Chapter 1:

Dr. Harris was immediately led to a door identical to all the rest. She waited for Dr. Baum to open the door for her, not wanting to be too persistent her first day. Being the gentleman he was, Dr. Baum instantly picked up on her hesitancy and politely opened the door, patiently waiting for her to enter.

At first her steps were quick, as always, but as soon as the man turned on the light, they became more and more hesitant. The room, over half the size of her apartment, was covered with test tubes and microscopes. For a science-based facility, it would not normally seem out of the norm, yet there was some slight tinge in the atmosphere that sent chills down the her spine. Still looking at the vials, she spoke barely above a whisper, "This is all from-"

"Yes," Dr. Baum interrupted, still standing in the doorway. For some reason Dr. Harris knew the man was pleased with her shocked reaction.

Gaining her composure, she turned towards the doctor, professionally pushing her glasses up. "How long?" she asked, the usual calm in her voice returning.

"Almost one year," Dr. Baum answered, as he stroked his graying goatee, trying to think of the exact amount. Entering the room he continued, "Ten months and seven-teen days I believe."

Looking once again around the room, Dr. Harris declared, "Incredible," her voice now strong and definite.

Dr. Baum took this moment to switch into his tour guide mode. Quickly motioning towards all the different sections, he stated, "Over that period of time we've taken samples of its blood, skin, saliva, semen, and anything else you can think of." He paused for a second and motioned towards one of the microscopes. "The most amazing part is that on the surface it all seems indisputably human, but once you get a deeper look..."

Taking the pause as her cue, Dr. Harris strode over to the selected microscope and peered into it. For the second time that day the usually confident doctor was at a lost for words. "God..." she breathed as she watched the specimen's blood from all different angles.

"Just wait until you see the specimen itself," the man stated with the same fervor that intrigued Dr. Harris earlier.

Once again speechless, she had no choice but to follow as the once nervous man seemed to take charge, his confidence building from her amazement. She usually hated relinquishing control, but in this particular case she was too astounded to notice. She continued to follow the doctor down a series of hallways. Finally reaching another identical white-painted door at the end of the hallway, Dr. Baum proudly reached for his ID badge and swiped it though a keypad. It was then the perceptive woman noticed no other door had that kind of keypad protection. Keeping her face calm, even though thoughts swarmed through her mind like the butterflies in her stomach, she followed the doctor into a small room that looked slightly like a foyer to a large house. Eyeing the room skeptically, Dr. Harris immediately took notice of the small green gems scattered throughout the walls.

"The specimen is just beyond this room, but there a few things I need to clear with you first," Dr. Baum started as he searched for his clipboard, his uneasiness quickly returning. Taking the woman's silence as an agreement, the doctor said, "For the following statements I need a 'yes' or 'no' answer, quickly and precisely."

Looking at the man for the first time since she'd entered the room, Dr. Harris finally felt in her comfort zone, quick and precise were her middle names. "Yes," she said with a firm nod.

Fidgeting with his clipboard, the male doctor recited off the first statement, "I realize I am here of my own free will, but once I enter these doors I am obligated to this facility's rules and procedures."

Only waiting a second to process the information, Dr. Harris replied strongly, "Yes."

After eyeing the woman for a moment, Dr. Baum continued down his clipboard, "I will not get attached to this or any other specimen, for I realize that it is the property of this facility and nothing else."

The question catching her off guard, Dr. Harris was silent for a couple seconds before answering, "Yes."

Obviously wanting to finish the procedure, Dr. Baum fidgeted under the intense stare of Dr. Harris and quickly rattled off, "And lastly, I realize I am here for the sake of science and humanity."

"Yes."

Almost looking relieved, Dr. Baum quickly handed the clipboard to Dr. Harris, as if it held some kind of unknown curse. "I just need you to sign here," he said as he pointed to a dotted line at the end of the page.

Glancing over the official looking piece of paper, Dr. Harris answered, "Of course, I just have one question..." She paused for a moment, just to make sure she had the man's full attention. "This is obviously a science facility, yet I am a psychologist. Even though I am honored, I am still confused as to why your people contacted me."

Dr. Baum instantly bit his bottom lip. After much consideration, he answered, "Unfortunately, I cannot answer any questions until you sign that piece of paper. I already crossed the line by answering your previous questions in the examination room."

Slowly nodding, Dr. Harris replied, "Of course...I understand." After reading through the paper one last time, she signed it, making her usually illegible signature pristine.

Hesitantly taking the clipboard back, Dr. Baum carefully eyed the signature, as if to check for its authenticity. Placing the clipboard randomly on the desk, he continued, "And to answer your previous question...our subject is remarkably human-like, much like its samples. When it arrived, it was very intelligent yet stubborn. Unfortunately, some scientists didn't take kindly to its rebellion..." he paused for a second, as if to detach himself for the words he was about to speak. "It now seems almost completely withdrawn from reality. Some of us hope to heal and recapture some of that intelligence, with your help of course."

Her hazel eyes skeptically looking at the doctor, Dr. Harris wondered what she had just signed herself up for.

To Be Continued...