Chapter 5 - Meet the Danvers (and Barry)
"I'm right?!" Kara's voice echoed Barry's words, her eyes widening in astonishment. Her heart raced as her mind grappled with the enormity of what might be true. Was she correct about their inconsideration? Was it about the motorcycle? The blood alcohol level? Or was something even more peculiar at play here?
"What—" Kara started to ask, but before she could finish her question, Winn swiftly produced his laptop and set it up on the table before her. Barry's voice joined the explanation, drawing Kara in as she leaned forward, her glasses slightly askew on her nose, her gaze intently fixed on the documents displayed on the screen.
"Barry and I talked and asked ourselves if there could be any validity to what you've been saying all along. So we decided to investigate as if there were a conspiracy," Winn explained while showcasing various documents. Kara stared at them, her head swimming with a mix of emotions, her foremost feeling being confusion.
"What am I looking at?" Kara's voice quivered with uncertainty, her curiosity piqued as Barry continued to shed light on their findings.
"You mentioned that Mon-El's bike was at Al's Dive Bar during the accident, so we decided to search for the bike, and we found it," Barry pointed to one of the documents, his voice filled with eager anticipation. Kara's gaze narrowed as she tried to process this new piece of information.
"It was actually impounded a few hours after Mon-El was declared dead," Barry continued. Winn played a video, and Kara watched with a sense of dread as she witnessed the motorcycle being driven recklessly, a clear indication that the rider was likely intoxicated.
Kara turned away, shutting her eyes tightly, unable to bear watching the accident that had taken her best friend away from her. She could feel a mounting pain in her chest, a mixture of sadness and frustration swirling within her.
"What's the point of this?" Kara's voice quivered as she tried to make sense of the situation. She didn't want to relive the horrifying events that led to Mon-El's demise.
"Bear with us, Kara, this is important," Barry placed a hesitant hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her. His voice mirrored her own inner turmoil, a blend of nervousness and excitement.
"We decided to find the truck that the bike crashed into; we were able to get some partial plates from this video. And Barry talked to them," Winn added, pausing the video to display the clearest image of the truck's plate. Kara let out a shaky sigh, her eyes fixed on the evidence before her, her mind racing.
"The trucker said that guy was completely drunk out of his mind and he couldn't avoid the bike. He said that the bike was completely totaled and that the guy died instantly." Barry's words hung heavily in the air, and Kara's eyes widened as she took control of the computer, pulling up the impound information.
A picture of the bike appeared on the screen, and it looked nothing like it had been through an accident. She stared at her friends, her bewilderment growing. Were they implying what she thought they were?
"Guys..." Kara began, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "What exactly are you getting at?" She felt a lump forming in her throat, anxiety mounting with each passing moment.
"Kara, Mon-El didn't die instantly, his bike was impounded and it wasn't totaled..." Winn repeated the unsettling facts, and Kara's mind raced to comprehend the implications.
"And the type of damage to that man's body doesn't match what we saw at the hospital," Barry added carefully, their revelations casting a shadow of doubt over the situation. Kara's breath quickened, panic beginning to set in.
"B-but M-Mon-El d-died..." Her voice quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes. "We-we s-saw it." Anger started to bubble up within her as she grappled with the implications forming in her mind, a sense of betrayal and injustice gnawing at her soul.
Winn briefly exchanged a glance with Barry, then turned back to Kara, his voice resolute. "Kara, there's something big going on here. Someone is working really hard to keep the real reason for Mon-El's death under wraps."
Kara tried to regain control of her breathing, taking a couple of deep breaths to calm herself down, her eyes darkening with anger as she uttered, "I-is Alex involved?"
After a few months at the foster home, Kara and Mon-El have become inseparable. Their bond grows stronger with each passing day. However, their dynamic is soon challenged when a new boy arrives with the name Bartholomew Allen-
"What a stupid name..." Mon-El scoffs.
*Smack*
"Ow!" Mon-El shouts, rubbing his arm.
"Shut up Mon-El!" Kara reprimands him, quietly.
