Bayonetta’s Abuse – Chapter 10 – The Ties That Bind

*knock knock knock*

James awoke to three courtesy taps on the door followed by a key-card lock releasing. The door opened and two men entered. James pulled himself up into a sitting position, leaning against the upright portion of the hospital style bed he’d spent the night in.

There were some pieces of medical equipment to his right and left that had been used to check his condition when he first arrived, but the room didn’t look like it belonged in a hospital otherwise. There were chairs, couches and tables with magazines on the other side of the room, a private bathroom and a small kitchen area to the side. As detention areas went, it was quite nice. The only disconcerting feature was the total lack of windows.

They had blind folded James for the last fifteen minutes of the journey to wherever he was now. He had yet to meet the young woman he spoke to on the phone or anyone of prominence in the Lumen organization, but it looked like that was about to change.

Upon arriving on the premises and being brought to this room, the armed men who had taken him into custody had told him to remove his gimp suit, shower and change into fresh clothes at his leisure. They also instructed him to eat and drink what he wanted and that he would be debriefed the next day.

As James watched the two strange new figures stride into the room, he couldn’t decide if he felt more like a patient or a prisoner.

The first man was striking; tall and well toned with a helmet of curly golden hair. His intense green eyes suggested that he was all business; a man of purpose who didn’t suffer fools gladly. He wore a flowing white robe with golden shoulder pieces and metal clasps that proceeded in a line down the center of his chest and torso.

His white pants terminated in white leather boots. A yellow and gold emblem depicting the sun was embroidered on the upper right quadrant of his chest. The man carried himself with an air of dignity; having the poise of an older man despite his still youthful features. His hands were clasped behind his back.

The second man was shorter and much more bulky; his musculature evident through his black business suit and white collared shirt. He wore conventional dress shoes and was carrying a briefcase and what appeared to be a laptop bag. A pair of shades covered his eyes and a golden sun emblem was pinned to his lapel.

The two figures stopped as they neared the end of the bed. The tall man scanned James up and down briefly before his eyes drifted to the side and he observed the collar, leash and gimp suit lying over the back of a chair. His eyes returned to James and although he did his best to hide it, a glimmer of annoyance and disgust was apparent in his piercing eyes and tightening jawline.

“Hello James. I am Father Olvey and this is Vicar Haydn” he said gesturing to his well built companion. “We’ve met once before, but I suspect you don’t remember that?”

“No” James replied, folding his arms over his chest. The shirt and shorts he’d been given were plain white, save for the sun symbol on the upper right of his chest.

“As I thought…” Father Olvey reached for a chair and pulled it to the end of the bed; his assistant following suit. “Please bear with us. There’s a lot to explain.”

James nodded as they took their seats and Haydn set down the things he was carrying.

“I’m sure this all seems very incredible to you” Olvey continued. “Not just where you find yourself now but some of the things you’ve seen over the last… well, it’s been almost a year since you left us.”

“You could say that” James replied dryly, his patience barely containing an outburst demanding to know what the fuck they’d done to him.

“We’re very interested to hear about those things that you’ve seen, but I fully realize you’ll want to see some good faith from us before any details will be forthcoming.”

Father Olvey leaned forward slightly, his elbows leaning onto the arm rests and his hands folding into an arch below his chin.

“When we send people on missions such as the one you’ve undertaken, operational security is paramount. So we use young men like yourself. Initiates who haven’t been with us long, who don’t know any secrets and who don’t have as much history that needs to be obscured.”

“What was the mission, exactly?” James interjected.

“Oh come now! You’re a smart lad. You must have figured that out by now. Haydn, confirm his suspicions.”

The strong man spoke for the first time. “To infiltrate the Umbra, as much as any man can. To uncover what you could about them and their plans. To discover their base of operations in this region.”

“And if I never learned any of that? What then?”

“There was a kill-switch in your mental programming. The conditions were finding their base or two years elapsing. Reaching either would trigger you to escape at the first available opportunity.”

“It’s important to point out” Olvey spoke up “that you took this assignment of your own free will.”

“I assume you have some way to verify that.”

“Of course” Olvey said, gesturing to his lieutenant once more.

