Disclaimer: I don't own nor do I make any profit off of Twilight. All rights belong to Stephanie Meyer.
I'm sorry if you catch more errors and spelling mistakes in this chapter than normal, I really wanted to get this one up today before I left and unfortunately didn't give myself enough time to do a proper edit. I'll try to do that later tonight!
Reviews:
YellowSmoke- Hello! Long time no see, how are you, great I hope. Thank you for yet another incredible kind review! Fun Fact, I love ice skating and in every, story, poem, and fanfic I've ever written I've never incorporated it, so I though why not here? I defiantly can't wait to play around with it a little more! I like to release information on all the characters slowly over time instead of just one big info dump, so their will be alot more character bonding in the series. I'm so happy that you liked that chapter and hope this longer one makes up for the long lap in time since my last post. It was so good seeing from you again my friend and thank you again for taking the time to write a few kind and interactive words!
GuestMG-I'm so glad that you got caught up, especially with my poor uploading schedule. I'm glad you enjoyed a little more of Mare's backstory, I love ice skating in the winter and wanted to give her a little more backstory, so I though why not she's a figure skater now! I also have a chapter a little down the line to show off a little of what she knows;) Thank you so much for the kind words, I can not tell you how much they made me happy in fact I smiled the whole rest of the night after reading them. I do my best when it comes to Mare's interaction with the Cullens and find it a bit difficult personally as I have to do a lot of research on each member. It's my goal to keep them the way Stephanie Meyer intended them to be but with a little more depth to them, as I don't feel like I got enough of that in the books or movies. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to leave a review and making me smile!
Carlisle insists I stay in his and Esme's room again. I tell him I'm okay with the couch, but he won't hear of it and to his room I went, one stair at a time just to be defiant. To my surprise theirs a few extra blankets and a few extra pillows along with a glass of water on the side table. The room felt chiller than normal and I immediately snuggled down into the blankets and pillows and sleep came easy, in fact it's Esme who wakes me the next morning telling me it's already 10. I blink the sleep from my eyes as Esme tells me she's set the shower up for me and theirs fresh clothes on the sink. I wait for her to walk out the door and then I sigh. I wonder when this is ever not going to feel awkward, being in a strangers home, sleeping in their bed, eating their food, being woken up by them. At some point that weird feeling has to end right? I roll over and let my feet hit the ground and let them carry me to the bathroom. I stare at myself in the mirror, Carlisle was right, the swelling is already down and the bruises are beginning to lighten, some are already a light green. In the next few days they will lighten even more turning yellow and then they'll be gone. Even the cut at my hair line looks better, the butterfly bandaids no longer needed. I find the extra clothes, surprised it's a pair of jeans, a soft white cotton shirt and grey wool cardigan. Tucked inside the folded of the jeans are even a pair of socks and new underwear...is this what these people wear to just hang out in their house? I strip off my comfy wear and hope in the shower, and stumble for the next twenty minutes on how to even turn the thing on. I use as little as I can of their expensive shampoo and conditioner and I marvel at their bar of soap that has real lavender sprigs inside. I hope out staring at the bruises around my body, still there, however they too are fading, and when I press on them, the pain isn't sharp anymore. I take a breath and get dressed surprised that the jeans are actually my size and the denim feels different, expensive. The sweater is soft and the cardigan even more and I have a feeling they did't get either of these from Walmart or Goodwill and almost immediately that weird feeling settles in my brain. It's different when my mother buys me clothes, food and gifts, she's suppose to, it's her job, but when it's anyone else spending their money on me...I don't like it. Theirs a knock on the door and Alice opens it before I can even turn to the door. She smiles,
"You look so cute." I try to smile but it comes out awkward and forced,
"How did you know my size?" She shrugs. She's also dressed in a pair of expensive jeans with a white blouse and bright orange and blue scarf.
"I'm a pretty good guesser, I also took your old jeans." I perk up, those are my favorite jeans,
"Can I have them back?"
"Oh," she deflates "I kinda threw them away." I frown,
"What..why." She steps in and closes the door to open a drawer to pull out a brush and a hair dryer,
"They were dirty."
"They can be washed." Alice laughs and grabs the small cushion poof and moves it in front of the mirror and pats it, I sigh and step forward plopping down on it.
"Maybe if they were Cavalli or Guess." She hums running the brush through my wet hair.
