Meg Thomas had learnt a long time ago that rage was a very powerful motivator. It might not have been a fuel that lasted very long, but it was like pouring gasoline on a fire.
Now in her situation, having been combined with childhood trauma, the fire had never quite went out. It remained as a small ember, ever burning. No amount of time seemed to put it out, instead it merely stacked the unlit tinder pile higher and higher.
All it needed was a spark and a douse of gasoline.
Unfortunately for Meg Thomas, her fiery escapades weren't quite over just yet. Well...the literal ones were.
It was now two and a half weeks since she'd woken up and she'd reached the end of her rope. She was tired of just sitting there and being placated whenever she asked about where her friends were or when she could see them. She was tired of being alone and left with her own thoughts.
Her mind could be a scary place.
She had improved so much even before she'd been taken by The Entity, but doubts still remained. Thankfully the introduction of Bill and the others had eased those doubts, but Meg was still worried that one day the cause of all those doubts and insecurities would come back.
Meg didn't really know why she was worried about him suddenly making a reappearance. It had been years since she'd seen him after all, he clearly had moved on and never looked back. So what was possessing her to think he would all of a sudden?
'Childhood trauma and paranoia.'
That's what it was. Even she could recognize that in herself. She was just being irrational. She wouldn't have to see him ever again and she could move on with her life.
Meg sat up in her bed, glancing at the lake outside for the tenth time in the last few minutes. This should've classified as cruel and unusual punishment. There wasn't even a TV or anything to entertain herself with! When she'd asked Dr. Forsyth about it he said that they wanted to avoid over stimulation or any triggers in their psyche.
However, Meg thought it was stupid. It wasn't like hospitals played gore filled movies ever or stuff that could scare people. After all, this was a hospital, not a movie theatre. After all the times Meg had been to the hospital with her mother, she knew that they just played comedy's that she had never seen before, drama shows right in the middle of their season, and cooking shows. It was mindless entertainment that you could forget about the moment you left the building.
It was there to be a distraction from the usually bleak circumstances that had put you there and the ones that could potentially come.
Meg's hands clenched the sheets at her sides in frustration.
'Enough complaining.' Meg thought.
Meg knew how to remove an IV, she'd seen it a million times whenever her mom was discharged. She knew how to remove it without injuring herself, what to do to stop any blood loss. All she needed now was the nerve to do it and sneak out.
However, she hesitated. Meg didn't know anything about the facility's layout, or even where it was. For all she knew, she wasn't even in Colorado anymore and could be in a different state. She'd be lost the moment she stepped out of her room's door, much less if she got out of the hospital.
Meg dismissed the last thought. She didn't want to break out of the hospital...yet. So far the staff and Dr. Forsyth hadn't given her any reason to break out, although she was worried they soon might.
Right now she just wanted to know that her friends were awake and okay. However, the fact still remained that she wouldn't have a clue as to where they could be found. She'd definitely get spotted before she found them, she was in a hospital gown after all, there was no way she'd be able to blend in.
Although...That miserable nurse that came in every day had clothes that looked like they would fit her. She hadn't arrived to Meg's room yet, and the silent alarm clock attached to her hospital bed read eleven fifty. She always showed up at around noon, so she had ten minutes before she'd get here.
Did she want to do this? Assault the nurse and steal her clothes before sneaking out of her room? On paper the idea sounded like it would work, but who was to say she still wouldn't get recognized? Dr. Forsyth wouldn't be fooled in the slightest, and there had already been a dozen people who'd seen her face when testing her. All the scrubs would do was buy her the benefit of the doubt, and in certain situations that wouldn't be enough time.
Although, whenever they'd taken her out of her room to a testing one, she never saw any guards or armed security. Although there were cameras in almost every hall, as well as her room, it was standard protocol for all hospitals, maybe not in the halls, but absolutely in the rooms.
'Man I'm really screwed here aren't I?'
Moments after the thought went through her mind, the door opened and the same miserable nurse walked in. Meg looked over to her left and saw the clock had already changed to noon. She'd lost track of time.
Despite all the flaws in her plan, Meg could see it potentially working. The other doctors who managed the scans shouldn't be out and about constantly, the nurses were usually the ones moving around the most.
