The MONITORS/2015 (A Metamorphosed Mind and Matter)

Dear (Valued) Reader,

I missed our weekly journeys immensely. Here is an excerpt from one of our favorite and telling scenes. A possible sign of the times. Ssshhhhh......

Of secrets, spys and serpents:

Juja wriggled her way, towards the center of the room. Moving as far as she possible could, from the large boiling pot. She sneezed suddenly and then rubbed her nose, with the back of her chained hands. Whatever was cooking on the small stove, at the other end of the dark cryptic chamber. Was burning her eyes and nose and causing her skin to itch. She was feeling groggy and dizzy, as she struggled to identify where she was exactly. It appeared, that there was a spell amid other things at work around her. The effects, heavily aided by the sizzling vapor from the pot. Was definitely beginning to take effect.

In a matter of maybe hours, she would completely lose her mind and self. Even scarier, was the fact that she would become another creature. Any medium chosen by her captors, to best accomplish the task at hand. Or they might render her senseless, to merely occupy a passive role. For the sole purpose of distracting and deceiving. She had seen this process, used on other defenseless victims before. Her knowledge had definitely not been by invitation or revelation. Twice she had snuck into the secret chamber, out of curiosity. And what she had seen, not only petrified he. But tore repulsively, at her very core.

The gruesome procedure and its subsequent result, was as devastating to a casual onlooker. As it was to the subject undergoing the metamorphosis. However, she had secretly noted and learned something to herself. It was possible for the trapped person, to retain some sort of consciousness and/or awareness. If they could somehow, interrupt the exercise and its timing. Then they could inconspicuously, abort the most vital part of the unwelcome transformation. So that although her body would be altered, to that of a reptile, bird or animal. She would still have some conscious control of her mind. Thereby, being able to tell her whereabouts. What was going on at the location and what she was doing there.

The spell would then be unnoticeably restricted, to some degree. Juja glanced at the back of her right arm, with ample strain. She had drawn some small parallel lines on them, when she began to suspect that they would come for her. Her defiant questioning of their motives and verbal resistance. Was as good as signing a death sentence. Yet she knew they would not kill her, at least not now. The group still had more that they would like to bilk from her. The spying assignment of these many years, was just a chip off the real agenda. They had probably hoped, that the mole position. Would have adhered her to them and their plan.

The sub-leader of the secret group, who lied to her. About what and who actually led to her dismissal. And then subsequently and systematically recruited her. Had been extremely busy ever since. Now in retaliation, he had promptly initiated the idea of her being the next body of use and abuse. After two decades of allowing her to think, that she was freely paying her dues and could walk any time she so desired. She was now eventually trapped and bound in the present. A physical manifestation, of what and how the real situation had always been. She had gone from being appalled at the audacity of operation, invasion and defraudment. To being intimidated by their leach-like manipulation. And then eventually, develop a numbness for the whole charade.

They had their plan and program, long before she was lured and beguiled into it. And they were sure as ‘faulty-flames’ going to carry it out. She just wished that she had not fallen so easily, for the wicked web that had been spun around her. It was too late now. And she would have to figure out an alternative mode of escape, from the suffocating cult. She had been wrong to go on this long, without informing the kind royals. But like the devious leader had once warned her, raising an alarm would be detrimental to both her and the monarchs. Though she wanted to come clean and blow the whistle. She might not be the only evil envoy, currently on assignment. Thus the attempt, was not likely to make a dent of a difference.

The boiling substance wheezed loudly, spitting hot vapor into the air. Juja looked at the lines on her arms again. She had drawn them, to give her an idea while in captivity. The amount of days left till the baby princess’ showing. She had erased about three or four of those lines. And was finding it difficult, to figure out how much time had lapsed. There was no way for her to tell, how many days were left. Or if it was already past. She was confused, like she had feared she would be. But now that she was awake, there might still be something to salvage. Before they came to collect her or what she was made to become.

She struggled to sit upright, but could not feel or move her feet. When she looked at them, she realized with disgust and despair. That they were already being altered. The change was rapidly spreading up towards her knees. Now startlingly wide awake, the lightheadedness slowly dissipating. She began to repeat some peaceful and meditative verses, that she had learned at the organization. They could have her body, but she would fight to retain her mind and identity. As the words rolled desperately out her tongue. The mutation approached her chest. She looked down in utter horror, at the lower part of her body. Or what she knew was once her body. She was fast becoming a snake.

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