Exposed

by Pappy October 30th, 2007, Posted in: Writing


Originally Documented 1/22/2006

The unexpected effects of sensory deprivation combined with single-sensory overload left Janette in a state of euphoric confusion. It reminded her of her college years, wilder days she still hadn’t told her Mom about even though she was now well into her thirties. Those were the days when plants were meant to be smoked, and unknown pills were shared between sorority sisters as readily as boyfriends. Flashes and sparkles danced in front of her eyes. The blue and sea-green lights were almost blinding, although it was diffused through this odd liquid she floated in.

The liquid, or gel, she hadn’t quite decided what it was yet, was neither hot nor cold. If she had to guess it was probably an exact match to body tempurature. Apparently it had properties that allowed her to continue to breathe even while completely submerged. The 98.6 degree temperature was most certainly a sensory control mechanism. It meant she would barely be able to distinguish anything less than direct pressure through her skin. She felt no sense of motion when she concentrated on moving her arms, no viscus liquid traversing her body, and it wasn’t until she intentionally pinched herself that she was entirely sure she was there at all and this wasn’t the strangest dream she’s ever had.

The liquid’s temperature had other effects as well. The exact match to her internal temperature made it easier for her to breathe the liquid without entering an involuntary state of shock and panic. It was hard to tell she was breathing at all.

The odd liquid provided neither taste nor smell. It’s hard to realize how much one depends on the entire combination of one’s senses until the majority of them are out to lunch. Janette gave a low moan, just to test for sound, and the muffled tone she heard in return told her she was probably only hearing the sound vibrations echo through her own flesh and bone. She was in near isolation.

The one sense that was working all too well was her vision, even if she could barely understand anything of what she was seeing. An intensely bright, blue-green light entered the tank from several points around its clear cylindrical shape. From her vantage inside, the light expanded, bend outward by the concave glass and diffused by the liquid. It was near blinding, although it didn’t cause her eyes any pain, instead simply leaving her entire evaluation of her present circumstances in a dream-like state. Whether a dream or a nightmare Janette wasn’t sure yet, but it didn’t appear there was anything she could do about it in either case.

Presently (she had no idea how long had gone by as the passage of time simply could not gain a foothold in her confused mind) she could make out motion on the other side of the glass. Its wasn’t as if she actually saw anything directly, rather she could detect the shift in the incoming light. Someone, or something, was watching her like a fish in bowl. It made her skin crawl.

She forced herself to look down at her naked body in the first real flash of panic she’d experienced since waking. Her right arm instinctively crossed over her breasts while she reached down with her left in an attempt to cover her exposed crotch. She blinked hard against the light from the other side of the glass, trying to make out the voyeur on the other side, but the light only blinked back. She turned to either side, trying to find some way to hide herself from the peep, but for all she could tell it could be anywhere.