I sat at breakfast, barely able to keep my eyes open. 

I hadn't gotten a lot of sleep last night after my... nightmare. To me, I'd call it a nightmare. It was beyond terrifying, the thought of doing that with him. 

I blinked, but my eyes were too heavy to reopen. I could get a few minutes of sleep here, couldn't I?

Someone shouted, "Natalie!" 

I jumped in my seat, opening my eyes, "Where's the fire?"

Emily narrowed her eyes at me, "You fell asleep. In front of food. You love food!"

I let out a loud yawn, "I didn't sleep."

"No kidding," she scoffed, "I woke up at five to get ready for school and you weren't even in the dorm!"

"I went on a run," I added.

"A run?"

"Did you know there's a gym in the basement?" I gave her a small smile, "I found it this morning on my run."

"I didn't even know we had a basement," Em frowned, "but why didn't you sleep? You cherish your sleep as well."

I gulped, not interested in telling even her. Heck, I wouldn't even tell Shawn this. 

I yawned again and then said, "I'm gonna skip breakfast. Can you come and get me before school starts?"

"It's Saturday, you numbskull," she flicked my forehead, "We get to go out today! Enjoy the town like usual?"

I shook my head slowly, "I'm just interested in sleeping," I yawned again, "I'm gonna sleep all day."

Em frowned, "Well... if you're sure..."

Olivia joined us, taking a seat, "So, are we going to the markets today?"

"I am," Em grinned, "I'm in deep need of a new scarf and beanie. It's just gonna keep getting colder and colder."

Olivia turned to me with a raised eyebrow. 

I shook my head, "Sleep. Designati- no... deprivation."

"You stuffed up a word," Em stared at me, slightly gaping, "You never stuff up what you're gonna say."

"Night-night," I said, standing up, "I mean... morning-morning? Whatever - I'm going to bed."

I turned around, rubbing my eyes, and then froze. Standing at the door, staring back at me with fear, was none-other-than the devil himself. I couldn't think anything but his hand trailing up to my bra strap, his hand moving up my thigh, his stone-hard abdomen. 

I gulped, watching him stare back at me with a mirror image of fright. 

Em called loudly, "Nattie! You keep zoning out. Are you okay?"

I blinked, but he was still standing there. Shawn was glancing between the two of us, curiously. 

Em reached my side and shook my shoulder, "I'm going to take you to the dorm, okay? You're gonna get some sleep."

Going to the dorm room meant going closer to Christian. And I didn't even want to be in the same building as him right now. 

I shook my head quickly, "No... I'm going to stay here and food. Uh, I mean eat."

I turned promptly and sat in my chair, forcing myself to take a bite. 

Em scoffed, "But a second ago you were so interested in sleeping."

"No, not anymore," I answered, "Olivia, I think I'll tag along to the markets today."

Her eyebrows rose up, "O-okay. If you're up to it."

Whitney heard the last part as she sat down, "But you look like hell. Did you even sleep last night?"

"No," I said honestly

There was a moment silence and then, "Natalie?"

I stiffened and all thoughts erased. I tightened my hold on my fork and glared at the table, wishing it would swallow me up and digest me. 

"Natalie," the boy repeated, harsher this time. 

I managed to squeak out, "Not in the mood."

"We need to talk," Christian said sternly, "And I won't take no for an answer."

I refused to move. What was I supposed to say? 'Did you also dream about fudging me last night, or was that just me?' 

Next thing I know, I'm being tugged out of my chair by my armpits.

"Christian!" I shrieked, quickly wrapping my arms around his neck so I wouldn't fall as he lifted me bridal-style, "Put me down!"

"Nope," he glared at me, "We're gonna talk."

And with that, he carried me out of the dining hall amidst several curious looks from everyone in the dining hall - the doctors included. Christian, lightly, put me down on the staircase and sat next to me. 

I could run away now and avoid this awkward situation, but I knew he'd catch up to me in a heartbeat. 

Christian muttered, "Don't even think about running away."

I stayed silent and immobile.

Christian continued, "Let's start this off with... what was your dreamscape? You know, where they watched our worst fears."

I continued to be quiet. 

Christian sighed loudly, "I'll tell first then, shall I? My worst fear was falling in love with you. And I'm not sure why. I mean, until then, you had been pretty high up in my books," this caused me to give him a confused stare.

I asked, "You liked me?"

"Well yeah," he shrugged, "Who wouldn't?"