"Hi Barry," She turns her attention to the other boy, who sitting alone at a cafeteria table, picking at his food. "My name is Kara!" She shakes his hand, "And this jerk here, is Mon-El."
"Your name is Mon-El and you give me crap about my name?" Barry retorts.
"Touché." Mon-El nods in agreement.
At first, Barry is rough around the edges, refusing to participate in any activities or mandatory therapy sessions, claiming he's not an orphan. He wants to go live his dad, he's innocent. But as more time passes, and Kara continues to butt into his personal bubble, he breaks down his walls and they realize Kara and Barry are like two peas in a pod.
Barry has a similar personality to Kara, they finish each others' sentences and are two huge dorks who love geek out over musicals and make dumb jokes. So much so that Mon-El playfully teases them, joking about them being long-lost twins, but beneath his jesting lies a tinge of jealousy. Kara was his friend first, and he misses having all of her attention to himself. Yet, as the trio start to hang out more, he starts reflecting on his feelings and he realizes that Kara's happiness is what truly matters to him. If she's happy with Barry, then he will support them wholeheartedly.
As time goes on, Mon-El and Barry begin to build a stronger bond of their own, finding common ground and shared experiences. One day, during a conversation, Barry opens up about his mother's murder and the alleged blame placed on his father. Barry demands Mon-El understand his father is innocent, but the older boy needs no convincing. Mon-El confides in Barry, revealing that his father was murdered too. And expressing his belief that while children may not possess all the knowledge of the world, they have an uncanny understanding of their parents.
Barry expresses his gratitude to Mon-El for his unwavering support, but realizing that he still knows very little about his new friend. Seeking more insight, later that night Barry turns to Kara, hoping she might shed some light on Mon-El's background. However, Kara confesses that her knowledge of Mon-El is limited as his, describing him as a closed book, guarded and secretive about his past. The only thing she knows is that he's been at the foster home since the age of 10, that is until a few days later.
The foster children are taken to the community pool for a day of fun and relaxation. However, to Kara and Barry's surprise, Mon-El refuses to swim. The social workers seem not to care if he swims and go tend other children. However, Kara notices the way Mon-El anxiously pulls his shirt down, seemingly body conscious. A sudden idea strikes her.
"Barry!" Kara exclaims as she rushes over to her green-eyed friend, "Give Mon-El your wet suit, and I'll give you my spare shorts." She decides to say, not wanting to reveal what she's truly thinking. Barry at first tries to argue her shorts would be too small but after Kara gives him an unconvinced glare, he agrees.
At the end of the day, as Mon-El puts on Barry's wet suit, Kara accidentally catches a glimpse of numerous scars scattered across his back. Shock and concern grip her heart, as she frantically retraces their shared moments, searching for any signs or hints he may have dropped. When she suddenly thinks of the recurring nightmares, they take on a deeper meaning and she is left with a whirlwind of emotions. Something must have happened to him.
But before she can delve deeper into her thoughts, Mon-El approaches her and Barry. With a mischievous grin, he jokingly tackles the two of them into the water, shattering Kara's train of thought. The sudden and unexpected action snaps Kara back to the present moment, and she finds herself caught up in the shared laughter and playful banter. Determined to embrace the joyous camaraderie they have formed, Kara pushes aside her worries, focusing on creating precious memories and providing a source of happiness for Mon-El in the midst of their challenging circumstances.
"Shenanigans," Mon-El chuckles softly as he skillfully sneaks into LCorp using Jack's keycard. It's like a blast from the past, bringing memories of the last time he indulged in some covert activity like this, back when it's all for one of Kara's daring exposés. Mon-El is once her partner in crime, assisting her in infiltrating someone's office. That isn't the first time, though; it's the third, albeit the first time he's going in solo. A mischievous grin tugs at the corners of his lips as he thinks about how Kara would react if she were here with him.
He knows she'd freak out initially, fretting about the legality and the potential consequences. Her concerns echo in his ears, but Mon-El is confident he can convince her that they aren't causing any harm, just attempting to gather information for a legitimate case. That would undoubtedly trigger her innate leadership instincts, and she'd want to take control of the entire operation.
