Symbiosis: When a Girl Meets an Alien (V.6)

Chapter 8: A Web of Lies

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Mercy Medical Center

The following morning, John Sr. and Isabelle had made an emergency appointment with Dr. Dan Lewis, who had been Emily's doctor since they moved to Redding. They were concerned over the idea that the good doctor was giving their child experimental medication, wanted answers and an understanding of what it was doing to Emily.

They were brought back to his office in the medical center, the sun streaming through the windows. Emily sat quietly, her hands trembling. This time it wasn't due to her illness, but the anxiety rocking through her mind. Finally, Dr. Lewis entered the room. He was a tall man, with dark hair and a darker beard, soft eyes which struck boldly against the powder white coat he wore.

"Good morning, Emily, John, Isabelle," he began, his eyes meeting each of theirs in turn. "How can I assist you today? I know it was urgent, hence why I apologize for keeping you waiting as long as I did,"

John Sr. cleared his throat, his voice tinged with concern as he addressed the doctor.

"Dr. Lewis, Emily told us she's been trying an experimental medication to help with her health issues," he said, his eyes searching the doctor's face for clues, "She said you prescribed it to her... something called Avastadil?"

Dr. Lewis raised an eyebrow, his facial expression representing confusion rather than acknowledgement - which only worked to further concern the always concerned Nicholson parents.

"I haven't prescribed any experimental medications for Emily," he replied, his voice firm. "In fact, I haven't prescribed any new medications for her at all recently."

Emily's mother looked at her daughter with wide eyes, disbelief washing over her face as she realized that Emily had lied to them. Unknowing about her skipping school, they still thought their daughter never lied to them about anything.

Emily's face flushed with guilt, her eyes filling with tears as she met her parents' gazes. John Sr. looked at her, a flash of anger rocking through his eyes.

"We will be talking about this later young lady," He shook his head, "Doctor, what might be causing her to seem healthier?"

"I'm not sure of the circumstances, nor how her condition has improved, but... from my experience, there are people who manufacture drugs or medications and market them as 'miracle drugs' or 'miracle cures' even if they aren't in the slightest," Dr. Lewis looked over at Emily, "I can't - or won't - make any assumptions, but that is something for you to consider,"

Isabelle put her head in her hands and began to softly cry - causing Emily and John Sr. to quickly look to their wife and mother.

"First Chloe... now you..."

Chloe, Emily's older sister, had during her later teenage years developed a nasty drug addiction, buying everything under the sun. While she was clean now, they had seen first hand what addiction could do.

"What we can do, for now," Dr. Lewis brought the family's attention back to him, "Is give Emily an MRI scan to see the full extent of her condition as of now,"

"No! No MRI!"

"No... I won't... can't... do an MRI..." Emily choked out.

Lewis raised his eyebrow again, "Why is that? Its normal at your appointments,"

"Remember... fire and sound. Sounds between 4000 and 6000 hertz are lethal,"

"I-I," Emily swallowed, "Dude! How do I explain that!?"