Chapter 3
The evening stretched on in the dimly lit apartment, the soft hum of the surroundings almost too peaceful. I focused on my duties—adjusting Alicia's medications, checking the equipment—but it was hard to ignore her. Alicia was still beside me, her gaze locked on me with an intensity I hadn’t expected.
“You’re not like the others,” she said suddenly, breaking the silence. “The other caretakers. They don’t act like you.”
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. “I’m just here to help,” I said, trying to sound casual, though I could hear the lie in my voice.
Alicia raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Sure you are.” She shifted, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
I quickly looked away, my face burning. "I’m not flustered."
She leaned a bit closer. "Okay, maybe not. But I think you’re hiding something."
“I’m here for one reason only,” I said firmly. “To help. Nothing else.”
Alicia smiled slyly. “Whatever you say, but I think there’s more to you.”
She leaned in close again. I pulled back, saying, “I’m not interested.”
Alicia’s eyes softened, and she straightened up. "Okay, I’ll back off."
But the tension between us remained.
Then she asked, “Would it be okay if I called you 'Mommy'?”
I hesitated, but finally said, “Fine. If it makes you happy.”
Her grin widened. “Oh, I’ll make sure to use it every chance I get, Mommy.”
Despite myself, I felt a strange mixture of discomfort and acceptance. The lines between us were blurring.
YOU ARE READING
The Horrors
HorreurMitochondria, a quiet subject at Murkoff Hospital, is assigned to care for a 17-year-old girl named Alicia as part of a strict program. Along with fellow subjects Ave, Zz, Sera, and Lyn, Mitochondria wears an orange jumpsuit and a tamper-proof track...
