I AM NOT DEAD SURPRISINGLY. I just haven't had motivation to write, but I'm back! I have been writing for the past few weeks, but it's been a new story so hopefully, I'll have that up soon. Anyways, thank you to those of you who haven't completely given up on me just yet. I know I'm a mess but I working on it. And, of course, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Isolation

I didn't like the new room, but it was what I had grown used to. I seemed to memorize it's pattern and feel better than my own. Perhaps it was because I never left, only able to stare and stare.

I had determined that an experiment had been kept in here previously, a violent one. There was a dent in the wall that may have been caused by a fist or perhaps a head. I was sure they had been terminated afterward since unruly experiments were never kept.

The room also hasn't been painted in quite some time. I could tell by the corner underneath the bed, where the white paint flaked, tired of being on the same wall.

The bed was more stiff than usual as well, and I wasn't able to sleep as well as I was used to. The lights flickered on occasion and the floor didn't seem to shine at me as much as I was used to.

Based on all this, I determined that the room was where they kept the temporary experiments. They had several rooms that held experiments that they were sure would not last long before they were either transferred or terminated. And I was positive that this room was one of them.

Did that mean I was going to be transferred to another lab? Or was the practicality of keeping me alive so low that they would just skip placing me elsewhere altogether and just terminate me. Each sounded worse than the other, causing me to wonder whether I would rather be Outside still, with Cowen staring intently at me, ready to attack.

I suppose that Levi had not been taken in as I was. I had yet to see him, although I was not granted the freedom I desired. I wondered whether he had gone back to the others or decided to depart completely, fending for himself. I wondered if he was looking for me.

The door made its signature sound before feet walked in, accompanied by a smooth voice. "Hello, Lia. How have you been as of recent?" It was a simple sentence, yet it brought a bout of negative emotions.

The past few days had been anything but what I was accustomed to. I had felt isolated, without any contact from other experiment or even lab coats. I had thought isolation was what I preferred, but it was just the opposite. Isolation was lonely in the worst way and I had begun to realize why it drove experiments into a crazed state.

No one had come in or out of my room since Dimitri's last visit, which was unusual. There were usually tests run, or examinations conducted. Even if someone just came in to make sure I wasn't doing something worthy of punishment, there was always someone that came by. But I hadn't seen a single person but my own odd reflection in the glass.

"You were the last person in my room," I stated, wondering the reason. Dimitri smiled at me, seeming to catch something I hadn't noticed.

"I'm experimenting and changing things around. I decided that this time, I would be more careful. You are this lab's most prized experiment, aren't you, Lia?" He asked, tilting his head as he studied me.

"Yes," I answered, although, at this point, I wasn't so sure anymore. Was I still valued in the same way I once was? Was I even valued at all?

He nodded along with me as if confirming my answer. "So I'm not allowing other scientists around you, no matter who they are. It's come to my attention that they may influence you in ways that I hadn't thought of before, or try to use you to their advantage.

I don't want anyone thinking that you're a mere toy to be played with. You're important, Lia. Someone else will only be in the room with your when I'm here. You'll always see me from now on, never just another scientist. " he explained, continuing only after a moment's pause.

"I'll allow you to join me in my schedule for the day if you're up to it. What do you say?"

I paused, considering it. I used to join Him during His daily routines, walking around visiting other experiments and meeting lab coats. It was always more productive than sitting in my room. Perhaps if I went this once and behaved well, I would be granted more freedom, or the chance to go with Dimitri again.

"I would like that," I replied, hoping that he would take me to see Experiment Varian as well.

A smile devoured his face as he clapped his hands unexpectedly, startling me. "That's great!" He exclaimed, quickly turning away as he typed in the passcode for the door, stepping aside when it opened.

"After you, Lia," he said, sweeping his arm in front of him. I stood there for a moment, watching him curiously. He was odd. I wasn't sure I understood him, or the point of his movements.

I went forward, walking out of the room. I felt lighter somehow as if the room itself was what had caused my thoughts to be surrounded by dark clouds. I felt pleased, but little did I know, the feeling would be washed away.

I followed Dimitri as he led me past the cafeteria and past Experiment Varian's room. I could feel unease and confusion mixing together within my body, forming a tightly would clump.

The feeling only seemed to intensify as we started towards the Experimentation Hall, and Dimitri went down it.

He must've noticed that I didn't immediately follow, because he paused, turning around slightly. "Coming, Lia? We have a busy day," he murmured, an eyebrow raised.

I whispered, "Yes," but it wasn't the answer I desire to supply. With that and much reluctance, I followed him down the hall that I feared more than anything.