[Tabula Rasa]
It got easier and easier not to turn around the further she got from the house. She'd been in the dollhouse for years and had no extra expenses. A small fortune had been adding up in a metal box under her bed. She was uncomfortable with strangers keeping her money. She didn't like the idea that she might not be able to get to it when she needed it most. Looking back, she figured the paranoia must be her own. There's no reason to imprint the victim of a conspiracy with a conspiracy theory. The conspirators would have to be suicidal or have a really twisted sense of irony. Then again, Topher had both in spades. Maybe it was his idea of a joke.
The important thing was that she had her money, and she had some food and a few blankets and a fake ID she'd made using Priya's license. She doubted it would be missed until Echo was released. Nobody ever checked records except for her.
She wondered who would replace her. Wondered if they'd be competent. She fiddled with the radio, looking for some classical music. She'd never liked music with words, she found it too personal. Instrumental music was beautiful and respectable and she'd never be asked to explain why she liked it. She had an irrational fear of explaining her tastes. She'd always kept her office bland with nondescript pictures, the kind that came with the frames, so no one would ask. It wasn't always like that, but then, with the trauma, it made sense to put up defenses.
She'd only been listening for a few minutes when the station cut out. She fiddled with the nob, but none of the other stations would play either. She was in the middle of Los Angeles. What was going on? Then a voice issued from the radio. "Dr. Claire Saunders? We'd like to make you an offer."
---
The plane didn't look safe. Claire bit her lip, hard. The pain steadied her. She was able to board. When she disembarked, an unmarked van was waiting to pick her up. She took the woman's hand, hitched up her skirt, sat on the forward-facing seat. A handler. Her handler? The woman smiled at her, a look of concerned understanding on her face. Claire twisted her hands together. Said nothing. The van stopped. Something in Claire's stomach twisted. It was the same feeling you get when you make a mistake. What a double standard. Only free people make mistakes. The woman's phone rang. She glanced at Claire apologetically before answering. "Yes, I'll be there in five minutes...I'm in the van...Parking lot...No. I'll get her. Yes. I understand that Halverson's time is of the utmost value." She rolled her eyes. "Sir. Yes sir." She snapped the phone shut. "We're on a schedule. I'd love to give you the tour, but you've already got a patient headed your way. Aphrodite. She glitched on a criminal engagement." Claire nodded. It wasn't uncommon. Some actives learned how to throw off their imprints after a few years.
"Did they say what kind of damage?"
"A hand gun shot her in the thy from about 10 feet."
"Tell them to dope her and strap her down."
"It's being taken care of. The elevator's waiting for you." The door slid open, and a man in an official uniform helped her down the steps. "Good luck." Claire nodded.
---
Aphrodite survived the surgery, but as soon as she stabilized, Claire was bombarded with other patients. One active had skinned his knee, another had been bitten by a spider. Claire found the disinfectant and watched for swelling and red streaks. She read through all three active's files and forgot about dinner. At eleven o'clock, the woman from the van led her through the maze of square hallways to her room. It was small, with a cot in one corner and air ducts lacing the ceiling. A wave of Deja Vu washed over her, but she didn't comment. It had been such a long day. She said her "goodnight"s and crashed.
The next few days were as busy as the first. Lots of cuts and bruises, a few broken bones, and once, an active with severe burns. The handlers came and went. Claire was polite, but she didn't talk longer than she had to. She was not here to make friends. She was here to survive.
On Monday there was a lull and she was able to explore the house.