was used to at the clinic. This place had a cold, clin

hook nearby. The doctor, a woman with sharp eyes and a

sical. Blood work, urine tes

trying to stea

lipped out of her clothes and into it, feeling exp

xpected. She clenched her fist and

n, but when the tech asked if she wanted to see, she sh

t across from a man who smiled too easily, ask

experienced tra

bidden-the nights alone, the evicti

t?" she sa

fears, and hopes. She answered honestly, raw

mbarrassing. Emily fought the urge to leave, re

test. The one no form

her earlier reappeared,

is a test of will and character.

heart

the door opened, she knew that whatever

icked shut

n she expected. A single lamp cast l

chair-empty-

Smooth. Controlled. With

30," it said.

e. Her hea

rembling, unsure if she wante

shifted. "You've made it this far. Im

d hard, search

. A dark mask, glossy and angular, hiding everything. No

amused. "Selection is about control, about certainty.

, but she forced her

me that?" she a

lities. And this arrangemen

ere you are, hoping to surviv

ze as best as she could. "I'm not a subjec

aid, "Honesty. Good. It will take y

throat t

he continued. "Tests are over. Now com

ed, but her f

ility?" s

rk, it's not enough that you'r

gain. A knot form

n them, a barrier that made the whole encount

dropping to a near whisper, "do you

mily sai

y, footsteps fading i

ed, half defiant, and all too awar