“I’m very sorry, sweetheart,” I say, as I tighten the straps. “It’ll be quick, I promise.” She looks up at me, her big eyes full of terror and tears.

It’s a lie. Separating the soul from the body is a long and painful process. But what am I supposed to say? She’s only six.

Nobody so young should know fear like this.

“I’m scared,” she says.

“I know, love. But I’m here, I won’t let anything bad happen. It’s just a test, you’ll be off playing with your friends soon.”

More lies. I hate myself, but I can’t stop what I’m doing. I want to kill myself, but I can’t do that either. They have my family.

I look at her frightened face, and am reminded of my own daughters. If I fail, they die. My wife, too.

One life to save three.

I flip a switch. The lights flicker, the girl screams.

One life to save three.

In this room, a little girl dies.

One life to save three…

No. Another lie.

It’s three lives at the cost of millions.

I’m a coward, creating a monster.

In the next room, an abomination awakens…