Chapter 4 Page 3

Sometime in 1959, Diablo Canyon Experimental Research Labs.

Godiva glares at him, already in a bad mood. Seeing Nikita obey the scientist's orders ticked him off - Why does that rat of a man believe their lies? Or was he just too naive to understand the government was using them like tools? One thing he hates above all else are bootlickers. Suck ups. Dogs.

Godiva crooks a finger towards Nikita to come closer, their face expressionless. Niki knew they didn’t have anything nice to say, but approached them nonetheless. Dog instinct.

“Why are you being friendly with the military men? You know they’re just going to gut you again. You fucking smiled at them-“ They lower their voice to a growl. Nikita flinches. The medicine bottle in his pants pocket felt heavy. His eyes shut tight, hoping Godiva wouldn’t notice.

“Are you a traitor, Nikita?” They scale his tiny frame up and down. “Or are you too weak in body and spirit to rebel, so you chose to be a coward instead?”

Niki’s poor heart was pounding out of his chest. Godiva couldn’t understand… he needs those sedatives. Badly. If it meant sucking up to one of the lab interns then so be it. His pride was worth a few hours of sleep and comfort.

Then, Godiva grabs the frail man’s shoulders in a vice grip. The pills clink inside the glass bottle.

“Listen, dog-” A pause. Niki glances to his pocket.

“You. What do you have.”

“Shit -”

The two test subjects scramble for the bottle, with Godiva managing to pin Niki to the ground by his neck. He half heartedly struggled, but knew fighting would only waste energy he didn’t have.

“Listen- I. I would rather have my comfort than my pride, ok? I want to get through this just as much as you do-” Nikita manages to choke out from under Godiva’s arms.

Godiva replies by twisting off the plastic cap and plucking a pill out. They held it in front of Nikita, who was still struggling beneath them.

“If you’re so desperate, eat it off the floor. Dog.” They place the pill next to his head, then grab the side of his face to shove to the floor. Nikita struggles and coughs, but does willingly swallow it.

Moments pass. Not sure what to do next, Godiva continues to sit on him. Nikita was still pinned under them and breathing heavily. They push away the tinge of guilt spreading through their conscience. He regretted his cruelty almost immediately.

Eventually, Nikita spoke up. “There are more, i-if you would like. If you- if you don’t care about side effects. We share? ”