That probably wasn't entirely accurate for a regular hospital, but Dr. Forsyth had all but said that this was a facility designed with the purpose of conducting experiments regarding Sterblich. It was more of a laboratory than a hospital, so only errand boys should be running around. The only one who knew her face was the nurse right in her room. That meant she had a chance.
A chance that would pass in just a few minutes if she didn't act. But she hadn't even removed the IV from her arm, if she tried to knock out the nurse than she'd probably hemorrhage her arm when she yanked it out. Maybe if she was quick she could remove it and just stop the bleeding after dealing with the nurse?
Meg's face twitched as the nurse poked a needle into Meg's elbow and drew some blood. The Nurse certainly didn't seem to care to be very gentle with it. Meg's hands clenched in anger. She could understand just wanting to get payed, especially when working an unpleasant job, but this girl's job was supposed to be taking care of people.
Mere moments before Meg was about to lunge and put the girl in a choke hold, the door opened and in walked Dr. Forsyth. He seemed to sense that something was wrong from the moment he came in, because right after he stepped through the door he stopped to look at her and the nurse. His gaze was mostly focused on her, slowly shifting to the nurse afterwards.
Eventually he snapped out of it and continued with whatever he had initially intended to say. "Thank you Ms. Tippet, if you have concluded your tasks than you may be on your way." He said politely, gesturing to the door behind him. However, Meg could tell it was him trying to politely ask to be left alone with her.
"I know." She said in a flat voice. Her voice actually vibrated with how low her tone was, her vocal chords going to a rather deep pitch because she just couldn't care enough to put any inflection into her voice.
'As if she wasn't irritating enough' Meg thought while physically rolling her eyes.
Nurse Tippet left within a minute afterwards. The door closed and Meg felt an almost physical pressure life from her chest once the door closed. She let out a sigh of relief before focusing back in on Doctor Forsyth.
"I apologize for Ms. Tippet's behavior, she's usually more amicable with female patients." He said while pulling a chair up for himself.
"Just female patients?" Meg asked with a raised eyebrow. Why was he so specific with that nurse only be amicable with women?
"Oh, well...I suppose it is rather unprofessional of me to say, but Ms. Tippet has been transferred several times due to complaints from patients. Nearly all of the patients were men, they claimed that she was careless with equipment. Some even went as far as to claim that she was intentionally sloppy to hurt them." Dr. Forsyth said.
"So she's just a misandrist?" Meg asked rhetorically. She'd met plenty of girls like that in high school, what little time she'd spent at college, and then her various jobs. Meg was only mildly disappointed in herself for not realizing it sooner.
"That term does fit a little too well. She's never been kind to me, always rather passive aggressive." Dr. Forsyth said while stroking his chin in thought, most likely replaying interactions between himself and Nurse Tippet.
"Wait, if she's a misandrist that what's her problem with me?" Meg asked with genuine confusion. It didn't add up in her mind.
Dr. Forsyth's face scrunched up slightly in thought. He hummed inquisitively before responding. "I don't know." His face softened, gaining a small smirk. "For all we know she could consider you a traitor to all women for your romantic feelings towards Mr. Macmillan. I do believe she's read the notes I took of your story." He said with a small chuckle.
Meg's lips quirked up in a smile. Some people really were just crazy in the stupidest ways possible. When she spoke her tone was light and humorous. "Please, that was not a woman, that was an immature little girl in a woman's body." Meg said derogatorily.
Dr. Forsyth laughed. "Yes you're quite right. She obviously isn't quite mature enough to be considered a woman." He said. A comfortable silence followed in the wake of their friendly jokes, but it didn't take long for Meg's mind to shift. Her smile faded and her eyes lost their joy as she looked Dr. Forsyth right in the eye.
"I understand you're probably really sick of hearing this, but I am begging you, please just let me see my friends. I need to know their okay." Meg pleaded, her face betraying her desperation.
Dr. Forsyth also lost any traces of mirth, his face turning sympathetic. "Actually that matter is why I came here." He said. Meg's eyes practically sparkled with life as she sat up rapidly in excitement. "Really?" She said in disbelief, silently thanking God for answering her.
