Carine

The only thought that passes through my mind when the guard comes back into my room is that I need a break.

I'm dragged to my feet and marched out of my cell, towards the dreaded testing room. So many horrible things have happened there. I've been electrocuted, injected, and even had pieces of my skin taken for samples. I shudder, and the guard holding me glares. I immediately stiffen and he looks forward again, bringing my plank-like body to the room.

Inside, Dr. Barnes awaits in his labcoat, a cold smile on his face. I know it's fake though. "Ah! Carine. Just the girl I wanted to see." His smile gets wider and he dismisses the guard holding me. "So glad you could drop in."

I look down at my feet, bracing my wrists against the cuffs. I learned my lesson the first day I was brought here. Retaliation means punishment, and punishment is worse than testing. I wiggle my big toe in my shoe. Half of the nail is still missing, and it's been 3 months.

I don't want a repeat of that.

Dr. Barnes continues, with a edge to his voice now. "Today, we are going to try and see how your powers fare in a rainstorm."

Water doesn't sound that bad. I'll just be a little colder, and a lot more uncomfortable. It isn't like I haven't had my share of discomfort here, anyway.

My eyes must have wandered along with my mind because the doctor gives me a glare so icy it could have turned the Sahara desert into a glacier. "You will also be subjected to thunder, to see if your powers are affected by concentration." This is getting worse. I'm terrified of thunder. He gives me an evil smile. "You will also have to avoid being hit by sporadic strikes of lightning."

At least it can't get any worse. I instantly cringe, waiting for the universe to inflict some other form of torture on me. It must be answering my prayer from earlier, because this time it gives me a break.

Dr. Barnes motions for me to follow him into a glass box, a little bit bigger than my cell. I walk inside and the door shuts behind me.

"A pair of virtual reality goggles will be lowered in a moment. When they reach you, please put them on." His voice sounds distorted because of the laugh. It's comical, but I don't dare to laugh.

I put on the goggles and observe my new surroundings. I'm in a forest. A thought hits me. If the forest is fake, won't the rain and lightning be too? A clap of thunder followed by a wave of water that drenches me to the skin answers that question.

"Your goal is to make it to the mountain." I vaguely see a tall brown blob through the unending rain. At this rate they'll cause a drought. "Good luck."

A/N: Holy moly guys! Almost 500 reads. Thank you all so much! I never thought my story would get this many reads! I thought it wouldn't get 100, let alone 500.

I appreciate every person who has read, commented on, and voted for this story. You all mean so much to me and I would be nothing without you guys.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And oh yeah, did I forget to mention? To celebrate, you guys get a double update, so make sure to read Chapter Eighteen as well.