Dr Anderson's POV
"Now where's mom?" Stuart asked, and I was taken by surprise.
"She should be here any time soon." I replied, once I regained balance.
"I should call her again." I added, moving towards the exit. Only then did I notice that I was alone with him.
Once I stepped out of the ward and I shut the door, my shocked expression met Mr Crawford's curious gaze. He seemed relieved to see me.
"What can be done?" He asked.
"I can't think of anything other than knocking him out." I replied.
"Let's get to it then." He replied, and I looked at him with disbelief.
"Did you see him there?" I asked.
"He killed one of the subjects! I mean he dismembered her." I answered, when I sensed no answer forthcoming.
"But he trusts you." Mr Crawford said. By now he was no longer shaken up, and he has regained most of the air of authority which he is known for.
"Fine." I said, moving towards the private elevator.
"Where are you going?" Mr Crawford called out, turning slowly to face me.
"To get the sleeping drugs of course." I replied.
"I have it here already." He informed me, showing the bottles to me.
I took the bottles and syringe from him, and got to work immediately, taking note of the fact that only an overdose will be effective on Stuart.
Once I was done, I placed the now-filled syringe in my pocket, and entered the ward once again where Stuart sat on the floor, looking dreamily at the mess he had made.
"Why did you do it?" I heard myself ask him.
"She wouldn't talk to me, as much as I tried to get her to talk." He explained.
"He is next." He suddenly said, pointing at a tank at the far end of the hall.
"Stuart, you shouldn't be hur..."
"Is mom here now?" Stuart asked, interrupting me.
"Not yet, Stuart. She is on her way.
"I want to speak with her." He demanded, and I felt my blood drain in a rush.
I brought out my phone, and navigated through my contact list, looking for a female who would instinctively play along, and give Stuart the right impression. I contemplated between Sonia and Michelle, both of whom had no idea about the mission. I opted for Sonia at the last minute, since she is farther from the mission compared to Michelle.
"Hello, mom." Stuart said once I handed the phone to him, and I gritted my teeth, prepared for the worst.
"Are you on your way already?" He said, after a brief pause.
The phone fell from Stuart's loosened grip, and hit the floor, just as he turned to face me.
"That isn't my mom." Stuart declared, charging towards me with so much speed that I panicked.
"Stop right there." I commanded with a shaky voice, and he stopped immediately, and I was overjoyed.
"Pick up the phone, let's call her again." I instructed again. While he bent down to pick up the phone, I got my chance.
I brought out the syringe, and pierced the back of Stuart's neck with it.
"What did you do to me?" Stuart asked, straightening up.
"I need you to rest before mom arrives." I said, supporting him as he staggered. He wrapped his hands around my waist while I patted him gently on the head.
He was fast asleep in the next few minutes, and I was now covered in blood.
I stepped out of the ward for the second time, and gave Mr Crawford the good news.
"He is asleep." I announced.
"Thank goodness!" He exclaimed.
"What should we do with him now?" I asked.
"About that, we need to talk." Mr Crawford said in a serious tone, leading the way to his private office, while I trailed behind, wondering what the decision could be.
I stepped into the office after him, and shut the door. Without waiting to be offered, I located a chair, and sat down, while wishing he would spill the beans, and save me the stress of overthinking.
"We are bringing Dr Sofia back into the mission." Mr Crawford announced, without warning, and I felt all the energy drain from my face.
That snake! I cussed within me.
"What is the point of bringing Dr Sofia in, when the mission is about to be terminated." I asked.
"Who said the mission is about to be terminated?" Mr Crawford asked with a dry laugh, and I was taken aback.
"The subject is corrupted. We both saw him back there." I offered, hoping he would see reasons with me.
"Now that is enough, Anderson." Mr Crawford ordered.
"You heard him, he wants his mommy, and that is why I am bringing Dr Sofia in." Mr Crawford declared.
"What exactly is your plan?" I asked. I was starting to get scared.
"It's simple. Stuart believes you and Dr Sophia are his parents, and we are playing along with that." Mr Crawford explained.
"There's no way I'm posing as a father to Stuart, and as a husband to Dr Sofia." I declared.
"You will come around, Anderson. You don't have much choice." Mr Crawford said in a soothing voice which somehow made me more angry.
Without saying a word, I walked out of the office, and headed towards the private elevator.
Just as I expected, Mr Crawford did nothing to stop me or convince me further. I knew he would make me come around, but I didn't know how, and as much as I hated him, the mission, and Dr Sophia right now, I hated myself even more.
Mr Crawford's POV
I watched Anderson walk out of my office in the blood-stained lab coat, but I did nothing to stop him. Being an important asset to the mission comes with its own privileges. No one else would dare walk out on me.
I sent a brief message to Ryan, and took my mind off Anderson.
I contemplated on putting a call across to Dr Sofia, but decided to pay her a visit instead.
Of course, I do not plan begging her to get back on board, coercion usually produces better results.