"Oh yes. I submitted a request for you to be allowed to see your friends. Unfortunately, you will be unable to see Mr. Macmillan and the other A1-Subjects. However, you have been granted permission to see the A2-subjects." He said rather happily.
Meg was somewhat confused at his words. A1-Subjects, A2-Subjects? He'd never mentioned those before. Evan was an A1-Subject? Were those the killers?
Doctor Forsyth looked at her for a moment before realization dawned on him. "Oh! I'm terribly sorry, I forgot you were unfamiliar with the terms. The A1-Subjects are the "killers" and the A2-Subjects are the "survivors". So while you will be unable to see Mr. Macmillan, you will be able to see Mr. Overbeck and Ms. Morel." He said informatively.
Meg was a little crushed hearing she wouldn't get to see Evan. But she wasn't going to take the chance to see the rest of her friends for granted. "When can I see them?" She asked urgently, feeling energized enough to leap out of the bed at that very moment.
"Tomorrow morning." He said.
Meg deflated like a balloon, letting herself fall back onto her hospital bed bonelessly with a huff. She heard a small chuckle from Mr. Forsyth, and narrowed her eyes at him from her peripheral vision.
"I empathize with your disappointment. However, I encourage you to look on the bright side. When I submitted your request I had doubted they would approve it. With any luck you'll be able to see Mr. Macmillan soon." He said kindly with a small smile.
Meg smiled softly. "Thank you Dr. Forsyth. I promise you won't have to hear me ask to see them again." She said with humor. She let her head sink into the pillow right after, now wishing that tomorrow would come faster.
Dr. Forsyth chuckled. "Well is there anything else you wish to mention before I leave?" He asked.
Meg smiled cheekily. "Yeah, when can I see Evan?" She said with a humorous tone.
Dr. Forsyth just smiled and let his head fall forward to hide his face. "Well there goes your promise." He said.
"Nah, I want to see him, but knowing that you're trying, and that it's actually working is enough for me. Thank you." She said, finally feeling truly at ease. Meg couldn't remember feeling this at ease since before The Entity.
Dr. Forsyth's face relaxed and he stood up. "I'm glad I could be of service, it is my job after all. Have a good day Ms. Thomas." He said as he moved to close the door before stopping.
"Oh right. One last thing Ms. Thomas. We know you still have yet to regain your full memories, but with the laboratory announcing its success at finding a cure for Sterblich, we need a patient to interview. I suggested you, but only if you are willing to go through with it." He said.
Meg raised her eyebrows. Her? Do an interview? She'd never been on TV before, never thought she would be.
"Me?" She said dumbly.
"Well I've been observing your behavior over the last few weeks and thought you were there best patient for the job. All you'd have to do is answer the questions they ask honestly." He said, stepping back into her room as he realized he'd be staying a bit longer.
"Oh..." Meg said. "Well I've never been on TV before and like you said, I can't even remember everything yet. I don't even fully know what Sterblich is!" She said.
Dr. Forsyth smiled. "I will assist you with any questions you have in preparation. We will also inform them of your condition, and you don't have to answer all of their questions if you don't want to." His tone was calm, supportive.
Meg breathed out. Getting to one day be on TV had been a childhood dream of hers, and it wasn't like she lacked confidence.
Meg shrugged. "Alright. Why not." She said.
Dr. Forsyth's smile widened. "Fantastic. I'll go contact the news station and tell them everything. Then I'll be back to help you with any questions you have." He said, speed walking to the door. Right before it closed, Meg heard him shout. "You'll do great Ms. Thomas."
Meg sat there surprised for a second before she slowly started to smile. Dr. Forsyth was very professional. She'd never once heard him call her by her first name, always by her last. She'd never heard him raise his voice either. It was a nice little show of the bond between doctor and patient.
She felt excitement and nervousness at the prospect of being on live TV. But however impatient Meg was, she forced herself to stay relaxed so she didn't ruin her mood. She forced herself to ignore the thought of Nurse Tippet, of her screwing up on the interview, or of anything bad happening to her mom, none of them would bring her any peace of mind.
'Nea would've called this such a boring hospital stay not even just five minutes ago, probably a zero out of five stars. But I bet she'd be grinning like a maniac if she was here now.' Meg thought with a small smile.
