Eko could feel herself quaking she was so exhausted. Three tests. They had put her and Phobos through three additional tests that day, each more grueling than the last. She felt hot, too hot, and breathing was difficult. This, of course triggered panic which only made things worse.
[Eko, Eko I'm here!] Phobos's inner voice flooded her mind. [It's ok! You're ok! Breath baby girl, just breath!]
As he started taking deep breaths, Eko focused on his breathing and heartbeat and tried to follow his pattern. It was difficult, especially when Dr. Morton and the other two scientists strode through the door. Feeling her distress, Phobos growled warningly and turned to face them so he was between them and Eko.
"I don't have time for this," Dr. Morton clicked his tongue and produced a syringe full off some kind of green syrum. "I know you are intelligent enough to understand what I am saying, even if you are incapable of speech so I suggest you listen. We can do this one of two ways. You could stupidly attempt to attack me and these two peons and we can deck it out until I get this in you and knock you out cold, or you can wait there patiently while we check vitals. Which would you prefer?"
Phobos glared, but made no move. Morton eyed him for a moment, then continued towards him.
[What does he want Eko?] Phobos questioned. [I know he's up to something.]
[I... I am not sure... It's hard to focus] Eko replied. [He's agitated and his thoughts keep jumping around... I think he's... disappointed?]
She stopped as the pack opened and she found herself face to face with Dr. Morton for the second time that day. He looked visibly upset as he observed her. Thankfully, he left her in place. It was probably the only reason Phobos remained somewhat calm.
As he worked, she caught odd phrases from his thoughts, but never anything complete as though he couldn't make up his mind. 'Not long... I could but... Such a shame... I'll have to contact that man...' it was too much to make sense of. On top of all the words flooding his mind, images kept flashing through his head as well, and she couldn't understand what it was she was seeing. Eventually she simply gave up and curled into a ball, clutching her head in an effort to ease her growing headache.
"Alright," Morton stepped back and shut the pack, then all but dragged the other two out of the chamber and secured the door behind him.
[Are they seriously going to try conducting more tests?] Phobos Growled.
[I don't know] Eko replied. [I'm sorry Phobos... I couldn't tell what he was thinking... it was going through his head so fast and I...]
She lost track of what she was thinking as a wave of dizziness swept over her. If it weren't for the fact that she was seated and harnessed in place, she fallen forward into the hard wall of the pack. Only a moment before, she had felt hotter than sin, now she couldn't stop shivering and her skin felt wet and sticky to the touch.
[Eko?] Phobos called in concern. She couldn't answer him. Everything was spinning. [Eko!]
She dimly became aware of some sort of fog entering the chamber. She could hear some sort of chatter in the back of her mind, but there was no hope of making sense of any of it at this stage. She couldn't focus the way she needed.
She had a vague sense of falling as the corners of her vision began to blackout. Or was it Phobos who was falling? She was unconscious before she could sort out any sort of answer.
* * *
When Eko awakened some time later, she felt even worse than when she had passed out. Even on her worst days, she usually felt better with a little rest. Not this time.
Something felt wrong. Her body felt heavy, and her head felt foggy. No amount of focus would clear it. She was vaguely aware of pain, but she couldn't quite figure out where it was coming from. Every time she tried to chase it to identify where it was coming from, it slipped from her grasp. She was so detached from it she worried it may not have been her pain.
[Phobos?] Timidly, she reached out to find him. How long had she been out? Was he ok? Eko hoped he hadn't been too worried.
[I'm here] Came the quick response. She could feel his profound relief, as well as his lingering fear for her. [Eko, you ok baby girl?]
[I feel funny...] Eko replied. [Wrong... It feels all wrong... but I can't figure out why.]
[They did something to you.] A low growl rumbled from his chest. [They drugged me, then took you away. I only know because I came out of it a few times while you were gone.]
[They did something to me?] If only she could clear her head. She couldn't use her normal senses any better than her telepathy. That wasn't a good sign. [Phobos... I think I am dying]
[You aren't dying.] Phobos replied firmly. She wished she could believe him. [Don't you give up on me baby girl, I promise I will figure out what exactly they did to you, then I will find a way to get you out of here. We'll save you, I swear on my life!]
[I don't think I have much longer Phobos. I'm pretty sure that's why Morton was so agitated.] Eko replied. He'd been talking about escaping since they first met, but he'd yet to find a good opportunity. She wasn't sure he could.
[I'm serious!] Phobos insisted, sensing her doubt. [We'll get out of here, and I won't rest until I find someone who can help heal you.]
[That's sweet of you to say...] Eko yawned. even though she had just woken up, she felt inexplicably sleepy. Maybe it had something to do with the fog in her head, or the pain looming at the edges of her senses.
[Rest easy...] Phobos said gently. It was the last thing she heard before slipping back into unconsciousness.