It's My Life

Chapter 15 - Sneaky Measures

Brad met Shields at Cassi's door, his brow furrowed with worry.
"I'm sure she's fine." Shields said. Brad nodded, then got the guard to unlock the door. I looked up from the bed, still sitting there, having finished my food. Shields moved the tray from the chair, handing it to a guard, and then sat down opposite me. Without saying a word he gently took my wrist in his hand, and I knew he was checking my pulse. Brad pulled out a thermometer and placed it in my ear.
"How do you feel, Cass, and please be honest, or we can't help you." Brad said. I trembled, licking my dry and cracked lips.
"I feel...dry...warm, yet not good." I said softly. 
"Blood pressure is slightly elevated." Shields said. Brad looked at the display on the thermometer.
"She has a bit of a temperature too." Brad said. Shields glanced at the camera briefly, then at me.
"You must tell us if you need anything." Brad said to me. I lay down slowly, eyes averted.
"I need..." I started, then stopped, body shaking.
"You can tell us. We want to help you." Shields said. I looked at him.
"No, you don't. You just don't want your precious discovery dying." I snapped. Shields frowned.
"Right now your health is our priority. Now just tell us what you need." Shields ordered, his voice growing sharp. I smiled weakly.
"I scare you right now. Both of you. All of you." I said, looking at the camera. Shields sighed.
"Cassandra Silver, stop this foolishness and just tell us." Brad said angrily. I looked at him.
"The ocean. I need the ocean." I said dejectedly, my head turned away from them.
"Why the ocean? Does it have something to do with the sea water in all of your toiletries?" Brad asked. I didn't answer, keeping my eyes averted. A guard came in and looked at Brad and Shields.
"Director Jones wants you both." He said. They both headed to the door and left without a word, the guard locking the door behind them. I rolled over and curled up, tears falling onto the pillow.

"The ocean. Just as I thought." Jones said as the two scientists entered the observation room. 
"What are you thinking? That she's not human?" Brad asked.
"Oh, she's human, for the most part. Shields figured that out from the blood sample on the towel you provided. There's something more though. Why she needs the sea water in her toiletries, or says she's afraid of the water, why she's allergic to fish." Jones said.
"You think that's why the anesthetic didn't work? She has a different immune system?" Shields said. Jones looked at him.
"That didn't even cross my mind, but quite possible. So...right now we need to get her well, and we have two options. Take her to the ocean, or bring it to her. If we take her to the ocean, there is every chance she could escape. I have a feeling she needs full immersion, hence why we should take her out to the ocean. Right now we don't have the facilities to bring sea water here for her to fully submerge in. I want her micro-chipped, and at least the scans done before we take her out of here. Use chloroform again, and after the scan, or before, whichever, place a microchip somewhere in her person that she won't find. But on one tells her anything. Am I clear?" Jones ordered. Brad and Shields nodded in agreement, and the two left to make arrangements. Jones watched the prone figure on the monitor. She fascinated him. Not just what she may be, but her fight, her energy to look after her privacy. It will make the discovery that much more intriguing.

Brad entered my room with a bowl of soup and pulled the chair close.
"Cass? Are you awake?" He asked. I turned slowly to face him, shifting on the bed.
"What?" I asked. He lifted the spoon.
"I brought you some soup. You need to eat, to keep your strength up." Brad said. I looked at him.
"Why? You're killing me anyway. Why not just do it fast and get it over with?" I said dryly. He shook his head.
"We're going to try the scan again this afternoon, and then we're taking you to the ocean." He said. I watched him, looking for any sign of a lie.
"You're bluffing, to make me cooperate. And eat." I said.
"I'm not. We will use chloroform again, as the anesthetic did nothing, and whilst you're asleep we'll lay you on the slab and do the scans, so you will not even see the machine. You will be in safe hands at all times, I promise. And you'll wake up in your room. In all you'll be asleep for an hour, probably even less if we work fast." Brad said.
"Then we will go to the ocean?" I asked. Brad glanced at the camera, but nodded.
"We will indeed. But right now you should eat." He said.
"We are to do the scans, and use chloroform, shouldn't we do it now? Tomorrow I might be too weak. I haven't been in the ocean in three days." I said. Brad paused.
"You have a point. Aren't you hungry though? You need nourishment." Brad said. I looked up at him.
"Some salty water can tide me over until dinner, and I can try to have a quick shower." I said. Brad nodded.
"I will get you some salty water, and talk to Dr. Shields." Brad said.
"Thank you." I replied. Brad touched my shoulder gently, and got up, taking the soup with him. I lay there as the door locked behind him, and I got up slowly, then stopped as the door unlocked and a guard entered holding a tall cup of water.
"Here." He said. I took the cup, smelling the salt.
"Thank you." I said, and he left. I lifted the cup to my lips, grimacing slightly, but drank down the water thirstily, feeling the salt liven me up a little. I put the cup on the chair and went into the  bathroom, resolving myself to not spend too long under the stream, looking forward, hopefully, to my swim later.