Mike doesn't know how long he's been in the lab for. It might have been a few days or a few weeks. While being locked up in that stupid room and answering questions for hours, he lost all perception of time. Owens and his little pets refuse to give him answers, whether it was just asking what day it was or how long he's been in there, they won't answer a thing. Meanwhile, Mike has been doing nothing but giving them the answers they want.
Of course he knew they had to ask him about the experience and all, but the amount of questions he received seemed totally out of context. Why did they need to know so much? It honestly felt like they were hiding or planning something- something big.
Today was no different than other days of being here, waking up to the sound of shuffling in his room and Owens placing a trade of food on his bed. They wouldn't let him eat until all of the questions were done, sometimes it took hours until he could even get a drink of water. His stomach felt as empty as his heart did, it felt like he would never get out of this place.
Mike never really pays any attention to what Owens or his pets say, but something caught his attention today.
"So Micheal," Owens starts. "Do you know how long you've been here for?"
Mike shook his head as his mind wandered to the plate of food sitting beside him. "You've been in the lab for about a week and a half now. After collecting all of the information you've provided us, we are finally able to connect all of the dots and we have everything we need from you."
"So I'm done here?" Mike asked eagerly.
"Not completely, but yes. Today we will be sending you back to your apartment. You still have to come in every Friday afternoon for weekly checkups on your health, specifically your mental health, but otherwise you're done!"
Mike could feel the weight lifting off of his chest already. He was done! He could finally get the hell out of here and work on his main mission, finding El! He could get back to a somewhat normal life and eat actual food.
"Thank God," He uttered with a small grin.
"Now, what's the first thing you plan to do when you get out of here?"
"Get McDonald's."
Owens chuckled, "Good choice. Now, if you would like, you can eat quickly before we send you to the waiting room while we collect your things."
Mike shook his head, deciding against. McDonald's seemed way better than some cold, way too watery mac 'n' cheese, and just thinking about getting some actual food made his mouth water immediately.
The guards came into the room and walked behind Mike as Owens led him through the corridor and into another blank white room where he would be waiting for God knows how long. Surprisingly, the guards left him alone and went to stand at the door. The room was bare and empty, it had a few dark grey chairs lining the walls but that was it.
The room didn't give him any sort of comfort and he only felt as if he was being watched. There appeared to be no cameras in the room, but it wasn't impossible that there could be one hidden in there.
He waited in the uncomfortable silence, the anticipation growing in his stomach. How long could it possibly take for Owens to grab his things? He didn't recall taking a lot, then again what would he really need?
Somehow, it felt scary going back into the real world. Mike didn't remember anything about his life, as the Simulation had erased everything he knew and loved. Hopefully it would all come back to him, but it seemed doubtful.
