Pipsqueak

Chapter|004

BOXES

WCKD|3013

The door to Mouse's room unlocked and opened. Ava Paige and a medical assistant entered, "Hello Mouse."

"Hi." Mouse spoke low as she watched the assistant fiddle with a syringe and vile, "What is that?"

Ava glanced at the syringe, "It's a sedative. We're going to get you started on your next big exam."

"I thought I was done with tests." Mouse turned her back to Ava and stared at the hologram screen of the ocean. "You told me I wouldn't have to take anymore tests. That I was done and you got what you needed."

"Think of this one as your final." Ava gently laid her hands on the little girl's shoulders. "It's what tests you on everything you've learned so far."

"Is that a lie?" Mouse stepped away from Ava's touch and faced her. "Sometimes it's necessary for one to lie to another. To save them from the harsh truth, cover up the bad with something good."

Ava's brows furrowed as she straightened her stance, appearing taller, "Who told you that?"

"Dahlia Ryans. Before you replaced her. I don't get why, she was nice to me, I liked her."

Ava folded her hands in front of her and inhaled a calming breath, "Ms. Ryans and I disagreed about how you should be cared for. In the end she asked for a transfer to another one of our facilities."

Mouse sat on the edge of her white bed. She pulled on the sleeves of her black sweater and played with the cuffs, "Another lie?" She reprobated.

"This is why we replaced Ms. Ryans. She was no good for you, filling your head with nonsense and false accusations. You're a young impressionable girl and she took advantage of that." Ava spoke with venom dripping off her tongue at the mention of the former Caretaker. She glanced at the girl and recomposed herself, "Now, please Mouse, let's get you ready."

The medical assistant passed Ava and kneeled down before Mouse, "You'll feel a small pinch and then it'll all be done, okay?"

Mouse nodded and rolled up her left sleeve and offered her arm to the assistant. The assistant quickly found a vein and prepared the spot, then inserted the syringe needle.

The assistant stood and turned to Ava, "All done."

Ava nodded and left the room, her white heels clicking against the tiles faded as heavy footsteps entered the room. More medical personnel flooded the white room.

"Who are....who are they?" Mouse blinked against the heavy sedative trying to remain awake.

"Shh, just rest." The assistant guided Mouse to lay down on her bed sending her into an unwanted slumber.

~~~

Mouse woke with a gasp for air, clutching onto the grate floor. Her vision cleared as a pit in her stomach formed. She was moving upwards. Quickly. Lights rushed passed her with every level she ascended in the almost pitch dark atmosphere.

She looked above towards the ceiling, or what would be considered a ceiling, and saw beyond it. There were red lit doors in the distance and they appeared closer and closer by the second.