I blushed heavily. 

Christian continued, "Plus, you saw that from the pheromone indicator. We're not exactly normal teenagers when it comes to each other, Dove."

I rubbed my eyes and let out another yawn. 

"Didn't sleep," he said it in a statement.

I froze where I sat at the smirk in his tone.

He continued, "I take it that you had a bad dream, too?"

I gulped and squeaked, "Maybe."

"So yes then," he rolled his eyes, "Was it X-Rated?"

"Maybe," I repeated.

"And..." he spoke softly, "your... dream-self liked it?"

"Maybe," I said again, as a whisper.

"So we agree we need answers?"

So... he'd had the same thing happen to him as well? What the fudge are the doctors keeping from us? Ugh...

"Agreed," was all I simply said.

"Perfect," Christian said quietly, standing up, "but the doctors definitely aren't gonna give them to us."

I looked up at him, "So what do you propose we do?"

"Everyone's going out today," he shrugged, "Even the doctors. Dr Weston was saying how he'd finally convinced Dr Demonico on a date, too. We'd have the place to ourselves."

"You suggest we search for answers ourselves?" I smirked.

Christian grinned, "Duh."

***

"How'd you learn all of this?" I cocked my head.

He was currently trying to pick the lock to Testing Room B with a bobby pin and was doing a pretty good job. Christian waited a few more moments, listening carefully before it pushed open. He grinned up at me from his position on the floor, "My older brother was in juvie for six months. He taught me a few things."

I wasn't even aware he had an older brother... 

He gestured for me to enter the room before him and I mocked, "Such the gentleman."

"Of course, thanks," he said with a thick amount of sarcasm. 

I walked in and headed straight for the computer. I sat down in Dr Weston's chair and clicked the power button for the monitor. It loaded quickly and I clicked the start-up icon. Christian leant on my chair, causing me to fall back slightly. 

It loaded to show DR DAMON WESTON as the username. 

Christian chewed his lower lip, "His first name is Damon?"

"He does... not look like a Damon," I responded.

"What's the password?"

"Oh, I know," I rolled my eyes, "Because I definitely hold the password to everyone's computer."

Christian sighed, "You really need some sleep."

"I know that," I snapped, "What does Dr Damon Weston like?"

Christian shuddered, "He tried to make small talk when he first met me. He likes soccer."

"Favourite team?"

"Brisbane Roar," Christian answered, "I don't know why though. Sydney FC is obviously much better."

I typed in brisbaneroar. I hoped he wasn't clueful enough to use capitals or numbers or symbols. 

I grinned, "He set up a hint!"

Christian scoffed, "Really? He forgets his own password?"

The hint read Your current love's first name. 

"Idiot," I rolled my eyes, going to type my answer, but froze.

"What's wrong?" Christian asked.

"I don't know Dr Demonico's first name," I admitted.

Christian smirked, "Paperwork."

"Paperwork?" I raised an eyebrow at his blunt word.

Christian stepped away from me to head to a table across the room. He picked up a piece of paper and shook his head sadly, "Dr Weston needs to know how to hide his information... Her name's Alisha. A-L-I-S-H-A."

I typed it in as Alisha. It let out a similar beep to the first time when it was incorrect. 

I typed it in as alisha. 

Again, incorrect. 

I frowned as a warning came up for only three more goes.

alishaa.

al1sha.

al15ha. 

The last one worked. I grinned, "Gotcha!"

Christian chuckled, "Good job to us."

I gave him a high-five, and then clicked on the Finder icon. I paused again, "What do I write?"

"Uh... dream?" he shrugged.

I keyed that into the search bar, but it just came up with individual dreamscape videos from the guys. I shook my head, "Nada."

"What about... chemical?"

"Zilch."

"Chemistry?"

"Nil."

"How about your name? This is the guys computer, so there'd be less information on just you."

I nodded slowly, but entered my name. 

One file came up labelled 'Alto Emus'. I frowned, "Alto Emus?"

"That sounds... promising?" Christian smirked.

I rolled my eyes at him but clicked on the file. Immediately, I regretted it. But my eyes couldn't stop reading the page. 

Current Date: 

June 11th, 2016

Operation Start Date: 

November 21st, 2012

Operation Code Name: 

Alto Emus

Operation Full Name: 

Soulmates

Operation Doctors: 

Dr Damon Weston, Dr Alisha Demonico

Operation Synopsis: 

To examine how dreamscaping can affect one's hormones, pheromones and, overall, attractiveness to another being. 

