Ceres was laying on her stomach, piecing some tinker toys together. It was pitch black outside and a steady rain was falling against the stained glass windows. There was a soft rumble of thunder and she looked up.

"Ceres?" A gentle voice called to her from another room. She put her toys down and stood up. The house was completely dark save for a nearby floor lamp and some candelabras on the wall.

"Ceres?"

"I'm coming." She called back. An eerie feeling crept up her spine as she ventured into the front corridor.

"Ceres?" The voice sounded farther away now. She advanced forward but froze abruptly as she passed the small table in the hallway. Just above it was a rectangular mirror, just low enough for her to see herself. The nearby candles just barely illuminated her tiny face. She stared into the mirror, into eyes that didn't seem to belong to her.

"Ceres, come here!" The gentle voice took on a panicked note. Suddenly she was being grabbed from behind and a large hand covered her mouth.

"CERES!"

She gasped as she jerked awake. The sharp intake of air sent her into a painful coughing fit and tears filled her eyes. Once the fit had subsided, she grabbed her phone off of the bedside table, using its flashlight to scan the room. She felt as though there was some kind of horrible presence all around her, but the flashlight revealed nothing but medical equipment and a chair.

I'm alone here.

She put a hand on her chest, trying to slow her breathing. Her heart was pounding painfully and she could hear it in her head.

What the hell was that?

"Ceres?" An abrupt male voice caused her to take in another painful intake of air. She jerked her head around to see Dr. Cho in the doorway.

"Ceres, are you okay?"

"Y-yeah. I'm… f-fine."

"Are you sure?"

She wiped her eyes.

"I… just… thought.. I mean, I.. dreamt… nevermind. I… think… I'm… goofy… from… the… pain… medication." Talking still entailed a lot of effort, and her lungs burned.

"If you're feeling anxious, I can give you something to help you relax."

"No!" She gasped.

"Are you sure? If you're having nightmares-"

"Okay." She sighed. It wasn't like the side effects would be new to her. She stared up at the ceiling as Dr. Cho left the room, wiping the residual tears from her eyes.

I just need to move my fingers. Then I'll wake up like I always do.

She was taken aback when Dr. Cho returned with two small paper cups a few minutes later.

"What… what's… that?"

"It's called hydroxyzine. It will help you relax and fall asleep." He handed her the paper cups and she just stared at them.

"It's… it's… not… a… shot?"

Dr. Cho frowned.

"No… we don't typically give sedatives via IV unless we're putting you under for surgery."

"Oh…right… I… knew… that…" Ceres swallowed the tiny pill and chased it with some water.

"That should help you relax at least. I'm about to get off my shift, but press the call button if you need anything else. One of the nurses will come by to help you."

Ceres nodded and put her head back down on her pillow, already feeling a sense of calm. Even when she closed her eyes, she sensed that Dr. Cho was lingering in the doorway, watching her. When he finally walked away she let out a deep, shuddering breath. The medication was already taking hold, but it was a pleasant heavy feeling instead of a blunt, terrifying one. She soon drifted off, bits and pieces of her dream falling away inside her head. But the voice stuck with her, as did the residual feeling of terror.

"Ms. Beaker?"

She slowly opened her eyes to see a pleasant-looking nurse standing by her bed.

"Good morning. How are you feeling?"

Ceres flexed her arms and legs. They were no longer heavy and she felt more rested than she'd been in months.

"I'm feeling… better."

"Good. I'm just going to listen to your heart and lungs for a minute, then we can see about getting you some breakfast, okay?"

"Okay." Talking still entailed more effort than usual, but it hurt less than before. She sat up and breathed in and out as instructed, staring out the nearby window as she did so.

"It sounds like your lungs are a little less strained now, but we'll still want to do some supplemental oxygen therapy today, okay? I promise it's not as scary as it sounds."

"What… what are… you.. Going.. To… do?"

"We're just going to put a mask over your nose and mouth to boost your oxygen levels. Your injury isn't severe enough to need intubation."

"Okay." Ceres' relief took the form of a smile. Her father's experiments were nothing short of invasive, and she'd expected her treatment at the hospital to be similar.

"I'm going to talk to the doctor and then we can get started, okay?" The nurse left the room and Ceres picked her phone up. There was a text from Nicola.

So my dad told me you went to the hospital?! He said you were coughing up blood because you fell down the stairs. I hope you're doing okay! :(

She smiled and her thumbs flew across the touch screen as she replied.

I'm doing a little bit better. I have to have supplemental oxygen therapy which sucks, but I should be able to go home in a few days. We can work on the project once I get back. A few minutes passed and then her phone chimed again.

Oh yeah! Ty has some great visual aids we can use. Can you have visitors…?

I think so, but I'm all the way in Windenburg. It would be great to see you, but if you can't make the trip I understand. :)

Part of her couldn't believe that she actually wanted to see Nicola. But the other part of her…

"Knock knock."

She cringed as her father entered the room, bearing another cup of coffee.