Haydn reached for the laptop bag; unzipping it and retrieving the slim computer from its holster. He rose from his chair, placing the laptop on the rolling table to James’ left. He opened the screen and hit the power button. The system booted up as he swung the table into James’ view.

Haydn opened a folder, ***********ed a video file and hit play before stepping back. An image of James sitting in an office appeared. He seemed to be on a psychologist’s couch with the doctor speaking to him just off camera.

“You know why we’re recording this, right?”

“Yeah. Today’s the last day before the big op. We need to record something for me once it’s all over… in case my memories don’t come back readily.”

“And you’re prepared to take that risk?”

“Yes. I want to be a full fledged member of the Lumen. It’s what my father would’ve wanted too.”

“Why is that?”

“Dad always said that the world is full of hidden evil… and someone needs to shine a light on it. That makes sense to me. If this is the best way I can help, so be it.”

“What about the rest of your friends and family? Your girlfriend?”

“My mom’s been gone even longer than dad. There’s no one else in the picture other than Heather. It’ll be hard on her, I know, but she understands… She’s been very supportive. Her family are involved with the Lumen too, so I’m sure she wants me to do well here.”

“Do you know why you were chosen for this mission, James?”

“Other than what I just told you? No, but if I had to guess, it’s because I gave you favorable responses when you probed me on-”

Haydn hit the stop button on the laptop before closing the screen and removing it from the table. He sat back down and long moments passed. A pin drop could have been heard over the soft thrumming of the building’s ventilation system.

“It was your father’s dying wish that you become a member of this organization” Olvey stated as he sat back in his chair. “I knew your father well. He was a good man.”

“And how do I know that you didn’t brainwash me with that entire backstory? That could all be fabricated too.”

Olvey chuckled. “James, when it comes to altering the mind, you can “what if?” all day. We’re telling you the truth. If you choose not to believe us at this moment, I understand. Trust must be earned. What I would ask is that you work with us to help restore your old memories. As your past comes back to you, I think you’ll find that trust will come easier.”

James’ eyes narrowed.

‘Or you’ll just brainwash me into believing these “memories” so I cooperate with you.’

“And what if I don’t want those memories back? If I’m not interested in my old life anymore?”

“Well, that would be a terrible loss for the Lumen Sages and for a woman who cares about you a great deal. We would release you, of course, after a few debriefing sessions with our team.” Olvey rose from his seat and adjusted his gloves. Haydn followed his lead, picking up his bag and briefcase. “But before you make a decision of that weight, I think you owe it to Heather to at least meet with her. She’s been waiting a very long time to see you.”

James swallowed involuntarily. The voice he’d heard over the phone had been undeniably familiar and he didn’t doubt that the concern in her voice was real. Was she brainwashed too? Would they go that far to create cover for an operation like this?

“Fair enough. I’ll see her.”

“Good. She’ll be sent in shortly. Before we go, I need to perform a simple check” Olvey said, raising one outstretched hand and pointing it at James.

“A check? What kind of check?”

“It’s just to see if you’re touched by any Umbra magic. Anything that could place us in jeopardy. It won’t hurt a bit.”

James had serious doubts about Olvey’s intentions, but he was in no position to protest. Besides, if this strange priest really was about to perform some kind of magic, he wanted to see if it was at all similar to Umbra techniques.

“Very well” he replied, unfolding his arms and placing his hands at his sides on the bed. “Do your thing.”

Olvey closed his eyes and entered deep concentration. He mumbled a few indecipherable words and his hand began glowing a pale white. The brightness of it magnified and James began to feel light headed.

“Bayonetta…” he spoke suddenly.

James eyes opened wide. He knew of Mistress!

The light swirled and concentrated around his hand. Olvey said nothing for a few moments.

“Jeanne…”

‘What the hell…?’ James attempted to decipher his actions, but felt increasingly faint the longer the “check” continued.

Olvey was silent a few more moments.

“Alexia…”

The light around his hand grew brighter and more intense. James’ eyes strained to stay open, the mental fatigue becoming too great. It felt like he was going to pass out any second.

The light faded away and Olvey returned his hand to behind his back.

“Good news!” he announced with a smug smile on his face. “You’re clean.”

Olvey and Haydn headed for the exit, the latter sliding his key card through the lock, opening it and stepping through. The former stayed behind a moment.

“Welcome back, James! We’ll talk again soon.