The Clinic: Test Four (mild language, sexual conduct)

Test Four
I staggered out of the test room, both tired from my previous night's events and the drugs I'd just recieved.
Byren caught me when I almost hit the floor for the third time in the past ten minutes.
"These are stronger," he said, frowning. "You need to get to bed and sleep."
I mumbled something I couldn't quite understand as Byren lifted me into his arms and carried me to the couch in the waiting room.
"Claire?" a familair voice said as I Byren sat me gently down on the couch. "Are you alright?!"
I felt my head turn to the side to look past Byren who was also looking at the newcomer.
"Za...Zaien?" I mumbled. "What're you doin' here?"
"What's wrong with her?" Zaien asked Byren coldly.
"The drugs are stronger," he said protectively. "What do you want with Claire? Why do you care?"
"Let's just say we're good friends," he half growled. "This isn't good. Her body's not accepting the drugs. I've seen it before."
My vision blurred and I vaguely saw Byren get up and yell at Zaien as Zaien tried to reach me.
"She has a fever!!" Zaien roared. "You need to break it! It's probably what's messing with the drugs!"
"How would you know, Guard?!" Byren yelled back. "You don't know anything! It's your job to make sure we don't escape so stay out of this!!"
"By...ren," I managed.
"Yes, Claire?" he asked, immediately at my side. "What is it? How can I help you?"
"Let...Zai...en...help," I breathed. "He...can...trust..."
My vision blurred and my mind swam as nausea built in my stomach, turning it every which way.
In the next moment I was being lifted carefully into warm arms and being carried. I could vaugely hear voices but I couldn't make out what they were saying.
My back met something soft and I heard more voices before a door shut.
"Claire," I heard someone—Zaien?—say after the door shut.
I couldn't make out what he said. The words were fusing together and not making any sense. I guessed that he was asking if he could do something.
What it was, though, I wasn't really sure.
I felt him slide my shirt off gently and my pants followed suit before he covered me up. I didn't even bother to fight him.
What sounded like more clothing hitting the ground resonated painfully through my head before I felt Zaien's body press against my own beneath the covers.
I vaguely recalled whimpering and then words that I assumed were Zaien trying to comfort me.
"This isn't....not help..."
My hearing kept fading in and out and I could barely make out any words as Zaien talked to himself.
"Claire...swallow," I made out from what Zaien said as he held something out to my mouth.
I weakly opened my mouth as liquid dripped into it.
The warmth coated my mouth and bathed my tongue in a strong iron taste. I could feel the fuzziness and pain slip away before my entire body relaxed and whatever held the liquid disappeared.
My mind faded and I succumbed to the overwhelming feel of fatigue that pulled on me.

