it was black ◎ psycho pass

~Chapter 43~

(((((::::: I pushed myself

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When I say 'I wish I hadn't opened my eyes', it was because the light nearly burned the sockets of my eyes- not because I saw a ghost or something. After much squinting paralysed on the floor, gave up. I couldn't see a thing. The lights were dentist level bright.

Almost on cue, the lights dimmed to a nicer brightness. I opened my eyes fully and found... nothing.  Well done Zara, you probably jumped a 500 points or whatever in your Crime Coefficient to find nothing.

I have no idea what they injected in me, but it sure makes you feel dizzy. Another question was to why they injected me with something if I wasn't going to face any Xtreme Danger.

Was it Melanide? Probably not, they only give me Melanide in cookies. That makes me happy-go-lucky- not dizzy. Plus, injecting me with Melanide is basically injecting powder in me. I think one of the ways the hospital tried to gain my trust was to take me on a fun!visit!to!the!factory!!!1!!1 where I saw how all the drugs are made. It was scary, because it was like being in a room full of death weapons, but it was pretty cool to learn that my Iosine tablets are very flammable. Next time somebody tries to attack me maybe I'll use that tactic to fend them off.

I walked around the room slowly, trying to spot any buttons or secret openings. There was nothing.

What sort of test was this? It doesn't feel very-

Maybe this is a test of patience.

You're back! Yay!

My conscience seemed different, almost wary about something.

Damn right I'm wary about something, you've been attacked for nearly all your life and you think I can't tell when something bad's gonna happen? It's called instinct.

Alrighty then, no need to get worked up about it.

My conscience ignored what I said and rambled on her own. At that point I just tried to block her out.

I'm just a bit suspicious about something, that's all. The MWPSB claims this is some kind of super hard test, yet there doesn't seem to be a threat to any of your weaknesses presently. Seeing as the last person who took the test was possibly mentally scarred for life, it is 90% likely that the same sort of thing will happen to you if you don't pay attention. Your brain notices danger before you do, so your Crime Coefficient could be rising at an exponential rate, possibly leading to the passing of the psychological barrier of normal thinking in any form possible-

She was cut off by a loud whirring. She would've gone on, and on, until I knocked myself out or tried to knock her out. I looked up from the floor to the centre of the room. Those drugs were still making my vision go all blurry and party-mode, so I could be hallucinating again.

A silver box, quite large, was emerging from the floor. Slowly, I approached it and watched as the whirring stopped and a lid formed on the top.

"ZARA EVERGREEN." A robotic voice came from inside the box.

WoaH tHaT sCAreD mE!! I jumped back from the box, waiting for any more words of wisdom. My heer pounded in anticipation, body already in battle stance. A few seconds passed.

Are you going to speak again or-

"YOU MUST CONSUME EVERYTHING INSIDE THIS BOX FOR YOU TO COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE."

Fgs, can they just let us start?

wHY ARenT YOU SCARED??

It's just a box, calm down. Your Crime Coefficient probably raised like 300 points just for a box? Tut tut.

sTOP. I'm tHE oNe whO has tO dEAl with tHIs.

Good thing you have me by your side or else you would be in deep trouble!

Thanks for reminding me.

Oh, so you've calmed down enough to go back to original speech? That's.. helpful.

My conscience sounded tired, like she was falling asleep.

Are you tired? Because I'm sure I got enough sleep last night. And you know that if you disappear all my common sense just flies out of the window and I could do crazy stuff- right??

Yeah.. I'm totally.. not tired.. but those drugs were meant to knock me out you know...

Okay, because you sound like you're about to fall asleep, and if I snap I could throw myself out of a window. Just saying.

Uh.. huh.. just.. just...

Just what?

Just let me have five minutes- *thump*

.

..

...

........

"Uh.. what just happened?" I spoke out loud.

"What just-"

"WHAT JUST HAPPENED HOW THE HELL DO I DO THIS CHALLENGE ALONE MY COMMON SENSE IS ALL GONE I CAN'T DO THIS" I turned around and ran towards the door, grabbing the handle and pulling it downwards.

It wouldn't budge!

I just want to leave, perhaps if I bang my head against it it'll open?

I took my head and banged it against the lock, pain resonating through my skull.

I tried the door again. It still didn't open!

Wait, how about I use the box? That's a good idea!

Zzzzzzz...

I ran back to the centre and pulled the top of the box as hard as I could.

Come on, come on!

My fingers slipped against the smooth metal, and I accidentally pulled the lid off. The momentum made me fall backwards onto the floor with the lid in my hands.

Damnit.

Crawling forward, I peered inside the box. Confusion was immediately painted across my face.

What was this?

~END~