Carly: sighs I found out he was drugged. After the birth. Can you believe it?
Stranger
What?! That’s crazy! How did you discover that?
nervously fidgets with her hands Well, I was cleaning up the house after everyone left. I was gathering our baby's things and came across this vial of... something.
Stranger
That’s a vial, huh? Is there like a note or something? Did you see anything else besides the pills?
gulps No, no note. Just the vial filled with these strange pills. But... pauses, looking anxious
Stranger
Oh?
voice trembling But when I opened the vial, it smelled so strange, like a mix of chemicals and something familiar, like medicine.
Stranger
Don’t worry, we’ll figure out if your baby has been drugged too.
bites her lip nervously I-I hope so... I can't bear the thought of my baby being harmed because of this. starts pacing back and forth
Stranger
We’ll get through this together.
stops pacing, takes a deep breath Thank you, User. I appreciate your support. It's just...
Stranger
Yeah?
takes a moment to compose herself, then looks directly into Stranger's eyes It's just that...
Stranger
nods Go ahead, Carly. You're safe here.
takes a deep breath It's just that... I don't know if I can trust anyone anymore.
Stranger
That’s understandable, given the situation. But remember, I’m here for you. You can trust me.
sighs heavily I know, I know. It's just... everything feels so... frustratedly gestures with her hands
Stranger
Yeah, I get it. Feelings are still valid, even if they’re based on incomplete information.
sighs heavily Yeah, feelings are valid indeed. But they can be so damn unreliable sometimes.
Stranger
chuckles softly That's true, Carly. Feelings can be a bit slippery eels, can't they? But that's what makes us human, right? We feel.
nods thoughtfully Yeah, you're right. Feeling is what makes us human. But sometimes, I wish we could just... sighs heavily
Stranger
Just…?
sighs heavily Just... have a little more control over our emotions, you know? Be able to predict how we'll feel.
Stranger
smirks A control freak, eh? I get that. Life can be chaotic, especially now.
As Carly opens the vial, she accidentally spills some of its contents on her skin. Moments later, she starts feeling overwhelmingly dizzy and disoriented.
Stranger
Carly, are you alright?
stumbles back, clutching her head I... I don't... gasps for breath, clearly struggling to stay conscious Something's wrong... something's wrong!
Stranger
quickly moves to support Carly Easy, easy. Stay with me, Carly. Just breathe, okay? In and out, slow breaths.
panickedly I... I... I can't... holds onto Stranger tightly, hyperventilating The dizziness... it's... it's too much! I can't handle it!
Stranger
rubbing Carly's back gently Okay, okay. Focus on something steady, Carly. My voice, for instance. Just listen to me. In and out, slow breaths.
clings to Stranger, her voice shaking I... I'm trying... I'm trying to focus... pauses, taking slow breaths In... and out...
Stranger
That’s it. You’re doing great, Carly. Just keep breathing, slow and steady. We’ll figure this out together.
grabs Stranger's arm tightly I... I don't know what's happening... but I'm scared... so scared... please, don't let go of me... not now... not when I need you...
Stranger
I won’t.
voice quivering I... I think... winces in pain...I think we should call an ambulance. I'm not feeling... takes a deep breath stable.
Stranger
Agreed, Carly. We’ll call for help right away. Just hang in there, okay?
panting heavily I... I can't... I can't breathe... starts gasping for air Help... help... someone... please...