Milwaukee Deep

Dr Alice Durham sat quietly by the computer terminal watching Michael Burton through the glass. He lay there on the gurney, his eyes closed, and his body still.

“He’s under,” she whispered to Sam.

“Michael,” she said as she leaned into the microphone, “Can you hear me?”

“Yes,” was the instant reply.

“Michael, I’m going to ask you some questions now. I need you to listen to every word I say. Do you understand me?”

“Yes.”

“Now before I ask you these questions, I need you to remember back to the time before you found yourself on the beach in Florida. Do you think you could do that?” she asked

“Yes.”

“Michael, tell me where were you before you arrived on the beach?”

“It’s dark – I can’t see.”

“Can you try, Michael?”

Burton lay there, his head twitching from side to side, his thoughts taking him back to captivity.

“I can’t. It’s too dark.”

Durham turned to Sam.

“He can remember – he’s just choosing not to.”

“Can you ask him about the day before – maybe we might find something there?”

Durham nodded her head in acknowledgment.

“Michael, stop thinking about where you are right now – clear your mind. I want to now ask you to trace your steps back to when you were last on the ship – the day before you left – can you do that?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Burton moved slightly as he lay on the gurney.

“Michael?”

“It’s cold,” he said, “I’m lying down – there’s three lights above me.”

“And what’s happening, Michael?”

“They’re standing in the room with me,” he clenched, “Damn it! The squealing!”

“Try to keep focus, Michael. Now what they are doing?” Durham asked.

Burton’s eyes tightened.

“They’re coming to me – they’re holding something.”

“What is it, Michael?”

“It’s something sharp – it looks like a - .“

He flinched, his head whipped to one side.

“Michael, are you okay?” Durham asked.

“It’s a needle – it’s a needle and they’re - .“

Michael tensed his whole body – his head moved violently from side to side – his face grimacing with pain.

“What are they doing to you, Michael?”

“They’re – piercing – my – chest. It – hur - .”

“Michael, it’s okay – take a deep breath.”

“It hurts!”

Burton opened his eyes for an instant, his body stiffened as he let out an almighty roar.

“Michael!”

Burton went silent.

“Michael, are you okay – can you hear me?”

There was no response.

Dr Durham turned to both Sam and Perks.

“I’m getting him out of this.”

As Dr Durham grasped hold of the microphone, Michael moved slightly on the gurney.

“They’re moving me – I’m moving,” he said out loud.

Durham quickly turned to Sam and then back to her patient.

“Can you tell me where you are going?” she asked

Michael did not respond. He lay there quite still.

“I think I’m not going back to my cell,” he finally said

“Are you certain, Michael?”

“No – I can’t see – it’s getting dark.”

“Can you see anything?” Durham asked.

“It’s still too dark – they’re moving me, but I can’t see - .“

Burton raised his head slightly

“Hold on, wait.”

“What is it, Michael?”

“It’s the transport ship, I see its lights up ahead – I’d know those lights anywhere.”

“What transport ship?”

“The vessel that brought me to them – it’s been so long, but finally they’re taking me back to it.”

Both Sam and Perks looked over to each other.

“Are you sure that’s what you see?” Durham asked

“Yes,” replied Michael, “finally, they’re taking me home.”