Submitted to: Contest #311

Binaural Frequency Study - Subject No. 07

Written in response to: "Center your story around a character who’s trying to make amends."

Horror Science Fiction Suspense

This story contains sensitive content

CW: Contains themes and/or references to addiction, suicide, and medical experimentation.

Login: AgZink06

Password: **********************

Access Granted.

Search: Subject #07

Searching…

Accessing last seven recorded sessions, starting from the earliest. Playing first message:

"This is Doctor Augustus Zink, August 23rd, Day 2 of 5, session 27c. The observation of test subject #07 has yielded significant findings, representing a pivotal advancement in our research endeavors. In accordance with the findings of the preceding session, the initial six subjects have been removed from the program, four due to mental deterioration and two by means of suicide through unconventional methods.Subject No. 07 has demonstrated a high degree of adaptability in response to the binaural frequencies and nocturnal suggestions that have been presented during their REM sleep cycle.Upon awakening, they commence their tasks in their rooms without hesitation, having completed all nocturnal suggestions sequentially and with an optimistic cadence. They do not glance at the substances they might use to relapse, which are offered behind the glass compartment within each testing chamber. Upon completion of the designated tasks, the subjects transition into a meditative state, persisting until the effects of the sleeping agent induce a medical state of unconsciousness. The nature of the subjects' meditation remains uncertain, and the results of this meditation will be revealed upon the conclusion of the isolation period."

End Transmission.

Second Message:

"Doctor Zink, August 24th, Day 3 of 5, session 28a.Upon awakening, subject No. 07 exhibited behavior that was deemed unusual. The subjects did not consume the breakfast that was provided for them, and they have remained in bed during today’s testing period. Their eyes remain closed, and they appear to be in a state of active sleep, almost as if they are faking it. The binaural frequencies remained constant across nocturnal sessions, and the conditioning technique aimed at preventing the subject's relapse continues to demonstrate efficacy. In an effort to elicit a response, the glass cage was removed, and the subject was provided with access to the heroin and alcohol, the subject’s preferred method of substance abuse. However, despite these attempts to coerce, the subject remained motionless in bed. In all candor, the subjects appeared to be exerting significant effort to maintain their eyelids in a closed position. The underlying motivations behind this approach remain uncertain, including whether it is an attempt to impede the recurrence of the addiction, a consequence of the polysomnography sessions, or a factor that has yet to be elucidated. Nevertheless, the board maintains that complete isolation, in conjunction with the proper sequence of sleep sessions, binaural frequencies, and nocturnal suggestions, will effectively and permanently cure patients of their addictions subconsciously within a week. It would be beneficial for the other subjects to share the outcomes of their sessions, if they were mentally stable enough. Subject No. 03 has just awoken but is non-communicative. Subject No. 01 continues to request the administration of drugs, they insist it’s to, and I quote "make everything disappear." Subject No. 06 remains fixated on a corner of the bedroom, immobile and non-responsive. It is unclear how, but on the previous evening, Subject No. 04 gained access to the roof and subsequently jumped off, resulting in three of the seven subjects taking their own lives. I cling to hope for No. 07’s success.”

End Transmission.

Third Message:

"August 24th, Day 3 of 5, session 28c. There is no midday change that justifies notifying the remaining subject, No. 07. However, during the final moments of the day before the next sleep cycle was initiated, No. 07 jumped out of bed and retrieved the bottle of alcohol from the open cage during the gas process.The most unanticipated occurrence transpired: they did not attempt to consume it; rather, they simply began to vigorously swing the bottle in the air. It was evident that they were attempting to hold their breath for an extended period, but eventually succumbed after approximately one minute, resulting in the bottle being propelled towards the wall and loss of consciousness. The reason for this sudden outburst of aggression remains unclear, but the outlook for No. 07 is not favorable. We are optimistic that the incorporation of different frequencies and nocturnal information will yield improved results tomorrow. Some individuals in my vicinity appear to be growing increasingly anxious, and there have been whispers that this situation may be escalating beyond acceptable limits. The board decided it would be safe to send in a team to clean up the broken bottle and place No. 07 back in the bed before the next session begins."

End Transmission.

