Absolutely Fine

"Not sure why she even tries anymore. She knows better than we do that she has no idea what she's really doing here."

"Ha, true. Bitch thinks she can 'save' people. Don't know about you but that wasn't the case with me."

"Really now?"

"Ripped my throat out with her teeth."

"That's cold, man."

The tip of Caroline's pen dug into the paper and the lines of her letters became sharp slashes of black against lily white.

Jonathan shook his head in his seat at the desk, leering at the two survivors. "Ignore them, Caroline. They want a reaction. Don't give them one."

The two men were behind her, leaning up against the fume hood—one tall with matted brown hair, the other several inches shorter and sporting a ragged-cut mop of blonde. "No shit. I was just walking along, minding my own business, when suddenly the broad steps out of the trees and asks to walk with me. I couldn't see her eyes so I said 'sure, why not.' Next thing I know we're in the woods and she's ripping my throat out."

"That's pretty rough. Same thing happened with me, I guess, but bitch snapped my neck while I was preoccupied. I don't envy you there."

"Caroline?" The dead survivors fell silent at Jeremiah's voice. "Where would you like me to put these chemicals?"

It took her a moment to recognize that he was actually speaking to her and it wasn't all in her head. "Sulfur based compounds on the middle shelf on the right side. The rest can go on the table, I'll figure it out later."

"Alright." Jeremiah stepped out of the room and the survivors began to snicker.

"Glad I got eaten, actually. Hate to end up looking like that guy."

Caroline only barely suppressed the rage that boiled in her stomach. "Shut up."

The blonde survivor let out a low whistle. "Oooh, a little fond of the green haired freak, are you bitch?"

"I dare say she is, friend."

"Yikes. Hate to imagine those kids."

"You two aren't real," she whispered, her hands beginning to shake. "You're not real. I'm hallucinating."

"'Course we aren't real," the brunette sneered, a cruel grin darting across his face. He crept up to her side and gave the pen she held a sudden tug, marking a slash of black across the paper. "After all, hallucinations can't do that, can we?"

"Go away."

"Why? What did I do?" Jeremiah had stepped in from the other room and she was suddenly acutely aware of him staring at her.

The dead survivors laughed but Caroline ignored them—Jeremiah was real. He was concrete. "Er, nothing, Jer. Someone outside tried to call me out for a moment but they left."

"Listen to her, lover boy," the blonde one sneered as the other laughed. "Heaven knows she wouldn't lie to you."

"Oh. Er, okay." Jeremiah turned back to group of dirty beakers in front of him. "Shall I wash these for you?"

Caroline sighed. Normal. Everything was fine. "Yes, that would be great. Be careful though, some of those contained some sulfuric acid. Don't want that on your skin."

"Tell us bitch, do you scream when he fucks you? With a face like that, I would."

"Enough." Jonathan rose from his chair, stalking over to the hallucinations. "I won't tolerate this anymore. Get out."

"You can't deny the whore deserves it, Jonny-boy," the blonde one said with a grin, "After all, you've watched her do worse, and you're stuck here with us too."

"But I can kick you out. She can't. Goodbye." Caroline blinked and the survivors were gone. Jonathan returned to his chair, looking tired. "Good riddance."

Just as the tension in her shoulders began to relax there was a knock on the door. Caroline turned to answer it but froze when she saw the wide brown eyes, the long, wavy hair, the full lips that were twisted into a cruel smile.

Diane waved and turned to saunter back into the Facility.

Caroline was opening the door when Jeremiah noticed. "Caroline? Where are you going?"

"I—I forgot some papers on our next experiment in my room." She yanked the door open just as Diane turned and disappeared down an abandoned hallway. "I won't be but a moment."

"But Caroline—" The door shut behind her and she trotted after Diane, worry twisting onto her face. She whipped into the hall and saw Diane's smiling face duck behind a corner, a giggle floating down the hallway and invading her ears.

Jonathan caught up with Caroline as she neared the corner. "Caroline, this is not a good idea. Turn back."

She turned the corner and stepped into the dark, dingy hallway. "W-where'd she go?"

"Just leave, Caroline. This isn't worth it."

"No, Jon," she hissed, her eyes scanning the shadows as she stepped deeper into the dark hall. "I can't."

There was a hand on her shoulder and Caroline's world exploded into pain. She looked down, down at the knife plunged into the right side of her abdomen, blood blossoming over her white shirt.

"So nice to see you again," Diane purred into her ear, slipping the knife from between the smaller woman's ribs and dropping it on the floor. Caroline slumped to the ground, clutching her side with a choked gasp.

"Caroline? This is not the way to your office." Jeremiah. Of course it was him, he wouldn't have just let her run off with no explanation. "Oh, oh no, are you alright?"

Caroline sucked in a breath and blinked back her tears, her fingers pressed against her wound. "I—" She looked down and her heart stopped.

No blood.

No wound.

The knife that was supposed to be lying not three feet from her was gone.

She looked up and met Jeremiah's eyes as he helped her wobble to her feet. Jonathan stood against the far wall of the hallway, handsome face marred by worry.

"I'm fine, Jer," she said, smiling wearily despite the ache in her side, "Absolutely fine."