Prologue

Elizabeth Mattock was resting once again in her bed when her parent walked into her room. She observed her protective behavior from behind the plastic that surrounded her bed.

"Lizzie," cooed her mother. "How are you feeling, Sweetheart?" Her mother walked into the room and sat down in the chair that had conveniently been placed outside the plastic covering that was Elizabeth's prison.

"I'm fine, Mom," moaned Elizabeth. "When are you going to let me out of here?"

"Lizzie," her mother sighed, "You know we can't do that."

"But why, Mom?" whined the little girl. "I'm fine. I promise."

"That's not what you said last week."

"I'm fine now, Mom." The little girl tried to reassure her mother. "Really!"

"Lizzie…"

"Mother, please?" pleaded the child. "It's so lonely staying home all day. And this bubble is so stuffy."

"It's not a bubble, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Elizabeth's mother heaved another sigh before placing the bowl of chicken noodle soup next to her daughter's bedside. "Remember, not until I leave the room."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Elizabeth. "I know, I know. Germs."

Her mother nodded and scurried towards the door. She stopped when she reached it though. "Lizzie?"

"What, Mom?"

"How about one more consult?"

"No more doctors, Mom," groaned the little girl.

"There's a doctor in Princeton who—"

"Please, Mom, no…" Elizabeth let a sad look spread across her face as her mother watched her sympathetically. Just as she was about to leave her daughter in peace, she changed her mind. Elizabeth was squirming frantically on her bed.

"Elizabeth?" shouted her mother. "Elizabeth, what's wrong?!"

"Get them off!" shouted little Lizzie. She started scratching at her arms. Her screams of terror filled the musty bedroom. "GET THEM OFF!" Tears erupted from her eyes as she twisted and turned in her bed.

"Get WHAT off?" said her fearful mother. "Elizabeth, there's nothing on you! Elizabeth!" she shouted. It was then that Elizabeth stopped scratching. Her breathing became quick and violent. "ELIZABETH!" came the cries of her mother.

TBC