Strange Changes

The place was dark, something that never would have happened in the past. But these days they needed to be even more hidden. The only things still running were the refrigerator and the chair. Many questioned keeping the chair running but it was necessary to keep memories in case of emergency. For now this place was safe but none of them knew how long that would last.

No one used the yoga room anymore, or the art room, or climbed the rock wall, or got massages. It was all about survival now. None of them could afford those simple pleasures. Though there were more people, the House seemed emptier somehow. Without the bright lights and the shuffle of Dolls, it was just a shell to hide in.

Claire walked through the large rooms handing out blankets or water bottles. She ran out of lollipops a long time ago and it seemed foolish to get more when there were more important supplies they needed. Still, she wished she had them now. They always made her patients happy, and people could use a little happiness.

She went in to the sleeping area. Most didn't use it anymore. There was one, though, and that was who Claire was going to see. Candles surrounded one of the pods, giving off a warm glow. She could see a shape curled up inside the pod. Carefully she knelt down next to the pod.

"Topher," she called out. She waited, and in a moment the man's head popped up. "How are you feeling today?"

"It's you!" he gasped. He quickly scrambled out of the pod, fingers latching onto her lab coat. "I know you!"

"Yes," Claire confirmed. "You do."

"You look different," Topher noted, frowning. His fingers reached out to brush against her cheek. His eyes flickered over the woman's face uncertainly. "Epidermis completely reconstructed," he muttered.

"My scars," the doctor clarified. Her hand lifted to touch his and gently guided it away from her face. "You're right, I had them removed. I decided I didn't need them anymore." That got a little smile to move over Topher's face. "Did you eat today?" she asked, resuming her duties.

"Same question asked before," he noted, fingers now going to his lips. He always had a way of using his hands while he spoke and now it happened much more frequently. "She came in and asked me. Sometimes I forget."

"So Adelle was already here." Most found it difficult to understand Topher these days, but Claire had no trouble at all. She wasn't sure if this was because of her imprint or just from knowing him for years. Adelle was growing almost as skilled so Claire liked to think it was the latter. "In that case, I'll read to you."

That got Topher to light up. He clamored back into his pod eagerly. Claire rummaged through his belongings until she found the books. When she read to Topher she stuck with a few stories that seemed to please him: Alice in Wonderland, Hansel and Gretel, The Snow Queen, and sometimes if he were feeling especially alert she would read him a comic book. She didn't know why she gravitated toward those stories but Topher seemed to enjoy them.

Today it was The Snow Queen. Topher listened to the whole thing, his fingers twisting his blanket when Claire got to the part about spelling "eternity" in the ice. It looked like this would be one of Topher's good days. Later when she needed to administer his medicine Topher took it without protest.

"I'll be back," Claire promised him.

"Wait!" Topher grabbed at her lab coat again. "Have to tell you: don't go in the art room. Blood, death, screaming. Stay this way." Claire couldn't fight the sad look that crossed her face.

"I will," she promised, and quietly walked away.

They couldn't stay down here forever. It was getting harder to make supply runs without being tracked or caught. Butchers were increasing, salivating at the buffet that hid below. At the moment they were waiting on word from Echo or Alpha. Strange that after all those two did to take down the Dollhouse, they would be the ones trying to save its people.

When Echo finally did come back, she made the unexpected request of a back-up wedge. It seemed like everyone was taking precautions.

"You know, Echo," Claire began thoughtfully. "If someone does come back here, they'll need a programmer to upload all of these memories."

"Fair point," the girl agreed. There was a heavy silence as the implications settled in. "You're going to stay here?"

"I think that's best," the doctor nodded.

"Doc, you can lose yourself if you do this. You know that, right?"

"I don't think I will," Claire argued. "I've seen how you, Alpha, Priya and Anthony all fought against the imprints. You all found your true selves. I would like to do the same. Whoever I am, I don't think that will change."

Echo was at a loss for words. Then suddenly she reached out and pulled Claire in for a tight hug. "It was an honor knowing you, Claire Saunders," she whispered. Claire responded with a smile, then keyed in the command to start the back-up process.

Adelle started gathering everyone together for the exodus. They would be going into a place that they called Safe Haven. Alpha built it so it was sure to be free from the tech. Adelle was having a difficult time coaxing Topher out of his pod. Finally Claire decided to try her luck.

"I think I know why you chose this pod out of all the others," she mentioned when she arrived. Topher glanced up at her, fingertips clinging onto the sleeves of his shirt. "This is my pod, isn't it? It belonged to Whiskey."

"Whiskey," Topher repeated thoughtfully. His eyes widened when he recognized the name. "Whiskey! Whiskey, I'm so sorry. Alpha… It was my fault. All of it was my fault."

"I forgive you," she assured him. She reached out, brushing tenderly through his hair. "I don't hate you anymore." Topher didn't say anything but he looked relieved. Claire offered him a smile. He smiled back, almost looking like his old self.

I don't know you and you don't know me. That's the contract. Topher told her that a long time ago. But they did know each other, better than anyone else.

"I'm sorry for what I did," Claire whispered. "I'm sorry for killing her. Can you ever forgive me, Christopher?"

"Analise!" he gasped out, eyes going wide.

"I could wake her up," Claire offered quietly.

"No." Topher shook his head. "I don't want her to see me this way."

"Then I'll stay instead." Claire put a hand on his shoulder and got another smile from Topher's lips.

"Until I come back?" he asked.

"Yes," Claire nodded. "I'll wait here. Always."

"Always," Topher repeated, clinging onto her. Claire found she didn't really mind his touch. It reminded her of something. Perhaps from when she was Whiskey, or from even farther in the past…

Perhaps from Analise.