The LGBT+ Community are people too! (Random book #2)

SS(Solution Serum) Oneshot

(C's POV)
The lab lights had just started coming on, illuminating the hallway, and, at the end, my containment cell. I knew Doctor S would send one of her minions, sorry, lab assistants to come collect me soon. That was the norm most mornings.
After the first few times of being awoken by them, I had learned to be awake by the time the lab came to life. Being woken by a screaming hand siren was no fun.

Sure enough, after a few silent seconds ticked by, one if the minor lab assistants came clomping down the hall. Even though I couldn't see then through my door window yet, I would know those heavy footsteps anywhere.
With a grin, I stood up from my bed silently. When Jace, the lab assistant, came into view, he'd find me alert and awake. It was a game we played with each other, as neither of us were very happy with our given lots in life. So, we made it more bearable.
He wouldn't try to catch me off guard, I'd try to be alert and standing at the door when he arrived.

I haven't lost yet.

When he finally arrived at the door, I met his gaze with a smirk. He frowned in disappointment, but he fished out the key and unlocked my door. "You always win..." he muttered in his low, deep voice, stepping aside to let me out of the room at the same time.
I gave him a wide grin, and replied with a short quip. "I always do, Jace." came the reply, a slight teasing tone in my voice. Walking out of the cell, I waited for Jace to relock the door and lead the way.
He scowled at me and turned, slamming the door shut and locking it. Then, he strode off without a backwards glance in my direction.

With a smirk on my face, I followed him down the long hallway. Now, others might think me crazy for not running, I already knew what would happen if I didn't show up for testing. That was one experience I wish I could forget.
As I mused over these thoughts, the smirk slipped from my expression, but merely to be replaced by a brooding look instead.

As we neared the double doors of the lab, I slowed a bit, hesitant to go back in there. While the testing didn't bring much physical pain, the mental strain from keeping the serum's control from working is what I was dreading.

Jace had stopped in front of the doors, and turned to me with a grim look on his face. It was clear that he knew what I was in for today would be harder than my normal days.

He opened the door silently, then stepped aside to let me through.

Pausing only to take a deep breath to steady my nerves, I walked through with my head held high.
"Good luck." he whispered right before closing the door behind me.

Keeping an eye on the doctors milling about the spacious room, I made my way to the padded chair in the very center.
Settling into it reluctantly, I waited for Doctor S to arrive. The testing couldn't start without her, after all.

As I waited, I began the calming technique I had mastered during my first few sleepless nights here before the first test. Bowing my head silently, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
The sounds of the lab faded away as I concentrated on my breathing. In, then out. After a few minutes of this, I reopened my eyes and lifted my head. The sounds of the lab returned in full force.

But it didn't matter anymore. I was no longer Patient C. I wasn't a prisoner of the lab. I wasn't a test subject for their twisted needs. I wasn't a lab rat.

I was myself again, and I would not go down easily.

The double doors opposite me swung open with a bang, eliciting a scurry of activity from nearly everyone in the room.
Doctor S swept in, her keen gaze sweeping over the scientists working before landing on me.