IV.

Henry approached the woman, who had a lost look in her eyes, utterly shaken. Her eyes were fixed on the horrific scene before her: a man was on top of poor Renato’s body, tearing him apart with his bare hands.

The most horrifying sight was the head: the brain was not protected by the skull, but was clearly visible, and with each blow – perhaps due to what it had endured – a part of it would glow, while the nerves still attached to the terminals emitted sparks.

Without any scruples, that group of mad scientists in the American laboratory convinced men and women to undergo experiments in exchange for money. Then, suddenly, the test subjects were taken and locked in rooms carefully prepared – like rats – and left there for days before the horrific brain removal operation began.

The “Brains in a Vat” project had reached one of the lowest points in the moral history of humankind.

It was unclear how, but the man who, at that moment, was mutilating Renato’s body, had managed to free himself. Now the scientists no longer admired their inhumane endeavor, but had eyes full of terror. Some began to flee, others armed themselves as best as they could, but it was all in vain.

On the other side of the laboratory, two other men had broken their chains and were free: with understandable rage, their eyes burned with fire for what they had endured, and they were preparing to carry out their plan of revenge.

The man on top of Renato’s body stood up and uttered a word that none of the scientists understood. However, this – they all understood – was some kind of signal. The two monster-men lunged at the group of scientists and…

Giovanni Covino

[To be continued…]