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Chapter 2

Zora snatched the black cloth off of Cindy's head. She stuffed it in her pocket and sat down in a chair across from her, flicking her tight French braid over her shoulder.

Next to her was a young blond man in a crisp white shirt and wire frame glasses. He looked like an anime character that came to life. He smiled slightly as Cindy blinked and got her bearings.

The walls around her were solid mirrors with no visible seams. She was sitting in an uncomfortable chair at a metal table. The ceiling was made entirely of lighting tiles, and the floor was smooth metal that didn't sound even slightly hollow.

She'd been here before.

"Ugh, seriously? You guys again? I must have missed one class for sure, hopefully not two. If I leave right now, I might be able to--"

"You aren't leaving," Zora said, rolling her eyes.

"It's so nice to see you again Cindy," the blond man said.

"The feeling isn't mutual," she said.

"Something has come up," he continued. "We need someone to analyze it, motives wise. You are the best young psychiatrist in the country, so that makes you just the girl for the job."

"I'm not even technically a psychiatrist yet! Can't you go bug someone else? I have some professors I don't like, if you want a list."

"Exactly. You aren't technically a psychiatrist yet. You have no practice or students who would demand an explanation. You are completely unattached, except for your family, who can be easily dealt with. They'll be thrilled that you were given your degree early and already have a job in your field," he said.

"You know, when colleges were trying to recruit me, they did it normally. Sent fruit baskets, gave me tours, offered scholarships. Filled my spam inbox. Not a single one of them sedated me and dragged me off to a secret lair somewhere," she said.

"Sounds boring," Zora said.

"It wasn't. It was nice," Cindy defended.

"Cindy, this isn't like last year when we were just trying to fill an open position. Something's come up. We need a psychiatrist, and that's going to be you, and that's final," the man said.

"'That's final'? What, I don't have a choice?" she asked.

"Gee, this one's sharp. It only takes being drugged and kidnapped for her to catch on. Nothing gets by her," Zora said sarcastically.

"Zora, be nice. Well, now that everything is straightened out, let's show you around the place," the man said, standing up.

"Str-- You... Nothing was straightened out! You have explained nothing," she said.

They were already mostly out the door that had been invisible until it opened. It was drifting shut. Cindy hesitated, then ran towards it and fell in step behind the others.