★·.·✶·.·★·.·✶·.·★
Stephanie

A month had passed from when Steph had made her discovery. Since then she had been constantly supervised night and day, which was her new norm but she was just was just so oblivious to it beforehand. She never quite felt like their eyes were off her.

Neither of them had spoken a word about it as they had learnt the intercoms in each room had been planted to detect the subjects which the patients spoke about.

They'd learnt this one morning when two patients along their ward were arguing; the nurses barged in angrily and told them their topic of conversation was severely inappropriate and if either did linger with the subject – there would be extreme consequences and result in isolation.

Steph and Jim continued their regular routine of examinations and testing, with no resistance or protest when the Doctor suggested they would surprisingly have to increase the dosage every once in a while to ensure the 'best possible outcome'.

"It's strange ... I wish I'd met you before all of this; maybe if I did – we could have saved each other, me and you- that's all we've really got right now, but I'm glad you're here." Steph wondered out loud; her thoughts came out easily when she was with Jim.

They both glanced through the window in Jim's room (or "chicken coop", as they jokingly referred to it). Speaking effortlessly for hours every day, they'd learnt everything that could be possibly known about the other: all the annoying habits and embarrassing grins.

"Steph, we need to escape this stupid chicken coop tonight, alright. I forgot to tell you; yesterday I spoke to a lovely old chap; he said his name was Arthur. We got talking about how he'd been showing negative effects to his medication although he wasn't sure how; but he told me to come and see him today.

He said he would explain what the 'negative effects' were. I think I might have struck a cord, don't you?" A smug look spread across Jim's profile.

"Okay, as long as you trust this guy, and he's not just pulling your leg, I'll be up for some investigations. We'll go together, as soon as the alarm is set; don't fall asleep like last time!" The pair burst into a fit of giggles.

Jim was woken by a vigorous shaking sensation; for a moment he was lost in his slumberous state, presuming the nurse was checking his response to the advance in dosages from the previous day.

When his eyes managed to flicker slowly open, he realised the silhouette was draped in a familiar hospital gown. "Jim, you fell asleep, you muppet! Come on, it's late and I can't sleep; my mind's full of questions I need to ask Arthur; I hope he's willing to cooperate at this hour."

Steph's face was drowned in exhaustion; it had been weeks since she had slept properly. Her anxiety levels were unmeasurable at this stage.

She had yearned for the answer like a drug; she desired it more than she could possibly control, becoming desperately more addicted to retrieving the truth.

Jim had recognised that in certain circumstances, he had to look after Steph until she could think clearly.

"Let's go." He softly stroked her silky hair, allowing her a moment of peace. Jim gradually arose from his bed; his reaction time has slowed significantly since his increase in medication. His relaxed pace could only be compared to the speed of a tortoise.

They no longer stumbled around the hospital as before. During their period together, the late night expeditions they'd made through the clinic had allowed them both to develop the skill of retracing their steps with both eyes firmly shut, which became useful as their eye sight was starting to deteriorate at a quickening pace.

Their footsteps creaked along the glimmeringly clean floorboards; at times a pure reflection gazed back at the twosome - guarding their safety.

As Jim edged towards the familiar archway of the entrance, sparingly he jolted to a halt, realising that he must go in with his companion at his side, as what might happen next could change everything. Jim entwined his hand with hers; the intimate squeeze of their hands brought together the rapid rate of both their pulses. This gesture seemed enough to restore the reassurance in him that they would be out of harm's way.

Boldly Steph decided to twist the knob of the door; she crept forward into the room which greeted her with the sense of relief. As she tried to contain her growing excitement, she turned around to see a miserable mannerism spread across Jim.

She pressed his hand for reassurance but he weakly returned the motion. They entered the chamber together, provoked by the character sprawled across the mattress fast asleep.

"What's wrong? Are you scared about what's behind the door? I can't hardly contain myself and you're turning sour; could you at least stop frowning?". What both of them were unaware of the tumble weed of secrets that was over flowing to be shared with them

"It's just you're the one who wants answers; I'm not sure if I do. What if I'm okay with not knowing anything about the treatment? I just want to carry on being clueless and enjoy your company, rather than worry about what's next and if there's a way around it. I've nearly been here for a year: my time's up really soon; we're not gonna find anything out Steph;why would we be the lucky ones? How come others before us haven't? Come on - be realistic here: we're not the heroes who can save the day; we're average people, who need to enjoy everything they've got left and maybe talking to Arthur will change things."

Jim awkwardly looked down at his feet; the friction he had created was as thick as cement and he could hardly bring himself to look at her.

"You're honestly okay with that? Leaving the mystery unanswered? Never know the real story behind all the lies? Fine, suit yourself; I've got the guts to speak to him even if you haven't. Go on, get back to your little chicken coop; you're just one of their latest experiments; your results mean absolutely nothing to them, and think of how many of 'you' there are. I hope it goes 'negative' for you - shame you'll never know why. Don't even ask me to forgive you because right now, I don't even consider that we had a friendship."

Tears flooded Steph's cheeks, coating them with solitude once again. She was terrified. Jim's treacherous footsteps echoed like the song the early birds sing at the break of dawn; the tune that haunted her mind for hours. Bitterness engulfed her; she furiously loped heading straight for Arthur's room

★·.·✶·.·★·.·✶·.·★

✶ Please comment,
vote & add to reading lists;
if you enjoy reading this book.✶

― Giving someone a piece of your soul is better than giving a piece of your heart. Because souls are eternal.―

— Helen Boswell —