A/N: I never seem to learn that, in a chapter that begins with tedium and ends with adventure, to write the tedium first. Sigh.

Any new doctor's office will always give you an insane amount of paperwork to fill out pretty much the moment you walk in the door. There are predictable forms asking for medical history, and an endless series of releases to retrieve documents from other doctors. They will ask for your insurance, and then they'll ask again, and then you'll have to release them from the possibility of lawsuit if they accidentally kill you. Then you agree that your family won't sue if the drugs you take kill you.

I was shown around the Dove Center – I met some of the patients, and toured an empty boarding room. They showed me the sterile treatment room, and the boisterous common room. Everyone seemed happy.

Those are the expected parts – it's all a part of marketing the 'product' that is the medical center.

There are unexpected parts, though. I asked why the center needed boarding rooms – were some of the patients so sick that they couldn't travel anymore?

The receptionist looked at me with a confused gaze. "Didn't your doctor tell you? This is a residential program – you'll check in for a week at a time over a few months while we administer the treatment. Is that going to be a problem?"

I sort of shook my head numbly. I had already committed to doing this – filled out ten thousand forms, and walked around the facility. Checking in for a week here and there wouldn't be so terrible – right? Everyone seemed happy, grateful, and working their way towards healthier living.

So I agreed, and scheduled a check-in date.

"See you tomorrow morning, Ms. Thomas!" The receptionist waved cheerily as I walked out their sliding glass doors.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

It seemed so fast. Did anything happen this fast, really? I had to call the Library. I had to pack. I had to talk to my father. I had to… I texted Shuichi Meet me at cafe? Need to talk – important.

I leaned against the bus window, my forehead buzzing a little on the glass. I felt a little warm – excitement, apprehension, anxiety, I wasn't sure. It wasn't a long bus ride, but I almost missed my stop anyways.

Life moves so swiftly while we daydream away. You can lose so much time – days, months, maybe even years. I lose time while I go through little motions – like making tea, or packing a bag. I packed up pretty quickly – I don't tend to bring much on trips anyway. All you need is a couple of changes of clothes, general toiletries, and meds, meds, and more meds. Huzzah for meds.

Duffel – check. Call work and tell them I'm gone for a week – check. Call family… maybe later, I thought to myself. I lingered still on that idea of giving my family false hope. I didn't want to burden them with even the faintest possibility until I knew for certain that it had worked. If it didn't, they need not ever know I had attempted it.

My phone buzzed angrily in my pocket – Shuichi was already waiting for me at the café, and I had managed to already make myself late with further daydreaming. I skipped quickly down the stairs of my complex, trotting down the street to make up lost time.

Shuichi was already drinking tea at our usual table when I arrived. I was sort of unsure how to greet Shuichi. It felt dismissive to just slide into the chair across from him, but too familiar of me to sit right next to him. Did I kiss in greeting? My skim flushed hot, and my palms got sweaty.

Shuichi rescued me – he set an empty teacup in front of the seat across from him. "Is everything alright?" He asked, pouring tea for me. I rubbed my sweaty palms on my pants legs before I picked up the tea cup.

I made a nervous little giggle. "So… I'm going to sound like a serious flip-flopper, but I'm starting a medical trial tomorrow at the Dove Center for Neural Health." I sipped the scalding tea, burning my tongue a little.

He looked tremendously surprised. It didn't help that just the other day I had told him I had all but given up. He seemed to find his voice after a few attempts. "Is it safe?"

It was an unusual sort of response, and his concern touched me. "As far as a medical trial can be, I suppose. They've shown very promising results so far."

Kurama nodded in understanding, and stirred his tea absently. "What sort of treatment is it?"

I shrugged. "I'm not really medically inclined, so they could explain it and I still wouldn't explain." I laughed a little. "It's the best chance I have, really."

"What made you change your mind?" He asked quietly. He seemed a little hurt, for reasons I couldn't identify.

I bit my lip, thinking about how best to answer. "It was a, uh, moment of clarity. I think." I sighed. "I don't really know. I just did." I couldn't tell him that such a tiny moment with him had made all the difference. I flushed a little at just the thought of it. No way. "Can I ask you for a favor?" I asked hesitantly.

"Name it." He said, with certain authority.

I pulled my spare key from my pocket, and tossed it to him. I was a little surprised when he caught it with ease – small target and all. "Would you water my plants for the week? I have to check in while they administer treatment, blah blah blah." I smiled, hoping it would put him at ease. He still seemed somewhat distressed. "There's nothing to worry about. My plants, on the other hand…"

He finally broke a little smile, and pocketed my key in his breast pocket. "I'll take care of them."

