The Placebo Effect

7- Doctor

I woke up scared. I wasn't sure what it was, but something was terrifying me. Tanya was next to me, asleep, and Kate was still by the window. I looked at my phone. 5 minutes had passed. I felt my heart rate return to normal, and sank back into my chair. Probably just a scary dream. Or a night terror. I used to have messed up sleep a lot as a kid.

The door opened smoothly.
A well-dressed lady with ornate hair and an even tan walked in bearing a clipboard and a wide smile. It didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Good morning! The doctor is ready for you all, Miss..." she glanced at her clipboard," Adams, Marshall and..." she glanced at the clipboard again "...Rose?"

Rose? It seemed far too delicate a surname for Kate of all people. I had barely known her for two days, and yet she seemed the sort of person who would smile as she slit your throat.

I realised the others were getting up and exiting - I hurriedly stood up too, wanting to make a dignified impression.

The lady in the suit power walked down the corridor to the reception, leading us past the receptionist from earlier, who ignored my acknowledging smile and small wave by becoming incredibly interested in the potted plant on her desk. We followed the lady through a door marked "Medical Centre" and into a maze of identical- looking corridors, all with some sort of potted plant by the wall and several clinical-blue doors leading to yet more corridors. Despite this, the lady seemed to know her way, and led us confidently through the maze, never checking back to see if she had lost any of us. I counted the turns we made in case I got lost.

Right.
Left. Left. Right.
Right. Right. Right. Right. Left. Left.
Right.
Left.
Right.
Left.
Right.
Left.
Right.

Left.

Right.

Left.

Left.

Right.

"The doctor will see you now."
I was suddenly in yet another waiting room. Blue, uncomfortable couches. Harsh, white light. Another potted plant. The lady in the suit was standing in the doorway opposite from my seat and the enterance. I must have gotten dazed and switched off somehow. It had happened before. That must be how I got here. Kate and Tanya had presumably already seen the doctor. I stood up, aching suddenly. There was a bump on my neck that I hadn't noticed before. Probably just a breakout or something. I walked across the room, and smiled a 'thank you' at the lady, who didn't acknowledge my gesture. I frowned after I passed her. Rude. I was soon frowning for a different reason, as the room I was in was entirely white and lit by the same harsh lamps in the waiting room.

"Miss Adams!"

As my eyes adjusted, I noticed a tall, broad- shouldered figure walking towards me.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance!"

I was aware of my limp hand being shaken and smiled quickly, shaking back.

"Thank you Dr..." I paused, waiting for a surname. I didn't get one.

As my eyes adjusted more, I realised the person in front of me was, in fact, a woman, with long brown hair, a bright smile, and an angelic face. She had a pair of glasses on a chain around her neck, but otherwise looked exactly like a runway model, complete with high, high heels, perfect hair, make up, outfit coordination... I took a hit to my self esteem, something I had not been expecting. She was talking.

"...today we're running some tests...spend the night...meet other subjects...more information?"

"Um, no. I'm fine, thank you."

"Ok then."
Smiling, the Doctor led me gently over to the chair, which I gratefully sat down in.

"Now close your eyes. You might feel a slight pain..."