"Dad!" A girl shouted in excitement.
The man she was shouting to, her father, looked up from his computer to the open arch of his office space. A second later his daughter came speeding around the corner before stopping under the arch. She was smiling, and her eyes were practically sparkling with happiness.
She looked to be around nineteen years in age. She had dirty blonde hair with green eyes. Her facial features were regal. Her cheek bones were prominent, but not hideously so. She had a smooth, small chin, with pink lips and a button nose.
Her father was a man of what seemed to be in his mid forties. His face was shaved, his skin tanned and his eyes were a green just like his daughter's. He had dark brown hair, the roots of which just beginning to finally show some grey. He had aged rather well, still passable as a man in his mid to late thirties.
He was sitting a wooden desk with a laptop open in front of him. On the screen was a cash flow statement of the last few months. However, he momentarily put it aside to focus on what his daughter had to say.
"Yes honey? What is it?" He asked. Despite how quickly he'd shifted his attention, and how much he loved his daughter, he wanted to finish checking his work and be done with it.
"You've gotta come see this!" She said, rushing around his desk and grabbing his hand. "They finally found a cure!" She said, practically vibrating as she tried to pull him.
His eyes squinted slightly in confusion. He thought he knew what she was talking about, but he couldn't be sure. Not only that, but he didn't know if he believed it. A year or two had passed since the announcement of the outbreak and things hadn't changed since the beginning.
Maybe that was just his cynical view on the matter. Although it wasn't like his view wasn't wide spread. Many people had given up hope on a cure being found despite the relatively short amount of time it had been around. Two years sounded like a lot, but when it came to something like Sterblich, two years was normal.
He followed his daughter into the family room to see his wife standing next to the couch. Her back to them as she faced the TV screen, her hands were up by her face.
On the screen was a news anchor. A modest looking brunette women in a dark suit with a red shirt. She sat there with a eager look on her face as she spoke into the camera.
His wife grabbed the remote control and raised the volume.
"Today is the day that doctors can finally say they found a cure for the raging Sterblich epidemic. Just a few weeks ago scientists at a lab in Wyoming finally made the crucial breakthrough they needed and found a cure." The anchor paused momentarily.
His wife let out a single quiet sob.
"The laboratory used several volunteer test subjects while searching for it. As far as we know, all of them are still at the laboratory. Details of the procedures they underwent are unknown. However, the lab has agreed to let us interview one of the patients. Her name is Megan Thomas." The anchor said excitedly.
The man froze, and so did the rest of his family. All of them knew that name, a name they thought they'd never hear again despite their best attempts to find her.
"We'll get to that in just a moment. First, we have an interview with one of the head scientists at the lab, one Doctor Forsyth. Now we will be heading live with our wonderful man on the ground, Adam Tyson." She paused momentarily as she shifted who she was talking to.
"Adam? What's it like over there?" She asked.
The TV screen changed to show a beautiful forest and a massive hospital like building nestled against the side of a large lake. Next to that building was a man with dark hair, brown eyes, a strong jaw, and an excited smile.
"Hello Samantha, It's absolutely gorgeous out here. The forest is beautiful and from what it looks like, there are dozens of glass windows on the side of the building facing the lake, so I can only imagine what the view looks like from there." The camera shifted to the side away from the hospital to show, what the man and his family, presumed to be Doctor Forsyth.
"As you said I have here with me today, Doctor Forsyth. One of the lead researchers in the crusade to cure Sterblich. Doctor, please, tell us about the facility." Adam said, holding his microphone out.
The doctor leaned in. "Thank you for having me Adam, it's an absolute relief to be here knowing that me and the other doctors have finally found what we've spent years looking for." The doctor paused to turn around and gesture his hand towards the hospital.
"This is both a hospital and a research facility built specifically to study Sterblich. Over the last several months we've been conducting a prolonged experiment that yielded the cure we've been looking for." He said.
Adam pulled the microphone back towards himself. "And just what exactly was this experiment." He asked, his voice sounding a bit more serious.
Doctor Forsyth answered without hesitation. "Prior to the experiment we discovered that certain chemicals and hormones within the brain had an incredibly powerful remedying effect on Sterblich. Most notably adrenaline and cortisol. We designed the entire experiment to place the patients in a simulated scenario to stimulate those hormones in mass." Doctor Forsyth explained.