"But they were mine." This feels weird, I don't know Alice, I don't know this world, this house and yet here I am just letting her brush and dry my hair, especially after learning she threw my favorite jeans away. They were mine and what is left of my..world. That too is weird. My world, this world, the fact that I exist in both, Alice plugs the blow dryer in and starts blowing each section straight before flipping out the ends, when she's done she sighs and lets my hair flow through her fingers,
"I knew your hair had potential, it's so long." It's really not, but I forget how short Alice's hair was, not even reaching her ears, but also not a pixie cut as the strands sticking up in every direction,
"Did you ever have long hair?" Her fingers still run through my hair,
"I don't remember." She sighs, I look up watching her expression, she's not sad or confused,
"You don't remember?" She shakes her head,
"No, I don't remember much from my human life, not like Edward." The events of yesterday when Edward and I played 20 questions comes back into my head, the way he answered my questions with ease. Everything from how old he is to where he's from, to how he was changed, everything. Alice doesn't seem to remember and by the look on her face she's okay with that.
"I'm sorry." She laughs,
"Don't be, I remember the important things. I remember my first vision of Jasper and when I joined Carlisle and Esme, those are the only memories that matter." Yes but what about your parents? Your life before? I don't know if I'd be okay with forgetting...maybe somethings, but not all of it.
"Anyway, you're going out with Carlisle today." This captures my attention and I turn watching her unplug the hair dryer and places it back in the drawer,
"Why?" She looks over her left shoulder,
"It's a surprise,"
"A good surprise or a bad surprise?" I don't like surprises, surprises take away control. I've grown up learning to take control, mostly from my mother, control when to get up, what time to leave for school, when to sneak money from her purse for lunch, and when to shut my mouth around her. Although my control was pretty shoty the night I ended up here.
"A surprise." Alice shrugs, I sigh,
"Wow, thank you for clearing that up." Alice chuckles and holds her hand out, I stare at it before standing up, she withdraws it and instead motions towards the door. I let her steer me out the bathroom and then out of Carlisle and Esme's bedroom and straight into,
"Rose." Alice beams, but Rose doesn't share the same excited look. She looks me up and down, her eyes taking in ever detail, I do the same finding that she is indeed incredibly tall just like my earlier guess, however the brown sued heel boots she wears adds an extra four inches. The color matches her over sizes swearer, the front tucked into a nice pair of black pants, with a Chanel belt that sits front and center to steal the show. These people dress very nicely for just bumming around the house. Finally her eyes leave mine and travel to Alice,
"Alice, is that my Hermes scarf?"
"Yes, but it will be dry cleaned and back in your closet tomorrow." Alice says cooly. I can't imagine these two sharing closets their styles so different. Rosalie hums and glances one last look at me, before heading back down the hall. Alice places her arm around my shoulder and forces me towards the stairs,
"I think she's beginning to like you." I turn before we can descend the staircase,
"You're not right often are you?" She chuckles
"You'll see."
…
Esme's face lights up the minute I walk into the kitchen and she places down and plate with three waffles topped with butter and strawberries,
"I hope you like waffles." She smiles and guilt wiggles it's way deep into the pit of my stomach, because I'm not hungry and I don't want to eat, but for Esme, I'll try.
"I could eat." I tell her and slowly and steadily I take a seat at the kitchen island and dig in. I'm halfway through the first one when Esme sets down a and glass of orange juice and leans her elbows on the counter,
"Did Alice tell you you're going out with Carlisle today?" I swallow slowly,
"Yes, but she won't tell me why,"
"Ice cream." Carlisle's voice booms when he enters the kitchen a smile on his face, and just like everyone else in this house he's dressed nicely, kakis and a blue sweater the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I raise one eyebrow when his eyes meet mine,
"Ice cream?" he nods, "after breakfast?" I state, I've only gotten through half of one waffle and I'm full.
"It's not until noon, you should be hungry by then." He steps up behind the island next to Esme. He wraps his one arm around her waist and gives her a gently kiss on the cheek...their almost too sweet together. It's cute.
