Weapons

Chapter 4

I open my eyes, struggling to remember where I am. Then it all comes back, the drive to “the hospital”, Dr. Isaac, our bedroom, and everything Dr. Isaac had said. I look around the place and find Don sitting at the table, clean and in different clothes. He's eating what appears to be soup. I sit up and pull myself together.

I rub my eyes. “This is the best chicken and dumplings I've ever had, try this,” Don says just before he shovels another spoon full into his mouth. I stand up and stroll to the table. There's steam coming off the soup. Someone must've just delivered the soup to the room.

“Who carried the soup” I ask Don as he piles it into his mouth from the large porcelain dish. There is an identical bowl in front of the other chair and a medium-sized kettle full of soup. There's a serving spoon in the pot and two white cloths next to the pot. I sit down in the armchair across from Don. “An older woman with red and gray hair, she was nice,” Don says with a full mouth.

I pick up the metal spoon next to my bowl and dip it into the hot soup. I take a large taste. This soup is heavenly. It feels like I haven't eaten in days. I swallow my bite as I pick up more chicken and dumplings with the spoon. I look down and see the chopped onions, diced celery, slivered carrots, small balls of dough, and shaved poultry.

This is the best combination of flavors I've ever had. I've never heard of anyone making chicken and dumplings this way, but it's delicious. Don uses the serving spoon to pour more soup into his dish. Before I know it, I've finished my bowl. “Save some more for me. I'm going to bathe,” I say as I set my spoon down on the table.

“I will, although I may eat it all if you're not quick,” Don says with a chuckle. I walk over to my wardrobe and open the first drawer. The dresser has a beautiful dark cherry finish. I pass my fingertips along the edge of the drawer to feel the smooth wood. I've never seen a dresser as exquisite as this one.

Furthermore, I pull a pair of underwear and a nightdress from the drawer and close it. Likewise, I unfold the night gown and see that it's made of a rose gold satin. Not only that, but I run my hand down the soft garment until I get to the ruffles at the end. “There's hot water too,” Don responds from across the room, still sitting at the dinner table. I snap out of my head; “How” I ask.

“I'm not sure. I didn't know tubs like that existed, you'll see,” Don replies. I walk over to the bathroom on the opposite side of the room from the dining table, with my garments still in my hands. Likewise, I open the door to the bathing chamber and take a quick glance around. The tile in the room matches the floor in the loo. There's a big silvery tub six feet in front of the doorway.

There's a curtain running above the tub that extends to the floor. The veil is white with a beige lace along the bottom. I look at the loo that's to the right of the tub. It appears to be composed of porcelain or marble. I've seen nothing like it before. All the loos I've seen before were made of wood.

I shut the door behind me and set my pajamas on the sink. The sink is made of white marble with a stainless-steel faucet. I glance around to find that there isn't a mirror. I turn on the faucet in the tub while I undress myself. It doesn't take the water long to heat, I'm seeing the steam.

I turn the handle toward the blue line and step into the tub. The water cools and I push a small button beneath the knob. Water droplets pour onto my head and down my body. My eyes follow the water from my feet to the drain. I close my eyes as the warm water runs down my face and exhale slowly.

I don't think I've ever bathed with water this warm before, it's refreshing. Furthermore, I look down, on the edge of the tub are 2 bars of soap. One bar of soap looks like it's been used, the other looks new and has an intricate engraving. Likewise, I pick up the unused bar of soap and hold it up to my nose. The bar has a potent vanilla and coconut smell.

I wash up, rinse, and put my soap back on the edge of the tub. Still mesmerized by the tub, I continue to stand under the droplets and soak it in. I've experienced nothing quite like this. I've always enjoyed bathing. Likewise, I admire the way I feel after. Likewise, I turn the water off and open the curtain.

There's a large folded white cloth on the shelf above the toilet. I grab the plush towel and dry myself off. The fibers are soft and thick, you could use it as a blanket. I finish drying my hair and toss the fabric into the brown woven basket next to the sink. I hear a unique voice from outside the bathroom door while getting dressed.

Furthermore, I pull my gown on and open the door to see who it could be. “Well, it took you long enough,” Don says while still sitting in the dining chair. Next to Don is a tall and lanky fellow. He has long dark brown hair that stretches to his collar bone and a tan complexion. He appears to be a doctor or nurse.

“Hello, my name is Dr. Morbien; I'm the lead scientist here at the hospital. You must be Willow,” the tall man says. I walk over to the doctor as he extends his palm out to greet me. “It's a pleasure to meet you,” I reply as I shake his hand. I sit down at the dining table and fill my bowl with more chicken and dumplings.

“So, what do you do?” I ask as I set the serving spoon back in the pot. “I determine whether children like you and Don would be suitable candidates for our program. If we consider you a feasible candidate, then we plan for you to stay here,” Dr. Morbien replies. “What makes kids like us viable contenders,” Don asks. I take a large bite of my soup.

“Until I believed we only needed one viable candidate to complete the program. All our results and data conclude our program will have a higher success rate if we have 2 viable candidates that are close in age and have a strong emotional bond. You and Willow both have what we call psychiatric deformities, which make you both very viable candidates” Dr. Morbien explains to Don. I pick up another spoon full of soup as I swallow my previous bite. I look up at Dr. Morbien confused.

He's wearing a long white collared doctor's coat, a white-collared shirt, white slacks, and brown dress shoes. Dr. Morbien's attire is different from the others we've seen. “What are psychiatric abnormalities,” I ask. “Those defects are phenomena we can't see from the outside. They are qualities that occur because of a lack or overproduction of chemicals in our brains. These deformities make it difficult to function, cause behavioral issues that aren't natural, and can make think things that aren't true,” he replies.

I take another bite of soup. It seems the reason we're here is that there are things wrong with us that no one can see. We're not normal, and our behavior isn't normal. Our grades are great in school and we study together all the time. I don't understand.

“If you can't see the deformities, how do you know they're there?” asks Don with a very concerned look on his face. “You wouldn't know if you had them, although we would be because of human behavioral studies. We recognize how humanity should and shouldn't be. A big part of what we do is try to fix the deformities while at a young age to make you better. It's very important that you trust what I say and do what I tell you too, otherwise our program will not work,” Dr. Morbien replies.

Dr. Morbien walks toward the bedroom and scans his card. “It was a pleasure meeting the both of you. Our work begins early tomorrow morning,” Dr. Morbien says as he exits our bedroom. The lights shut off after he steps out. There's a dim light above the doorway so we can still see.

I'm still drained from the drive here. Don walks over to his bed and gets under the sheets. “What are we supposed to do with the dishes and food?” I asked Don. “Dr. Morbien said someone will be by the room to pick it up; I'm exhausted,” Don replies. I walk over to my bed and get under the covers.

“This doesn't feel right; I don't trust anyone here,” Don says, drifting off to sleep. “I don't trust them either, although there may be something wrong with us” I reply as I close my eyes. “Maybe there is something wrong with us, you don't wonder what they have in mind to fix it?” Don asks. “I wonder a lot. Right now, I'm too tired to think. Goodnight Don, I love you,” I respond.