.
The Lady of the Shade screamed only one thing:
"You will never, never tame me!"
I dare not say for a second I believed her words; it was the stare that could destroy a thousand suns that imprinted brief doubt into my mind.
The thing's rage began destroying my creation; rather than give her such a chance I imploded it. Collapsing the structure upon itself and diminishing her flame. Within the world of reality I stood once more; she sleeping soundlessly at my feet.
Her mind has been shaken, I can feel it even now. She will remember; she will know of what transpired. Be fortunate, Lady of the Shade; that was all but a dream this time. Peering in I could see the Caged One upon the ground; breathing indicating it was well awake yet. I retreated for now.
The Lady awoken a little over an hour later; hysterically looking for the boy. I humored her which only served her nearly grasp my tie; I suspect she wished to strangle me with it. Realization came to briefly before she began second guessing. The drugs mixed with what message was still within her mind was doing wonders.
The female resumed her position against the wall and rested her head upon her tucked in knees. I watched for some time as the thing faded into its own little world. Yet this is not mania. This is the beginning of her adapting.
I have periodically been checking in on her to see the girl unmoved. So many thoughts; all stirring within her brooding mind. It is obvious to me that this boy affects her greatly, even when unable to remember him properly. Past emotions and defenses are triggered by instinct alone. I ponder; how much has she integrated into her instincts?
I have seen your home, Lady of the Shade. I have seen the care of your family. I have seen the care from these friends scattered from all places. Your compassion is beginning to be understood; yet I do not see what has corrupted your soul. Has He done more or are there other transgressions? What betrayals have you encountered? Is this why you stutter over the word "hero"? Has your own betrayed you or have you never found one? I will see it all.
You will beg to what gods you look to. We are done playing tug of war. Your heart is scarred; between the drugs and my mental play you have begun questioning tonight what is real and what is not. Where is the boy, Lady of the Shade? You seem to grasp reality so briefly now before it is taken away. Unable to keep hold. Let us see how you fair within the morning, shall we?
Think now, woman. Focus yourself; come morning you will be seeing what has twisted minds for years now. Are you excited? Yes; you are. Do not think I cannot feel your thoughts as they quake with a desire to pull me apart.
Mania calls to her and still she refuses it. I ponder; she may drive herself into it without my aid. Humorous that would be; unlikely all the same. Sleep well now, Lady of the Shade. You will need it.
Your companions need you to have it.