"We're going out for ice cream at noon, that's the surprise?" Esme nudges her husband,
"Tell her the truth." I knew it, Carlisle lets her waist go and leans forward, I shove a bite of waffle into my mouth just so I don't have to talk,
"Forks is a small town and unfortunately news spreads very quickly-"
"People are already talking." I finish for him, shoving another bite of waffle into my mouth,
"Yes," Carlisle smirks, "humans both in town and at the local high school are already talking about a new member joining our family." I swallow,
"So you want to what exactly?" I raise an eyebrow, "Show me off at the ice cream shop?" Esme looks nervously at Carlisle who keeps his eyes on me,
"Not exactly, seeing as it's been five days and you're presents is still here we have to come to the conclusion that what ever happened to bring you here isn't going to happen as soon as we would like, therefor it's time we start looking into this long term." I keep my face as neutral as possible, but even I caught his wording in that sentence, he said "we."
"Okay." I take another bite, even though I'm full just to keep my voice from wobbling,
"So, Esme and I thought it best that we start by enrolling you in the local high school with the others," I nod, honestly not the worst thing he could have said, "and in order for that we need up to date records, most of which we have easily fabricated, including your school transcripts." I'm suddenly transported back to yesterday when we sat down at the table and Carlisle asked me about my grades and after school activities.
"Okay I understand," I say slowly because the way he ended his sentence leaves me to believe he still has more to say.
"However there is something that all freshman are required to have that you couldn't give me an answer too that leads me to believe you haven't had one and I'm a bit concerned by it." I scrunch my eyebrows thinking back to any questions I couldn't answer, Carlisle notices me confusion because he continues, "Marceline when's the last time you've had a basic physical?"
"Physical what?"
"When's the last time you've been to you're primary practitioner for an examination?" My eyes widen because I know where this is going,
"I don't have one of those, but I'm sure I'm okay," Carlisle face is all serious and I look back down to my waffles, thinking about shoveling another bite in, but knowing I can't, another bite and I'll throw up,
"I have no doubt that physically you are fine, but it's still a requirement for all children to attend their milestone examines as well as receiving all inoculations." I swallow and look up,
"No, thank you,"
"With all do respect Marceline, I wasn't asking. As a freshman in high school all children are required a physical examine and to be vaccinated and as a freshman you should be able to remember being pocked at least three times. Since you can't remember that leads me to one conclusion you're either suffering from an acute form of retrograde amnesia or you've never received them."
"Amnesia," I answer quickly, "I have amnesia." Carlisle's lips twitch as if to smile, but he quickly corrects himself,
"I don't think so Mare. You're a very intelligent girl, who was able to give me very good and detailed information, not to mention your game with Edward yesterday allowed you to recall more detailed stories of your life back in your own world." I clench my teeth hard. The last time I saw a doctor was when I broke my ankle, and every minute of it was painful and I'm not talking about the broken bone it's self.
"You don't know me very well, I could have been lying to you to cover up the fact that I have amnesia." This time Carlisle does smirk,
"Mare don't tell me you're afraid of needles." With a god damn vengeance
"Me? No...I just wouldn't want to waste your time today...or your money." Esme grabs my plate, I ate two out of the three and all of the strawberries,
"You're a child Mare, your job is to let Esme and I worry about everything and those two things you don't have to worry about. I'm off today and money is not your concern." Fat chance, money makes the world go round, you're either working to get it, or working to spend it, nothing is cheep in this world especially being healthy.
"You know what? I will take that into consideration and get back to you with in the week."
"Nice try, were leaving in an hour." I reach out and grab Carlisle before I can stop myself. He looks down at my hand and quickly I retract it,
"What about my bruises, what if they think you beat me?"
"Mare, sweetheart you're injures have already been documented back when you were in the ER." his eyes soften and it's then I realize I have to run"Is there anything you-"
"No" I cut him off and get to my feet, "I'll be ready in an hour." I step back and feel a hard body behind mine, I turn to see Emmett smiling,
"Hi," I lift an eyebrow,
"Hi?"
"Edward said you were going to run, I told him I'd keep you busy, do you like video games." I turn to Carlisle who has a stern scowl on his face,
"Me? Run? Funny, I wouldn't do that." Carlisle smiles,
"Of course not." He doesn't believe me at all, damn it Edward. I turn to Emmett and sigh,
"What game?"
"Are you serious?" I stare at the TV as Emmett passes me and wins first place, I drop my controller and scowl at Emmett who leans back and threads his fingers behind his head,
"Don't hate the game hate the pla-" his sentence is interrupted by the pillow I chuck at his face. Since leaving Carlisle alone in the kitchen, Emmett and I have been playing Mario cart in the living room and so far I've lost. Every. Single. Game.