I opened my eyes and stared at my familair white ceiling. My head was pounding and I couldn't really remember how I'd gotten here.
"You're awake," someone said from across the room.
I managed to sit up and looked over at Zaien who was sitting on my trunk with only his baggy, dark black Guard pants on. The shirt and vest were on the floor beside my bed.
"What happened?" I blurted out before I could think to not say anything. "Where's Byren? Why am I in here?"
"You're boyfriend," he said, sneering at the word, "is waiting to hear from me in his room.
"You passed out from the drugs you were given. I think you picked up a fever from last night and the drugs brought it to the surface much faster."
"And you took care of me?"
He nodded and I felt my cheeks color as I remembered how he'd tried to break my fever.
I looked under the blankets slowly and shoved them back down as my cheeks flamed even brighter.
"Yes, you're in practically nothing," he said, teasing lightly. "But don't worry. I didn't have my vile way with you."
I opened my mouth to speak but found words beyond me so I closed it and sank back into the covers, flaming.
"Claire?!" Byren said, rushing in. "You're finally awake!!"
Byren looked as if he hadn't slept in weeks. His clothes were messed up and his hair was mushed as if he'd been rolling around in his sleep. There were deep bags beneath his eyes that hinted at worry and no sleep.
"Yeah," I said with a smile. "I'm feeling much better. I—"
He crossed the room and half pulled me out of the bed as he kissed me, hugging me tightly.
I managed to kiss him back, winded, before he pulled away and placed my head in the crook of his neck.
"Claire," he breathed. "I thought you were going to...I...You..."
I hugged him, pulling his head down to my chest as I comforted him softly.
"Everything's alright," I cooed. "It's going to be okay. I'm fine. All it was, was a slight fever. I'm fine."
He pulled up to kiss me again, gentler this time, and I kissed him back unhurridely in an attempt to show him that I truly was alright.
When he pulled away I was left with the same feeling of wanting more as I was before.
"I'd better go tell the others," he said finally, kissing my forehead gently. "They were all worried about you."
I smiled and nodded before he left and I was once again alone with Zaien.
"You could have told me you had a boyfriend," he growled coldly, almost...possessively.
"You didn't ask," I said dismissively.
I climbed out of the bed and pointed at the trunk.
"I need to get into my trunk," I pointed out. "I can't if you're sitting on it."
He smirked, crossing his arms.
"Then I guess you'd better go hide under the covers because I'm not moving from this spot."
I glared and then my gaze settled on the floor, remembering my clothes from earlier. Unfortunately, they weren't there.
"They're put away in the trunk," he supplied when I glared at him. "So, unless you're willing to make a deal, you won't get them back."
I let out a harsh sigh and crossed my arms, dropping them when I was in front of him.
"What is your deal?"
He grinned and crossed his legs, folding his hands and setting them on his knees.
"Owe me a favor," he said, grinning. "It'll come in handy later—for me, that is."
"Fine," I hissed, swatting him off my trunk. "Now go."
He turned around and I opened the trunk, pulling on another pair of white clothes, before I told him to turn around.
His gaze scanned me over and I felt hyperaware of my bodyas I dressed.
I'd always had an average sized chest—about a C-cup—with an oddly shaped figure. I was tiny and looked like I needed fed but it wasn't really unbecoming. Though, I'd never really given my build much thought...until now.
"What?" I asked, feeling my cheeks heat. "Never seen a female body before?"
He snapped to attention and coughed.
"I—"
"Claire," Byren said, interrupting Zaien. "I'm back. The others are with me."
"I'll see you later, Claire," Zaien said, escaping out the door as I stared at him in disbelief.
Had he been blushing?
"Claire-bear!!" Jamie whined, tackle-hugging me. "I was so worried about you!! Byren told us what happened!!"
I looked up and met Fate's gaze. She jerked up and straightened in responce.
"Don't look at me! I came along with Giles!!" She turned slightly red. "Not that I'm worried about you or anything like that!!"
She stalked out and Giles hugged me as well as Pes before telling me how worried they were. I could only smile and thank them.
About twenty minutes later I was left alone with Byren who had taken a seat on my bed.
"Hey," he said softly. "I am glad you're feeling better. Even if one of them helped you."
"Zaien isn't like the other Guards," I said, sitting beside him. "He...Well, he's different. Kind of like Pes and Jamie."
He frowned and made a face that said he couldn't really believe me but nodded to keep me happy.
"But enough about that," he said gently, pulling me onto his lap. "I'd rather show you how worried I was."
I grinned and wrapped my arms around his neck while he kissed me. I felt almost...ashamed to kiss him. But that made no sense. Why should I be ashamed to kiss him?
"Hey...Byren?" I breathed when he pulled away. "What exactly...are we, now?"
His brown-green eyes swept over me, studying me, before he finally spoke.
"I guess we're boyfriend an’ girlfriend," he supplied. "As in, dating, I suppose."
I didn't have time to ask him anything else as his lips met my own again, his tongue tracing my lower lip. As if by instinct I parted my lips and he slid his tongue into my mouth.
My body relaxed and I tightened the hold I had on Byren's neck as he deepened the kiss by pulling me closer.
"Claire—oh, sorry to interrupt."
Byren broke the kiss as we both looked at the door. Standing in the open doorway was Zaien.
I felt my cheeks heat and looked down, embarrassed.
"Why're you here?" Byren asked tiredly. "Haven't you done enough for one day?"
"Excuse me for saving your girlfriend’s life," he said sarcastically. "Remind me to never do it again."
There was something underneath the sarcasm that told me he was lying—that he wouldn't hesitate to save me again.
"What is it, Zaien?" I asked, finally looking at him again.
"I wanted to talk," he said, a familiar tone in his voice. "About yesterday and that girl."
"Claire, I don't think—"
"Byren," I said, interrupting him. "It's fine. He just wants to talk. It's not a crime, is it?"
My tone was soft and gentle but it didn't remove the worried look from his eyes.
"I don't trust him," he whispered. "Promise me you'll be okay? Please, Claire?"
"I promise," I said, standing and kissing him lightly. "I'll be perfectly safe."
He nodded and I turned to leave with Zaien.
"What is it?" I asked once we'd managed to get away from anyone who was in the halls. "Did you find something out?"
"No, but I have a plan." He paused and looked around before continuing. "I can mic you before you leave. I'll have you miked for the next couple of weeks to keep tabs on you.
"In the end, this might be what saves you. You up for it?"
He was going to mic me? As in, listen to everything I would say and do?
Oddly enough, if it would have been anyone else—even Byren—I would've said no immediately and been extremely embarassed. But Zaien...Zaien was different. There was something about him that made me want to trust him.
"I'll do it."

