Free Moribund Tales by Erik Hofstatter

Internal Abduction
    T he night was filled with noise, an equal concoction of rapid sounds and vibrations described as music. It stirred the pain in my brain from the previous night of excessive indulgence. The foundations of every home and office building for miles around were shaking from the thunderous bass emanating from the local nightclub. Two women, in their early twenties, emerged from inside this modern temple of Dionysus. I made a point of brushing against the pretty brunette who was engaged in hysterical conversation.
    The medieval city of Rochester that had once been a prestigious and historically significant location was now reduced to nothing more than a vulture's hunting ground. The streets were tyrannized by lowlifes and hooligans. No one was safe anymore. The local citizens barricaded themselves inside their homes, not venturing out once the darkness swooped over the city and the night time mob arrived to indulge in all kinds of perverse activities. Times were spiralling out of control. The inhabitants, initiated to more desperate measures, were willing to sell their own souls for profit.
    My eccentric roommate, Sean, told me about a local medical lab where he submitted himself for prescription drug experimentation. The number of students choosing to follow that path was increasing daily. Of course, it was a risk to your health, but it paid well. We live in challenging times.
    I turned right into a shady road, towards the location of my experimental trial. The late night appointment had already made me a little suspicious. According to Sean's instructions, the medical lab was situated behind an industrial park in a deserted alley. In this deranged city, stricken with poverty and fear, most folk were willing to commit murder for a handful of change. I hastened my step as the smell of paranoia invaded the atmosphere. Someone was watching me.
    At my feet, I observed an undisturbed puddle reflecting the full moon that was decorating the heavens. Before me, an abandoned wasteland stretched out into the distance. I felt invisible knots gripping my insides, pulling them tight. A sudden tremor resurrected the still water from its contented slumber, making it evident that something was on my trail.
    The area was populated with twisted vagabonds. I hesitated and extracted my mobile, dialling imaginary digits. “Sean!” I said flamboyantly. “Wait for me outside the building. I'm almost there.” I said these words as confidently as I could in order to warn any potential assailants that there was someone expecting me. The fact I was out of credit meant the conversation was rather one sided.
    The desire to turn my head suddenly became irresistible. Scaling the scenery behind me, I listened ardently for any suspicious activity. Saliva was absent from my dry mouth. I felt my heartbeat quicken as my eyes searched for something dangerously close. My instinct was warning me that something meant me harm.
    I suddenly collided with something massive. A cloth that was soaked with some kind of narcotic was pushed into my face. The desired effect was immediate. The fumes paralyzed my brain, and my knees crumbled as I floated into unconsciousness.
    The water from a broken pipe above my head gradually revived me. I was on the ground. The earth was damp and arctic. Pain played with my mind in a staccato rhythm. Crawling on debilitated knees, I tried to find something to help me to my feet. Although my view was still obscured by the effects of the drugs, I came to realise that I was in the curve of a murky, unlit road.
    Whoever inflicted this upon me must have dragged me into the darkness. Why? For what purpose?
    My black winter coat and denim jeans were drenched while my frame shivered beyond control. If only the raging agony in my temples would cease! What the hell has happened to me?!
    Visions of the assault gradually began skulking back. Yes, I was attacked… but not in a traditional manner. The assailants didn't demand my