Thank you all who reviewed. I will try to update more regularly if I can ever figure out my new computer.
LaCasta: Patient and Kind Beta extraordinaire. Thank You.
The Missing 7
Death by Boredom. Not a fitting end but definitely a possibility, Chloe thought as she banged her fist on the door. Rubbing her hand, she walked back to the center of the room, looking again at the whiteness that was the decor. Boring, boring, boring. Reaching the clear area in the middle, she decided to do a handstand. It was something she'd always thought would be cool to master and well... she certainly had the time. A couple of attempts and back to bang on the door, adding a shouted curse for good measure. God, when she got out of here, her scathing expose would make them all cringe.
Boredom was also obnoxiously inadequate at taking her mind off of the prickly situation she was in. The cavalry had better have gotten her messages. Pete would come looking for her when she didn't answer him. When she'd finally gotten a hold of him, the years had fallen away. Surprised to hear that he'd been working towards a political career, she'd been a bit reluctant to give him all the details but she'd told him enough to lead him here. The problem was she didn't know how he'd get in or get them all out. As for her other call... she'd have to wait and see.
Right, up on hands again, view of the room upside down and the door was opening. Chloe dropped back onto her feet and stood up. Her hands quickly went to push back her hair and she looked into the amused brown eyes of Nora Peel.
"Hello, Miss... Fisher." Nora's pause and the glint in her eye let Chloe know that she had a sense of humor and was fully aware this was not Chloe's real name. "I'm happy to welcome you to our facility. I'm sure you'll be an asset to us."
Chloe bowed slightly, not entirely pleased with the implications of that statement but smiled back. "At your service and Thank You for the welcome. It's certainly more pleasant than my initial introduction to this lovely resort. I must say you won't get a five star rating. The accommodations are fine but the entertainment here leaves a lot to be desired."
"I'll be sure to take that up with management." was the arch reply. Nora walked casually over to the table and sat in the only chair. "I'm not sure how much you know about the research done here but I'm sure you'll catch on quickly. Since your stay with us is indefinite, I've received permission to have you interact with some of our subjects."
Chloe was unwilling to reveal any of her knowledge of the facility so she kept her reply short. "Why?"
"Our subjects here have had very different life experiences. These people have faced circumstances far outside the norm and each has reacted in his own unique way. Unfortunately in the past we have not been able to expose them to someone with 'normal' experiences. We need to see how they would interact with someone outside of their sphere."
"How can you be sure I'm 'normal'?" Chloe almost laughed, having never truly considered herself a member of society's definition of the norm.
"I can't, but you're the best I've got. I hope I can get some co-operation from you. It will make your stay more pleasant."
"As opposed to terminal boredom?"
"Or becoming a subject of Dr. Halton's tests."
"I get your point."
"I'm going to introduce you to our safest subject. But I warn you, even he's not harmless."
"To be honest, my curiosity has me looking forward to this."
"Well, don't expect too much. This young fellow is for the most part non-verbal. We had an accident during an experiment about a month ago and he received an injury. He has been severely withdrawn but he has not been violent since. You should be perfectly safe."
"Wow, that was incredibly reassuring. Can I reconsider the tests with Halton?"
"Believe me, this will be less dangerous."
Chloe sighed, pretending to be reluctant. "OK."
Nora unlocked the door and Chloe followed her out. Talking over her shoulder, Nora lead the way. "I'll introduce you first to the group in the lunch room. Then I'd like you to spend some time with the subject and his mother."
"His mother? Gosh, I didn't know this would be a family affair. How heartwarming."
Nora remained silent as she led Chloe into the small lunch room where they'd interrogated her the night before. Stopping just inside the door, Nora clapped her hands for attention and introduced her charge to the crowd as Chloe Fisher. Not one of the mutants present, and Chloe noted all present and accounted for, raised an eyebrow or showed any sign of recognition as they looked up at her. Chloe said hello politely and walked over to sit at a table in the corner that Nora indicated.
"I'll be back shortly. Have something to eat."
Dinner at Cadmus labs was a community affair. There were only five round tables in the room with several chairs around each. The other occupants of the room watched her boldly in Nora's absence, but silence accompanied her movements. The scrape of her chair seemed to echo off the ceiling.
Feeling the weight of his piercing stare, Chloe looked over at Sean Kelvin who smirked back at her. She knew from the records that he slept nightly on an intense heating unit so it was surprising to see he still managed to keep a bluish tinge to his skin. His eyes surveyed her in a lecherous look that Chloe knew really had nothing to do with sex. Feeling a shiver of fear, Chloe took note of the metallic device attached to his ankle. This was obviously some form of restraint. A large guard by the door stood with his arms crossed and a remote in his hand. He also had a tazer and what looked to be an ugly locket of grey metal around his neck. None felt particularly reassuring under the force of Sean's glare.
Beside him, Ian Randall wrote with hurried movements into some sort of journal. When he glanced up his eyes met hers and his frantic movements stilled. Chloe found it hard to believe she'd once found him attractive. His eyes were small and animalistic in intensity. She knew instinctively that he recognised her but was sure an outside observer would not have been able to tell. Well, it seemed there was an unwritten conspiracy to not give their captors more than they could figure out themselves and Chloe exhaled a small sigh of relief as no one in the room made an attempt to identify her.