"What did that Guard want?" Byren asked as I took my seat next to him on my bed.
I paused. I couldn't help it. The tone he'd used had thrown me completely off guard.
"Nothing, really," I said as truthfully as I could. "He was asking about a girl who disappeared a couple of years ago."
"Which one?"
"Celti something," I said nervously, lacing and unlacing my fingers. "I think it was Rite."
He nodded and smiled softly.
"Sorry," he said with the same, sad smile. "It's just...there's something about him. I don't trust him. It's weird. He's not like Pes or Jamie."
"You didn't like them at first, either," I pointed out. "Besides, I trust him. Let's just say he’s saved me a couple of times to save a long story."
"Don't you two dare be touching in that room like that!!" Fate cried from the other side of the door before coming in. "Hmm...you weren't. Claire, are you teasing him again?"
I turned bright red as Byren shook his head quickly, turning almost as red as I was.
"No!" he growled. "Fate—shut up! It is not like that at all!!"
"A-huh," she said, rolling her eyes. "Hey, Claire? Can I talk to you alone without lover boy all over you?"
Byren turned an even brighter shade of red and escaped before I could even ask him to leave.
"What is it?"
Fate paced across the room a couple of times, looking around, before sitting on my trunk. It immediately snapped back images of Zaien sitting, practically naked, on it.
I felt my cheeks heat and Fate gave me a knowing look.
"Hey, I have a question. I want you to take it seriously." She paused and looked me over. "I lied—two questions."
I nodded, making an attempt to stop blushing. It wasn't helping much...at all, really.
"Do you love Byren?"
I blinked, surprised.
Did I love Byren? It was odd that, that very question had come up once again. I'd asked it to myself before and now, here was Fate asking the very same question.
In the end, though, it was my choice. My feelings. My heart. Nothing else mattered.
"I...don't really know," I admitted. "I mean...I don't really know what 'love' is so I don't know if I 'love' Byren. I care for him. I want to take care of him. If he disappeared, I would be upset.
"But, do I love him? I honestly can't answer that because I don't know what love is. I've never experienced it so I don't really know if I do or not."
She nodded and crossed her legs, giving me another glance with her white eyes up and down my figure before continuing with her remaining question.
"What about Zaien? What is he to you?"
I paused again. What was Zaien? I'd known him barely a day. There really wasn't much to go on, compared to Byren.
Zaien was a Guard. He was the enemy, according to the others. But, what was he to me?
To me...To me, Zaien was my saviour and my devil. He'd saved me from certain death after catching me when I'd tried to run away. He'd saved me from dying from a fever and then teased me after.
He was trying to keep me alive—from disappearing.
"Zaien...is Zaien," I said finally. "That's all, really. He's helped me a few times and I guess we're close but...I don't know. He's just like Pes or Jamie."
She nodded and then frowned as she stood. She only stopped when she reached the door to look at me.
"You need to figure it out," she said calmly. "Because you're lying—to yourself and to everyone else."
Fate closed the door behind her and I tried to digest what she'd just said.
Lying? To myself and everyone else? How so? What was there to lie about? Or was I just not getting the obvious picture?
I glanced up at the clock and frowned. Dinner would be served in about twenty minutes. Where had all of the time gone?
"Claire? Is Fate gone?"
"Giles?" I paused and stood, crossing to my door. "Yeah, why?"
Giles stood timidly in front of the door, looking more like a little kid than normal. His brown eyes were darting around like a scared animal.
"She scares me," he whined. "And I can't find Aime...she disappeared. I thought she was in her room."
"Giles," I said softly, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Don't let Fate tease you—she's just having fun. And I'm sure Aime is probably at dinner already or in the bathroom. She'll show up."
"Oh!" he gasped, jumping. "You'll never guess what Pes got me!! Myth. Ol. O. Gy!!"
He jumped around, spinning before stopping in front of me. There was something about Giles—whenever he talked about Mythology his eyes always lit up.
Everyone thought it had something to do with his past but no one was really sure.
On our way down to dinner, Giles spent the time talking about his new Mythology book. Apparently it was about a man who'd become a flower. I could hardly make any sense of it but it made Giles happy so I listened.
"Claire..."
I paused just outside the doorway and looked behind me. No one was there but I knew better. I could feel him near me, as crazy as that sounded.
"Hey, Giles, go ahead," I said after a moment. "I forgot something. I'll be in soon, alright? You can tell me about Zeus then, okay?"
"I'm holding you to your word!!" he yelled, running through the dining room doors.
I couldn't help the smile that tugged on the edge of my lips. He was a fire ball and always full of energy—he'd always been.