"...Hi, dad."

"How are you doing, my dear?" He pulled a nearby chair close to her bedside.

"Better." She said coldly. "They're… starting…. my… therapy… in.. a… few… minutes."

"Is that so? I'd like to see this fancy supplemental oxygen machine myself. I'm certain I can whip up something similar. You don't really want to spend a few days here, do you?"

Actually, I do.

She cleared her throat, a stupid gesture on her part. It sent her into another painful coughing fit. Loki waited patiently for it to subside, wearing his usual expression of nonchalance.

"No." Ceres sighed in defeat.

"That's what I thought."

"Alright, Ms. Beaker, we're going to start you on some oxygen, okay?" A new doctor entered the room, the pleasant nurse following him with a small machine on wheels.

"Sounds… good."

"May I?" Loki said, gazing at the machine intently. The doctor and nurse exchanged glances.

"Umm… if you want to look at it… sure." The doctor said slowly. Loki examined the machine closely and pulled out a small notepad.

"You wouldn't happen to have a screwdriver, would you?" The inventor inquired, gesturing to the closed panel on one side of the machine.

"Mr. Beaker, I'm afraid I can't allow you to take it apart." The doctor said in disbelief. Loki scoffed.

"Perhaps there's an instruction manual someplace?"

"...Tell you what, I'll try to find it once we get your daughter hooked up." The doctor exchanged glances with the nurse again. The mask was placed over Ceres' nose and mouth and she tensed up.

"The oxygen will start flowing in a minute, Ms. Beaker. Breathe in as deeply as you can to start. But don't force it."

Ceres nodded and tried to relax. Sure enough, the oxygen started flowing and she inhaled as deeply as she could without causing pain.

"Now, just breathe normally and press the call button if you need anything. I'll see about that manual, Mr. Beaker."

The doctor and nurse left, leaving the father and daughter duo alone again.

"Once I have that manual and some blueprints, I'm certain I can make one of these myself. You'll be home by tomorrow." Loki smirked and left the room. Ceres bit back tears and picked her phone back up.

My Uncle Vidcund says he can bring me. What time should I come by? I have to wait until after school, of course.

Anytime. Ceres typed back, I can't wait to see you.

She drifted in and out of consciousness, occasionally glancing at the time on her phone. The oxygen therapy was paused for about a half-hour so she could eat lunch. By the time 3 o'clock rolled around, her throat was painfully dry but she felt better otherwise.

"Alright, Ms. Beaker, we're going to stop the therapy for today." The nurse said cheerfully as she entered the room and switched off the machine. "How are you feeling?"

"Thirsty." Ceres said as soon as the mask was removed.

"I'll see about getting you some ice water, okay? Just sit tight."

"Ceres?"

The girl turned her head to see Nicola in the doorway, her pink backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Hey." Talking felt easier now, but she had a feeling it wouldn't last. "Come in."

Nicola entered the room as the nurse left, a blond man with a severe bowl haircut following closely behind her.

"This is my Uncle Vidcund." Nicola didn't seem particularly happy that the man was with her.

"Umm… hi."

Vidcund studied her intensely for a moment.

"Interesting." He remarked, "I remember you looking a little… different."

"What?" Ceres said. Nicola cleared her throat.

"Uncle Vidcund, why don't you get us some snacks?"

"Sure. What do you want?" He said reluctantly, not taking his eyes off of Ceres.

"Umm… I don't care. What do you want, Ceres?"

"Umm… some kind of cake I guess. A cupcake or something."

"...Fine. I'll be back." Vidcund left and Nicola exhaled sharply.

"I'm so sorry. He insisted on coming along and he was acting weird the whole way over here."

"Yeah… I got that." Ceres frowned.

"He said he first met you when you were a kid."

Something clicked in Ceres' head.

"Hey, my clothes are in that plastic bag over there. Find my jeans and look in the left back pocket."

Nicola looked at her quizzically but did as she was told.

"It's a… photograph?"

"Give it to me." Ceres demanded.

Your answer is there. She remembered that mysterious sim's words. It only took her a moment to spot what was strange.

"Does my hair look… darker to you?" She handed the photo back to Nicola.

"Yeah, it does." The other girl squinted. "Your eyes look different, too."

"What?" She took the photo back. Sure enough, her eyes were taking on a brownish hue.

"It could just be the lighting." Nicola suggested, "Looks like there were only a few candles on the walls and no other lights."

"Yeah, but… what's weird is… that boy, my brother… I remember him being blond like me, but his hair is darker here too. And…" She scanned the photo again. "I actually don't remember taking this picture. I know I was pretty little, but…" She looked at her friend hopelessly.

"I'm so confused." Nicola muttered, taking off her glasses and rubbing her eyes.

"You're telling me." It was hard for Ceres to breathe again- there was now a giant lump in her throat. "It has to be the lighting… there's no other logical explanation." She spoke the words in an effort to reassure herself, but it didn't work.

