Who Corey Was

32

The next morning, I woke up before the alarm. I thought I was the first one up until I saw that Kelsey's bed was empty.

I thought nothing of it as I made my way down the hall towards the bathroom. Upon reaching the door, I heard voices.

"What do you mean, 'nothing'?" Faus yelled. "You spent the whole day with her, and you got nothing?"

"But Mom!" Kelsey whined. I moved towards the stairwell to hear better. Faus and Kelsey stood at the very bottom.

"What kind of daughter are you?" Faus demanded.

"Mom, that's not fair!"

"I don't care! I asked you to do one thing, and you failed me. I don't believe this. I expected results."

Kelsey had gone silent. I couldn't see her face, but I knew what it must look like. I couldn't listen anymore. I turned and headed back towards the bathroom.

Jeez. I knew Faus was a bitch, but I didn't realize just how much of a bitch she was. I could see where Kelsey got it from. I almost felt bad for her. Almost.

I finished getting ready and went back to my room to get dressed. Everyone else was up and moving. We went to class.

I should've known the late nights and early mornings would catch up to me. One moment I was listening to Mrs. Dawson droning on, and the next I was transported to an unfamiliar realm.

I opened my eyes in a dark space. Instinctually, I could sense that it was small. Claustrophobia gripped me and I began to hyperventilate.

Focus. Breathe. Find a way out.

I felt the space around me, forcing myself to breath deeper and slower. Yes, the space was small, but there were clues that could help.

It wasn't quite rectangular. There were some flat edges above and beside me that could suggest it would be, but to my left it went further back in a distorted shape.

The walls felt strange. Upholstered? But what did that tell me?

I banged around a bit, and the echoing sounds gave me my answer.

I was in a trunk.

No sooner had I come to the realization when the trunk opened and strong arms gripped me. I didn't even have time to react.

"Get her inside," a stern female voice commanded. I couldn't see her. I was being hauled through a pair of doors. "Strap her down."

More doors. Whirlwinds of hallways. Then I saw it. The table.

I recognized it. It was the same kind of contraption they'd tied Alice and I to when they'd experimented on us.

Panic gripped me. I fought harder, clawing, biting, flailing. The arms were stronger.

They threw me against the table and the first strap locked into place. The second. The third.

I wasn't getting out. I couldn't move. They had me again. I did the only thing I could still do.

I screamed.

"Miss Cochiti!"

I gasped, wrenching my eyes open.

Everyone was staring at me. Some with disgust, some with genuine concern. Most looked slightly frightened.

Tears blurred my vision. Mrs. Dawson stood before me. "I," I stuttered, "I...I've gotta..."

I stood and fled the room.

A few minutes later, I was in the bathroom with water dripping from my face. I'd regained my composure, and after drying my face, I was ready to get back in there.

I knocked shyly and poked my head in the door. "Mrs. Dawson? I'm sorry. I haven't been sleeping well. I'll try harder to focus. Can I come in?"

Mrs. Dawson actually looked sympathetic. "Maybe you should go see the nurse."

"I'll see her in my E.C. later. I can mention it then." I'd already been planning to. This just added truth to my fabrication.

She hesitated a moment longer then caved. "Come on in."

I did, and class resumed.