"Claire..."
I turned my attention to Zaien who'd been hiding out near us. He held a small, leather pouch and it didn't take me long before I figure out what was in it.
"The mic?" I asked, my eyes scanning over the bag.
He nodded and motioned me to come towards him. Somehow, he had managed to hide beneath the main stairwell. Unless you were right up on it there was no way anyone could see us.
"What exactly do I do?" I whispered, my eyes darting to the dining room door and then back to him.
"The mic is small—you can put it pretty much anywhere," he explained. "But there are a few flaws. It can't come into contact with any liquid but water. So chemicals that are injected into you can't touch it. You'll need to put it somewhere safe.
"You don't have to worry about turning it on or off—I can do that with the mic I have. It'll let me hear you and I can just take it out if you're in the middle of something...with Byren."
He said the last part with obvious distaste and I couldn't help but wonder why. I didn't get the chance to ask him what he meant by it as he handed me the mic.
"Take care of it," he said, placing the tiny bud gently into my hand. "You'll lose it easily if you don't pay attention and they're not cheap. Not that money's the obstacle."
I nodded and scanned the mic over one before transferring it to my other hand and repeating the process.
The bud was about the size of my pinky nail and about as thick. The edges were curved and the entire mic was in the shape of a C. I guessed it was because it was the normal symbol for the Clinic.
I put the mic in my ear, fashoning it so it couldn't be seen, before throwing my hair over my ear to cover any traces of it.
"Are you going to test it before I go in or...?" I tilted my head to the side and pressed my right ear gently, making sure the bud didn't fall out.
"I can hear you," he said calmly. "Putting it in your ear was smart. I'm glad you picked up on that."
From the sound of his voice resonating in my ear I guessed that he'd already put his mic somewhere. Whether it was in his ear or on his body was anyone's guess, though.
I nodded and turned to go, pausing as Fate's words came into my mind. I shook them away, though.
Zaien stayed where he was and I was slightly thankful. I had no idea what I would say if someone saw us together...again.
"Hey Claire," Byren said as I sat down. "You okay? Giles said you were acting weird."
I smiled and let him take my hand when he reached for it. What exactly was I supposed to say? I was planning with a Guard to figure out why people kept disappearing?
"I had to go to the bathroom," I lied, looking down as if I was embarrassed. "I just didn't know how to say it to Giles..."
Byren opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by silence as Jate and Feiral entered through their own set of doors.
The doors from which they entered led to an entirely different side of the Clinic. They were the only doors that the Patients were never allowed to go into—ever.
"Someone tried to escape yesterday," Jate said in his usual, cold voice. "One of the Guards saw them. The person had silver hair so they blended in well with the storm. If you speak up now then much time and effort will be saved.
"Who tried to run?"
I fisted my free hand as anger boiled through me.
Anger wasn't an emotion I'd felt much before. When I was younger I'd thrown tantrums to get my way with Jamie and Pes but I'd never truly experienced anger—or betrayl.
Zaien—it had to be him. He was the only one who'd seen me. He'd held me! But, why would he tell Jate and Feiral, knowing that I would only disappear sooner?
"It was me," a girl said from the opposite end of the table. All eyes turned on her and she tensed. "I tried to run...one of the Guards saw me, I thought, so I turned back. It was stupid and I'm sorry."
"You knew the consequences," Feiral said coldly. "You've lived by them for all of these years. You knew what would happen if you were to try and leave the Clinic."
She slid lower in her seat and nodded. I couldn't tell from the angle I was at but I was almost positive that she was crying.
"Come."
The girl stood almost...proudly, as she turned and went to Jate and Feiral. Her posture was straight and, if it wasn't for the shaking, you would've thought she wasn't afraid at all.
Feiral reached for the girl and she recoiled, slapping Feiral across the face with as much force as her small figure could manage.
The entire room took in a breath and held it as Feiral's face, snapped to the side, showed a look of pure shock. Her stunning white eyes were wide.
In a split second she turned, her beautiful features marred with anger and hate as she jerked the girl by her wrist into through the doors and disappeared with her.
Jate glared at everyone who was still holding their breath.
"Let this be a lesson to all of you," he growled walking to the doors. He looked over his shoulder at us, glaring, before he continued. "Running away will result in immediate discharge from the Clinic. Be wise and follow the rules."
