text: “Thank you for choosing to participate in our study, Mr. Frangere.” Her voice was familiar. She must have been the one that called me earlier in the week. She’d called asking if I wanted to be in some study, a pharmaceutical drug test. The pay was good; $250 per day for two days minimum of testing. I wouldn’t have to stay overnight, and I’d get breakfast, lunch, and dinner for free. I really didn’t need the money, but why not? I have the time to spare. “It's not a problem. So what will we be testing?” She ignored the question and peered at her clipboard from behind the desk. She was wearing a completely white outfit; dress, stockings, heels, and a lab coat to complete it. After she finished shuffling through the papers, she held out the clipboard and a pen. “I need you to fill out these forms, and then we can get started.” I took her offering, and proceeded to sign my life away. The forms consisted of basic information; a medical history form, a liability form, and several pages about the test, which I was told to read and sign. They didn't tell me much about what was going to happen or what I would be taking, just about all of the possible dangers and side effects that could occur from the medication. I skimmed through those without giving it a second thought. “All done, Miss... what was your name?” She took the clipboard and checked to make sure I’d completed it correctly. “If you could just follow me Mr. Frangere, we can get started.” The building that I entered wasn't what one would have expected to house a drug testing facility. From the outside, anyone would assume that the building was just a warehouse, and that would be the end of it. However, inside the building was much different. The room I was in wasn't that big, and was completely white. From the floor to the ceiling tiles, the walls to the doors, even the furniture, everything was white. I felt as though I could have been in the early stages of a horror movie, but I shook the feeling. The only color that I could see around me, besides my own clothing, were several small plants that had been strategically placed around the room in an attempt to negate the lifeless feeling. When I entered the main door into the lobby, I was greeted by an admission desk, which was where the woman was seated . On the wall behind the desk there were two doors, one on each side, along with a door on each wall to the left and right of where I stood. They weren't marked in any way which made the building feel like a maze. The people that work here must know where each door leads, because the woman suddenly stood and proceeded to the one that was to the left of her. I began to follow, as per her request. As we passed through the door, we entered what appeared to be a very long hallway, which continued the color scheme from the previous room. This hallway also included many unmarked doors, and more long hallways, enhancing the maze-like feeling. *How could anyone stand to work in a place like this?* I thought to myself as I followed her down several different corridors until finally we stopped in front of a specific, unmarked door. I tried to remember how to get back to the lobby, but lost track after the third or fourth turn. “Here we are Mr. Frangere, this will be your room for the next fifteen hours. Inside, you will find a set of clothes we would like you to wear, a lavatory, and breakfast. Please put all jewelry and belongings in your pockets now, and enjoy your meal. Someone will return to you shortly.” She sounded like a machine at this point, reciting pre-programmed lines quickly and poignantly. She opened the door, and I proceeded into the room, hearing the door close behind me. She was suddenly gone, and I was alone, in my entirely white room which I would remain in for the next fifteen hours. The room wasn't very big. It consisted of a desk and chair, a bed, and a door which led to the bathroom. I changed quickly and ate my breakfast, which was an enjoyable meal of eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, orange juice, and black coffee. However, while I ate, I noticed several cameras which I assumed were supposed to be hidden, but they didn't do a very good job at that. After twenty minutes passed, I heard a knock at the door. It then opened, and a different woman entered my room. She didn't say a word, but she grabbed my personal belongings and meal tray. “Excuse me, when will...” She also ignored me, and was gone before I could finish my question. *What the hell did I sign myself up for?* *This had better be worth it.* Another ten minutes passed before I was graced by a third person. This one had a tray in their hands which carried a small condiment cup and a clear, plastic cup filled with water. He placed the tray on the desk before speaking. “How was your meal, Mr. Frangere? Are you nice and full? Ready to begin testing?” This one seemed a little more friendly than the other two. “I suppose I'm as ready as I'll ever be.” “Great.” He slid the tray over to me. “In front of you, you will see a small, white pill with the numbers '3702' engraved into it.” *Of course it's white, what else is new?