behind her widened almost into laughter when she
said that.
"That's cold," Teal said. "And disgusting. I feel
like some old lady with bladder trouble. I want my
clothing back. They were expensive, especially the
designer jeans. You have no right to take them away
from me. Why can't we all have our clothes back?"
she whined, now sounding more like a spoiled child
than a defiant teenager.
"I've already given that answer. One thing you
will learn and learn very quickly here, Teal, is if I or
anyone else has to repeat something to you, it's
because you don't or won't listen, and that will result
in a demerit."
"I don't care about any demerits. I want my
clothing!" Teal shouted back. Her voice echoed off
the cement walls and then died as if her words were
smashed to bits, the letters splattered and then raining
dawn to the dank concrete floor.
Dr. Foreman took a step toward her. "Oh, but
you will care, my dear. That will be one of the
significant changes in you very soon." she said
slowly, her voice so full of chill. I imagined the words
turning to ice in the air between them. Even the cold
smile disappeared.
"I want to go home," Teal cried back at her.
"Right now,"
"Do you? Unfortunately for you, for all of you,
no one wants you back. Teal. In fact. I'm the only one
who wants you."