He slammed the door shut behind him and the entire room let out a breath. Most likely, it was the one they'd taken when the girl had slapped Feiral.
Several of the girls at the end of the table broke into sobs and held onto one another while the cooks brought in trays of food. I had a feeling no one would really eat anything tonight.
"Why?!" one of the girl's wailed. "She should've stayed put! She would still be here!!"
Others sympathized with her, letting out cries of their own. The sound was a familair one to all of those I'd heard throughout the nearly fourteen years I'd been here. It was a sound I'd grown uncomfortably used to.
My small corner of friends was quiet—even for Giles and Fate. Aime—who'd arrived shortly after I did—was even quieter than usual. Normally, this was when she would say something philisophical and Giles would joke.
There were no comments or jokes today.
The food we'd recieved sat untouched for the most part. I'd made an attempt to eat but it wasn't really a conjoined effort. Everyone else only moved the food around on their plate.
After thirteen years one would think that the cries of people would no longer effect you. If anything, it was a melancholic noise that set the tone for life at the Clinic.
Fate was the first to leave from dinner. Somehow I knew she would be the first to leave. Just as the final to leave would be the crying girls at the end of the table.
Giles and Aime left together and then others before Byren rose to his feet and looked down at me sympathetically.
"Do you want to go to your room?" he asked softly.
I smiled tiredly and nodded.
Today would be the second day, narrowing my two weeks to twelve days. Already two days had passed without my consent. I could only begin to wonder what the next twelve would be like.
Before I'd realized it we'd reached my room.
Byren opened the door for me and followed me in. It was something I was used to. I'd never given much thought to it before but, for some reason, it bothered me now.
Why?
"You look worn out," he said gently as I sat down on my bed. He didn't take his usual seat beside me but, instead, knelt. "You should probably sleep as much as you can..."
I made a small sound and nodded. Byren slipped off my white, slip-on flats that everyone in the Clinic wore before taking his seat beside me.
"So, I'll see you in the morning?" I asked with a tired smile. "After testing, like normal?"
He smiled and kissed me gently.
I kissed him back, marveling in the feel of his lips against my own as he kissed me and the soft sounds that I involuntarily made.
"I love you, Claire," he whispered, sliding down to kiss my neck softly. "I always have and always will."
"I love...you too," I breathed as I tried to focus.
His lips on my skin sent a feeling through me that could only be described as deliscious. The way the soft skin on his lips, baited with his teeth, trailed over my sensitive skin, made my thoughts swim.
It was addicting but I also knew it was insanely dangerous.
"Claire."
I jumped at Zaien's voice in my ear. I'd forgotten completely about the mic I'd set in my ear.
"By-Byren," I managed as he pulled back. "I...We...I need to sleep."
It was the best excuse I could think of to tie him back with whatever plans he'd formed in his mind. It was a poor excuse but I viable one.
"Alright, Claire," he said, kissing my forehead. "I'll see you in the morning, alright?"
I nodded and watched him leave, closing the door behind him.
"Claire," Zaien said, repeating my name. "Can you hear me?"
"Perfectly," I whispered, crawling beneath my covers. I had, about, ten minutes before lights out. "Can you hear me?"
"Perfectly," he repeated. "After lights out can you come to the Guard Quarter? Jamie and Pes have shown you, I thought."
"I snuck out last night and almost got caught!!" I hissed. "Even I'm not that stupid!!"
He was silent on the other end for a minute. I could practically see him grinning before he replied.
"I'll make you a deal," he said quietly. "I can owe you a deal—like how you owe me—and I'll make sure you stay out of trouble."
"But there are Guards patrolling the building," I pointed out. "They'll catch me easily. I don't have the snow to cover me."
"Most of the Guards are outside," he explained. "What with the girl trying to escape and everything...Feiral and Jate have them patrolling the grounds for more runaways."
"Lights out!!" Jate yelled. "Now!"
His loud voice made me jump and I began to wonder if Zaien could hear my heart, seeing as it felt like it was beating out of my chest altogether.
"I'll be there soon," I promised. "Give me an hour."

Good Chapter. I wonder how the next one will play out.

A couple of mistakes I spotted:

Spoiler for typos:

I opened my eyes and stared at my familair white ceiling.

"You're boyfriend," he said

I felt hyperaware of my bodyas I dressed.

She jerked up and straightened in responce.

He held a small, leather pouch and it didn't take me long before I figure out what was in it. (The comma after "small" is not necessary)

I put the mic in my ear, fashoning it so it couldn't be seen

or betrayl.

could only be described as deliscious.

It was a poor excuse but I viable one.