Chapter 25

Today, I saw the two most hated people again. Running into one led to problems with the other. Vaalsi was standing with Eliza near the capsule.

"Miss Eliza will take you to the medical center for an examination. Your punishment is suspended for now. But for attempting to disobey, I’ll extend it. Now, follow Miss Eliza."

Eliza led me to the parking lot in front of the orphanage, where an aircar was already waiting. The orphanage kids had never seen such a luxurious vehicle—let alone one with a human driver. It made sense: there weren’t many of them, and they were essentially pilots. And the car itself was impressive. I’d never seen one like it on the station’s sixth level.

"Hobbs Hospital, third level. Pediatric diagnostics division."

"Understood, Miss Donovan."

I’d never flown in an aircar before, and the sensation was pleasant. Miss Eliza, however, was on edge. She didn’t show it outwardly, but I’d already learned to recognize hidden tension.

The hospital was beautiful. We were on a level where high income was the norm. Doctors met us at the entrance and immediately took us to an office, then sat me in a chair and made me put on a sensor headband. The headband brought back an image of Rachel in that dress on that fateful night. I didn’t have much choice—I had to wear it. All I had to do was look at pictures.

"Miss Donovan, establishing a baseline will take 30 minutes. Another three hours for a full analysis of the results."

"Fine, I’ll be in the waiting room."

And she left me with these men. It was kind of boring—they didn’t show me anything interesting, and what they did, I already knew. I’d gone through a similar examination last year when the psychologists were trying to define anger and happiness more precisely. There was also information about detected deviations in mental development. Did Eliza think I was a psycho? Whatever. I don’t see myself that way, and what she thinks doesn’t interest me.

There were unexpected moments, too. Pictures of Rachel, Galboa, Fincks, Vaalsi, and even Eliza herself. Scenes with blood were disgusting, but after the Veil, they didn’t scare me anymore.