Free NLI-10 by Lee Isserow Page B

feelings and swift tolerance from caffeine or the high and crash of speed or coke.
    “So, you think that's what we're here to test? Something to keep people awake?” asked Leah.
    “It's probably a side-effect.” said Rob. “The rest of these tests haven't exactly lined up with what that drug is for... can't imagine soldiers spending weeks surrounded by flashing lights just to stay awake a little longer.”
Their discussion was cut short by a call for them to move through to the testing area. Another day spent in darkness with the noises, another night sleepless with the grid hanging in their vision, clearer than ever.
    The week went on, and they went through the same thing every day for six days until they were told it was the weekend.
    “How many days have we been here now?” asked Leah during breakfast, her eyes puffy and exhausted.
    “I don't even know any more. Don't really fucking care...” said Rob, shrugging her off.
    He was irritable. They all were.
    “What does it matter?” asked Pete. “They'll let us know when our three months are up.”
    “But we should have kept track!” said Leah. “How will we know when it's our one month anniversary? We should have a party or something!”
    Her words were met with blank stares, the others in disbelief and bemusement.
    “Not so much, no.” said Alex.
    “Why would we want a party?” asked Sarah.
    “Everyone likes a party...” said Leah with a huff, slumping in her chair.
Their confounded looks at the young blonde were distracted by the click-clack of overpriced heels, as Whark entered.
    “How are we all doing this morning?” she asked the group, who turned to her with bag-laden eyes and an inability to feign sincere smiles. “Oh you'll feel right as rain once you get a good night's sleep.”
    “About that...” said Pete. “Have you been keeping us awake all week to prove some kind of point, or is it a side effect?”
The others stared at him, each thinking the same thing, but afraid to say so.
    “I mean, I understand the need for secrecy with the surgery, the injections into our spines, the weird tones and flashing lights into our faces.”
    Sarah considered telling him to shut up, but there was no stopping him, he was on a roll. Plus, he was only saying what they wouldn't
    “But you're taking away our sleep! I don't care about the other crap, but sleep is, y'know, sleep !”
    Whark was, as far as the group could tell, expressing bemusement at her subject's honesty. He turned to the others, his eyes full of shock and confusion.
    “I honestly have no idea why I just said that!” he said.
    “That would be your limbic cortex firing on all cylinders.” said Whark, to an eyebrow raise and dumb expression from Pete.
    “The lizard brain.” said Micah, which brought a nod and a surprised smile from Whark. “Oldest part of the brain, evolutionarily speaking. Has a habit of taking away the filter between thought and speech when you're sleep deprived.
    “It's also where the 'fight or flight' impulse comes from.” added Alex.
    “Not to mention feeding, fear and fucking.” said Farah, who became visually embarrassed when she heard herself.
    “Well, I assure you you'll be getting a good night's sleep after today's session.” said Whark.
    “But seriously, are we going to address the surgery?” asked Leah.
    “Dear girl, you agreed to it!” said Whark, producing a seven inch tablet from her pocket and flipping through a digital scan of their paperwork, presenting the blonde with her initials on a page.
    I am aware that this trial will involve pharmaceutical, psychological, NLP, hypnogogic, and surgical elements, and hereby grant A-Pharma the rights to act as healthcare proxy for the duration of my time in the Cultybraggan Facility.
    Leah handed the tablet back, feeling stupid. The table had no further questions for Whark, each finally feeling the exhaustion of the best part of a week without sleep.
    “When you're done with your breakfast, do