"So certain emotions can help hold back the progression of Sterblich?" Adam asked.
"I suppose you could say it that way. We do not entirely understand why, but the two hormones seem to be the final blow your immune system needs to kick Sterblich out of your system." He said while making a fist near his chest. "Of course, the amount most people produce is not enough, which is why the virtual reality we created was necessary. The heightened sense of fear and anger keeps the body constantly producing enough to combat it." He said.
Adam looked intrigued. "Will everyone have to undergo the same procedure in order to be cured?"
That was the big question on him and his family's minds. His wife looked terrified at the prospect, so much so that she turned around to look at him. "Alex?" She said fearfully.
He knew why his wife was so worried. Alex looked down at his daughter Harmony, only nineteen years old, and perfectly healthy. However, Harmony wasn't who his wife was worried about.
No, Vivian was worried about their younger daughter Rebecca. Because only a few days ago, she was diagnosed with Sterblich. Based on how the disease effected other people, someone who was seventeen years old like her only had a few months to live.
Would they even have enough time to get her into whatever they'd done to the other patients? They were lucky Sterblich was still in its early phases, but there were tens of thousands of people who were in more dire conditions needing treatment. Would there even be enough for everyone?
Fortunately Doctor Forsyth was able to put nearly the whole country at ease with just one word.
"No. While I would prefer to let Ms. Thomas explain what it was like inside the simulation, I will give you a brief overview." He said.
Adam's eyebrows rose in anticipation, as did Alex's and his family's.
"The patients were divided into two groups based on their condition. One group required more of the hormones responsible for anger, while another required terror. In order to stimulate them, they were placed in a simulation that they thought was life and death." He said, his face almost looking regretful.
Before Adam could ask any more questions, Doctor Forsyth kept going. "Again, I will leave Ms. Thomas to describe it in detail. However, due to repercussions the patients face mentally, the experiment has been deemed immoral and will not be used again. We are already working on finding alternatives to combat Sterblich faster, and more humanely. We're almost finished with our alternative method as well. " Added Doctor Forsyth with a sense of assurance.
However, that raised new questions. If the treatment that worked was deemed in humans and they were now switching techniques, what would the new one be? How long would it be until it could be mass produced?
Adam brought the microphone back to his own mouth. "So you have already discovered a new method of treatment? Could you tell us what it is?" He asked.
Doctor Forsyth began to look like he was loosing interest in the interview. Every now and then he would glance behind him at the hospital before turning back to face Adam and the camera.
"I'm afraid I am unable to speak about that issue, and that I have run out of time. However, if you wish to speak to Ms. Thomas, I will gladly show you to her." He offered.
Adam looked disappointed. Alex and his family shared the feeling. The immense fear Alex and Vivian held for their daughter Rebecca already had them desperate. They would be willing to do anything if it meant Rebecca got the treatment she needed.
And unfortunately, it looked like Megan Thomas was going to be their best bet at getting it. It would be a painful endeavor, digging up old wounds and scars they had begun to forget. Alex was looking forward to that the least, but it would be worth it in the end.
For Rebecca...
"Alex." His wife Vivian called. Alex focused back in on the TV to see Doctor Forsyth lead Adam and the rest of the camera crew through the hospital. As they went, the good doctor described the purpose of some equipment they passed, as well as the purpose of certain rooms, or what was in them. Soon they came upon a large room, most likely that size so the camera crew could fit everything in.
That was where Doctor Forsyth stopped and turned around. "This is where you will be interviewing Ms. Thomas." He said while grabbing a chair from the wall and dragging it to the center. "As you already know, due to the experiment causing atrophy in most of the patients, Ms. Thomas is not in the shape she once was. Don't be surprised if she gets exhausted from just standing too long." The doctor informed.
Adam nodded his head and thanked him. Doctor Forsyth turned to leave.
"Will you be returning with Ms. Thomas?" He asked, sticking the microphone out even though Doctor Forsyth was at the door and a several feet away.
"I will be escorting her here, and I will be supervising, but I will not be part of the interview." He said before leaving.
Adam turned back to face the Camera. "Well Samantha, what do you make of everything we've just seen?"
