Euthanasia.

What happens after the plug is pulled?

Stop squealing you fucking pig! - I shouted out of habit, too late to realize the sound was from an actual pig rather than… Wait, where am I? Who am I? Why am I blind folded?

Slow down Bryant… breath.

Yes, that’s my name. Bryant Diệu, the genius doctor of Hermes Pharmaceutical. The founder of the cancer cure. I was married to Amy Harrington last week, still not used to the ring yet, but the one-of-a-kind Blue Diamond was worth the investment. Can’t feel that blasted thing. Whoever did this must have gotten them.

Okay, good start. Now I just have to know who they are. The last thing I remember was driving home from work after the party. Did I even get back to the mansion? That damn pig is still going at it. Am I in some kind of barn? Doesn’t smell like one, so maybe a farmhouse of sort. So, the kidnappers attacked me, sedated me, then brought me somewhere far away from the city. Since I can’t feel a thing, they got access to some very strong anesthesia. Who would hate my guts enough to do this sort of thing anyway? The activists? The board at Hermes? Amy? No, she doesn’t have the guts or brain to pull this stunt. It’s either CureForFree or Michael then. Or Michael working with CureForFree, that jealous bastard. Well, I can’t depend on Amy nor the hospital for the rescue then. Cats? Why do I hear cats?

“Ah. The house. warming gi.ft is. here.” - A voice of a… woman? Not someone I’m familiar with. No, I don’t think even a lobotomy could get rid of that voice. It was a combination of nine voices mash into one, without anyone there to help them with a timing. An approximation of human’s speech. The cats were brushing against me.

“Uhm… Hi. Hello.” - My voice, a bit raspy from the lack of water. The pig started squealing again, excited. Maybe it’s hers. A cat lady having a pet pig isn’t the strangest thing in the world, except for her voice, and how she seems to be moving without making any sound.

“Oh?” - She’s surprise. I’m not delusional to think she has nothing to do with my kidnapping, but her surprise sounds genuine. “Sure. is noisy. Nice lighting.”

She must be some kind of nutjob wandering around and found herself here. Is that too big of a leap in logic? Who would kidnap someone only to put them in someone’s place?

“No, no. Your adorable friend has been nothing but welcoming.” - She isn’t much, but she’s my only way out. The nutjob was moving around the room, from one corner to the next. There are still no footsteps, but I can hear the wind from her movement. Can’t imagine the room to be very big.

“Very. nice. place.” - Is she ignoring me?

“Hey, I don’t know who put you up to this, but I’m a very rich man. I’m famous, too. I cured cancer! If you let me go, I promise to give you and your immediate family 30% off!” - I shouted, giving her my best offer. The pig squealed and the cats meowed.

“Are. you hungry? poor thing. Lucky we. have. house-warming. gi.ft.” - Finally I caught her attention.

“In fact, I am quite famished, fine lady.” - The mentioning of food triggered an embarrassing growl in my stomach. How long have I been here? Michael… Cleary having him fired wasn’t enough. Too pull this off, he must still have money from all the leeching he did at Hermes’. I should have sued him to the very last pence. The pig squealed again.

“Let’s. Eat.” Accompanied by a swish, so close to my ear I could feel the air being severed by a blade. A dull thud followed, as the blade hit wood. A cutting board, certainly. Liquid, warm, in spurts, splattered the right side of my face. Blood. The pig was still squealing, so it wasn’t him. Very crude method of cooking, but there’s determination in her swing, suggesting a skilled hand.

“I like. eyes.” - Eyes, so it’s probably fish. That was why she swung her so hard, probably trying to cleave the thing’s head off. Maybe Michael wasn’t such a heartless old fart after all, sending a chef to look after me. What am I thinking? Why am I suddenly so tired? Why is it so cold?

She yanked the blindfold off. I think the lack of food and water is getting to me, as my vision was blurred. Is the woman holding an arm? And why is she so tall? My breathing… I can’t hear anything anymore over my breathing. But that arm… that hand… that ring… that blue diamond. Oh, I remember now. The car crash.

Can’t keep my head straight. At least the cats are normal. One of them is under my leg. Are cats’ tongue that long? Look at him, chowing down on my leg. So cute.

“Pull the plug.” - It was Amy’s voice, from some corner of my head. She wasn’t crying.

“Enjoyed? the meal?” - The pig squealed. It sounded like “yes.”