He can practically hear her now, hushing him in a tense whisper. "Mon-El, quiet!" she hisses, and he nods in mock solemnity, responding with a hushed, "Quiet," as they cautiously peer around corners, checking if the coast is clear.
Then, they stealthily make their way to the target office, Mon-El nonchalantly switching on his flashlight for better visibility. Kara swiftly swats his hand down, admonishing him with a playful scowl, "Put that away."
Teasingly, he retorts, "What? I'm helping," but she rolls her eyes, reminding him that they're trying to be invisible. He admits defeat, acknowledging she's right.
They eventually reach Jack's office, and Mon-El is taken aback, commenting with a low whistle, "Wow! This is a pretty big office." Kara swats him again, stifling a giggle as she hushes him for making noise.
Together, they approach the computer, and Mon-El is genuinely impressed that Kara knows the password: 'Starling.' "Romantic bastard," Mon-El mutters, but his mind snaps back to the present, away from the nostalgic reel of their past adventures.
Mon-El takes a seat at Jack's desk, deftly inserting a USB drive into a hub, installing the cloning program onto the hard drive, just as John had shown him. This program will grant them access to LCorp's files and keep tabs on Jack's activities. While it might lead to nothing, the endeavor is worthwhile, especially considering Jack's prior relationship with Lena.
As the program completes its installation, Mon-El switches off the monitor. He casually lets Jack's card fall to the ground in a random spot, making it appear as if he had accidentally dropped it during his visit to the bar the other night. Then, he stealthily departs from LCorp, his thoughts returning to Kara as he heads back to his place.
He misses her. The gap between their last encounter and now feels like an eternity, marked by silence and uncertainty. He isn't even sure if she knows he's still alive, and he doubts it.
Entering his temporary residence, Mon-El proceeds straight to his bedroom and lies down, staring at the ceiling. His mind races with thoughts of what he would do if he saw her again, how she'd react, how breathtakingly beautiful she would look (which is always the case, even if she doesn't think so). He contemplates the words he'd say and how he would explain. Would she be furious with him? He bites his lower lip, lost in these ruminations.
Maybe writing it all down is the answer, explaining everything from the beginning. She deserves to know.
Mon-El stands up from the bed and walks over to his desk, retrieving the small notepad he has been using to jot down information for John. He stares at the blank page, his mind swirling with thoughts about where to start. How far back should he go?
After a few minutes of anxious deliberation, he decides to begin with the story of how he became Mike Matthews. But as he rereads his words, he groans in frustration, realizing it isn't the right starting point. Mon-El shakes his head and tears the page from the notepad. He needs to go further back. This journey will require a much larger journal.
"Ahh, Kiddo shopping weekend," Mon-El remarks, his words casting an immediate shroud of confusion over both Kara and Barry. The two exchange perplexed glances; they haven't been in the foster home long enough to have experienced this event before.
"It's the worst time of the year," Mon-El adds with a heavy sigh, elaborating on how adults often come to shop for the younger children, inadvertently neglecting those who have crossed the threshold of ten years. His words linger grimly in the air, and Kara notices a disapproving glance from a passing social worker. The weight of their situation and their age begins to dawn on her, and a frustrating sense of powerlessness wells up within her. Kara can't help but draw parallels with her experiences with Clark.
"Well, I have a dad, so screw them, anyways," Barry defiantly declares, reaching out to high-five Mon-El in a show of solidarity. Kara sighs inwardly, her emotions an intricate tapestry of disapproval and frustration, both directed at their actions and the overall situation.
Together, the trio resolves to steer clear of the adults and instead indulge in the limitless servings of food and desserts, all the while sharing jokes and concocting random stories about the adults milling around them. It's a collective attempt to reclaim a semblance of control and normalcy amidst the overwhelming circumstances they find themselves entangled in.
Their camaraderie, however, is abruptly interrupted when they notice a tall, slim blonde woman and a broader man with brown hair approaching them, taking seats at their table, next to Kara.
