Enter.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Katherine Banks," inquired Annabelle to the man behind the front desk. "You here for the **** trial?" asked the man, staring at Annabelle's chest region. She was used to people staring at her, but her eyebrows raised upon hearing the word '****.' "Just down this hall, take the elevator to your right," the man said as he pointed towards a hallway to the right of the front desk, leading further into the building.

****? Katherine didn't mention any **** beforehand. Strictly opposed to any recreational ****, the furthest she'd ever taken consistently were those gummy dinosaur vitamin supplements. Her only experience with **** throughout college was a JELL-O shot that made her tipsy at a party once. Even caffeine gave her a headache. But, of course, pharmaceutical **** play a more important role in society. Maybe this could be some kind of medicine testing for a disease. She tried to think about the people she could be helping to try and calm her nerves. Either case, she felt nervous, stirring as the elevator climbed.

As the elevator reached the fourth floor, she overheard two people arguing on the other side, a disgruntled man and a young woman.

"This procedure is malpractice! You could have your license revoked for this, or worse, seriously harm someone!"

"I've told you already, it's been tested! It's safe, and effective! If we go through with the experiment, you'll see-"

Just then, the elevator doors swung open, revealing a tall, bearded man in his forties, frowning down at a short girl with her dark hair in a ponytail. Both of them were wearing white lab coats.

"Annabelle!!" the girl screamed as she pounced and wrapped her arms around Annabelle's neck, causing her to jump back in surprise.

"A-aheh, long time no see, Kat," Annabelle said as she awkwardly smiled and wrapped a hand around to return the favor. A very awkward, stuffy hug due to dampness from being out in the rain and the pressure between both their chests.

Finally releasing her grip, Katherine turned to the man and said, "this is my friend, Annabelle. Annabelle, this is Hans," her arm resting over Annabelle's shoulders.

"Oh please, call me Doctor Staunton," the man said as he went for a two-hand handshake with direct eye contact. "You're not here for the procedure, are you...?" he said as his eyes started to shift down, as if sizing up Annabelle. His eyes seemed to be drawn to her chest region.

"Yes, I asked her to be here today," said Katherine with a grin, still standing near Annabelle, a hand around her waist. "See? I told you, she's perfect!"

"W-wait, what do you mean harm someone?" Annabelle inquired.

"W-well, you will be briefed on this soon but, but personally..." Landa muttered, looking shiftily over his shoulder. "As a medical professional, it is of my opinion that you should not accept this trial."

"Quit trying to scare her," jabbed Katherine. "C'mon, I'll show you to my office," she gestured to Annabelle as Doctor Staunton said nothing, just frowning as the elevator door closed in front of him.