The Experiment

Twenty Three

Once Natasha was asleep I took the notes out of my pocket. I didnt even feel mom or Demetri slip them in there.

I slowly unfolded one of the notes.

"My daughter, I will get you out of here. We will go to an island where no one can find us. We will be alone and a family again. I dont know why Aro sent you here. Im so sorry my dear child. If I could have stopped it I would. Please dont escape. I dont want you hurt. We will get you out soon. I love you my sweet child, we will be together soon. Just cooperate and everything will be okay, love mom"

Tears formed in my eyes. "I love you mom," I whispered quietly. I slipped the note under my pillow. Carefully I unfolded the second note. It was short and looked as if there were wet stains on it. Tears?

"Izzy. We found a way to get you out. You just have to be paitent. We will get you out within the next two months,"

I took a breath "two months?" I whispered.

Natasha shifted on the bed. Once she settled down I looked down at the note.

"I cant give much details until closer.  This will be the last time you hear from me until we get you out. I cant have Michael finding out. You cant say a word. I promise we will be together again. We will be happy again. I will make sure of it. Please stay safe. Okay? I love you."

I placed my hand over my mouth and bit down to stop a sob from coming out.

2 months. I can make it two months.

Or can I?

Yes Izzy you can. You will get out. You will get free. Mom and Demetri said so. Now pull yourself together and be  brave.

I let out a breath and wiped my eyes.

I saw Natasha stir again but this time she woke and looked at me.

"Hey dont cry, we gotta be brave," Natasha whispered.

"I know. I know," I said quietly and looked down avoiding eye contact with her.

"We can do this," she said standing up and moved over taking my hand.

I took her hand and closed my eyes.

The sound of the keys unlocking the thick metal door was echoing. Then I saw Charlie come in. "Lunch. You know the drill eat or be forced" he said.

I looked down and away from him.

He was just acting. Hes not mean. Or has he been faking it the entire time.

"Thank you," Natasha whispered taking the tray of food.

"Izzy come get yours," he said.

It took me a moment to stand up. I slowly walked over to him.  I was scared to look up at him. Taking a deep breath I looked at him. His facial expression softened. I let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded and touched my shoulder gently. "I will come back and do my rounds in 15 minutes. Med pass will be in 1 hour," he said. "Have a good lunch," he said and gave me a soft smile.

I nodded and took the tray and I sat next to Natasha on the floor.

"Hes the kindest person here. It almost feels like he cares about us," Natasha said.

"He does. He is a good person. He doesn't want to be here. He was here as a 'subject' when he was human," I whispered very quietly.

"He was?"

"Yeah. They turned him into a vampire when something whent wrong and now he is forced to work here," I said

"Wow," she whispered.

I nodded and slowly put the fork into the spaghetti and twirled it. I brought it to my mouth. I shook my head and put the fork down. My heart raced.

"Izzy?" Natasha asked.

I didnt respond to her. Tears filled my eyes and my body was filled with panic.

"Izzy whats wrong?" Natasha asked taking my hand.

I couldnt respond. All I was feeling was pure fear.

"Izzy," she said again, urgency in her voice.

I didnt respond to her. I couldnt. Tears fell, my heart raced as I began to panic.

Natasha stood up and moved pressing a button on the wall.

Within a minute the door unlocked. Charlie there. "Natasha... what's wrong?" Charlie said.

"Something is wrong with Izzy. She wont respond to me. She just started... panicking," she said stepping away from Charlie.

Charlie came over crouching down eye level.

"Izzy can you tell me whats wrong?"

I couldnt respond I was just so overcomed by fear.

"Izzy," he took one of my hands and with the other he gently made me look at him.

"Talk to me," he said.

I took a breath to speak. "Im scared to eat. I dont want to be poisoned again. I dont want to. Not like last time. I cant," I said looking at him.

"Youre not being poisoned, your food is perfectly fine. No one is going to do that again. They wouldnt dare knowing the consequences," he tried to reassure me.

I gasped for air letting out a sob. "Im scared Charlie," I said going into a complete panic attack.

"I know Izzy. I know. Natasha come over here stay with her Ill be back in a minute, if you need anything press the button okay?"

"O-okay," Natasha said and moved over putting an arm around me. "Your food isn't poisoned. See," she said taking the fork full of spaghetti that I sat down and put it in her mouth. "See? Im fine,"

I shook my head. "No its not safe," I said remembering the moment of nearly dying. "Its going to kill me," I said.

"No, no its not," she rubbed my arms.

I looked up at her shaking my head. "Its going to kill me," I said again bringing my nails to my wrist.

Natasha instantly grabbed both of my hands. "Izzy breathe okay," she said holding my hands tightly.

"W-what do I do?" Natasha asked seeing Charlie come back into our room. "She's trying to hurt herself. I dont want her in trouble," Natasha said.

"Youre doing all the right things Natasha," he said and took a syringe out of his pocket and pricked me in the arm. "Thatll help you calm down," Charlie said helping me stand and sit on the bed.

I didnt fight the injection, hell I probably needed it.

I closed my eyes feeling dizzy from it.

He helped me lay back in bed. Gently he secured my wrists with restraints.

"She wasnt trying to..."

"Its just Protocol with the sedation." Charlie said. "She isnt in any trouble. Once she is awake we will take the restraints off and provide a meal supplement," Charlie said.

"Dont leave," I murmered to Charlie.

"Ill stay till you sleep," he said.

I nodded taking some deep breaths as I lost consciousness.