A mixture of curiosity and wariness tugs at Kara's emotions as she observes them. She can't help but wonder about their intentions.
"Hi," the woman introduces herself politely. "I'm Eliza, and this is my husband, Jeremiah." She smiles warmly at the pre-teens. Kara's heart warms a little at the friendly gesture, a glimmer of hope emerging in a rather unfamiliar situation.
Before Kara can respond, Mon-El brusquely cuts in, speaking on behalf of the group and shutting down the conversation. A profound yearning for a meaningful connection wraps around her like a shroud. This was an opportunity to prove to Mon-El that some adults can be trusted, and now it seems lost.
Eliza, however, offers Kara a sympathetic smile and a nod, understanding their reluctance. It's a small consolation that eases her embarrassment, but she still wishes they had talked.
Curiosity continues to gnaw at her, and she can't help but steal glances at Eliza and Jeremiah throughout the event, wondering about their sincerity.
That night, Kara retires to her room with a concealed desire to encounter Eliza and Jeremiah once more on the following day, cherishing the hope of another chance to converse with them, maybe without the boys.
Her optimism is briefly rekindled the following morning when she sees the couple signing in and placing visitor name tags on their shirts. She contemplates approaching them while the boys are distracted.
However, as she observes Eliza and Jeremiah's interaction with one of the toddlers, a wave of disappointment engulfs her. Mon-El's assessment echoes in her mind, and her hope wavers.
Kara tries to put aside her curiosity and focus on enjoying the various activities set up for the event that day, but an inexplicable pull still tugs at her, urging her to keep an eye on them.
She gets her face painted as a cat and persuades both Mon-El and Barry to do the same. Initially resistant, they are pleasantly surprised by the detailed and cool designs. A sense of childish joy and unity fills the air.
While waiting in line for ice cream, Barry and Mon-El engage in a conversation that doesn't hold Kara's interest. She is content to let them talk, but her mind starts to wander, and she looks around the event for other activities.
Kara's gaze once again fixes on Eliza and Jeremiah, only this time they are in conversation with a girl roughly her age, possibly even older, with a mane of brown hair. A pang of jealousy grazes her heart, yet she can't place the girl as anyone from their foster home.
As the line inches forward, Kara observes the brunette growing increasingly annoyed with the adults before walking away while angrily typing on her phone. Confusion and concern intertwine within Kara as she wonders about the dynamics at play. Are they her parents?
Then, Kara notices the girl's unwavering attention locked onto her phone screen, rendering her entirely oblivious to the world around her. Kara's eyes widen in alarm as she spots a car approaching, and a wave of panic surges through her. Her protective instincts surge to the forefront.
"Hey!" Kara's voice pierces through the air, immediately grabbing the attention of Barry and Mon-El, both of whom turn toward her with baffled expressions. Time seems to slow as she breaks into a sprint towards the brunette, her heart pounding in her chest.
Kara tackles the brunette to the sidewalk just in time to avoid a potentially fatal accident. The rush of adrenaline is palpable as she absorbs the shock of her own actions.
Her arm pulses with a sharp, agonizing pain, causing a wellspring of tears to pool in her eyes as she instinctively cradles the injured limb. The pain is all-consuming, rendering her oblivious to the growing crowd that has converged around them.
The brunette extends her hand to offer help. However, an angry voice suddenly pierces the commotion, yelling, "Leave her alone!" The crowd quickly parts, revealing two familiar faces who swiftly kneel down to assist Kara. Their expressions are a blend of deep concern and unmistakable fear.
Mon-El emits a low, commanding growl that urges the crowd to part. Together with Barry, they gently help Kara to her feet, promptly guiding Kara towards the nurse's office and leaving behind the curious onlookers in their wake.
The past few nights have proven to be a whirlwind of frenetic activity for Winn, Barry, and Kara. The relentless questions of their investigation often leave them feeling overwhelmed, prompting occasional calls for Cisco's invaluable assistance in managing the workload. Luckily, Winn has managed to secure a generously spacious yet seemingly abandoned office space within the labyrinthine corridors of CatCo, a sanctuary for their collective efforts amidst the clamor of the city and the ongoing renovations outside.