"Yeah." Nicola said softly. The two sat in silence for a moment, Ceres staring at the photo and Nicola rubbing her eyes.

"I'm back." Loki entered the room and Ceres quickly shoved the photo underneath her pillow.

"Dad? I thought… I.. thought… you went… home."

"I did. I got a good start on my own supplemental oxygen machine." His eyes fell onto Nicola. "Now, who's this ?"

"Oh. I'm Nicola. You must be Mr. Beaker." Nicola put on her usual chipper demeanor but Ceres could see that she was nervous.

"Call me Loki. Please." He stepped closer and she backed away slightly. "I have to say, the resemblance between you and your father is striking."

Nicola opened her mouth to say something but then Vidcund reentered the room.

"Loki." He said coldly, stepping towards the other man slowly and deliberately. Ceres couldn't read her father's expression for once- it was somewhere between contempt and amusement.

"Well, well, well… if it isn't my… old friend."

"Spare me the sarcasm." Vidcund growled, setting his bag of snacks on the foot of Ceres' bed.

"Really, Vidcund, it's been years. I'm nothing but pragmatic." Loki said calmly.

The other man scoffed.

"I will neither forgive nor forget what you've done, Beaker."

"Oh, I'm hurt." Loki smirked. The men stared each other down for a moment and Nicola cowered. Ceres wanted to join her, but, being confined to her bed, she couldn't.

"What are you doing here, anyway?"

"I'm here with my niece. Lazlo and Crystal are occupied so I took it upon myself to bring her here."

"And what are you doing here?" Loki turned to Nicola.

"She's… my friend." Ceres said, "She just.. wanted… to see me."

"Well, visiting hours are over." Loki sneered. "I suggest you leave."

"Actually, visiting hours are from 9 to 9. It's what, 4?" Vidcund looked at his watch.

"If you don't leave, I'll tell security you're both harassing my poor daughter. Now get out." Loki said calmly.

"No." Ceres sat up. The three other Sims turned to look at her. "They're not… bothering me… dad."

"I beg to differ."

"If they leave… you're leaving too." She wasn't sure if it was pure stupidity or being high off the pain medications that made her stand up to her father, but she knew she'd regret it when she went home.

"I am your father. I can stay as long as I want, when I want."

"Actually… I think it's… all my… decision."

"It certainly is your decision, Ceres."

Dr. Cho entered the room, clutching a clipboard and looking agitated.

" Abhijeet? " Vidcund's voice was laced with shock.

"That's me." Dr. Cho seemed unfazed. "But I'd prefer if you called me by my proper title."

"Ah, just who I needed to see." Loki's expression of contempt quickly changed into a smile. "I've acquired a supplemental oxygen machine, doctor. If you'll just discharge Ceres-"

"I don't think so, Mr. Beaker. I've got some tests to run." Dr. Cho remained calm and walked to Ceres' bedside.

"Surely her levels are well within reasonable bounds."

"We won't know until we run the tests." The doctor said sharply. "How are you feeling in general, Ceres?"

"Tired." She sighed, "But it's…a little… easier to… breathe."

"Good." Dr. Cho gently picked up her wrist and took her pulse. "Your pulse is still a little fast- your lungs and heart are working harder than usual."

"She's a minor, so I believe I get the final say." Loki snapped. Dr. Cho huffed.

" Loki, she needs proper oxygen therapy, more than an at-home device can provide. If her condition is treated poorly, she could sustain permanent lung damage, or, worse, die. "

"Oh. I see." Loki's voice was cold but nonchalant. "Is it possible to file some discharge paperwork regardless?"

"That would be discharging her AMA, or Against Medical Advice. I strongly advise-"

"So be it."

Ceres glanced at Nicola. She could see tears in her brown eyes. Vidcund looked spiteful. Dr. Cho stood there with his mouth open for a moment, then appeared to swallow hard.

"Okay. I'll get the paperwork. Ultimately, you do get the final say."

"That's more like it. How soon can we get it done?" Loki sounded overtly eager.

"The lead practitioner won't be in until tomorrow morning. It needs to go through her first. The soonest we can get Ceres out is early tomorrow afternoon." Dr. Cho sounded pained.

"Fine."

"I.. I'd like to be… alone… now." Ceres whimpered.

"And that is your decision, and your decision alone. I'm going to have to ask all of you to leave." The pain in Dr. Cho's voice didn't dwindle.

"Okay." Nicola said quietly, standing up and slinging her backpack over one shoulder. Vidcund, Dr. Cho, and Loki reluctantly left the room at the same time.

"Nicola…" Ceres rasped.

"...Yeah?"

"Nicola, I..." Ceres looked down at her hands and the other girl looked at her in nervous anticipation.

"Nevermind. I'll see you… at school… when… I… get out."

"Okay." Nicola's voice was even softer than before. The girls gazed at each other until she walked out the door. Once she was gone, Ceres pulled the photo out from under her pillow and stared at it some more, tears sliding down her cheeks. She was nothing short of lost.