We idled in small talk for a little while, before I excused myself from the café. "Sorry to rush away, Shuichi. I tend to get a little caught up with you, and I have to make sure to get my beauty rest tonight."

He stood when I did, and I stepped around the little table. "I'll be back in a week." I lifted up to my tip toes, and gave him a swift peck on the lips. I flushed red, and he looked surprised. I cleared my throat, trying to focus on something other than my sudden flush of bravery. "I'll text you when I'm settled. And it's only a week. You couldn't possibly forget all about me in a week." I smiled, and his surprise morphed into an expression of reverent delight. His vibrant eyes twinkled with mirth, and he chuckled lightly.

"Of course. I couldn't possibly forget you." He promised, and my heart fluttered in response.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Bee-SLAM! First – always first – I clipped on my bracelet.

Next –pills and coffee; a yellow pill, a blue-and-white pill, two small round white pills, and another, bigger white pill. Count 'em – five – take 'em. I packed the pill sorter into my duffel, as well as the pill bottles to refill it – just in case.

Next, a banana. Next comes clothes, and check the weather. November 2nd - still fairly warm, considering. I could get away with a light sweater and a scarf.

I pulled my I died today letter from its drawer, and left it on the counter – wait, on second thought … Shuichi would be coming through the apartment to water my plants. He didn't need to read it.

I tucked it back in its drawer.

To whom it may concern,

I died today. You should feel no distress, as this was an anticipated event. I had a lethal brain tumor. No, you are not at fault. No, there's nothing you could have done. No, the world did not end today.

Please inform my father of my passing. He will inform my workplace, and my landlord. I would prefer to be buried with my mother in the United States. My father has the information necessary, but do not allow the funeral home to cremate me. I wish to be buried under the Magnolia tree. My father will know the one.

You are welcome to anything in the fridge. Please enjoy some tea, and water the plants.

Best,

Ms. S. Magnolia Thomas

I walked through the doors at the Dove Center, duffel slung over my shoulder. The same over-excited and bubbly receptionist greeted me. I signed another thousand pieces of paper. They ran another round of tests as soon as I finished the paperwork – they repeated my MRI, and took a lot of blood.

They started new tests – a neurodevelopmental battery, and psychological profile. I almost expected them to start asking me what movies I liked. They were so thorough, I imagine they had a perfect idea of what my brain looked like, flaws and holes and all.

Everyone seemed cheerful – the nurses, the receptionist, and the other patients I ran into in the halls. I was assigned a room – fairly private, at the end of the hall with a pretty view of a tree. I met my hall-mates and fellow patients when meals were served in the common room– all happy people, just grateful to be there.

I excused myself from the extremely exciting evening activities of chess and checkers, choosing instead to return to my little room. I started my first dose of whatever this 'magic drug' was supposed to be, and I was already exhausted from the day's tests. I wanted to be in top condition – my body needed all the help it could get.

I settled into my bed – it was pretty comfortable. The air in my room felt thick – overly humid or something. I associated my drowsiness with the excitement of the day. I slipped easily to sleep.

I dreamt I was in a boat, drifting slowly down a river. I hadn't been rafting since I was a little girl, but I could almost feel the sun on my face, and the cool water lapping at my feet. The river sounded different – louder than I remembered. It whistled like a rushing wind, but I couldn't feel a breeze.

Such a strange dream.

I woke up with a headache in a room that definitely wasn't the Dove Center.

The walls were rough stone or broken concrete. I was on a woven mat on the floor - not even a bed. I had a toilet, and a bucket. There were no windows, only a bare bulb hanging from a high ceiling. A heavy steel door was the only exit – it looked rusted, and heavy, and had some kind of hinged flap near the floor, as well as one at eye level.

I scrambled over to the door, pulling at it wherever I could. "Hey!" I banged on the heavy steel door, bruising my hand in the process. The steel slot on the top slid open swiftly, and I gasped in harsh surprise. The eyes that stared back at me were yellow, and were slit like a snake. The skin on its face was deep red, and scaled.

I scrambled backwards, falling hard onto my woven mat-bed. My heart surged and I broke into an instant flop sweat. I pressed my back against the concrete wall, and tried to force myself back even further. It scraped against my back but that didn't stop me from shoving myself backwards with all my might.

The face on the other side of the door shifted a little, and I could hear heavy feet smacking on the concrete floor outside my door. It spoke with a slight slur to its words – speaking around too many teeth in a wide mouth. "Be silent, little human. I am hungry and you are weak." Its voice hissed savagely, even though he seemed pleased with my fear.

"Wh-where am I?!" I cried, hysteria making my voice tremble.

I could see a mouth too wide and full of needle-thin teeth smile fiendishly. "Welcome to the Factory."

And now our story really begins.

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