Run

Chapter 5

Beep..... Beep..... Beep

You could hear the sound of different medical instruments. The clinking of surgical tools. Muffled voices.

My body felt heavy. I couldn't open my eyes. I felt extremely tired

"Yes, the monitoring device and the mind control chip. In her brain. Also, put her ID chip back into her arm." I heard someone say, yet it sounded unclear.

"And make sure she remembers nothing from her dreams."

Beep.... Beep .... Beep

*****

"Lauren," A voice said. "Lauren! Time to wake up!"

My body ached. My head hurt, yet I managed to flutter my eyes open, immediately being blinded by the white light. As my eyes adjusted, I saw Dr. Henderson hovering above my bed.

"Had a nice sleep?" She asked.

I got up into a sitting position and rubbed my head. "I guess." I replied. "My head hurts though."

"It'll pass. Now, get up!" She ordered in a not-so-friendly tone. "There are some clothes for you on the chair."

I flipped the covers and got up. My gaze turned over to the clock. "8:30?" I said, surprised. "I usually sleep 'till 10:00."

"Well, not anymore. You're better than the state you were in when you came three weeks ago. Now, time for some order in your life." Dr. Henderson said in a bitter tone. "Get ready and meet me in the dining hall. You probably know where that is by now."

She walked out the door. I then realized that I wasn't in the same room as I was in when I went to bed. The walls were sky blue, not white. There was a bed in the corner of the room and a bedside table beside it. A chair stood beside a dresser in another corner. All the furniture was midnight-sky black, including the carpet and the curtains hung over the window.

I walked over to the chair, where several pieces of black clothing were neatly folded. As I pulled the t-shirt down, I kept on wondering about Dr. Henderson's odd tone.

Is she always that rude? I thought. She seemed nicer before. Was it just an act?

I pulled a black zip up hoodie over the shirt and winced. I pulled the sleeve up, which revealed a bandaged wrist. Odd. I thought. I don't remember hurting my wrist. I grabbed the black Nike's and pulled them on.

I stood up and looked into the mirror. I definitely looked better than I did the last time I saw myself in a mirror. I looked normal. The only thing that stood out was the mess of hair on the top of my head. I found a hair brush beside the clothes and quickly brushed my hair. I found a hair tie in the hoodie pocket and pulled my hair back into a ponytail.

I looked around the room before exiting, wondering how long this may be my home

*****

After I pulled the door shut, I heard a familiar voice.

"Hey Lauren!" Aidan said cheerfully. Then frowned. "You're out of the hospital."

"Yeah, I guess I am. You seem kind of disappointed about that."

He sighed. "Yeah, I am disappointed. You're life's gonna be torture now."

"How?" I asked as we started walking toward the dining hall. "Aren't you all sick? How bad could your lives be?"

"Horrible." He said simply. "Just be careful." I noticed the burn marks crawling his arms.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. Go for it."

I pointed at the burn marks. "Did you actually get burned or is it just some sort of scar or something like that?"

He frowned. "I told you, they torture us."

We reached the dining hall. I spotted Dr. Henderson talking to another woman on the other side of the room. Aidan saw me staring and followed my gaze.

"I guess she told you to meet her." He said. "I'll see you later. And remember, be careful."

"I will." I assured him. "Bye."

He walked away, joining some boys for breakfast and I walked to Dr. Henderson. She noticed me coming and put on a warm smile. "Hello." she greeted. "Take a seat."

I sat down in a chair and Dr. Henderson and the woman sat across the table.

"This," Dr. Henderson introduced, "is Dr. Cameron Walker."

"Nice to meet you." I said, extending my arm to shake her hand.

"Nice to meet you, too. I've heard a lot about you." Dr. Walker said.

Dr. Henderson continued. "We have come to the conclusion that you have Mortirus, a disease that you are born with. It shows no symptoms and isn't contagious. However, you can be a danger to your family and friends. We will be cared for here and your family has been told about this."

There was a long silence.

Mortirus. There was something about it... something that was important, but i couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"Oh," I managed to say. "Is it curable?"

"No. Not yet, at least." Dr. Walker replied. "Which is why," She continued, "we would like to work with you."

"Work?"

"Or, let's say, study you."

I gave them a confused look. "Study? Why would I let you study me?"

Dr. Henderson smirked. "Because you have no choice. Over the next few years, we will be putting you through several tests and if you survive, you pass."

I stood up. "Few years???" I asked a little louder than I should've. Other kids, including Aidan, turned to look at me. "I'm not going to stay here for a few years. I want to go back home. And what do you mean "If you survive"? Are you telling me these test might kill me. Because that's what I'm hearing."

I started walking away when two men stood in front of me. "You're not going anywhere young lady." They grabbed me by the shoulders and lift me up.

"Hey! Let her go!" Aidan yelled, but they just pushed him away.

"Room fifteen, boys. Guard the doors. I'll be there in a moment." Dr. Walker told them. "And the rest of you, get to your classes."

I may have passed out.