Melanie and 505 followed Flug to the elevator and into his lab down below.
When the elevator opened, Melanie's grew large. The lab was much bigger than it looked in the orientation videos.
"Right this way," Flug said walking ahead of the group prompting Melanie and 505 to follow.
They walked through a well-lit corridor pass an innumerable number of rooms.
Melanie held on tightly to 505's arm. She had heard all the bad stories of this place. She expected literally anything to happen at any time.
RAWR!
Dementia suddenly popped out of a door and sprang towards Melanie.
Fortunately, 505 was faster. He picked up Melanie and turned his back towards Dementia as she grunted angrily and tried to claw past the bear to attack Melanie.
"DEMENTIA!" Flug yelled. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
"I want to attack the traitor!" Dementia whined.
"The answer is no!" Flug replied in frustration as he pushed the button instantly summoning a Black Hat Butler Bot that grabbed Dementia with its metal arms. "You are leaving her alone for the rest of the day or else you will be confined to your room for the rest of the day. Is that clear?!"
Dementia whined and complained as the robot carried her away. Before long though, they were both out of ear shot.
"So sorry about that," Flug said to Melanie who was still trembling in 505's arms. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Melanie said attempting to regain her composure as 505 set her back on the floor. "I'm okay. Just keep her away from me."
"We'll try our best," Flug said walking down a corridor to another area leading Melanie to the part of the lab she recognized from the Orientation DVD's. "Here, we are. Sit down at that counter and I'll be with you in a second."
Melanie sat down at the area where Flug usually sat during the DVD's. It felt strange. She never thought she'd be there.
"Alright," Flug said carrying over an empty syringe and a first aid kit. "I'll just collect that blood sample. Take off your jacket please."
Melanie reluctantly did what he asked shaking at the sight of the syringe all the while.
Noticing her fear, 505 held Melanie's hand in his paw and gave it a squeeze.
"Hold out your arm," Flug instructed.
Melanie reluctantly did what he asked and held her breath.
Flug stuck the syringe in Melanie and collected his blood sample.
Flug noticed that Melanie was trembling and holding her eyes shut while 505 stroked her hand comfortingly. Interesting.
Once the sample was taken, Flug took out the syringe and put its contents in a vial leaving 505 to take care of Melanie's wound.
Melanie breathed a sigh of relief and smiled when she opened her eyes to see 505 seal her wound with a cotton ball and a bandage.
"Thanks, 505," Melanie said smiling wearily.
505 patted her head and pulled out a drawer in the counter to reveal a drawer filled with lollipops.
505 then looked back at Melanie and gestured his paw to the drawer.
Melanie smiled understanding what he was asking. She selected a strawberry-flavored lollipop, and 505 shut the drawer.
As Melanie unwrapped the lollipop and put it into her mouth, 505 held his paw up gesturing for her to give him a high five. She gladly obliged and smiled when he did.
505 was sweeter than any lollipop. He didn't belong here…
"I didn't think a reaper would be afraid of needles," Flug said storing the blood sample. "I mean, your primary weapon is a scythe."
"A scythe is a weapon I can control," Melanie said defensively.
"I see," Flug said. "Well, now that I have your blood sample, we can move on to the next task."
Flug pulled a piece of paper out of a notebook, grabbed a sharpened pencil, and put both items on the table in front of Melanie.
"Alright, I need you to list ten of the evilest thoughts you've had since arriving," Flug said. "It doesn't matter if they're minor thoughts or unspeakable horrors. List them on that sheet of paper."
Suddenly, Melanie had an idea. She listed ten words on the sheet of paper and handed it back to Flug.
"Oh, that was fast," Flug said taking the paper and holding it up to his face to read. "Let's see what we have here…"
Flug grimaced his brows.
On the paper was written in list form:
"1. There
2. Are
3. No
4. Words
5. To
6. Describe
7. How
8. Much
9. You
10. Suck."
Flug put the paper back on the counter and visibly sighed.
"At least, you can talk back to authority figures," Flug said.
"Can 505 and I play videogames now?" Melanie asked eagerly. "Do you find my list to be to your satisfaction?"
"Close enough," Flug said with another sigh. "But there's always room for improvement."
"I'd rather be mature in doing good," Melanie said. "So, can we go play videogames now?"
505 smiled at Flug and nodded eagerly.
"Of course," Flug said. "Just one more thing. What do you think of the rest of your family?"
"Oh, I love my nun-ja family," Melanie gushed. "Even when we're apart, I can feel their support. Is that good enough for ya?"
"I'm not talking about your nun-ja family," Flug replied. "I want to know how you feel about your blood-related family."
"Why does that matter to you?" Melanie asked suspiciously.
"So, there's nothing that they do that you find the least tad admirable? Interesting? Anything at all?" Flug asked.
"You heard my tirade against Black Hat earlier," Melanie said. "You know how I feel about them."
"I see," Flug said. "Well, I guess that's all I have for you for now. 505, you can go play with Melanie now."
"Woooooo!" Melanie cheered as she grabbed her bag, jumped on 505's back, and rode away with him leaving Flug alone with his thoughts.