Chapter 3.
"Are you ready, Alex?". Her dad asked. While Alex laid on the couch. She had caught a bad cold, along with sore throat, and had been coughing all day. Her big eyes, usually surrounded by pale, were red as she looked up. Only her eyes were shown, as the rest of her hid behind a big pillow. "I… I hope so". She coughed into her pillow. "I…. I.". "Here, sweetheart. Here's some more syrup". Her mom gave her a little cup to drink from. The sound of coughing was muffled as she hid behind the big pillow. Her, "Girls are an inspiration to the world", T-shirt was seen as the blanket fell off of her back. "Here you go, you've got it?". She asked, as Alex took a drink, making a face as she did so. "Yes, indubitably". Alex said, laying back down.
Her mom chuckled a little, as she went away. Looking back at her daughter, who was sitting up at this point, Mrs. Ross acknowledged her husband. "I don't know, maybe I should call Mrs. Sanban, tell her it isn't such a good idea, if Alex goes on". "Alex wants to see her friend, I suppose, it's not that bad". Mr. Ross said. "Not that, ba…. She's sick, Don!".
"Yes, yes. Yes. She will not go". "Yes. She will not go. Although, she has been waiting for this special friendship dinner for a while now". "Alex should not go. She's sick. I'm sure she's too tired to move!". "Mom, dad". Alex walked toward them, slowly. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" her mom bent down to feel her forehead. "I… I'm ok". "I want to go see Kuki". "Oh, well, I don't know if that's such a good idea". "You don't feel so well, either". "Why not go lay down?". "I can't". Alex protested. "I want to go see Kuki". "I want Kuki". "Maybe the friendship dinner can wait". Her mom said. "But, I want to go the friendship dinner". "I don't want to lose my deposit". "You won't lose any deposit" her mom said. "Let's get you upstairs, baby". "No, mom". Alex came away from the hug. "I'm ok. I want to go to the Friendship Dinner". "Kuki and I have been planning it for months now". "Can I please go?". "I'm fine". "I'm doing better already". "I'm not coughing, see?". "Please, mom?". She asked. "Fine, but no raw fish". Mrs. Ross said. "Ok" . she said, going upstairs to get dressed. "Well, that's weird". Her dad said. "Usually she's never sick". "A healthy girl all around".
"Mm, " a certain agent from a certain treehouse said. Hoagie, sat back analyzing a data stream. "She never should get sick". "
Her immune levels are normal, her blood is normal, and her iron levels are amazing". "Her immune system is the strongest I've seen, ever". "Yes?" Nigel inquired, turning his chair around. "It seems the only thing affected by the washout, was her…. Intelligence level". "The kicked IQ, is a result of restructure caused by brain damage". "Hmmmm". "Well, she is advanced". Hoagie put his computer mouse down. "She's healthy, she's intelligent, she's skilled in a variety of areas". "There's no reason why she shouldn't be liked". He smiled. "Well, she is talented". "And smart, and funny, and kind". "She's beautiful". Kuki said dreamily, putting on her coat. "Remember the assignment". Nigel snapped. The two of them looked over. "Yes, of course," Kuki became serious. "Although, she is…. Amazing". She giggled happily, thinking of the two of them backpacking through Europe together. Or her blowing on her face, when she was sick. "Numbuh 3". Nigel said, zeroing in. "gather information". "Right yes". She said, seriously. She had known her assignment was to analyze Alex for undercover purposes. Instead of skipping happily, and wobbly, as if she'd just seen a Rainbow Monkey, she walked with haste to the "restaurant". Rubbing his chin, thoughtfully, he'd said, "never sick, hmm?" "Perchance". He nodded, responding to himself. His lip came up to a corner of his mouth as he kept analyzing the information on her.
"This is the place". Mr., Ross said, parking the car. "Yes, it is". Alex said weakly, as she climbed out. "Where I'll meet Kuki". Alexandria said. "Alright, now,". He turned around, to see Alex half asleep in the back seat. "Here is your medicine, take it every 15 minutes". He said, ensuring she heard. "Ok". she said, lifting her head. "I'll pick you up around 8". He stated. "Please be here. You have a head cold, and need to be home". He said. "Ok, dad". She said. "Why don't I walk you in?" he asked. "Ok". Alex groaned, picking herself up to walk. It was a rainy evening as the restaurant sat perched at the end of the street.
