All By Myself

Chapter 6

When we arrived at our destination, I was carried into a small room, left on a bed, the cloth removed, and the men all left whilst Brad went to his office. I slept a little while longer, my strong lungs trying to dispel the drug and wake me up. I woke up sluggishly, with a slight headache. I rubbed my gummy eyes and looked around the bare room, then sat up quickly, looking around again, my eyes taking in the dimensions. I stood up and moved to the door, but there was no door handle. I lifted my hand to bang on the door, but decided against it, and lowered my hand to my side. I didn't want to attract any attention just yet. I saw a camera mounted in a corner near the ceiling, so I knew privacy was off-limits. I heard a high beeping sound, then the latch giving way, and I sprang backwards, moving close to the bed. A guard entered, the one that had tried to inject me, another man followed the guard wearing a white lab coat, then Brad entered. The door shut behind them, and the guard stood by the door. I looked from Brad to the other man, not saying anything, staying back.

"Hello again, Cassi. I'm sorry for giving you so much chloroform, but we didn't know how much we needed." Brad said. I glared at him.

"I didn't think you cared." I snapped, then looked at the other man, who was watching the sparks flying with almost-amusement. He held his hand out to me.

"I'm Doctor Shields." He said. I looked at his hand, then up at him.

"I could say it's nice to meet you, but we all know I'd be lying." I said, staying back, pressing against the wall. Dr. Shields's eyebrows raised, but he lowered his hand.

"I understand your apprehension, Cassi. But we want to help you and learn from you." Dr. Shields said.

"My name is Cassandra. Only friends call me Cassi." I said, my eyes flicking to Brad, "and I don't need your help." I looked back at Dr. Shields. "If that was all you wanted, then you wouldn't have abducted me and taken my parents. Where are they? Are they here?" I demanded. Brad and Dr. Shields exchanged glances.

"They are someplace else. If you cooperate with us, we might let you get in touch with them." Dr. Shields said. I looked at him in shock, but I knew I couldn't do anything. I looked at my watch, then at the two doctors.

"You have probably tested their blood already, and know they are normal. Let them go." I said, looking from one to the other. My eyes rested on Brad, but it was Dr. Shields that responded, and I almost shivered at his cool tone.

"They know too much already. About us, about you. We can't risk people outside knowing of what we do here. But you're right. We have tested their blood, and neither of them have anything remarkable about them." Dr. Shields said. I nearly gasped.

"You aren't going to hurt them, are you?" I asked fearfully. Dr.Shields moved closer to me, and I fell onto the bed, cringing.

"You behave yourself, and do everything we tell you, and we won't need to." He said. I looked at Brad, who looked impassively at me.

"Brad...Coach Thompson. Please let them go." I begged, my voice catching in my throat, tears spilling. He looked at me.

"Then obey all commands." He said. I opened my mouth to beg again, but Dr. Shields interrupted.

"First,we will be taking you to be checked by one of our medical staff –weight, height, vitals, etc. You will be given other clothes to wear. All personal belongings will be taken too. Tomorrow we will take blood and other samples." Dr. Shields said. I listened in shock, trembling from fear.

"Do you have any questions?" Brad asked me. I could barely move my lips to make a sound, so dumbly shook my head.

"Get up then, and come with us. And don't even think about running. This is a very secure facility, and there are guards all over." Dr.Shields ordered. I stayed put, tears close to falling. Dr. Shields rolled his eyes and motioned to the guard. He came over and grabbed my arm, pulling me off the bed as easily as if he'd picked up a doll. I yelped and found my footing.