* “You will also see a cup of water, which you can use to assist in the ingestion of the pill. You are required to finish the contents of the cup.” The man's friendliness disappeared, and the mechanical personality was in charge. “After you take the pill, we do ask that you lay down in your bed until you hear this tone.” Suddenly, a ringing sound pierced through the room. *What the? Where did that come from?* I hadn't seen any speakers in the room, so the sound completely took me by surprise. “After you hear the tone, you are free to do whatever you choose within the room. You may leave in fifteen hours, which will make the time 12:00 a.m.” With that, the man was out the door. *So take the pill and lay down. That seems easy enough.* I took the small pill in one hand, and the cup of water in the other, and did what I was told. The pill must have had a powder-coating over it, because I had a foul taste in my mouth after I took it. I stood from the chair and used the bathroom before I laid in my bed. I wasn't sure how long it was going to take before that ringing sound played again, so I figured I'd take advantage of the chance I had. Afterward, I got in to the bed that was provided for me which wasn't nearly as comfortable as it looked. It felt as if the entire bed had been chiseled out of stone, pillow and all. I got myself as comfortable as I could, and stared at the ceiling. *Well, I guess I could close my eyes while I wait for, whatever this is, to kick in. Hopefully this will be quick.* Everything around me went dark as my eyelids closed. What felt like minutes passed, and I was shocked by the sound of the tone. *Already? I'm not feeling anything yet. Is it over?* However, something was different. The walls of the room no longer looked white, but almost a light pink color. *That's probably just from closing my eyes. They said I could do anything, so I guess I’ll sleep until they bring me lunch.* I closed my eyes again, and submersed into a deep sleep. *Adrian. Adrian, you need to wake up.* I was abruptly awakened by someone saying my name, but I didn't open my eyes right away. “Is it lunch time already? I could go for a good burger.” There was nothing but silence. *Adrian, you need to get out of here.* The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't figure out whose it was. I finally sat up and opened my eyes, only to be startled at what I saw. The walls, which were originally white, then looked pink, were a dark shade of purple, and had a translucent liquid running down them which was glowing a baby blue color. The floor had turned a tint of red, similar to roses just after they had bloomed, and each door in the room was radiating neon green, with the color fading lighter and darker. “What the fuck dude,” I laid back down, trying to collect my thoughts. But what I saw on the ceiling is what put me over the edge. It looked like someone had painted a universe on it, however, this was much more than a painting. The swirling mass of clouds and stars were spinning, the universe was alive, and I was moving closer to it. My body wasn't physically moving as far as I could tell, but I was approaching the center of the large mass, and I was doing it quickly. Stars began to fly around me, glowing specks disappearing and reappearing everywhere that I looked, and for a second I could swear that I felt some type of wind on me. It was then that I decided this test was over. “I'm going to the bathroom, puking up this pill you gave me, and going home.” I yelled this loud enough so if there weren’t microphones in the room, someone outside of the door could hear me. I had a hard time standing, but finally managed after becoming acclimated to the rosy red-colored floor. My movement wasn't how it normally was, I had a hard time lifting my legs, and I couldn't stand up straight. I couldn't tell if I felt hot or cold, but half of my body had goosebumps and the other half didn't. I shuffled to the bathroom door but I didn’t want to touch it. The glowing green was completely unnatural, but I had to get rid of this pill. I managed to turn the knob and get the door open. As I walked through the door, everything went black again. *Adrian. You need to get the fuck out of here, Adrian.* I awakened yet again, to find myself still laying in bed where I had been after I took the pill. I hastily sat up and peered around the room. Everything looked exactly as it was when I laid down; white, and entirely blank. “Shit, it was just a dream. What kind of drug did they give me?” As I looked around, I noticed someone had entered my room while I was asleep, because there was another tray atop my desk. It was my lunch, and it consisted of a cheeseburger, a large amount of french fries, and a chocolate milkshake to wash it down. “Wow, this place delivers.” I threw my legs off the bed and stood up, giving myself a sudden head rush. The room began to darken, and I could see the familiar little stars floating around that always visit me when I stand too quickly. *Adrian, why haven't you left yet? You need to leave, Adrian.* There was that voice again. I keep hearing it, but I have no clue where it's coming from. I looked around to make sure I was alone in the room, and sat down at the desk. “Whoever keeps talking to me, you need to cut it out. You're really starting to piss me off. Unless that's the point of the test, then you're doing a fantastic job at it!” I waited for a response, but I heard nothing. I was becoming agitated, and turned back towards the tray filled with food. My perspective changed yet again. The burger on my tray was still a burger, but it also had eyes, and a mouth slowly began to appear on it. The french fries began to melt, and the milkshake was boiling over its glass. “What are you still doing here, Adrian?” The burger started talking to me. *Why is this burger talking to me? What’s happening to me?