"I've been doing this for over a year," Connie answered, "and I've only had one failure. So I don't think it's very common." There was a rap on the door and Connie snapped "Come in!"
She expected it to be a guard, but it was him. She straightened, and the little girl jumped up.
"Well!" he remarked, "We've got this little mess straightened out, and we're ready to help this young lady. Her father managed to raise the money to send her to us at the last minute, and she got here a little bit faster than somebody got around to processing the paperwork! I thought where I was already down here I might as well make the physical exam, and see how long it's going to take us to process. Would you spread a pad on the bed, please?"
He came over to the girl, as Connie got a pad out of the cabinet and spread it on the bed. "Come on, dear!" he comforted. "Your name is Madi?"
"That's as close as your people can say it," the girl answered, slipping off her shoes and socks. She unzipped the coveralls and let them drop, obviously she had had experience with people examining her. She took off the little t shirt she had underneath and without hesitation slipped out of her panties, went to the bed and meekly laid down. He immediately examined the scars on her stomach. "These were all self inflicted?" he remarked, "After the incident? No one else did any of this to you?"
"I did it to myself," the girl answered. He nodded then checked every inch of her body, even when he got to intimate places the girl didn't flinch.
"Well!" he remarked, "I see where she was injecting, between her toes. Common place to hide it. I understand you didn't use too much, and your organs are still in excellent condition. Isn't there any possibility we could get you to let us do this in the hospital, have the doctors put you to sleep and give your organs to people that desperately need them? Wouldn't you feel better knowing that some little girl is alive because she has your heart?" "No!" the girl moaned, "No! When they burn me I want it to be all of me. It may be selfish, but I want to die all at once, not a little bit at a time. I don't think I could make it..." She stopped talking.
He sighed. "Now, this is going to be the hard part. Some people say it's even more frightening than the physical examination, but I have to look into your mind and your soul. I have to know how hard it's going to be so if need be I can help her. Now, you were really good with the physical exam. Just take my hands and don't resist."
The girl gave him her hands and he began to repeat the incantation. Connie had heard it untold times, but she still felt him going into her mind every time. But she knew it was necessary so they could form the bridge.
After he was done the girl was crying. "It's all right!" he comforted, "Well, why don't you slip a robe on her, take her down to the dressing room, nd find her a change of clothes? Have her take a shower then when the girls get home you can bring her up and introduce her. You can talk about anything except about what happened. You're not permitted to talk about that, but you can talk about your country and things they're doing, anything that interests you. They usually go into the operations room and check on the teams working on their web sites. You might like to accompany them."
"I can really meet the Goddesses?" the girl answered, getting a bit excited.
"Certainly!" he assured. "They'd be delighted to meet you. You'll have to wear handcuffs but I don't think you'll be a bad girl, and at suppertime they can be taken off. Though you will be required to be strapped in your chair, it's rules."
"I understand," the girl answered. "Father said I could ask you if you'd do it. He said he sent a slip, a note, saying it was all right, that I could have it before I died." He put his finger to her lips. "Sorry!" the girl moaned. "That I could do it before I went home. I know it's the cause of me being here and I shouldn't have it, but I don't want to die..." she hesitated, "I don't want to go home without knowing what it would've been like."
He shook his head. "You're too small," he explained. "You're small for your age. I'd hurt you. I couldn't do that. But we have a couple of young men hanging around here and I think one of them would be suitable. Shahid, I see you tried the syrup. You understand, don't you that if you won't take it willingly we'll have to use a needle, and the stuff in the needle is a lot worse. So it's far, far better that you do what you agreed to. And when it's time, take it without a struggle. Do you understand?"
"Yes," the girl answered. "Well!" he snapped, "I'm going to get out of here so you can get cleaned up. I don't think we should do it tonight. I think we should wait a day or so, give you a little time. We're in no hurry! We've got no one else coming for a couple of days so we can lavish a little attention on you. I've really got to get going." He looked at Connie and she knew they had troubles. He wouldn't delay, he wouldn't make them wait if there wasn't something wrong. The procedure was to process them as quickly as possible, give her a good afternoon and then do it at bedtime. She kept her smile, however, and after he left got her guest cleaned up. It was 4 o'clock by the time they were ready.
"He's a terrible liar you know!" the little girl sighed. "He doesn't think I'm gonna make it, does he? He thinks I'm going to be one of those you'll lose."
"Depend on him!" Connie assured. "You can't believe the things he can do! You'll make it!'
The girl looked at her and smiled. "You don't lie very well, either!" she remarked. Connie summoned the guard, and they went upstairs. The girls greeted the guest cordially.
"Oh! I heard one of the boys might be needed," one of them teased. "This is going to be very pleasant duty! Don't worry, dear, father wouldn't let them in the house if they weren't gentlemen! After all, they have to take care of mother."