Jodi also had a metallic device on her ankle. Chloe could not see her eyes well through the mat of hair she had pulled in front of them. She was perched on a chair, managing to balance with both feet on the seat of the chair. There was an alertness to her position, like a great bird waiting to attack its unsuspecting prey scurrying on the ground below.
The door opened again and Nora Peel returned. Behind her, Martha Kent entered, leading the much taller figure of her son. Clark's head was down with his hair falling forward to obscure his features. Martha held his hand and lead him to the table next to Chloe's, pushing gently on his shoulder to make him sit. His walk had been a shuffling gait and as he sat he stared down at the table, looking neither left nor right.
Nora gestured to Chloe to join them. "This is the young lady I mentioned. I want to observe her interactions with Clark but I thought it best to introduce them in a nonthreatening environment. I don't want to put them in a lab room unless I have to. I'm hoping this will help bring him out of his shell. I'm going to sit with Ian while you two get to know each other." With this, Nora walked away but not far enough to be out of hearing in the small room.
Martha looked at Chloe sadly but Chloe had difficulty looking away from Clark.
"I'm so sorry Chloe, that you're caught up in this."
Chloe half smiled again. "Not as sorry as I am." she put her hand over Martha's, taking note of how thin and pale it was. "It's not your fault. Besides, I love a good story and this is turning out to be a doozy. I want to know everything."
"I'll tell you all I can but it will have to wait for a more private time."
"Are you sure we'll ever get that?"
"Nora does believe some privacy is essential for our mental health. That's why there is no surveillance in our rooms." Martha patted Chloe's hand. "Don't worry. There are ways around the system here. Ways to make things more bearable. Nora is the most reasonable member of the staff and she seems to truly want to help Clark out of this withdrawal." Martha held Chloe's hand and pulled her closer to Clark. She set Chloe's hand on Clark's and spoke to him in a gentle voice. "Clark honey, there's someone I want you to meet." She reached up to brush his hair back revealing his profile and the fact that he continued to stare at the table. Her voice became more firm. "Clark, look up. There's someone here to see you." She put her hand under his chin and forced him to look up. Chloe wrapped her fingers gently around his and said "Hi."
Suddenly the hand in hers turned and the long fingers were holding hers back. She looked into beautiful green eyes that were looking at her as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Clark began to smile slowly, like a brilliant sunrise.
"Chloe..."
LaCasta: Patient and Kind Beta extraordinaire. Thank You.
The Missing 7
Death by Boredom. Not a fitting end but definitely a possibility, Chloe thought as she banged her fist on the door. Rubbing her hand, she walked back to the center of the room, looking again at the whiteness that was the decor. Boring, boring, boring. Reaching the clear area in the middle, she decided to do a handstand. It was something she'd always thought would be cool to master and well... she certainly had the time. A couple of attempts and back to bang on the door, adding a shouted curse for good measure. God, when she got out of here, her scathing expose would make them all cringe.
Boredom was also obnoxiously inadequate at taking her mind off of the prickly situation she was in. The cavalry had better have gotten her messages. Pete would come looking for her when she didn't answer him. When she'd finally gotten a hold of him, the years had fallen away. Surprised to hear that he'd been working towards a political career, she'd been a bit reluctant to give him all the details but she'd told him enough to lead him here. The problem was she didn't know how he'd get in or get them all out. As for her other call... she'd have to wait and see.
Right, up on hands again, view of the room upside down and the door was opening. Chloe dropped back onto her feet and stood up. Her hands quickly went to push back her hair and she looked into the amused brown eyes of Nora Peel.
"Hello, Miss... Fisher." Nora's pause and the glint in her eye let Chloe know that she had a sense of humor and was fully aware this was not Chloe's real name. "I'm happy to welcome you to our facility. I'm sure you'll be an asset to us."
Chloe bowed slightly, not entirely pleased with the implications of that statement but smiled back. "At your service and Thank You for the welcome. It's certainly more pleasant than my initial introduction to this lovely resort. I must say you won't get a five star rating. The accommodations are fine but the entertainment here leaves a lot to be desired."
"I'll be sure to take that up with management." was the arch reply. Nora walked casually over to the table and sat in the only chair. "I'm not sure how much you know about the research done here but I'm sure you'll catch on quickly. Since your stay with us is indefinite, I've received permission to have you interact with some of our subjects."
Chloe was unwilling to reveal any of her knowledge of the facility so she kept her reply short. "Why?"
"Our subjects here have had very different life experiences. These people have faced circumstances far outside the norm and each has reacted in his own unique way. Unfortunately in the past we have not been able to expose them to someone with 'normal' experiences. We need to see how they would interact with someone outside of their sphere."
"How can you be sure I'm 'normal'?" Chloe almost laughed, having never truly considered herself a member of society's definition of the norm.