* I wasn't sure what to make of it, and I felt trapped and scared in this small room, so I did the only thing I could do. “What are you talking about? You're a burger, how can you talk?” “You need to leave. This place will kill you dead, Adrian.” I started getting worried at this point, not specifically at the fact that a burger just told me I was going to die, but the fact that the burger said anything at all. “What do you mean this place will kill me? And how are you talking?” *You need to listen to the burger, Adrian.* The voice was much louder now, as if the person who owned it was directly behind me. I jumped out of my chair and spun around, only to find that I was still alone in the room. I turned back to my plate, but the food that was there looked as it normally would. The burger no longer had eyes, and the fries and milkshake looked as edible as they did when I first saw them. I decided not to eat my food, partially because I felt guilty eating something that was talking to me a moment ago, and told me I was going to die. I walked towards the bathroom instead to rinse my face with some water, hoping to shake whatever it was that I was feeling. The drug must have kicked in at this point, because there was no way this feeling was natural. *You're going to miss your chance, Adrian.* I opened the lavatory bathroom, only to find that it was no longer a lavatory. Instead, a long corridor stretched out in front of me. This corridor wasn't like the other hallways I had seen though. The walls were a very dark gray, and every ten feet a candlestick could be found hanging on the wall on both sides. I could only see within the first fifty feet though, after that it was completely dark. I closed the door and reopened it, but the hallway remained unchanged. “I think it's time for me to leave.” I turned toward the door that lead out of the room, and rushed over to it. When I opened it, the familiar hallway I had seen before entering the room gave me a good feeling. *You're too late, Adrian.* Before I had the chance to step out of the doorway, the hall melted right before my eyes. The walls, the other doors, the ceiling, all looked like they were dripping blood, as if they were alive. *There's only one way to go now.* I looked to where the lavatory should have been, down the dark corridor, and back to the melting one. Before I could realize what I was doing, I went in to a full sprint down the gloomy hallway into the black. However, every time I would get close to the shadows, more candles on the wall would suddenly light up. I continued to run, and checked behind to see if I could see back to my room. There was nothing but darkness. *You need to run faster Adrian, or they're going to get you.* I still wasn't sure where the voice was coming from, but it somehow knew more than I did. “Who's going to get me?” I screamed as I continued running in to the abyss. “What do they want with me?” *They're going to kill you, and no one will ever know.* “Who is? Who's going to kill me? Answer me, damnit!” *They're going to kill you.* Without warning, I was encased in a giant light. I was no longer standing in the hallway, and I came to a complete stop. I was surrounded by shadows, but for some reason I felt comfort standing in the light. I knew in here, the shadows couldn't get me, but they were still trying. I could feel them moving around me. *It's too late. Only you could have saved yourself, Adrian.* The voice rang incredibly loud, to point where I had to put my hands over my ears. As I did, I could feel something warm running through my fingers and down my arms. I pulled my hands away from the sides of my head and put them in front of me. They appeared to be covered in blood, and I could feel the same warmth begin to drip down my face. “What's happening to me? Why is this happening to me?!” *You never should have came here, Adrian. You never should have came.* “Tell me what's happening! Tell me who you are! Why is this happening?” I couldn't help but be scared now. I don't think anyone would have been able to hold their composure while this was happening. I was invited here as part of a study, was told I was being paid for it, and all I had to do was take an experimental pharmaceutical drug. No one said anything about anyone dying while they were here, so why suddenly me? The light started to close itself around me, my cage shrinking smaller by the second. “Please don't kill me, I didn't do anything. I'll give you whatever you want, just don't kill me!” Tears started to fuse with the blood that was still running down my face. I couldn't figure out exactly where the blood was coming from. There weren't any cuts on my face or head, but I continued to bleed. Another spotlight lit up the floor about ten feet in front of me, hoarding off the shadows just as my beam of light was doing. I waited to see if someone would appear in the light, but no one did. After what seemed like hours, a figure began to shine. The light reflected off of their skin, so I couldn't tell who it was at first. As my eyes began to refocus, I noticed something oddly familiar about this person. They were wearing the same clothes I was wearing when I first arrived to the mysterious warehouse, and they fit them perfectly. They were also the same height, and their hair was the exact same length as mine. *Hello, Adrian.