Their roles are distinct and well-defined: Barry and Winn are locked into unraveling the enigmatic shroud surrounding Mon-El, while Kara plunges headlong into the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of Izzy. With Cisco's unwavering technical support readily at hand, Kara's progress in her investigation seems to advance at a swifter pace than when she embarked on this quest solo.
As she painstakingly pieces together the fragments of information concerning the last few days before Izzy's sudden disappearance, a deeply disconcerting pattern begins to take shape. An unsettling surge in disappearances among individuals categorized as low-risk emerges. With Cisco's aid, Kara compiles a list of the individuals who vanished around the same timeframe as Izzy Williams. Strikingly, all of these individuals had one thing in common: they received medical treatment at a particular clinic mere days before their inexplicable disappearances.
Interrupting Kara's intense focus, Barry's voice resonates through the room. With a quick tuck of her phone into her back pocket, Kara approaches her friends with genuine curiosity, adjusting her glasses as she peers over their shoulders to inspect whatever has ignited their interest.
"What'd you find?" Kara inquires, her brow furrowing as she scans the information displayed before her.
"I've managed to identify the man whose autopsy report was mistakenly linked to Mon-El's," Barry explains, a comforting smile gracing his face. "Turns out he lost his job recently and had a couple of DUI arrests on his record. His physical appearance bears a striking resemblance to Mon-El's, and you might say indistinguishable if he'd sustained injuries. It's understandable how the medical examiner could have made that mistake." Barry's words resonate with a soothing sense of vindication, assuring them that Mon-El was indeed sober at the time of his passing.
"While Barry was working on that," Winn interjects, "I delved into Mon-El's impounded bike. Here's where things get weirder. Mon-El's bike was inexplicably ordered to be disassembled just a few hours after it was impounded. This is odd because there was no attempt made to contact Mon-El regarding his bike, and he had no outstanding payments or violations that would warrant such an action."
Kara's brow furrows even deeper, her expression a complex web of perplexity and concern. "Do we have any leads on who issued that order?" she inquires, retrieving her phone as it buzzes with an incoming message. Her eyes dart across the screen swiftly, and a soft groan escapes her lips as she realizes that she had inadvertently forgotten about her meeting with Snapper.
"We're still tracing that information down, but I won't stop until we find it," Winn replies, genuine concern creasing his features as he observes the lines of worry etching themselves into Kara's forehead. "You sure you're okay?" he asks, his worry for her evident.
Kara nods and sighs, her phone slipping back into her pocket as she approaches the desk where she had been tirelessly working. She systematically organizes the scattered documents into two distinct piles, one for Izzy's case and the other designated for her CatCo article.
Barry rises from his seat and approaches Kara, offering his unwavering support. "Do you want me to go with you? It's my day off."
Kara deeply appreciates his concern, and she musters a warm smile in response. "No, Barry, it's alright," she reassures him.
"I'll be fine. Just lend Winn a hand with the bike investigation." She retrieves the documents related to CatCo, holding them close as she rises from her seat. "I'll call you both later." With a friendly wave, Kara departs from the dimly lit, abandoned office within CatCo, making her way towards the elevator that will whisk her to Snapper's floor, ready to confront her easily-displeased boss.
"Wow, Kara, that was amazing," Barry exclaims, his excitement genuine as the nurse carefully places Kara's injured arm into a cast followed by a supportive sling. Mon-El rolls his eyes playfully and gives Barry a light, teasing punch on the arm. "Of course she is!" Mon-El declares with unwavering confidence. His chest swells with pride, and he offers Kara a warm smile, which, in turn, sends a rosy blush creeping across her cheeks.
With Kara's arm now comfortably secured, the nurse retreats to his desk, leaving the trio of friends free to occupy the examination table. Barry seems to be on the cusp of delivering a joke when a sudden knock at the door disrupts the moment. They all pivot to find Eliza, Jeremiah, and the brunette girl standing in the doorway.
