sing me to sleep } puppet(teer)s | Stine Plot

[Sage]

Memories flood through my mind like the drugs that normally run through my veins only now, it is simply the memories that flitter through my mind like birds that keep me from fully regaining consciousness. Intermingling with the thoughts are bits of speech I can't seem to decide if are part of my memories or what is going on in the waking world, either way, they add some spice to the memories I did not expect.

"Did I hear you wrong? Did you say 'shut up'?" That voice, I know that voice, it is my puppet master, Damien. Why is he in my dreams? Suddenly, the threads of unconsciousness snap and my gray-green eyes snap open, light filtering through them painfully. How long has it been since I last saw sunlight? "Samara, did you hear what Claire said?" My eyes scan for Damien, why is he here, it is not a play day. Catching his dark hair from the corner of my vision, I turn my head to see him speaking to one of the other puppets, they must have angered or amused him, I can never tell with the puppet master. I want so desperately to fall back into the welcome land of unconsciousness but now that my eyes are open and they're bickering, I can't exactly do that.

The other puppet of Damiens, Mercy I believe her name is, such an ironic name, there is no mercy from the puppet masters, whatever they wish to do with us is up to them, seems to be the focus of the youngest Stines attention. Pity for the older girl courses through my veins with a force that I am not prepared for. Since when have I started being able to feel? "Damien, can I play with Mercy again?" You poor girl "You can play with Mercy when we get the key . . . and the drugs, But don't harm her." I didn't realize he cared about us, I thought he just thought of us as toys and not actual people. I want to speak up but I don't know if I should, would that get me into trouble like the other puppets seem to be in or would I help the situation? I really don't know honestly.

Before I realize what I'm doing, words start to spill from my lips. "I believe it would be in all of our best interests to keep our mouths shut before they make our lives miserable because we know that they can and there is diddly over squat we can do about it. Just keep quiet and don't fight, it will only make things worse for all of us." The words do not come out harshly instead they come out coolly, calmly and almost dead like. It is not that I don't have feelings (I do) I just don't want anyone else getting into more trouble than we all already are. Lifting my blonde head, I look at Damien, my gray-green eyes cool and calm. I understand that there is nothing I can do about my circumstances and I suppose there is no point fighting. "Now please, I just want to sleep because I'm tired and miss people from home, this is my only relief." My eyes flit away from Damien and I drop my head back against the wall of my cage. I cannot control the single tear that escapes my tight facade of calm and I loathe it, willing my hands to wipe it away furiously. Stop crying Ashling, you will not cry in front of these people but you will not fight them either I scold myself silently before looking back at the others to see what kinds of reactions I will get from them all. I do not normally speak so I am assuming that this has possibly surprised them but I will not get my hopes up.