Operation Participators: 

Mr Christian Park, Miss Natalie Roberts

Operation Log: 

(Written by Dr Alisha Demonico on February 2nd, 2013) - Today, Miss Natalie Roberts came into The Food, Sleep and Wellbeing Centre Sydney. She is a current sufferer of anorexia, sleep apnea and anxiety. Her personal doctor reports state that she should be clear to leave within three months. I believe her to be the best possible candidate for Alto Emus, seeing as her problems collide directly with Mr Christian Park's. 

(Written by Dr Damon Weston on February 4th, 2013) - Last week, Mr Christian Park came into The Mental Health Institute Sydney. He is a current sufferer of depression, bipolar and insomnia. His doctor has reported directly that he should be clear to return to his school within the next seven months. I believe him to be the best possible candidate for Alto Emus, seeing as his problems collide directly with Miss Natalie Roberts.

(Written by Dr Damon Weston on September 17th, 2013) - Mr Christian Park has been officially selected for Alto Emus. His dreamscape has been slightly altered through the use of drug inserted into his bloodstream, last week, in his last visit to The Mental Health Institute Sydney. His dreamscape will vary very gradually throughout the next three years.

(Written by Dr Alisha Demonico on September 21st, 2013) - Miss Natalie Roberts had been healing quite well but had to revisit The Food, Sleep and Wellbeing Centre Sydney again, a few days ago. She has had a relapse of her anorexia, but her doctor states she will be fine within five weeks. Her dreamscape has finally been slightly altered through the use of a powdery drug inserted into her mandatory lunch yesterday. Her dreamscape will vary very gradually throughout the next three years.

(Written by Dr Damon Weston on April 8th, 2015) - Mr Christian Park's dreamscapes have started coming up on the monitors at DSIS. All seems to be going well so far. However, they're still coming in at a very gradual pace.

(Written by Dr Alisha Demonico on April 8th, 2015) - Miss Natalie Roberts' dreamscapes have begun to appear on the monitors at DSIS. All seems to be well. However, they are developing quite slowly - but a slow pace is good, so I've heard.

(Written by Dr Alisha Demonico on January 2nd, 2016) - Miss Natalie Roberts has had her dreamscape every night for a month, so far. This means the operation is being set into action. 

(Written by Dr Damon Weston on January 5th, 2016) - Mr Christian Park's dreamscapes have appeared every night for a month. The operation must be going well.

(Written by Dr Alisha Demonico on June 1st, 2016) - Miss Natalie Roberts and Mr Christian Park will both be attending The Facility this month. This operation couldn't be going any better, at this point.

(Written by Dr Damon Weston on June 2nd, 2016) - Mr Christian Park's samples have been collected.

(Written by Dr Alisha Demonico on June 3rd, 2016) - Miss Natalie Roberts' samples have been collected.

(Written by Dr Alisha Demonico on June 6th, 2016) - Miss Natalie Roberts' microchip has malfunctioned. For the first time since December 2nd, 2015, her dream has not been directly proportional to Mr Christian Park's. We have been able to reset a microchip and give her a new one, for the time being. This should just be a one-off occurrence. If not, we'll have to run specific exams. 

(Written by Dr Alisha Demonico on June 10th, 2016) - Miss Natalie Roberts dreamt tonight of Mr Christian Park's death. The operation is going well, and is, therefore, affecting her emotional and hormonal attractions towards him.

(Written by Dr Damon Weston on June 10th, 2016) - Mr Christian Park dreamt about the death of Miss Natalie Roberts tonight. Therefore, the operation is going well, as it is affecting his emotional and hormonal attachment to her. 

(Written by Dr Damon Weston on June 13th, 2016) - Mr Christian Park dreamt tonight of having sex with Miss Natalie Roberts. This proves that the operation is well underway, as this shows his pheromonal and physical attraction to her.

(Written by Dr Alisha Demonico on June 13th, 2016) - Miss Natalie Roberts dreamt tonight of having sexual intercourse with Mr Christian Park. This shows her physical and pheromonal attraction to him. Alto Emu is going extremely well.

That was the last entry. I stared at it, at a loss of words. I had been a part of a science project for... for three years. 

I'd been watched for the last three years, oblivious. 

***

Song: Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

*troll face* *mwahahha* Did any of you guys see that coming?

xx Sharky.