Darkness pressed in on her from all sides. As cold metal bit into Pamela's wrists, as restraints locked her body in place. Her eyelids managed to open within the dream, and she saw dim fluorescent lights buzzing faintly above her head. Vines curled along the ceiling in unnatural patterns. And IV tube ran down towards her arm, green fluid dripping slowly through it. It was injecting fluid into her veins, as the fluid glowed green faintly, Pamela's breath became ragged and shallow.
Pamela turned her head and caught the outline of a distorted figure in the blur of the overhead light's. The person adjusted the IV bag with gloved hands. Muffled voices spoke words she couldn't decipher. Pamela tried to lift her arms, to move, but the straps dug into her skin, keeping her in place. Panic surged through Pamela, her heart hammering in her chest. "Stop," she whispered, her voice was hoarse and faint. The fluid flowed into her body faster. Pamela trembled as her body began to react, her veins burning from inside her body. Pamela twisted helplessly against the restraints. Then, with a sharp gasp, she was startled awake.
Pamela blinked, gasping in the sudden silence. She was sitting upright at her desk, the familiar classroom stretched out around her. The seats were empty, the classroom eerily quiet. Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady herself. "What's going on? Where am I? How come I fainted again?" she said under her breath.
A shadow fell over her. Professor Jason Woodrue stood at her side, arms crossed, his sharp eyes looking at her. "Pamela," he said evenly, "you've fainted for the fourth time in class. How many times do I have to tell you? You need to get some sleep at night."
Pamela rubbed her temples, still groggy, and looked up at him. "I'm sorry, professor. I must have been up too late last night working on my new plant—the Midnight Rose."
A faint smile of amusement tugged at his mouth. "All work and no play makes for a dull day. Pamela, make sure you get some sleep tonight. Then, when you present your Midnight Rose tomorrow in front of the class, we'll decide your final midterm grade."
Her legs felt weak as she rose from her chair, steadying herself with a hand on the desk. Slowly, she made her way to the classroom door. Pamela paused just before leaving, her hand resting on the door frame, as she glanced back at the professor. He watched her in silence, his expression unreadable.
This is the fourth time I've fallen asleep in class, she thought, unsettled. Every time I wake up, I'm at my desk. Everyone else is gone. I can't remember anything from before. A chill ran down her arms. She shivered lightly and turned away, walking into the hallway.
The corridor stretched long and empty, lockers lining both sides of the hall. Pamela's footsteps echoed softly as she walked to the building exit. Suddenly, someone rushed around the corner and collided with her shoulder, sending her stumbling hard into a nearby locker.
"Bump. Ow!" Pamela winced, pressing a hand to the metal.
The other student stopped immediately and turned back. A red-haired girl bent down and reached out to help her. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there. I was just on my way to talk to the professor, and I didn't see—" She paused, recognition flashing in her eyes. "Oh wait, hey, you're Pamela."
Pamela straightened up slowly, leaning against the lockers for balance. "I'm okay. I'm just slightly tired, that's all."
Concern softened the girl's face. She steadied Pamela with a hand on her arm. "Hey, you don't look so good. I can always talk to the professor later. Why don't I help you to the door? It seems like you're really tired right now. What's going on with you? I see you in class occasionally, but you're never this tired my name is Barbra, by the way."
Pamela looked at her curiously. "You said your name is Barbara?"
The girl nodded. "That's right. My name's Barbara Gordon."
Pamela gave a small nod in return. "Pamela Isley."
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