5 Experiment

My eyes fell on the items on her lap.

There were only few medicines and bandages. Was she really a mage? It more feels like she was a doctor with all surgical things she carries around.

"I guess you don't know but all the hunters carry bandages with them for emergencies" Isle explained, "you don't where you will get hurt while fighting a monster."

"So, these are actually for emergencies?" I asked, looking at them.

Isle nodded with a smile.

It is not weird for hunters to carry medicines and bandages. I have read about different monster in Winfred mansion. They looked scary and I even read about their characteristics. I remember how thrilled I was when I imagined the hunters killing these ugly monsters.

But what is she doing with them here?

Isle seem to have read my thoughts.

"I can only bring them here" she said, "they took my wand. So, I cannot perform any magic. I can only hide my bracelet which have nothing but emergency food and supplements. I have already eaten all the emergency food, now only this is left."

I immediately understood her situation.

"Do hunters even carry pocket knife with them in emergency supplies?" I asked pointing at the small silver knife in her lap.

"Who knows when all your weapons become useless? Nothing is certain. You have to be prepared for the worst" she explained.

She took out a pill from a tin box. A gold colored pill that shine even in this dark room.

"I know about this pill" I said as I looked at it curiously, "it is taken from the honeycomb of the Mighty Bees. They are the monsters whose sting can make a person sleep with good dreams for eternity."

"You seem more knowledgeable then those ignorant noble ladies" Isle commented.

"For the lonely person like me living in a big mansion, books became my only companion" I said as I remembered my room filled with books of different genre.

"Yes, you are right. Doctors use it in important surgeries and even given as sleeping pill for the nobles."

"I remember it. Once you eat this pill, you will fall fast asleep. I remember these pills given to my brothers when they were sick. But their color was fainter than this."

I remember the pills given to my brothers did not shine in this way.

"Its is because it is a high dose pill" Isle said, "once a person eats, he will immediately fall unconscious. It is not normal to get this high-level pill. I got it because of my connection with Merinda."

I looked at the pill curiously as Isle explained.

"I want you to eat it" Isle said suddenly.

I looked at the Isle, startled. If this is such a rare pill, why waste on me? A dying person?

"Is it for your experiment?" I asked as that was the only answer I found.

"Yes" Isle said nodding her head, "if I perform my experiment directly on you, a frail lady who has never experienced pain, you will be in a great discomfort. By eating this pill, you won't feel pain as you will be in the deep sleep, dreaming good dreams."

I looked at Isle.

"I won't force you. It is your wish" she said.

What should I do? Eat it or not?

"Give me the pill" I said without thinking twice.

Because if I think twice, I will hesitate. I want to do something crazy before my death. Even if it will pain, it will go away after I die, anyway.

"You will wake up tomorrow morning" Isle said handing me the pill.

"Then my last night will be filled with good dreams" I said with a smile.

Isle smiled her sly smile. The smile that tells me that she is up to something no good. But I still accepted. Not because I feel sad for her misery that my family brought on her. But because I want to do something that my family did not let me to.

Because I want to decide for myself. Not listen to others. At least once.

I gulped the pill immediately.

A few minutes later, my mind started to blur. Everything around felt like moving on their own. My vision weakened and my hearing became dull. But still, I could see my prison-mate smiling at me. I guess I fell into her trap. But I do not regret it. I walked into this trap on my own legs, not pushed by someone else.

A smile appeared on my face as everything around me blackened.

The next thing I remember was hearing the knock on the iron door and the guard shouting, "wake up. Only ten minutes left for your execution."

I opened my eyes lazily. There was sunlight coming out from the small window in this dark prison cell. I looked at Isle staring at me as I rubbed my eyes. I do not remember what I dreamed of, but I do remember that slept quite peacefully after eating the pill.

I was lying on my stomach on the small bed. There was only one bed in this prison cell. If I slept here, then did Isle slept on ground? I could see her sleepless eyes. She yawned as she stretched her body.

"Did you feel uncomfortable sleeping on the ground?" I asked.

"No, I wasn't able to sleep entire night. I was busy experimenting on you. Don't worry, I will sleep peacefully after you are gone."

"I understand. It is good when someone greets you when you wake up. It feels nice" I said.

"Don't thank me for such normal thing, stupid" she scolded.

I smiled.

As I got up, I felt pain all around my back. As if someone had cut open my back. I felt such severe pain that I felt uncomfortable to even move a bit. With a great difficulty, I sat up. I touched my back, and could feel bandages through my dress.

The bandages covered my shoulders, chest, stomach and abdomen. I could feel cotton under the bandages of my back. My perfect fit dress, felt like an air tight bag under this extra clothing. I looked at Isle suspiciously as she sat with an innocent face. I remember seeing a pocket knife among her supplements.

"Sorry, I messed up your back a bit" Isle apologized an insincere apology.

I smiled weakly.

"What is the result of your experiment?" I asked, as I tried to stretch my arms.

"It is not out yet" Isle said.

"Oh! I have a question. How are you certain that Winfred is the reason for your demise?"

"You know that I am special for Merinda. And she was a S-rank hunter. She had a pretty high position in hunter's association."

"Ah.." I moaned in pain.

"Does it hurt?" Isle asked.

"No. I'm fine."