Water. I hate water. I always have for as long as I can remember but here I am. Trapped in a tank of- you guessed it- water.
The tank I was trapped in was rapidly filling with it. I could see the Overseers standing on a platform observing my reaction to today's test. I suppose this is what I get for letting my guard down during a conversation with a fellow test subject. I stupidly believed we were not being monitored, but I can't afford to dwell on that right now. The water is already at my waist, soaking through the jumpsuit we were all forced to wear, and rising fast. I need to end the test quickly, but how? The test is designed to observe my reactions to my worst fear, drowning, so there probably wasn't a way out.
The water has risen past my ribs now. It's touching my chin. Oh no, I started hyperventilating and can't regain my composure. My vision goes fuzzy as the water covers my face. I open my mouth to scream, but only bubbles come out and the water rushes in. I can feel my consciousness slipping away but right before the darkness consumes me, I wake up.
'It was only a nightmare.' I tell myself after taking a few deep breaths and wiping a few sweaty strands of hair out of my eyes.
It was actually a memory, not a nightmare, of a place I have been trying to forget about for nearly five years. No matter what I try, the memories keep coming back stronger and more frequently. If I am getting these dreams, I know the others must be as well. I shake my head to clear out those thoughts and turn to look at the clock on the floor by my bed. It reads 4:12 am, two hours before I am due to get up for school, but I know I'll never fall back to sleep so I sat up with a sigh. I let my senses expand until I can feel the cabin's other occupant, my caretaker. Her slow brain wave and relaxed muscles suggest she is experiencing stage two of deep sleep and will most likely not awaken for another hour. That gives me just enough time for one of my nightly excursions.
I swing my legs over the edge of my bed, put on some shoes, and head out the door. I make no sound as I exit the small cabin and head to the wooded area behind it. I paused at the edge of the forest for a moment and allow myself to embrace the cool night air. Then I run, speeding past the flora and fauna at a speed no human should be able to reach. But I, along with four others can.
'No.' I mentally berate myself, 'I will not think about them.'
Forgetting is my reason for being out here so forget is what I will do. Pushing myself even harder, I reach my destination in a mere two minutes. A clearing and the bank of a small river greets me. It's far enough away from civilization so I don't have to worry about my power, but close enough to the house to make a quick escape if needed. There is no moon out tonight, I mentally note. No that it makes a difference for me. The scientists made sure we could all see in the dark.
'Ugh! I'm thinking about them again. Why can't I stop?' I ask myself. I actually have a few theories on why my fellow test subject survivors keep entering my thoughts, none of them are good.
There was a tree near the river with a weird root that made a natural bench. Over the months my caretaker and I have lived here, it has become my personal thinking spot; so that is where I go to sit. Once I am situated, I put my head in my hands and take a deep breath. Meditation usually helps to control the thoughts and emotions so that's what I focused on until the sun rises and I have calmed down. Then I get up and run home.
"Rough night?" Dominique asks when I walk through the door. I just not and walk over to the bowl of fruit and glass of milk sitting on the table for me. There is no reason to tell her about the nightmare, she lived it with me. The only difference is that she was a scientist in the lab and the one who saved me when Project S was disbanded by government officials. She helped me to learn how to control the damage done by the other scientists and lead a seemingly normal life. I know I will never be normal- I came to terms with that a long time ago- but Dominique helps me feel the semblance of normalcy. She led me through the development of my powers, helped me down from panic attacks when the emotions became too much, and held me when I was young and the nightmares kept me awake. Over the years she has filled the void in my heart made by my birthmother when she gave me to Project S as an infant. In many ways, I owe my life and happiness to Dominique.
"You need to hurry and get to school, little lady." I was broken from my musings by the woman I had just been thinking about tapping me on the head. I groaned at her choice of nickname and the prospect of going to school.
"Do I have to go? It's all so boring!" I complained as I took my empty bowl to the sink. I heard a sigh behind me and turned to look at Dominique. She was already dress for work in a crisp pantsuit with her dark hair pulled back into a tight French twist. She walked over and put her hand on my cheek. I only flinched a little when her skin touched mine and foreign emotions invaded my senses. Confidence and calm were the primary two. She was trying to give me strength for the school day which I appreciated greatly.
"I know it's hard for you," Dominique started, "but you have to go. Not attending would draw attention to us and you know why we can't let that happen." I leaned into her hand a bit more, absorbing all the positive emotions I could before backing away.
"I know. I'm going to get ready now." I said and she nodded.
"Okay sweetie, I need to get to work. I'll see you for dinner tonight." I just waved goodbye, already walking toward our shared bathroom to get ready for the dreaded school day.
