Dear reader,
The following is one chapter of an ongoing story. It is not intended as a stand-alone piece.
Some chapters may be more graphic than others.
*****
CHAPTER 8
I drifted awake to a brilliant light. I quickly squeezed my eyes shut with an indignant grumble. I briefly recalled when I laid in Riley's office and visually traced the ceiling tiles before she inseminated me. The memory felt like so long ago.
"Sorry. The lights don't dim in this room."
Startled at the familiar voice, I fought through the blinding light to see for myself. It was her! Only for a moment did I question if I was dreaming or not. My heart knew she was real. Riley stood beside me. "It's you." I said smiling weakly. I reached to her but my arms were secured onto perpendicular boards. I whimpered and fought, instantly hysterical.
"Whoa! Hold on! I'll get it!" I stopped struggling and watched Riley rip apart the Velcro which secured my arms. Slightly embarrassed, I realized an I.V. delivered fluid into my vein. "You were severely dehydrated." she explained. "I tried to take care of you the best I could, but you were so combative. I'm sorry I had to restrain you." I briefly remembered my dream and put the pieces together.
"Well! It seems our patient has finally returned to us." a pleasant voice said. I looked over Riley's shoulder and was astonished to see Miss Urma peering back at me. "My dear... what's her name?" she paused to inquire.
"Lexi. Meridian." Riley said flatly.
"My dear Lexi of House Meridian... as a representative of The Breeding Center, I am prepared to offer my deepest regrets for the oversight which caused you to be overly detained. It is clear certain members of security require additional training regarding how to properly file a report. Rest assured I will deal with them accordingly. We ask you to please remain focused on the important task of repopulation as we move forward with the management of your case."
Without giving me an opportunity to reply, Miss Urma addressed Riley. "The nurses upstairs can supervise her care going forward. Return this one to her wing without further delay so you can get back to your duties."
"Yes, Miss Urma." Riley said as the door closed.
I watched Riley tenderly remove the I.V. and cover the spot with a bandage. "I didn't know you were in confinement. I would have come for you sooner, but I didn't know." she repeated. "No one seemed to know where you were. I thought you ran away." She carefully cradled my head and shoulders and held a cup of water to my lips. "Here, drink." I took a small sip and swallowed.
Riley gently lowered me and sat in the chair beside the table. She fidgeted with her hands. "Lexi, I'm so sorry. I have something to confess. I have ...felt something for you... as long as I've known you. It's just... I was your teacher and..." Riley took a deep breath and continued. "I had been waiting for you, hoping you'd choose Navarre Island. I... I once overheard you tell a classmate you were drawn to the islands... That's why I choose to work here." Riley glanced at me briefly. "When I saw you on Intake day, my heart leaped Lexi! For you! I thought... maybe... just maybe you liked me too." She paused. "Lexi... I only want you to be happy, and if it means you want Kayla, I'll just have to learn to be okay with it."
"It's not Kayla. It's Andi..." I said. I heard my words and knew at once they sounded mixed up. I cringed and paused, mentally untangling what I needed to say.
"Oh..." Riley said. "Well... so be it. ...I don't want you to run away or get into trouble... simply to get away from me. I wanted to let you know..." Riley stood straight, lifted her chin and faced the wall behind me. "...I respect your wishes and I won't come around anymore. I'll get reassigned to a different group or something."