The Anomaly

Breaking The Chain

Samantha had been going through a lot these last few weeks. Classes were ramping up, the pace was faster than she anticipated. Not to mention she was studying things she had little experience in and multiple things at once. What she learned of her dead sister left a sour taste in her mouth, and her parents' refusal to respond to it didn't help at all. Not to mention the hallways at school were lurked by Violet and Stacey who enjoyed belittling her. Perhaps the most stress-free time for her was lunch. She didn't have to worry about classes for an hour. She wasn't at home suffocating from the pressure in the house that only seemed to build. Rava's growing anxiety and animosity to these events didn't help either.

However, Samantha was not to let Rava out. These were regular everyday issues every person had to deal with. She needed to prove she could deal with them as well. Rava could not act out when times got rough, that would prove to the world that dark spirits did not belong. Samantha took a deep breath as she sat down at her lunch table.

Doctor Paul drinks from a cup of tea as he carefully watches Samantha. Her movements were growing more labored, she seemed distracted, unhappy with the way her life was turning lately. It was nature applying pressure on its animals to see who was capable and who wasn't. Though Samantha was dealing with a lot at once, she was showing incredible resolve. Most dark spirits, or even the average person would likely have cracked by now. However, she continued on and bottled the emotions she wanted to act upon. Doctor Paul knew though without expressing her problems that this would inevitably lead to her cracking.

Though if her life turns around and grows smoother, it would give her time to deal with these issues, and nothing would come of this situation. Now was the decision, should they wait even longer for nature to run through her, or should they add something to this experiment? Yet what would be a strong enough stimulus to cause her to willingly release Rava? Samantha has endangered her own life to prevent Rava from running amuck. What could they do if anything to trigger her? 

"You sure you're alright? You've been awfully quiet lately." Milo asks concerned.

"Yeah, usually you're a little more bubbly," Wilson asks.

"I'm fine guys seriously. Just a lot going on these days is all." Samantha responds. Dylan, Wilson, and Milo exchange a look that says they don't buy it.

"Fascinating." Doctor Paul says. In a separate video of the exact same scene, Doctor Paul can see Rava's energy calming as she talks with her friends. They calm her mind, and her emotions, and thus calm Rava's energy that feeds off both. Perhaps these friends of hers could prove useful later down the line. A knock at the door disturbs Doctor Paul's current train of thought.

"Come in." He calls out. A female scientist enters.

"Doctor Paul, we've made the necessary adjustments to the prototype and believe we are ready for testing again." Doctor Paul smiles.

"Outstanding. We know it's capable of controlling lesser dark spirits, focus on a broad range of reds for the experiment." Doctor Paul says as he prepares his spreadsheets for the results.

"Of course sir." The scientist bows slightly before leaving the room. Doctor Paul laces his fingers with one another and places his chin on the bridge of his hands. Soon all the pieces would be in place. Soon. Doctor Paul reaches for the phone on his desk and dials a number. The phone rings once before it is answered.

"Tell the press they'll be getting the meeting they want."

Samantha takes her time walking from her bus stop to her house. She found dealing with the pressure of the house unbearable and was in no rush to get there. Although that meant there was more time for her and Rava to communicate.