"Stop hitting me with lightening bolts!" I throw another one of Esme's decorative throw pillows and quickly start a new game while Emmetts distracted,
"Are you cheating?" He grabs the pillow and throws it on the floor, before pointing to the TV, "You're cheating!" I am, it's the only way I can win. Emmett picks up his controller and quickly gets his car going. I have to say playing video games with Emmett is ten times better than playing chess with Edward,
"Ouch" Edward staggers into the living room, taking a seat next to Emmett,
"Hey Eddy." Emmett practically shouts, focusing more on the screen than the new body in the room, can't blame him I'm doing the same. I also haven't forgiven him earlier for alerting Emmett and Carlisle to the fact that I wanted to bolt,
"Stop reading my mind." I push out between clenched teeth as I force toad to take a particularly sharp turn.
"It's been about an hour." The intent in his voice is there and my hand seize up before I can cross the finish line. It doesn't matter, Emmett hits me with a bomb and passes me quickly. He throws up his hands and cheers,
"And the winner is Emmett with the large muscles and winning personality." I roll my eyes and look around for another pillow. I find on and and fling it behind me but before I can launch it at Emmetts head it's gone, taken right from my grasp. I turn to where Carlisle holds the pillow in his hand,
"Alright time to go, grab your jacket," I swallow, I can still find a way to get out of this,
"I don't have a jacket,"
"Alice bought you a jacket." Edward interrupted from his side of the couch, I turn giving him the best glare I can, but he's to busy smirking to himself to notice. Cold hands grip my shoulder and force me to my feet,
"Perfect," Carlisle declared, "we'll be home in about three hours." I try to turn to look at him, but Carlisle is already pushing me forward towards the front of the house,
"Three hours?!"
"Give or take." He answers. He stops at the front door and grabs something off a coat rack and holds it out for me to put my arms through. I sigh, she did buy me a jacket and from the look of it a nice one, a cream peacoat with black buttons and a belt around the waist. I stare at it for a second before turning around and pushing my arms through it, by the time I have it buckled and buttoned, Carlisle already has his coat on and the door to the garage opened. I give him one last look,
"After you sweetheart." I purse my lips and enter the garage only to stop dead in my tracks, I've never seen so many cars in one garage and not just cars, but luxury cars. I catch a Mercedes-Benz next to a Volvo, and right next to that is a bright yellow Porsche. At the back of the garage sits a huge red jeep, the doors have been taken off and the tires have been replaced with even bigger ones. I don't know which car is which other than Carlisle's Mercedes but I would say the jeep belongs to Emmett, a big car for a big guy, and the last car in the garage is a red convertible, the same car I pretended my barbies drove when I was a kid. These people are rich. Carlisle's arm drapes across my shoulder and begins steering me to his Mercedes,
"It's a bit overwhelming isn't it?"
"It's a wonder you stay under everyone's radar" I mumble earning a chuckle from Carlisle, who stops and once again opens the door for me, I sigh and slide in letting Carlisle close the door and then buckle my seatbelt. It's chilly in the garage but I already feel a thin sheen of sweat bead down my back and when Carlisle gets in the passenger side and shuts the door I can't help it any longer,
"Do we really have to do this?" I question watching Carlisle's features soften,
"Unfortunately yes, and as much as I get the feeling that you would love to push this off it is necessary for school and your overall health, not to mention Esme and Alice wanted you out of the house for a few hours, but do not ask me why because I have been told I'm not allowed to answer that question under any circumstance." I open my mouth as Carlisle starts the car, and open the garage door "Not under any circumstance." he repeats and I lean back into my seat and scowl.
"Fine," I mumble as we back out the garage, and down the rocky path of the driveway, it's then that I realize what I didn't days ago and thats how far they live away from the main road. After driving for a few minutes it's only then that we pull onto paved road,
"May I ask you however what has you so on edge, was I correct in thinking needles?" Partially, I turn towards Carlisle and cross my arms,
"Have you meet anyone excited to go to the doctor and be pocked," Carlisle tilts his head to the side,
"Thats fair." I sigh and turn to look out the window, trees, trees, trees, trees, "Would it make you feel better to talk about it?" Carlisle asks turning my attention back to him. He's focused on driving but by the way his gaze keeps drifting back to me he's waiting for an answer. My heart jumps into my throat and I feel it with every pulse,
"Did you know what you said back there?" I blurt out before I can even think to stop myself. Carlisle purses his lips and concentrates for a second,
"I'm afraid you're going to have to be more specific," Carlisle smiles,
"You said we?" He tilts his head to the side "You said I'm here longer than we liked."