"I can't, but you're the best I've got. I hope I can get some co-operation from you. It will make your stay more pleasant."
"As opposed to terminal boredom?"
"Or becoming a subject of Dr. Halton's tests."
"I get your point."
"I'm going to introduce you to our safest subject. But I warn you, even he's not harmless."
"To be honest, my curiosity has me looking forward to this."
"Well, don't expect too much. This young fellow is for the most part non-verbal. We had an accident during an experiment about a month ago and he received an injury. He has been severely withdrawn but he has not been violent since. You should be perfectly safe."
"Wow, that was incredibly reassuring. Can I reconsider the tests with Halton?"
"Believe me, this will be less dangerous."
Chloe sighed, pretending to be reluctant. "OK."
Nora unlocked the door and Chloe followed her out. Talking over her shoulder, Nora lead the way. "I'll introduce you first to the group in the lunch room. Then I'd like you to spend some time with the subject and his mother."
"His mother? Gosh, I didn't know this would be a family affair. How heartwarming."
Nora remained silent as she led Chloe into the small lunch room where they'd interrogated her the night before. Stopping just inside the door, Nora clapped her hands for attention and introduced her charge to the crowd as Chloe Fisher. Not one of the mutants present, and Chloe noted all present and accounted for, raised an eyebrow or showed any sign of recognition as they looked up at her. Chloe said hello politely and walked over to sit at a table in the corner that Nora indicated.
"I'll be back shortly. Have something to eat."
Dinner at Cadmus labs was a community affair. There were only five round tables in the room with several chairs around each. The other occupants of the room watched her boldly in Nora's absence, but silence accompanied her movements. The scrape of her chair seemed to echo off the ceiling.
Feeling the weight of his piercing stare, Chloe looked over at Sean Kelvin who smirked back at her. She knew from the records that he slept nightly on an intense heating unit so it was surprising to see he still managed to keep a bluish tinge to his skin. His eyes surveyed her in a lecherous look that Chloe knew really had nothing to do with sex. Feeling a shiver of fear, Chloe took note of the metallic device attached to his ankle. This was obviously some form of restraint. A large guard by the door stood with his arms crossed and a remote in his hand. He also had a tazer and what looked to be an ugly locket of grey metal around his neck. None felt particularly reassuring under the force of Sean's glare.
Beside him, Ian Randall wrote with hurried movements into some sort of journal. When he glanced up his eyes met hers and his frantic movements stilled. Chloe found it hard to believe she'd once found him attractive. His eyes were small and animalistic in intensity. She knew instinctively that he recognised her but was sure an outside observer would not have been able to tell. Well, it seemed there was an unwritten conspiracy to not give their captors more than they could figure out themselves and Chloe exhaled a small sigh of relief as no one in the room made an attempt to identify her.
Jodi also had a metallic device on her ankle. Chloe could not see her eyes well through the mat of hair she had pulled in front of them. She was perched on a chair, managing to balance with both feet on the seat of the chair. There was an alertness to her position, like a great bird waiting to attack its unsuspecting prey scurrying on the ground below.
The door opened again and Nora Peel returned. Behind her, Martha Kent entered, leading the much taller figure of her son. Clark's head was down with his hair falling forward to obscure his features. Martha held his hand and lead him to the table next to Chloe's, pushing gently on his shoulder to make him sit. His walk had been a shuffling gait and as he sat he stared down at the table, looking neither left nor right.
Nora gestured to Chloe to join them. "This is the young lady I mentioned. I want to observe her interactions with Clark but I thought it best to introduce them in a nonthreatening environment. I don't want to put them in a lab room unless I have to. I'm hoping this will help bring him out of his shell. I'm going to sit with Ian while you two get to know each other." With this, Nora walked away but not far enough to be out of hearing in the small room.
Martha looked at Chloe sadly but Chloe had difficulty looking away from Clark.
"I'm so sorry Chloe, that you're caught up in this."
Chloe half smiled again. "Not as sorry as I am." she put her hand over Martha's, taking note of how thin and pale it was. "It's not your fault. Besides, I love a good story and this is turning out to be a doozy. I want to know everything."
"I'll tell you all I can but it will have to wait for a more private time."
"Are you sure we'll ever get that?"
"Nora does believe some privacy is essential for our mental health. That's why there is no surveillance in our rooms." Martha patted Chloe's hand. "Don't worry. There are ways around the system here. Ways to make things more bearable. Nora is the most reasonable member of the staff and she seems to truly want to help Clark out of this withdrawal." Martha held Chloe's hand and pulled her closer to Clark. She set Chloe's hand on Clark's and spoke to him in a gentle voice. "Clark honey, there's someone I want you to meet." She reached up to brush his hair back revealing his profile and the fact that he continued to stare at the table. Her voice became more firm. "Clark, look up. There's someone here to see you." She put her hand under his chin and forced him to look up. Chloe wrapped her fingers gently around his and said "Hi."
Suddenly the hand in hers turned and the long fingers were holding hers back. She looked into beautiful green eyes that were looking at her as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Clark began to smile slowly, like a brilliant sunrise.
"Chloe..."