The mid-morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of the lab, casting a warm glow over the rows of workstations and equipment. Outside, the sky was a brilliant blue, with just a few wispy clouds drifting lazily across it. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly.
Inside the lab, the air was cool and crisp, filled with the scent of disinfectant and the hum of machinery. Selena stood at the row of animal enclosures, her eyes fixed on Roscoe, the golden retriever who had been the subject of her groundbreaking study.
Roscoe, once completely paralyzed and left for dead, was now a vibrant mound of positivity, his tail wagging furiously as he tilted his head to look at Selena. His brown eyes shone with concern, as if he could sense her troubled emotions. Selena smiled wistfully, feeling a pang of sadness. Roscoe would be going home with Jonah in just a week, marking the end of the animal study that had consumed her life for so long.
As she gazed at Roscoe, Selena couldn't help but think of Jonah, who was still receiving treatment from her as well. His injuries had been severe, but thanks to her innovative therapy, he was making steady progress.
Selena felt a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that she had been able to help both Roscoe and Jonah recover from their traumatic experiences. She just wished it were better for Jonah.
But despite her professional triumph, Selena couldn't shake off the emotional turmoil that had been brewing inside her since the shooting.
She had thought that returning to work would help her heal, but so far, it had only seemed to stir up more emotions. She felt anxious and on edge, her mind racing with thoughts of what could have been and what might still be.
Selena took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She had done everything she could, and now it was time to let go. Roscoe, sensing her distress, whined softly and pawed at the door of his enclosure, as if trying to comfort her. Selena smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the loyal animal. She would miss him, but she knew that he was ready to go home and that she had given him a second chance at life.
Roscoe's tail wagged excitedly as she poured food into his bowl. The kibble rattled against the metal, and Roscoe's ears perked up in anticipation.
As Roscoe ate, Selena petted him, her fingers ruffling his soft fur. The dog nuzzled her hand, his brown eyes filled with adoration. Selena felt a pang of emotion, her eyes welling up with tears. Roscoe, sensing her distress, licked her hand, his gentle touch a comforting balm to her frazzled nerves.
"You're a good boy, Roscoe," Selena whispered, her voice trembling. She pet him, his soft fur calming her frazzled nerves. She had an appointment later. She was anxious to talk about her fears.
"Thanks," she said as the dog leaned into her hands, as if he knew. She looked into his big brown eyes as he panted, his mouth opening and blasting her with the scent of freeze-dried meat and wet food. "Stinky boy. Here you go." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a new toy, a squeaky rubber chicken that Roscoe immediately snatched up, his tail wagging triumphantly.
Selena laughed as the absurd squeaks and appreciative dog noises sounded through the Lab. It would be a sad day when he left. People loved walking him on their breaks. He was a favorite around here. Bunny and Roger were almost healed and ready for rehab. Hopefully, they'll fill the void he leaves behind.
Selena smiled, feeling a sense of joy wash over her. She knew that Claire and Jonah were already spoiling Roscoe rotten, but she couldn't resist giving him a little something extra. She closed the cage door, making sure Roscoe was safe and secure before moving on to feed the rest of the animals in her care.
As she worked, Selena's creed echoed in her mind: to cure and to test, but never to be cruel. She was meticulous in sourcing her subjects, ensuring that they were treated with the utmost respect and care. They were hopeless cases from the vets and the Humane Society.
After the vets had stabilized the animals, she would take over and cure partial to full paralysis of the animals, confirm the results, and send them back to the owners or to a wildlife rehabilitation or conservationist society to release them back into the world. It was rewarding and contributed to her work. It also gave her fantastic press and kept the use of Stem Cells from being overly stigmatized.
As she finished feeding the last of the animals, Selena rubbed her temples, trying to massage away the headache that had been plaguing her all morning. She attributed it to her PTSD, a constant reminder of the trauma she had endured. The memories still lingered, haunting her dreams and creeping into her waking moments. But Selena was determined to push through, to find a way to heal and move forward. For herself and for the animals in her care.
Liam, engrossed in his experiment, didn't notice Selena's struggles. He was working on a time-sensitive project, building his first biotechnological implant using the Stem Cells Selena had revolutionized.
As Selena worked, Liam approached her, his eyes locked on hers. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.
Selena nodded, not wanting to worry him. "I'm fine, just a little tired."
Liam's eyes narrowed, but he didn't push the issue. Instead, he pulled Selena into a soft kiss, his arms tightening around her in a warm hug.
As they broke apart, Liam smiled. "I'll walk you out," he said, glancing at the clock. "You have an appointment at 11, right?"
Selena nodded, grabbing her bag. "You are in the thick of an experiment, do not worry about it, I'll see you later." Selena knew she had to expose herself to triggering events.
Her heart pounded as she walked down the hall. She took the elevator instead of the stairs. She was still very easily winded and wearing heels. She knew she shouldn't be coddled as much as she was being, but she was being enabled. Her dad had redecorated the hallways, but the layout was the same.
Liam frowned as he watched her go. he smiled as he thought ahead to the future, his eyes falling on a packed bag. He compartmentalized his thoughts and shifted his mind back to his experiment. He was not as far ahead as she was in his work. He was catching up, though.
Selena stepped out of the therapist's office, the soft hum of the hospital's ventilation system enveloping her as she walked down the corridor. The scent of disinfectant and fresh flowers filled her nostrils, a familiar and comforting smell. She had been coming to this hospital for months now, attending regular sessions with her therapist, Dr. Lee.
Dr. Lee's office was a cozy, calming space with soft lighting and plush furniture. The walls were adorned with gentle watercolors, and a small fountain bubbled softly in the corner. Selena had always felt at ease in this space, and she appreciated Dr. Lee's kind and non-judgmental approach.
During their session, Dr. Lee had asked Selena about her feelings and thoughts since the shooting. Selena had opened up about her anxiety and flashbacks, her struggles to sleep and concentrate. Things like watching television have become a problem. She understood James so much more. Dr. Lee had listened attentively, nodding and making supportive noises as Selena spoke.