"Ahhhh" Carlisle hums, to my surprise when I look over he's smiling at me, "I wanna leave I guess I just..I-"
"You think we want you to leave just as much as you do, is that it?" I feel the flush on my cheeks and turn away. This is what happens when you get start liking something, when you start making connections. It's only been five days but I'm getting too close to these people. I can't afford to feel that way, this is not really my life, they don't really care about me, their just being nice. Most likely because I know that their vampires and don't want me telling the world, I understand. They're protecting themselves not me, why would they? They just met me.
"I shouldn't have said anything." I mumble turning back to stare out the window,
"Marceline," Carlisle tone turns serious, I sigh and turn back towards him. He looks more intimidating with his eyes on the road and his grip on the steering wheel. "We want what you want and if you want to go home than thats what we want, not because we want you out of our home but because its what you want."
"You don't even know me, so wanting me out of your house is expected?"
"Have we done anything you expected?" Not really, letting me stay in they're home, they're talk of giving me a room in they're house, Esme cooking me meals and taking care of me, Edward taking such interest in me as to learn who I am, Alice being so excited to meet me. No non of them have acted in anyway in which I expected them too.
"No" I force out in a soft voice,
"Marceline I promise you, you being in our home is not an incontinence or a burden on us, and anything we do is because we want too and because it's a necessity to you as a human, and that's okay, do you understand?" I nod, "I need you to say it out loud sweetheart."
"I understand."
"Good."
…
I turn to Carlisle who's had his eyes on me since we sat down twenty minutes ago,
"The chairs are uncomfortable." I tell him, continuing to fidget, he smirks and then looks back towards his clipboard, so far he hasn't asked me any questions, isn't he suppose to ask me something? Mothers maiden name, history of heart disease...I don't know any of that. Don't I need a social security card, a birth certificate?
"We have to leave?" Carlisle peaks up from his paper work, "I don't have my birth certificate." Carlisle reaches into his coat and pulls out a manilla folder. Has he been keeping that in his pocket this whole time!?
"I have it right here." the shock on my face must be evident because he continues, "Jenkins had it faxed over this morning."
"I don't know what's more shocking the fact that you can have documents like these made or that you have a fax machine." I whisper and lean back,
"Anything else you want to try before we go in there?" His voice has a light touch to it, and I know he's joking, but I'm going to still try,
"I have to go to the bathroom,"
"Marceline Cullen." It's amazing how un-use to that name I am, and for a second I look around to see who else's poor soul was given such a name before I Carlisle raises his hand half way and say's "here". I don't immediately get to my feet, instead the nurse at the door, makes her way over to us,
"Dr. Cullen how are you?" She's smiles, hugging the clip board to her side,
"Mrs. Floyed your looking well, how's the change been?" She smiles wider and waves him off,
"Pssshhh it's Amy and it's been good, the hours are much more manageable and it allows Jim to take on more hours in his residency, which is what he wants."
"How are the twins?" She laughs and frowns,
"Exhausting, I am so tired."By her smile it's easy to tell she doesn't mind being tired,
"Anymore children in your future?" Carlisle raises a brow, she sighs and pats her stomach,
"Not until both can make a sandwich and pour a glass of milk...and sleep through the night." Carlisle laughs and gets to his feet,
"Thats a good plan, Amy this is my niece Marceline." She turns to me and holds her hand out, smiling as if she doesn't see the black eye and bruising under my jacket collar,
"Yes, news travels fast in this town, I'd heard you had taken your niece in. Hi Marceline, I'm Amy," Slowly I take it,
"Hi, it's Mare." She gives my hand a firm shake,
"Well Mare are you ready to come back with me?" I turn to Carlisle who nods, I sigh and get to my feet, "Come on back, are you coming too Dr. Cullen?"
