Rachel and alice

chapter 2

Less than a month later, they'd received a reply in the mail from the pharmaceutical company. Everything had gone well, and Rachel and Alice still seemed to be prime candidates. So they were now packing up to head to the research facility, where they would be closely monitored as they took the drug.

The drug was supposed to boost digestion and allow for better absorption of nutrients. If it worked, it could help change the lives of people forever. It could help people with degenerative diseases from becoming too underweight. The implications were good.

So, the company wanted a group of healthy individuals, for control purposes, as well as people who were already underweight for various reasons. They were divided into groups based on their needs. Thankfully, due to their relationship, Alice and Rachel had been allowed to stay together.

Alice hummed softly to herself, double checking she had all of her meds and supplies. They would be allowed to leave the facility, but it would just be foolish to come all the way home for some medical tape or something.

Rachel was rummaging around the closet, pulling outfits from it, "Do you have your sweaters, right? They said it shouldn't be too cold in there but I want to be sure."

"Yes I have them. And my nice socks. You almost ready? We should be leaving soon if we're going to make it on time."

"Yeah, yeah," Rachel grumbled. She emerged from the closet, her arms full of clothes, "I'm getting there. I have more clothes than you."

"We're going to the same place for the same amount of time!"

Rachel stammered for a moment, throwing her clothes onto the bed, "Oh shush, you!"

Alice chuckled, double checking the case for her oxygen concentrator. They were supposed to be getting housing in some large space, and recommended she bring it. She also packed a couple of more portable oxygen tanks as well, just in case.

"Okay, I think I'm set. You need a hand?"

"No," Rachel was angrily stuffing clothes into her suitcase.

"Do you have your chargers?"

"In my purse."

"Are you *sure*?"

"I'm not now," Rachel bit back.

Alice chuckled dryly, "I'll go check. Finish getting your clothes. I have your toothbrush already."

"Oh good," Racel grunted, forcing her clothes deeper into the suitcase.

It took them half an hour to get themselves sorted, packed, and in the car. The fighting had died out once Rachel was settled behind the steering wheel, queuing giggles.

"We're a mess," Rachel chortled, wiping at her eyes.

Alice let out a wheezing laugh, settling her oxygen tank between her feet, "No kidding."

Still chuckling, Rachel started the car, "Alright we're late enough as is. Let's go!"

"Onward!"

:Okay, okay!" Rachel began to drive.

It took them almost another half an hour to reach the facility, where they were greeted by the staff and led inside. The inside was very similar to the interior of a hospital, which made sense because of some of the people they were trying to treat.

They were greeted by a middle-aged woman with long hair pulled into a strict ponytail, "Hello, Mrs. and Mrs. Blackwell. I'm Elena Walters, and I'll be overseeing your treatments as we go through them. Follow me, and I'll show you to your rooms. Then we'll get started for today."

"What's the agenda for tonight?" Alice asked, wheezing a little. The oxygen helped a lot, but her lungs were still weak.

"Mostly getting everyone settled, and starting you on all the proper medication. It's going to take a few weeks for them to build up in your systems properly, and we're all very eager to get started."

"We are, too," Rachel shot a reassuring smile at Alice, her hands were full of all their baggage.

"Good. Well, here we are," Elena rounded a corner, and gestured to a cream coloured door, "Private accomodations for the two of you, mostly due to Alice's fragile lungs. Bathroom, bedroom, kitchenette, and sitting room."

"Thank you!"

"It's my job. Settle in, explore if you'd like. We're still expecting more volunteers, so don't be a stranger. I'll be back later tonight with the first round of medicine."

Alice opened the door, and allowed Rachel in, "Thank you again. See you tonight!"

Elena nodded, turning back toward the foyer.

Alice shut the door, and looked around. Things were fairly bare, but that was to be expected. Standard, somewhat drab, decorations tried to lift the room's feeling but they didn't work. To the left was the kitchenette: a small stove, a fridge, some cabinets, and a little counter space. To the right was the sitting room. A couch, tv, a desk, and a coffee table. Straight ahead was a wide hallway, and what had to be the bedroom.

"The bedroom is to the left of the bedroom!" Rachel called, setting things down carefully on the bed. When she was done, she emerged from the bedroom. She took a look around, "Well it's not bad."

"Nope," Alice replied, sinking onto the couch. It had been a long few days getting things ready, and the stress and exhaustion had finally hit her.

Rachel followed suit, "We'll sit for a bit, then get your concentrator up and running. This place will be too quiet otherwise."

Alice snorted, "No kidding. I'm not really up for exploring anything right now. Are you okay with just settling in here for now?"

"Hon, we have a couple of months to explore," Rachel kissed Alice, "We can settle in for tonight. Get us both comfy."

Alice giggled into Rachel's lips, returning the kiss, "Thanks."

"Love you."

"Love you, too."