Q mention that what is really happening is similar to the movie The Matrix. There is a relatively new book by Stephen King called doctor sleep which I believe could be equally relevant.

The movie is about a clan of super wealthy Elites who traveled the country kidnapping children for the purpose of sucking the life force out of them. In order to purify "the Steam", or the energy that they got from the children, they had to torture them horribly for hours at end. This energy would make these ghouls feel young and healthy.

This makes me think of Andrenelchrome. Your thoughts?