"I can do this alone." I jump in before he can say anything, Carlisle nods and holds his hands up,
"Alright I'll be right out here, leave you're jacket with me." I I shrug the pea coat out and hand it to Carlisle who delicately drapes it in his lap,
"Alright, Mare follow me." Carlisle takes a seat and I take a step to follow Amy before stopping and turning towards Carlisle,
"Their going to do bad things to me in there."
"I can go with you." I swallow and sigh, turning back to Amy who now stands at the door waiting, I take a breath and follow.
Amy leads me to a room decorated with Winnie the Pooh characters, she takes my weight and height to my surprised I'm an inch taller than I thought I was. She has me sit on this high table covered in paper and then takes my temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. When she's done she apologizes because she's read my file from my trip to the ER, but explains she still needs to palpitate my stomach which means she makes me lay down and presses into my belly. It hurts and I grind my teeth the whole time, but she's gently enough and then helps me sit back up. She keeps up small talk, apparently she use to work with Carlisle at the hospital, but after giving birth to her twin boys she left to work here. I listen and nod along, answer some of her questions, like how I'm enjoying Forks and how nice my "aunt and uncle" are, and how cool my "cousins" are. When she's done she tells me Doctor Poole will be in, in a second and leaves me alone. I hate this place ,but begin bitting my cheeks the harder the better, just when I think I'll draw blood the door opens and a blonde hair women dressed in a white blouse, black pencil skirt, sneakers and a white coat walks in. She has a clip board and a pair of glasses hangling from her hand and a small smile on her face,
"Marceline Ann Cullen?" Nope, still not use to it. I nod and she grabs a small stool and scoots it closer to the table I'm sitting at and sits down, "Hello Marceline, I'm Diana Poole, how are you today?" she holds her hand out
"Mare," I correct shaking her hand, "I'm good." She puts her glasses on and begins flipping through the papers on her clipboard, "Alright, before we get started I have a few questions, I see you've had a recent trip to the Emergency room at Forks general with a mild concussion, bruised ribs and larynx, it's been about a week and I want to check on those areas but before we do are you having any pain in the area's I just described?"
"No," She stands up and grabs a pair of gloves, oh how I want to run so bad. Either she's slowly placing them on or my brain is working just slow, when she's done she turns back towards me,
"Alright Mare, can you look up for me?" Her hands gently press into the side of my neck, and I can't help but grimace when she pushes in a bit harder, "Still a bit tender?"
"A little," I confess. Carlisle was right five days ago when he said it was going to get better, it's not nearly as painful as it was and sleeping is much easier but there's still a lingering soreness in both my neck and ribs, but it feels more like I've over exercised or slept wrong.
"Alright eyes to the ceiling please," Her thumb gently pulls down under my eye careful of my bruised eye. She's probably looking for the popped blood vessels, however Edward was right in saying it would go away and with it the pink sheen everything once held. With one hand holding my eyes open her other one shines a light into them and I try my best not to blink. Once she's done she has me lay down and lifts my shirt, gently and begins feeling along my ribcage. The bruising there it also starting to lighten the purple and blue now a light yellow and green.
"Everything looks pretty good, you're healing very well."
"Well, one thing I can do right." I muse and this earns a small chuckle from the blonde doctor,
"Okay, lets continue."
As it turns out a regular checkup as Carlisle calls it doesn't take long, Dr. Poole uses her stethoscope placing it both on my chest and back, listening for a few minutes. She goes back to my neck using her hands to move my head back, forth, left and right. She peaks into my ears and nose, and then at one points asks for me to open my mouth.
"Nervous?" She asks at one point,
"Is it east to tell?"
"You've torn the inside of your mouth up?" She taps both my cheeks, "break that habit?" I swallow and nod, she finishes everything off, by using a small rubber hammer to tap both my knees and elbows, and smiles before putting away her instruments,
"All done?" I hope off the table ready to run,
"Just about," she musses when someone knocks on the door and enters. It's Amy with a covered tray, "Just need to draw some blood and administer your inoculates and you'll be right as reign." I swallow and shutter as she turns around, "Ah ah ah cheeks." she points out, I didn't even realize I was bitting them,
"Afraid of needles?" Amy frowns sympathetically. I shake my head quickly,
"Of course not," She see's through my lie but shrugs anyway,
"Alright."
"Trust me, it's only a pinch." Dr. Poole comforts,
"I'm not afraid," I repeat watching as Amy uncovers the tray.