"Computer, turn up lights." Sarah commanded, and then...ouch, tightend her eyes to keep out the harsh light. "Computer, lights off!" she said loudly, annoyed. Imidiately, she wished she had not said so. The room grew pitch black. What could be lurking in the shadows that engulfed her? Maybe even him...STOP! She almost said aloud. She had to stop thinking about...no, that's it. She was done. In a hurry, she contemplated her next command. "Computer..." she began, and heard it turn on. "turn lights on low." she tried. It worked, sorta. She hadn't set it to her own settings, so it was a little bright for her, but it worked better than a blast of light. Frustrated still, she decided to give up with the lights. She had to work with something she knew exactly what to do with. After a few minutes of thought, she had it. The hollodeck! Yeah, she could just barely remember what the counselor had done for the New York program, but she could do it.
Sarah raced off, taking the path that she and Troi had followed to arrive at the room. When she did, it was a mere game of monkey see monkey do as she recalled what actions to take. With a press of the button, the doors opened and there is was. New York City itself. The girl raced into her virtual home. It wasn't long before she had visited Central Park, and even the Statue of Liberty. She had been to the copper lady many times, but never enough to satisfy her. When she reached the top, she looked out the windows of the crown. Down at the water, and the boats. Across the river to the city skyline. Sarah looked out until someone came up behind her.
"Excuse me miss, but I am going to have to ask you to please continue on with your descent." Sarah nodded, and walked down the winding stairs.
Back at her office, Deanna studied the time closely. The child was already fifteen minutes late for her appointment. However, she didn't sense anything was wrong, so she let it go. The counselor would just have to talk to Sarah later, and remind her that the sessions were important.
The child stopped at a hot dog stand and got a bite to eat. Then sat down on a bench and watched the city life. A few people looked at her, but most just walked on by concerned with their own lives. Until one boy walked over to her.
"Hey" he said. "What might a pretty girl like you be doing sitting on such a dirty bench?" Sarah glanced up at him, and for some odd reason, in him, she saw the face. The face that terrified her. The boy, obviously not aware, continued. "Why don't you come with me. I know a spot where we can chill."
"No!" the girl screamed at him. She jumped up and ran as fast as she could.
Deanna gasped at what terror she felt. "Sarah!" she whispered, and without hesitation commanded to the computer "Computer, locate Sarah Pavlov!"
"Sarah Pavlov is in Hollodeck -" and that was all she needed to hear. Troi knew darn well that she had returned to her virtual home. Deanna hurried to the location.
Sarah's heart was pounding. The memories flodded her. All the memories she worked so hard to push away came back in an instant. The way he had torn her skirt. The pain of her wrists being pinned to the cement floor. She ducked into another alley, and hid. Sarah could have sworn that the boy had been right behind her the entire time, but there was no trace.
Deanna entered the program. "Sarah!" she called out. It was pure luck that she was within hearing range of the child. Troi immediatly felt the fear slowly fall within Sarah. It was still not yet at a safe level. In fact, if it weren't for the hyperventilation she heard, she was unsure Sarah was still conscious. The counselor turned down the alley, and spoted the child quivering with fear behind a dumpster. Sighing with relief, she ran to Sarah. The girl was still breathing heavy, and was crying as well. Deanna wanted to end the program, but she wasn't sure if the drasticness of reality would help the situation, or make it worse, and at the level of stress her body was in right now, she wasn't about to take any chances. "Sarah, it's me. Counselor Troi. You're alright. No one can hurt you." she began the series of comforting phrases. Troi sensed that the girl knew she was present, but the hyperventilation did not cease, nor did the tears. "Sarah, you have to relax. Try to slow down your breathing." She tapped her badge. "Troi to Crusher"
"I'm here." came Beverly's voice.
"Beverly, Sarah is hyperventilating. We're in hollodeck three. I can't end the program because it could make her situation worse."
"Ok, I'm on my way."