We're Broken People

Chapter Three

mWeeks went by without my brain exploding. The nights were still filled with pain and fear, but my tests covered the days. After the incident with John, Scarlet came in almost every day to make sure my medicine was delivered and administered to me without another mishap. Of course, there were none, as the new doctor was too careful around her, he barely spoke and when he did speak, it was a concise answer to whatever random question Scarlet happened to have on her mind.

More scientists came to study me; I was hardly ever left to myself, yet the Shadows were not kept at bay. They lurked in every corner, in every room, in every hallway I happened to enter and didn't leave until I was snapped out of their icy trance and entered back into the real world. The doctor's did little to help with reality, however.

....

While I was glaring blankly at the scientists bustling about, taking blood and running mental tests, Scarlet entered my experiment room, strutting like a peacock. Her gaze rested upon my face, expressionless and cold. She approached me slowly, as if wanting me to appreciate the amount of effort she put into her entrances. Her peach dress swayed as she neared, and I could smell the stench of perfume from miles away. It almost choked me as she stood by the cot I sat in.

"Hello, sweetie," her voice now with a subtle British accent - obviously fake. She stood next to me, resting a hand on my shoulder. I flinched at her cold touch, but I didn't dare say a word. A sigh escaped her lips, as if she expected me to react any differently to her in this place. It would be a hundred years before I'd ever think of her as a person and not a monster.

"Why do you despise me? What have I ever done to you?" Scarlet chuckled softly. "Why can't you just trust me?" Her eyes tried to search mine, but I looked away.

"Fine," she stood up straighter, "I'm not here to be your friend. However, I do need to inform you that you have two more tests today, both mental and physical. I will need to be here watching to monitor your actions and determine whether or not your 'Shadows' have lessened their affect on you." She glanced at one of the clipboards hanging on the wall. "It seems Doctor Jones will be conducting the tests."

Scarlet twitched her fingers and waited for a reply.

"Who is Doctor Jones?" I asked in a weak voice. I had had enough tests today, I didn't think I could handle two more.

She examined her manicure. "He's been your main psychiatric doctor ever since you've arrived. Yet, he's stayed out of sight. Wise choice, seeing how you despise doctors with a burning passion,"

"Why have I never heard of him before? I know he hasn't visited, but I believe I should be entitled to know who he is. He is my doctor." I looked up at Scarlet to meet a glint in her eyes. A small smile was plastered on her face, and her hands fell on her hips.

"Well, I believe I've told you about him, you just hate to listen." After seeing the reaction on my face, she continued. "Anyway, he'll be in here in a few minutes, so try to be nice please. I know it must be difficult for you to be here, but we are doing all we can to help." Her voice changed tones, as if she really cared about me. I probably would've felt touched, but I couldn't will myself to think of Scarlet as a nice person. There was too much I didn't know about her to feel like I could consider her an ally.

Yet, I did bring up a grin, no matter how painful, to make her leave. "Thank you Scarlet, I will try to get through this without incident."

"Don't just try, do. I'll be outside monitoring your responses through a computer." She scuttled out of the lab room in a rush, letting me wait alone for the arrival of Doctor Jones. I heard her heels click down the hall, and another door open. She was going to watch me through the safety of a security system.