Page 110 of Girl Betrayed

“Good, let’s enter that room together. Tell me when you’re inside.”

“I’m there.”

“Good, Claire. Tell me, who else is in the room with you and Meredith?”

“Dr. Dvita.”

“Anyone else?”

“No.”

“What are you discussing?”

“My progress at Passages.”

“What about your progress?”

“Dr. Dvita says I’ve come far. He’s proud of my progress. Says I’m ready for more.”

“More? Can you elaborate?”

“More responsibility. Like Meredith.”

“What kind of responsibility does Meredith have?”

Claire’s eyes dart back and forth beneath her closed eyelids like the question makes her uncomfortable. Finally, she answers. “Meredith is an instrument. But she doesn’t want to be.”

Claire’s fingers begin to twitch, her fingers balling into fists around her glasses.

“What’s happening now, Claire?” the therapist asked.

“Meredith is leaving. Dr. Dvita is mad. He ends our session.”

“Okay. Good work, Claire. Let’s move on. Take me back to the hall. Are you there?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now, open the next door. Inside is your second meeting with Meredith. Tell me who’s there.”

“Me, Meredith, and Dr. Dvita.”

“Anyone else?”

“No.”

“What do you discuss?”

“The same thing. This time Meredith agrees with Dr. Dvita.”

“Agrees with him about what?”

“That I’m ready.”

“Ready for what?”

Claire twitched violently, her hands losing their grip on her glasses. As they fell to the floor, another voice spoke. It came from Claire, but it wasn’t her. It was dark and sinister, just like the smirk on her face. It was the same voice Dana heard when Dvita put Claire under.

“I can’t tell you that,” the voice warned.

---