The Experiment

Nine

Soon after Michael left a man came in with a tray of food. "Here. I'll be back in an hour if its not gone..."

"You'll force me," I whispered.

"Correct," he said and left locking the door. It didn't look too appetizing but I was hungry so it didn't matter. I picked up the fork and shoved it in the noodles with sause. It had absolutely no scent at all. Slowly I took a bite. It doesn't taste that bad. Garlic, chives, butter. There's something else.

I chewed and swollowed something seemed off. My chest began to tighten. I took another bite and realized I was having an allergic reaction. Shrimp.

I couldn't breathe. My throat was tightening. Was this another experiment? I brought my hand up to my neck searching for the pendant. Once I found it I pressed the button repeatedly. I gasped for air falling off the bed.

A few moments later Ashley unlocked the door. "Is everything okay Izzy?" She asked. "IZZY!" she gasped seeing me. She touched my hand "Allergic reaction," she tenses seeing my face swelling.

"Ill be back," she said running out of the room.

I tried to sit up. Ashley Came back with an epipen. Michael is was already in the room but I couldn't speak. He knelt down to me taking my hand.

Ashley injected it into my thigh. Almost instantly I was able to breathe. "What the hell happened?" Michael asked.

"An allergic reaction," Ashley said touching my forehead.

After a few minutes I was able to breathe normally again.

"Shrimp," I managed to speak.

"Shrimp? Who the hell put shrimp in her food?!" Michael yelled standing. "Get the chef in here NOW!" he said and touched my forehead. "I'm so sorry about this Izzy. This was a mistake," he said gently picking me up placing me on the bed.

I looked up at him tears falling. "I couldn't breathe. Its never been that bad before," I said weakly.

"I'm truly sorry," Michael said touching my hair gently.

I nodded. "I thought I was going to die. I thought it was another experiment," I whispered.

"No no, We would never put any of you that close to death," he said sighing. He sat down on the bed taking my hand holding it.

Did he actually care?

Was he not a big of an asshole as I thought?

Someone walked into the room. "You requested me Michael?" He said.

"Yes. What did you exactly put in test subject 127809?" He said with a slight glare.

"Pasta, dairy free milk, chicken, garlic, chives, dairy free cheese," he said.

"Any shrimp?" Michael asked.

"No of course not. It was on her chart as allergies," he said.

"Then how did it get in her dish?" He asked. "She could've died,"

"I-I truly don't know. The only other person who touched it was Jamie," he said.

"May I speak?" I whispered.

"Yes," Michael sighed.

"Jamie wasn't the one who brought me the food. It was some other guy," I whispered.

Ashley touched my hand and spoke. "Michael. Jamie doesn't like Izzy one bit. Do you think he could've done this?" She asked.

"I don't know. I'll figure this out. Do you want something else to eat Izzy?" Michael asked.

"No I don't feel good," he said.

He nodded. "We will try again at dinner... don't let Jamie near her food from now on okay?" Michael sighed.

The chef nodded. "Okay Michael."

"You're dismissed."

I laid back curling onto my side in the fetal position. "I feel so sick," I whined.

"Do you want a reglan darling?" Ashley asked.

I nodded.

"Michael watch her. She will need constant supervision for the next few hours," she said.

Michael nodded. "Ill put someone on the job," he said.

Ashley left the room and came back with a pill and some water.  She helped me sit up so I could take a sip of water.   I laid back down after. I didn't notice Michael leave the room. When he came back he there was a male with him. "Izzy this is Charlie. He will watch you for the next few hours. If you need anything he will help you," he said. "Ill be back once I find out who did this to you," he said.

I nodded and looked at him nervous. His facial expression was soft and sympathetic. Not like the others. He didn't look harsh or scary. He looked... nice.

Ashley whispered in my ear. "Hes a good worker. He wont ever hurt you," she said looking at Charlie.

"Alright Charlie if anything changes about her health I want you to call me okay?"

I nodded. "Okay," he said with a slight smile.

"Izzy rest," Ashley said.