Dr Sofia's POV
Crawford's sudden outburst took me by surprise. Although there was no plan as to how to rub it off on Anderson, I hadn't imagined it to go this way.
I sat numbly on the sofa, feeling more embarrassed than afraid, and then he mentioned the police, and without thinking, I shot out of my seat and was soon sprawling before him, hoping to be joined by Anderson who sat absentmindedly on the sofa. There was a thud on the door just then, putting a sudden end to my pleas.
Michelle, Crawford's secretary, stood at the door, with a disturbing look on her face. Behind her, Dr Leonard, and an unfamiliar doctor whom I believe belonged to Crawford's team stood, looking both frightened and pale.
"Well... What are you waiting for?" Crawford asked, turning to face Anderson who looked as though he would fall off the sofa any moment, and me. I had completely zoned out, and missed everything that was said.
The clue wasn't lost on Anderson and me as we rose to our feet, and while I followed closely behind Crawford, Anderson trailed behind us rather disinterestedly.
* * * * * * * * *
"Go on, open it." Crawford ordered both doctors but neither of them bulged. Fear was evident on both their faces.
We have been standing for more than ten minutes outside the hall-like ward, and neither of us was bold enough to go for it. The strange noise coming from the inside only made matters worse.
After a few more minutes, during which Crawford exerted pressure on both doctors, I heard the key turn in the door knob, but I couldn't make out who did. Crawford's massive size obstructed my view.
"Fuck!" I heard Anderson cuss behind me.
"Oh no!" Mr Crawford exclaimed in pure terror. I moved away from behind Crawford to have a view, and the sight that greeted me was terrible.
The whole hall was a complete mess. Stuart stood in the middle of the hall which is now covered in broken pieces of what used to be medical tanks, and dismembered parts of the subjects who used to be inside the tanks, and blood... Lots of blood. He was holding a broken piece of glass, and his whole body was covered in blood.
With the speed of lightning, Stuart charged at us, holding the broken glass high, and I was filled with terror.
I didn't realize how hard I screamed until I felt a wet pat on my bare arm, and I made to scream but I could not because I was already screaming. I opened my eyes slowly, and the sight of Stuart in such close proximity startled me.
"Mom! You came." Stuart exclaimed excitedly. Dr Leonard and the unfamiliar doctor were no longer in front of me, but behind me, and were halfway to the elevator door.
"O... Of course I came, Stuart." I said with a voice that was far from being mine. I noticed just then that Crawford was not in sight, although Anderson remained in his position, unfazed by the chaotic event that had just taken place. He seemed to be in a trance.
"Were you scared?" Stuart asked.
"I was a little scared." I replied, trying to sound as fearless as possible, but it wasn't working.
"You don't have to be, I wouldn't hurt my mom." Stuart informed in an assuring voice, but the thumping in my heart remained.
Crawford surfaced just then, flushed in embarrassment. I couldn't blame him so much, I didn't take a run for it because I was too scared to move my legs.
"Dad, you're here too." Stuart added, walking towards Anderson whose facial appearance appeared to be expressionless.
"Stuart," I started, after mustering enough courage. "How about we get you cleaned up." I suggested amidst stuttering, and received a thumbs up from Crawford.
Coward! I cussed in my head.
"What do you mean we? There's no way I'm allowing all these people clean me up." Stuart argued, completely horrified.
"Of course not. I meant you and me will get you cleaned up." I assured. I'm really good at this, I must confess.
"Where's the bathroom?" Stuart asked, looking from Anderson to me, and then to Crawford.
"This way." I replied, leading the way.
"Is this it?" Stuart asked, when we walked past a door marked "Light room." it wasn't marked the last time I saw it, which was a very long time ago.
"No, it's not but we are close." I replied, wondering within myself what was inside the light room.
A few hours later, Stuart was in a new room, laying on the bed, having washed up, and changed into clean clothes. Mr Crawford had texted me the room, while Stuart washed.
"Mom, I'm feeling sleepy." He announced after chatting with me for a while.
"Oh dear, you need to eat first, and get your medication." I cooed. I couldn't help but notice how great I'm doing with Stuart, maybe having a child of my own isn't such a bad idea.
"Hang on alittle, I will get your doctor to give you your medication." I said, convincingly, but he was already dozing off.
I left the room soon after, and headed straight to Crawford's secret office. He was seating behind his desk, while Anderson sat on one of the sofas in the office. He looked way better than I remembered.
"How is it going with the subject?" Mr Crawford asked, once he noticed my presence. Although he tried to sound indifferent, I could see right through him, and how worried he truly was.
"Stuart is doing fine. He is currently in bed, sleeping." I replied.
"Is he drugged?" He asked, genuinely concerned.
"No, it was natural. I replied.
"Hmm... Strange" Crawford mused, and I unconsciously raised an eyebrow. Given my most recent role which is key to the mission, I felt like trying out some privileges.
"He has never slept naturally since he got here. He has always been sedated." Mr Crawford added, and I felt good. I just bossed the boss, and got away with it.
"Really?" I replied, just as Crawford stood up.
"Yeah, and the sedations have been nearly ineffective all these time." Anderson added.
"You may want to have your seat, Sofia." Crawford stated, moving towards us.
I located a spot at the far end of the sofa on which Anderson sat, waiting for the information which I knew was coming.
"I thought about it, you don't have to make any changes in your current living arrangements. You'll be a couple only when you are with Stuart." He announced, and I couldn't tell if the sigh of relief I heard was from me or from Anderson.
"But," Mr Crawford began to say, and I held my breath in fear.
"No more mixing work with pleasure." He completed, and I scoffed within me.
What a hypocrite!
My left cheek still hurts from last night, and this morning, and here he is preaching against mixing work with pleasure.
The most important thing is that I am back on the mission, and I don't have to move in with Anderson.