* The voice was finally recognizable. It was my own. The person that was standing ten feet away from me, was myself. But how could I be in two places at once? Was the figure I was staring at the exact same person as me? “Who are you? Why do you look like me? What the fuck is going on here?” *You don't know who I am, Adrian?* I was no longer just crying or weeping, at this point I was sobbing. I couldn't control myself any longer. I was terrified, alone, and I had no clue what was going on. And according to the doppelganger I'm standing face-to-face with, someone, or something, is trying to kill me. “If I knew who you were, do you really think I'd be asking you?” *You do know who I am, Adrian.* “Stop avoiding my questions and give me answers!” I was becoming furious, and my worries of what would happen to me began to dissipate. *I've been with you throughout your entire life, Adrian. I've been there to tell you the difference between what's right and what's wrong.* A million thoughts were racing through my head after I heard that statement. I was recollecting all of the people I had met in my life, thinking that the drug I had taken had put me in a deep sleep and I was personifying someone I knew through the image of myself. *You're not sleeping, Adrian.* I was snapped out of my thoughts and brought back to the moment. “Well you have to be in my head, or you wouldn't have known what I was thinking. None of this must be real.” I started to walk out of the light barrier surrounding me, but an unexpected force stopped me. *I can't let you do that, Adrian.* “Then answer my questions. What's in the shadow?” *The shadow is what you make of it. It could be anything you want it to be, even your fears.* That’s when it hit me. No matter who I was thinking of, no one that ever entered into my life knew of my fear of the dark. That was a secret I was prepared to take to my grave. “You must be some part of me.” *That is true.* “Were you the one that was talking to me the entire time?” *Yes, I was.* “You were trying to help me escape before any of this ever happened. Except for one problem, it wasn't until after I had taken the drug that I began to hear you.” *You could always hear me, Adrian. However, you were not aware of the apparent danger that laid ahead of you due to your choices. Tell me who I am, and I will answer your questions.* I remembered everything that I had done that day, and sequenced my thoughts in order. I played the entire day over in my head at least two or three times, every conversation I had, and everything I had told myself. That was it. Everything I told myself. Or everything myself was trying to tell me. That was the point where it all made sense. “You're my self-conscience.” Both lights suddenly vanished. I shut my eyes and prepared myself for what was going to attack me from the shadows, but I felt nothing. The warmth that was rushing down my face and my arms had ceased. I stopped crying, and I no longer felt afraid. *Open your eyes, Adrian.* We were both back in my room. We must have teleported or something, because there is no way we could have gotten back to the room after the distance it felt like I had ran. Everything appeared to be as I had left it, except for two components. The reason why I could tell this was my room, was because the food was still left on the desk. However, there was now a clipboard sitting adjacent to the tray. Also, there was a body in my bed. At some point while I was asleep in my drug-induced haze, they must have switched me to another room and put another subject in here. *You need to look at the person in the bed.* “Don't you think that's a little creepy? You are my conscience, you know.” Something didn't feel right about this situation though, so I took his, or my, advice and walked to the bed. As I did, my look-alike walked to the desk and grabbed the clipboard before joining my side. As I looked down, I had this feeling that I should have been upset, crying, screaming. But I felt nothing. I felt nothing but solitude. I wasn't happy or sad, angry or passive, I felt nothing. I stared down upon the person that inhabited my bed, and I was content. My conscience handed me the clipboard, and I read the contents of it out loud. “Theodore Frangere, male. Height, 5 foot 10 inches. Weight, 165 pounds. Test subject number 205, experimental group A. Time of death... 10:00 a.m.” My eyes switched from the clipboard to my pale, lifeless face. I had accepted the invitation to participate in this study just for some extra cash. I didn't need it, and I had no reason to be here. But I chose to do it, and I paid the consequences for doing so. “So what do I do now?” We looked at each other for what seemed like a lifetime. I was still having trouble getting past the fact that I kept thinking I was looking in a mirror, and I shouldn't be expecting an answer. *You can do as you desire. You are no longer attached to this world. You are finally free.