"Is it okay if we come in?" Eliza inquires politely, igniting a surge of curiosity within Kara. She can't help but wonder about their purpose for visiting, her mind racing through various scenarios. Are they perhaps still upset about the incident earlier? Has something happened to the girl? A sense of apprehension washes over Kara, and she senses Mon-El's subtle tensing beside her. In Barry's eyes, there's a fleeting hint of concern, but he understands that this is a matter best handled by Kara, so he nudges Mon-El gently.
"Let's go get Kara some donuts before they're all gone," Barry suggests with his characteristic enthusiasm. He leaps off the examination table and heads towards the door, holding it open for Mon-El and the others. Eliza and the rest gracefully step aside to allow them passage.
Mon-El sighs and nods, gracing Kara with a warm smile. "We'll be back soon, Supergirl," he assures her, a playful wink accompanying his words. With that, he follows Barry, leaving Kara to face this unexpected visit alone.
Kara watches as Eliza, Jeremiah, and the brunette girl approach her, her anticipation growing with every step they take. She nibbles nervously on her lower lip, uncertain about what this encounter might entail. The Danvers' earlier interaction with the younger children still lingers in the air beside her, a subtle reminder of Mon-El's 'kiddo shopping' hatred.
Eliza's first words catch Kara completely off guard. "We want to thank you for what you did," she says, reaching out to gently squeeze Kara's uninjured hand, offering both gratitude and comfort. It's a bewildering twist to their interaction.
Kara frowns, her confusion etched on her features. The brunette girl, seems to sense Kara's puzzlement and chimes in, her voice carrying a soft, sincere tone. "I didn't get hurt. You saved my life."
Kara looks at brunette girl and slowly smiles back, her unease gradually dissipating. Eliza speaks up again, her words captivating Kara's full attention. "Is your name Kara?" she asks, causing Kara to briefly wonder how this woman knows her name. Then, it clicks – Mon-El yelled it earlier. Kara nods at Eliza and suddenly feels a bit shy under their collective gaze. Eliza, however, senses Kara's discomfort and makes a gentle effort to alleviate it.
"Kara is a beautiful name," Eliza says softly, maintaining a warm smile that softens the edges of the room. Kara studies her face, curiosity piqued. Why do they want to talk to her, especially after how she and the boys treated them the other day? Kara stammers out a heartfelt thank you when she realizes she's been staring for too long. Eliza's eyes seem to brighten upon hearing Kara's voice, forging a subtle connection.
"How old are you?" Eliza continues with her questions, attempting to put Kara at ease with her friendly demeanor. "I just turned 13," Kara reveals, her voice growing slightly more confident.
"Oh! Alex is just a few years older than you," Eliza says with a warm smile, the genuine kindness in her tone beginning to have a soothing effect on Kara's nerves. "She's my daughter."
Kara nods in acknowledgment and manages a small, genuine smile. She starts to feel increasingly comfortable as Eliza continues to ask questions, and Kara reciprocates with her own inquiries. In the midst of their conversation, Kara learns that Eliza is a scientist, as is Jeremiah. They reveal their struggles with expanding their family and how they stumbled upon the foster parent training program here. Their desire to interact with the children, to see if they might form a connection, resonates deeply with Kara. She's suddenly gripped by a sense of nervous anticipation. "And have you?" she asks, her voice tinged with shyness.
Eliza smiles warmly and takes Kara's hand, the contact reassuring. "I think we have," she says with an air of positivity. Unbeknownst to Kara, Mon-El and Barry have quietly returned and are now silently observing the unfolding connection between Kara and the Danvers. Kara remains blissfully unaware of the lump in Mon-El's throat as he witnesses this momentous encounter.
Eliza eventually looks up when Jeremiah calls her name, pulling her away from her intimate conversation with Kara. "I'm sorry to interrupt, love, but John is waiting." Kara's gaze shifts to Jeremiah, gives her a friendly smile, complete with a charming wink. Kara reciprocates the smile before returning her attention to Eliza.
