For The Sake of Science

Chapter 14: Girl Interrupted

Her body felt heavy, her skin cold.

She blinked slowly, lashes sticking together, vision blurring under fluorescent lights that made her head ache.

"Hey there," His smile was polite, almost gentle. He spoke as he signed "You did so well, Emily."

Emily sat up slowly, her head swimming. Something inside her felt off, like she'd left a part of herself behind in the thick haze of confusion.

She didn't answer him right away, just squinted at him as he signed to her.

"Your compliance report was almost perfect." He jotted something down on the paper in front of him. "You've always been a high achiever though, haven't you?"

Emily nodded, still sluggish. Her eyes fluttered toward the machines behind her, the IV bag still dripping.

Darius didn't wait for her to respond, just swiftly moved to her side and began to fuss with the machine.

"I expected you to resist a bit more after our first few sessions," he continued, almost like he was talking to himself. "But you were very responsive to your treatments today. Took half the time I expected. I'm proud of you."

Emily's fingers curled against the edge of the table. The praise warmed something inside of her. Her mind told her she should be disgusted that it did, but she didn't have the strength to push it down any longer.

She was repulsed by his calm demeanor, and crisp white shirt.

But what was the point in fighting it?

She felt herself nod before she even registered the movement, her body answering to him without permission.

Darius smiled sympathetically. "I'm glad you agree." He stepped back and clicked the pen against his clipboard. "You're free to go now."

She stood slowly, her balance unsure. Socks sticking to the overly sanitized linoleum.

Asking questions like what time it was, or if she was supposed to go back to her room or not would have taken too much energy. Instead, she just left.

Darius studied her as she slipped out the door.

He sighed, glancing down at a clipboard on the table beside him. After only two questions, she'd stopped resisting. He'd watched her eyes dull and hands move, answering the questions with no hesitation as he ran the test. Her progress was a little too performative. Almost unbelievable considering it was only Wednesday.

Emily didn't remember the walk to the quad. She pressed her weight against the door, opening it with an overexerted push.

Piper was seated cross-legged on the couch, braiding Mara's hair with lazy fingers while an old Disney movie played in the background. Veronica and Lola were painting their nails, the smell of acetone hitting Emily as soon as she entered.

All of them froze the moment they saw her.

"Emmie?" Piper sat up straighter.

Emily didn't answer. She walked inside slowly, blinking at the soft haze of pink string lights.

Mara stood up immediately, crossing the room in two steps. "Hey– hey, you good? We've been so worried about you." She simcommed

Emily blinked, speaking while signing. "Darius was wrapping up some sort of compliance report."

Her voice was soft. Almost blank.

Veronica set down the pepto pink bottle of nail polish. "You were gone for days. You look like you've been through it."