The two of them walked into where the lobby was, and they met Kuki. 'Hi there, Kuki! How are you, dear?". Mr. Ross asked. There she stood, her oversized green sweater, and black leggings. Instead of her usual bubbly self, who had skidded across the playground, pulling Alex's arm, glad to see her, Kuki seemed much more serious than usual. Well, chique. "Mmmmm, doing fine Mr. Ross, how are you?". Taken aback by this, Mr. Ross stood, stuttering, still maintaining his composure. "Good, good, so," he filled her in on details. "This is Pyridoxine". She should take this every 30-45 minutes".
"Be sure she has this with a thin fluid". "This will help her coughing". Nodding, Kuki acknowledged him. "Mm mm, yes sir". "I will also make sure she has her milk". "I'm sure that will help with immune strength, and development, along with prenatal growth and awareness of neonatal bonding". She said. Mr. Ross stood stunned. All this, serious reciting of information, from Kuki no less, with no giggling, or laughing, or mentioning of Rainbow Monkeys whatsoever, was absurd.
"Um….. yes, certainly". "Do that". He said. "Also pickup is at 8, so,... Be ready". He reminded. "Mm mm, yes" Kuki said. "Should I also watch her raw fish, and chicken intake?" "she should watch for harmful substances in her meal". "Also, can her medicine be taken with milk?". "Sure". "Yes". Mr. Ross said. "Watch her blood too". "Nothing that will have us fail a blood test at Quest Diagnostics".
"Ok". Kuki said. "Bye dad". Alex said. "Bye, sweetheart. Have a good time". Mr. Ross said. "Bye Mr. Ross". Kuki waved. "See you later". With that, Mr. Ross left. "I've been sick all day". Alex said. "So, I woke up this morning, I couldn't get out of bed, it was a nightmare". She said. But to no avail, Kuki walked away, looking at her phone. Her thin lips glossed red. "Mm mm" she said, pushing a button on the elevator.
She then walked away, saying nothing to Alexandria. With the dim light present, Alex could easily see she was alone in the elevator. She sat cross legged on the floor before realizing she was alone. "Kuki" she said a couple times. "Kuki" she said again. No answer. "She might be in the corner". She assumed, as she looked over by the double doors. No one there. "Um… Kuki" she said again. "Kuki". Worried, she pressed the button on the elevator. "Come on, now" she said, worriedly. "Come on, please". "Please". She said. She pressed the button again. A light flashed. "Please say a command". A soft, robotic, girly voice said. "I want to go up". Alex said, "I want to go up". "Access… granted". The voice said.
The elevator went dark, as Alex looked around, now worried sick. Coughing, she looked, trying to at least feel out where she was. "Kuki", she sounded a bit worried now. A dim yellow light shone ahead. The light blinked, on and off slowly. "Oh, a light.". Alex said. "Well, why is that there?". The robotic, automated voice, began speaking, slowly, in a manner they figured she would follow. "Directive". The voice said, slowly. Alex turned her head. "Um… what?". She asked. "Directive". The voice said again. "Directive" . the light became slower. "Directive". The voice said again. "Directive". "Directive". "Directive". "Directive". Very slowly. Only gradually did the light, move, blink, quicker. "Directive". The voice said again. "Directive". Alex turned around, coughing again, looking up at the top of the steel doors. She was alone in that wide area. "Directive". The soft robotic voice, a feminine voice said again. "Directive". She looked up. Her fingers were again, in her mouth. She certainly did look to be an underdeveloped 7 year old girl, whose pale face, and big eyes, with nothing but pale skin around them, and bags, were red due to head cold.
She did look to be someone who had gotten a rough start from the very beginning. She was very thin, although she ate relatively healthy. Her ribcage almost showed, although thankfully, she gained more weight due to the new diet her, and her family followed, set by the pediatrician. She turned around, with a puzzled look on her face, noising as she did so. "Directive". The voice said. With its monotone clarity, and its flat repertoire, it analyzed Alex, thoroughly, coldly. As if it had known things, about her, and her backstory, where she came from, who she was, who she was set to become, according to statistics. "Directive" the voice said, again. A warm feminine voice, reassuring her it would be ok. "Directive" the voice said. "Dir-ect-ive". The light became quicker and quicker, until, another netting material came about, scanning the room, with Alex in it. "Alexandria Ross" another automated voice came in.
