They were all over him.
Frantically, he tried to brush them away, but their sharp pincers gripped his skin tightly. They clicked and buzzed, covering every inch of him, drowning out his terrified whimpers. "Oh God, get them off! Help me, please!"
"Daniel Jackson!"
The black-clad figure glared menacingly at him, grey eyes burning in anger. "How could you let them do this to you?" she snarled, not seeming to notice the endless swarm of insects. "Weakling!"
"I tried!" he shouted back, and the bugs were gone. "I tried...they found out. Tried to hide it...couldn't stop it..."
"You should have fought back," the woman snapped at him, merging with the shadows themselves. "You should have killed them before you let them take you!"
"I couldn't...no, not even if Jack was really a Goa'uld! I'd never..."
"You are of no use to me now, pathetic piece of filth!" She gave him a disgusted look. "Unless you somehow manage to break out of here, I doubt I'll be seeing you again."
"Wait, don't go...!"
But there were only soft white walls.
He pressed himself further into the harmless wall, pressing his face into his hands. How long have I been here? he wondered shakily, feeling stubble scrape his skin like the swarm of bugs had done. It felt like he'd been locked in this little room forever, with nothing but intense hallucinations to keep him company.
Temporarily lucid, he thought back to the woman. I know I've heard her voice before...in another delusion? Seemed so real, not like the others. I don't...can't remember...God, it's so hard to think.
The sound of the nearly-hidden door opening drew his attention, but he closed his eyes. No, don't need more drugs...please, just leave me alone...
"Don't expect too much. If he becomes agitated, call the aides."
What? Cringing a little, he looked up without moving his head. Three blurry, green figures were awkwardly standing across the room. Daniel sniffled quietly. They look real...they're not totally clear like the hallucinations tend to be... "Jack?" he asked softly.
Sam's voice answered. "It's us, Daniel. Can't you see us?"
Relief. It was really them. "I was just making sure you weren't figures of my...mind," he stammered, not looking directly at them in fear they'd vanish. "They took away my glasses in case I broke the lenses and, uh, tried to...hurt myself."
"Are they treating you okay?" Jack, this time.
"Yeah." He choked back a hysterical sob, and saw that none of them made any move toward him. He sniffled a little, trying to rein in his emotions. "I'm sorry!"
"For what?" Jack asked, still not moving.
"For being such a headcase..." The last part degenerated into an almost panicky laugh. Please...don't go...please be real...
"It's not your fault, Daniel." Even Sam was starting to cry, and Sam didn't do that. Oh God...they're not real? Please...please be real...