The TV switched back to the news anchor Samantha, Adam being reduced to a box in the corner of the screen. "Well Adam, it's certainly a shame we couldn't get anything more about treatment moving forward from Doctor Forsyth, but if we're lucky Ms. Thomas might know something." She suggested.
Alex and his family didn't feel any better after hearing it.
Adam maintained his live persona. "Maybe Samantha, but there's only one way to find out. I'll be back with you in just a bit once Ms. Thomas is here." He said, and with that his camera went dark.
Samantha's camera took over the whole screen. "Well everyone, we'll be back with Adam in just a minute once Ms. Thomas is ready. Many questions still remain, but now we know that there is hope on the horizon for our loved ones." She said in conclusion.
The news channel soon shifted their focus, removing Samantha and going back to the weather and less important issues. Alex looked over at Vivian to see she was still crying. Then he looked down at Harmony.
Harmony's mood had completely changed not long after the news started. Her once excited look had turned blank, almost angry. Yet as the seconds went buy her face shifted to one of sadness and regret. She turned around and looked up at him. "I'm sorry dad. I had no idea-" She was cut off.
"It's okay Harmony. No one could've known." He paused for a second. "We'll keep watching, but if Rebecca is gonna get the treatment she needs, we're gonna have to deal with this." He said.
Vivian piped in. "If it's for Rebecca, I'll do it. I suppose it will be..." She paused, trying to find the right words to say. "Interesting...To meet her as well." She finished with.
Harmony nodded her head, her mind focused primarily on her little sister, but somewhat on the eventual encounter that was to come. "When do you think it will happen dad?" She asked. Alex was silent.
Unlike most of the time, he didn't know what to say. "I don't know. But I'm gonna make sure it happens." He said with resolve and finality.
Before they could keep going the news switched back to the soon to be interview.
"Hello once again everyone. I'm your host Savanah and continuing on with where we left off, we have an interview with one of the first ever people to be cured of Sterblich, Megan Thomas. Our wonderful man on the ground is currently at the laboratory and just sent us word that she's arrived." Samantha said before pausing.
Alex silently sucked in a breath in anticipation for the camera to change. He couldn't confirm, but he thought Vivian and Harmony did the same.
The camera shifted to Adam once more smiling into the camera, the microphone just beneath his chin. "Thank you Samantha. Continuing with our desire to get answers, I have Ms. Thomas right behind me and hopefully she can give us some insight where Doctor Forsyth couldn't." He said animatedly, stepping aside to show the girl standing behind him.
Alex and his whole family went still at the sight of her.
Adam extended the microphone to the woman. Megan looked to only be a couple inches shorter than the newsman. "Ms. Thomas, how does it feel to be among the very first people to have been cured of Sterblich?" He asked.
Megan's voice was surprisingly strong, staying in line with the rather stoic face she maintained. "I can't say I've given it much thought. Although it doesn't help that not all of my memories have come back." She said.
Alex's eye brows shot up while his wife's eyes went wide.
Adam looked equally as surprised. "You mean to tell us the experiment has given you memory loss?" He said with concern.
Meg nodded slightly. "I can still remember important things, like my mother, as well as everything that happened inside there." She said while pointing a thumb over her shoulder. "But I can't remember little stuff. Good thing for me though, Doctor Forsyth said it's just temporary, and I've already started remembering things." Megan said with a little bit of lightheartedness creeping into her voice.
Adam kept going. "So could you tell us about what happened inside the experiment itself, as well as what it was like?" he asked.
"Oh gosh...I could write two books about it all." Megan said with an almost horrified tone. "I was only in there for a few months. I think six from what Doctor Forsyth said, but it felt like years. It was awful." She said, looking at something off camera intently.
"Ms. Thomas? Are you alright?" The newsman asked.
Megan seemed to snap back to her senses. "Oh, thank you. I'm fine, just got a little distracted." She said apologetically.
Adam's face was overcome with an easy going smile. "That's quite alright Ms. Thomas. But could you please tell us what it was like inside the simulation?"
"Yes." Meg said. "It's a long story so I'll do my best to keep it short, but bare with me, you're not gonna believe some of the things that went down in that nightmare."