A hologram of Kuki Sanban appeared. She was back finally. In a serious manner, she crossed her legs, sitting down, acknowledging, looking over at Alexandria when she spoke. "Hello, Alexandria". "Yes, we know who you are". "Rest assured, your secrets are safe with us". "Please keep in mind, this information will remain confidential, unless consent is relayed". "Your information can be used for further therapeutic uses, or for other Kids Next Door operatives". She said, mechanically, pausing after "door".
"Alexandria Ross", "Born: May 15th, 1999". "Hair color: brown. Eye color: brown. Weight: 98 pounds. Height: 4'9in. Blood type: o negative. I.Q. level: 201. Above average.". "Born to unwedded mother, Amanda Ross, Alexandria's mother died in a car crash 3 days after Alexandria was born". "put into the foster care system and adopted by parents, Kick and Reefer Madness, Alexandria was heavily abused" "Because of this heavy trauma, neglect, and abuse, Alexandria...Ross was removed from the premises by Protective Services". "Alexandria eventually was adopted by parents: Don, and… Luau Rockstar". "Due to heavy neglect, and abuse, Alexandria has been traumatized". "Due to little or no prenatal care, and nutrition, Alex has developed low immune tolerance for blood shifting". "Adopted by...current parents, Diane and Mark Ross, Alexandria has under-went multiple surgeries, and treatment plans for her disorders caused by lack of nutrition". "Due to shifting of fluids, and rewiring of endings located in Amygdala, caused by brain damage, Alexandria has suffered from intellectual disability".
"Therefore, making her IQ, gifted". Kuki still spoke. Folding her hands as she did so. "Due to this, we have seen her progress tremendously, throughout the years". "However, rapidly we have seen a steady inclination of course in several areas". "Functioning, and engagement, are low to minimal". "Others are steady to none". A harshness was heard in her voice. Then returning to its normal soft, airy stream. "Alex", "you are not diseased". "There's nothing wrong with you". She said in a soft motherly voice. "You are amazing". "You are incredible". "There's no one like you". "I love you". "However, for purposes alluding to the strength of the Kids Next Door, operatives Research Sect, we need your strength in numbers". "Alexandria". She said. "You of course should be grateful of your intellect". "Not many people of your factor are lucky". "They don't have high IQ's".
"They have been discovered in prisons and are likely to have low survival rate". "But you still survive". "You're still here". "You can still do great things". Kuki said. Her lips, her red, cherry, yet shiny tight, thin lips were seen again, as they closed. "Or, you can remain at your position, and do remedial work, getting remedial pay". "It's your choice... Alex". She said, softly. "Think about it". Before the screen went off. The lights on the elevator returned to normal, as Alex still wondered what the heck happened. A Rainbow Monkey doll spoke robotically. "Voice key incorrect". It said. "Um…." "I
don't… I…" "Voice key incorrect".
The Rainbow Monkey repeated. Nervously, and shaking at this point, Alex pressed the elevator button again. "Going up" an automatic voice stated. The doors opened revealing Kuki speaking through a headset. "... and thank you for choosing Kids Next Door operating service please touch base with us soon". "Don't be pensive, or equivocal". She said airily. Turning around, she glanced to see Alex there. "Oh, la la la la la la la la!". She sang innocently.
"Um.. Kuki," she asked. "Oh, um…. Yes, Alex?". She asked. "Um…. so, uh….. You're not going to believe what happened…. You know, back, back at the elevator". She said. "So, I noticed you weren't there, so I looked for you, but, you were gone. Then, I tried to go up the elevator, but, this weird voice, and this hologram, came to me and,... It…. I… I..". "I….". Kuki smiled, staring at her. She pushed a button beside her. "Wait so,..." Kuki still smiled. "That was… you… you?". That seems valid? Sure, yes, valid". Alex tried to put together what happened. "Ok, just making.. Sure". "Mmmmm". Kuki said, smiling. "For someone so smart, it took a while, didn't it?" "that was Earth-shattering". She, walked away, curvaceously, in a professional, sleek manner. Then, as if to revert modes instantly, from sleek, intelligent, brash scientist, to immature little girl, she jumped up and down, excitedly. "Come on, Bestest friend!" "Let's go get some dinner!" "Sushi!" she exclaimed happily, jumping up and down. As if there was an immediate shift in mood. They walked off, Alex asking, "what the…? What on Earth was that?". But, heh. That was just the tip of what was in store for her.