Unwanted Gifts

Chapter 9

New ideas. More tests. Isolation.
"Sandra? We have something new for you to try." Dr Grace said through the speakers in my suite. Yep, now I have a solid cement suite, including a kitchen and a bathroom. "I know you don't like this, but was the eye roll really necessary?" She said, annoyance in her voice.
"Fine. What's the bright idea this time?"
"Well, your heat seems to be linked to emotional stability. We would like you to try some mood control pills. All they would do is prevent extreme emotions." She said, the pills sliding down a chute by my bed. I looked at the two little purple pills, grabbing them from the chute.
"Is this what it has come to? You people cursed me with these powers and now your way of fixing it is leaving me a shell of what I used to be?" I said, burning brighter.
"It's not like that. We're just trying to help you." Dr Grace spoke calmly.
"It's not even that. You don't even let me see my family and my friends. For the past four months you have kept me here in this cement prison, pushing new ideas on me. We've tried 36 pills, 5 suits, 3 different cells, and 2 different diets. Nothing has changed! I haven't seen the light of day in forever! I have spent the first four months of my adult life alone! The only human contact I get is you through the speaker! I don't even know you," I screamed,"these powers weren't designed for me and yet I am being punished for it! You're saying that you are trying to help me but this isn't working! I can't take this anymore!" I took the purple pills and crushed them under my new grey boots. I threw off my gloves, stormed through my cell, and melted every surveillance camera with my molten hands. Angry tears evaporated off my face as I flopped onto my bed, scorching the sheets and pillows.
"I know you don't want to here this right now, but if you aren't willing to try, we can't make any progress." She said as two more pills slid down my bedside chute. I rolled over in my bed, facing the cold wall. I struggled to get comfortable, the newest of my suits proving to be extremely uncomfortable. I stood up and trudged to the kitchen, looking for a snack. I grabbed at the meal cards, each specialised for a specific food unlike at home. I found one for chocolate ice cream. Can I even eat ice cream? I guess there's only one way to find out. I slid my card into the dispenser. It popped back out. I pushed it back in. A red error code appeared on the display. NON-ESSENTIAL FOOD ITEM, PLEASE SELECT A DIFFERENT ITEM. I groaned. "Grace! What the heck is this?!" I yelled into the room, knowing she was listening.
"Part of the new diet." I heard from the speaker.
"Seriously? Why do I even have these cards then?" I replied, throwing the card to the ground.
"We never got around to removing them from the cabinet." I groaned again, walking to the bathroom. I stared into the mirror, seeing my flaming hair and my newest jumpsuit. I brushed the hair, setting the brush on fire. I dropped it in the sink, running water over it. I went to grab it, my hand sizzling and turning black and hard. I pulled my hand away, screaming with pain. Still haven't gotten used to that.
"What's wrong? Are you ok in there?" I heard Dr Grace call from the speaker.
"It's fine, I just got some water on my hand. No big deal." I called back to her. I walked back to my room, laying out on the bed. I drifted off for another night of restless sleep.

He walked towards me. Resting his arms on my shoulders.
"Hey baby." He whispered into my ear, brushing it with his lips.
"Patrick, this isn't safe. I will hurt you. I can't." I said, pushing away from his strong arms.
"What are you talking about? You'd never hurt me." Patrick said, pulling me closer.
"Please Pat," I said, tears streaming down my face,"I can't hurt you again." He looked at me, leaning in for a kiss. His lips made contact with mine and he collapsed.
"You monster. You destroy everything you touch." Dr Grace's voice rang through my cell. "You will never be loved. No one could ever live with a beast like you."
"I didn't-"
"MURDERER!" Dr Grace screamed.
"I would never hurt him! I-"
"MURDERER!" My mother called.
"How could you kill him? You killed Patrick!" Leah called.
"No!" A chorus of scream echoed around me.
"Deadly!"
"Murderer!"
"Monster!"
I woke up in my room, steam filling the air. My face glowed brightly, filling the room with blinding light. I buried my head in my hands.