Page 1 of Ravage

Chapter 1

Avery

They say when you die you see a white light.

Everything is meant to be clear and serene, with all your loved ones waiting for you with open arms.

The pain is meant to end, all anxiety swept away, as you fade into the sunset happily.

So why does it feel like I'm in hell?

Fluorescent light blinds me, a haze poking at my peripheral vision as figures move beside me. I can hear faint, muffled words—the sounds drowned out by a thudding in my ears.

I hear my name spoken a few times, snapping my senses back into place—well, as much as they can through the fog that's consuming me. I blink rapidly, willing for some control over my body that's fighting whatever is coursing through it.

Slowly, a face comes into focus, and I stare sharply, keeping my gaze on a freckle on his nose to calm the waves. He notices me watching, lowering his clipboard with interest.

"Hello, Avery. I'm Dr. West," he says nonchalantly.

His relaxed manner is off-putting, making me nervous. I try to move my body but I can't. I struggle harder, realizing that my arms are tied down by my sides.

"Where am I?" I ask groggily. "Let my arms go."

Dr. West ignores me, writing some notes down on his clipboard. "I can understand it's a little scary but rest assured, you're in good hands."

I've never been so unassured in my entire life.

I force my neck up, straining to gaze down my body. Brown faded leather straps are crossed over my body, two over my torso at either end, one across each wrist, and a large one pinning my legs down. I wiggle my ankles to see if there's any room, but they just rub together, the leather digging into my skin.

"Is she awake?" another voice asks curiously.

"Yes," Dr. West answers, giving someone a smile opposite him.

I turn my head, spotting a female doctor, her auburn hair tied up in a tight bun. She's dressed in white like Dr. West, their matching lab coats devoid of embroidery.

I don't need details though. Flashbacks start rolling back through my mind, images of Dr. Elsher and Whittingham appearing. I remember being angry before everything started to get blurry.

I was drugged.

But the question is when?

Thinking back, I retrace my steps, heart sinking at the realization. Dr. Markel gave me a tablet in his room. It looked similar to what I usually take, but then again, lots of pills are white and circular. It could have been anything.

Did he betray me too?

I shouldn't be surprised, but a small part of me is. I guess it goes to show you never know someone's true intentions.

"Hi, Avery. I'm Dr. Cromwell, but you can call me Melanie."

My eyes scan over her face, narrowing at her cerulean-colored eyes. "Where am I?" I ask again through clenched teeth.

She smiles. It looks almost genuine, not sinister like I would have expected. "You're in the Emerson Lab. There's nothing to be afraid of. We're just going to be conducting some tests."

"On me?" I spit out in disgust, tugging on the straps again.

"Yes," Dr. West interjects, leaning over me with a penlight. He lifts my eyelids, shining the light into my eyes. "She's definitely more lucid now," he says to Dr. Cromwell. "Make a note of the timeframe for our records. That's quite interesting."

Anger floods through me. They are speaking about me as if I'm not here—or a human life.

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