Fourth Message:

"August 25th, Day 4 of 5, session 29a. This is Dr. Augustus Zink. No. 07 has been working continuously since waking up and has been performing the recommended nocturnal embedded tasks. Despite the presence of residual glass from the previous night, the subject has strategically navigated around the shards.The team is still unsure why this situation wasn't addressed overnight, and our concerns were noted during our morning review of the overnight session. [Long sigh]"

"The board concluded that the outburst last night was an inherent aspect of the detoxification process, particularly for individuals who are highly committed to their recovery. This study aims to mitigate the adverse effects of detoxification through subconscious suggestion during different sleep cycles. The change in frequency did appear to resolve the issue, suggesting the need for a more pronounced frequency shift during the process. One observation regarding No. 07 is that they appear to be performing a significant number of tasks while concealing their face from the camera's view. It appears that they are making a deliberate effort in this regard, at least from my perspective. They are currently composing entries in their tablet while seated in the corner, oriented in a manner that obscures their faces from the camera's view. This is a cause for concern, and I believe the isolation has become unnecessary. In my professional opinion, and for the record, I believe that this session should be terminated in order to assess No. 07's mental stability. Once I submit this, the board will be aware of my position.I have requested that my team follow suit if they share the same perspective."

End Transmission.

Fifth Message:

“Dr. Zink here. No. 07 has been staring directly into the camera. This is impossible… The camera is seven feet off the ground and she has no way to get up there to be standing this close to the camera. We cannot see what’s going on behind her, but we can hear things being tossed around.The room cannot be accessed until the five days are up, something I was not aware when my team approached the board on our concerns… but now that I’m sitting here… how did we get the other subjects out? How did No. 04 get on the roof? Why did I not see this before… what exactly are we studying here?”

End Transmission.

Sixth Message:

“…I opted to listen to the binaural frequencies while induced with the anesthesia... I informed my team of my decision and provided the rationale for their help in this endeavor.I needed to know what happened to the patients when subjected to the binaural frequencies. Looking through the data, these frequencies at high amplitude… the charts have data points for mental manipulation, reality distortions, and even temporal mental projection? I’m unsure how to even measure these… It doesn’t matter… I listened to No. 07’s… [Crying sounds]”

“No.07’s chamber will open in two hours. But it doesn’t matter. She chose to stay in there. Number… no… Maria has found what happens when you give yourself to your subconscious.She… and subsequently I, have discovered the origin of dreams. I guess each patient did in their own way. I was aware that something was amiss, and I was prepared to emerge from this situation with a newfound understanding that everything would change. I have my vices… I have my hang-ups, even as a respected doctor… but as I reached into the depths of my subconscious… I realize we are existing in something… beautiful but confounding. We are driven to explore the unknown through technological advancement, delving into realms of existence that are not yet fully understood.I opened my eyes and saw the world.Now, I just want to close my eyes, to escape the hell I am now aware is all around us…”

End Transmission.

Most Recent Message:

“Maria is loose. My daughter. I knew this was a mistake, but I could not see another way to break her from her addictions. I just didn- [scream]. The roof, she’s above me. She’s looking for me. I’m sorry.If you ever see this Julia, I regret being so distant. I’m so… so… Soaaahhhhhhhhhh!”

“Those messages they sent me while I was sleeping kept me going like mind control, but it didn't matter. As soon as I opened my eyes after the first night, I saw the truth.Those things you think you see out of the corner of your eye? You do a double take, and nothing's there, but you swear you saw something. Well, you did. You just don't remember, they live off your fear. That's how they get their food. That's why it tends to happen when you're on your own — you're not as likely to be distracted. It's just easier to feed when you're on your own. As an adult, you feel like days go by faster, but as a kid, you remember them feeling so long. Well, they did, because you didn't lose time like we do as adults. Your kids see them as "imaginary" and aren't as easily scared of them. They stick around after that. I did heroin because I was seeing these things more often, and the only way I could keep them away was with drugs. Now I can't stop seeing them. They found a way to seep into my world and my vision.They're invisible to everyone, but now that I can see them, they can interact with the world through me.… [crying sound].”

"My dad knew I had imaginary friends as a kid.I wrote stories about them, drew pictures, and based a lot of my artwork on my imagination. When I was a kid, they told me they'd be back. Well, they didn't exactly lie, and now I'm stuck. They've got control of all my limbs, and my body is being held in place by hundreds of hands. They're holding me so I can say my final words. They're so consumed by fear that they're turning into husks as the imaginary fiends feast. They are holding my face so I cannot see them and go mad. They’re afraid that if I go mad, they will be destroyed like the other subjects. I saw the others in their rooms stuck with their own monsters, eating their minds and expelling their subconscious. Some of them became ethereal. I saw Craig—or No. 02, as they called him—put his head through the glass while his body was still, but he realized he couldn't do cocaine unless he was solid. His addict side took over as he became solid again, and the glass cut him cleanly through. I saw his body through the glass walls every day..."

[Long scream]

“They are going to take me away now, I feel them pulling my body. If you see this, they are hidden here, you won’t know it unless you reach into the subconscious and gain the vision. But that doesn’t matter anymore, because I am their vessel, and they are going to protect me with every chance they can. So… If you see me, please don’t let me leave this facility. Shoot me on sight.”

Posted Jul 18, 2025
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