"It was truly wonderful to meet you, Kara," Eliza says kindly, her voice carrying a warmth that seems to comfort Kara. As Eliza gently squeezes Kara's hand once more, Kara watches, almost entranced, as the Danvers family leave the room. She waves goodbye with a sense of genuine fondness, already envisioning a future where they might cross paths again.
Lost in her thoughts, Kara barely registers Barry's excited chatter about all the treats they've brought back. Her mind remains fixated on the Danvers. Mon-El, however, gradually begins to realize something significant.
As he watches Kara's distant expression, a profound understanding descends upon him. It becomes increasingly evident that she's found precisely what she's been searching for – a family. The weight of this realization bears down on him like an immense burden, causing his heart to ache with an almost unbearable heaviness. It's a heart-wrenching moment, knowing that there's nothing he can do to change this newfound connection, a helplessness that tightens its grip on his soul.
Kara's unease amplifies with every passing moment as the doctor saunters into the room. His smile, rather than reassuring, sends an inexplicable shiver down her spine. Struggling to maintain an illusion of confidence, she stammers, "Hi!" Her forced smile conceals the rising discomfort festering within her.
"Well hello there, how can I help you?" The doctor's words, dripping with unsettling charm, only deepen Kara's sense of unease. Each syllable feels like a dark note in an menacing symphony.
"Uh...so I-I was browsing your website, and I noticed there was an opportunity to earn some quick cash..." Kara berates herself mentally for the tremor in her voice. She clears her throat, attempting to appear composed as she feigns interest in the doctor's explanation.
"Well, we're conducting a clinical trial for a new supplement about to hit the market," the doctor elaborates, his words hanging in the air like a heavy cloud. "We're examining the effect of this supplement on base metabolic rates. So, all we need is a bit of blood work, and you'll be in and out with money in hand." His words aim to entice, but they sound cryptic and ominous to Kara's ears.
"I-I can't give blood," Kara blurts out nervously, her voice trembling with apprehension. "It goes against m-my religion," she adds, her gulp echoing audibly. The doctor studies her for a moment and forces another smile, which only heightens Kara's discomfort.
"Well, you look young and healthy enough...Let's give it the old college try, shall we?" he says, seemingly pleased when Kara reluctantly nods in agreement. He guides her toward a room, his words hanging ominously in the air, like a storm about to break.
"So, how did you hear about our study? We usually have a recruiter, but she didn't mention anyone coming in today." He opens the door, and Kara steps into a small room resembling a typical hospital examination area. Shadows cast eerie shapes on the walls, intensifying her unease.
"Oh, a friend told me about it," Kara says as she climbs onto the examination table, her eyes fixed on the doctor. "You know, it's strange." She watches him closely, searching for any sign of deceit. "I haven't really heard from her since she came here." Kara tests the waters, trying to gauge his reaction, like a cautious swimmer probing dark depths.
"Oh?" The doctor responds while retrieving a stethoscope. "What was her name?" He begins to put on a pair of latex gloves.
"Izzy Williams?" Kara says with feigned innocence, but the doctor's reaction is ambiguous at best, marked only by a noncommittal hum as he turns away from her. Kara senses the walls closing in as her anxiety mounts.
"Actually, before we start...can I use the restroom?" She tries to sound unsuspecting, her voice quaking. "I forgot to go earlier."
"Certainly," he replies, his tone oddly unclear. Kara watches him for a few tense moments to ensure he doesn't suspect anything before carefully moving toward the door. Her growing sense of unease now gnaws at her like a relentless predator. Then, suddenly, she feels the doctor's hands on her shoulders, followed by a sharp, piercing pinprick on her neck.
Crap, Kara thinks, her heart racing as her limbs gradually betray her, succumbing to a numbing paralysis. Inexorably, she slips into unconsciousness, the world around her spiraling into darkness. With a soft thud, she crumples to the floor, her senses fading as an ominous cloud of despair looms overhead.