The stillness was what bothered her the most, the complete lack of movement in the house as she sat there staring at the ceiling. Nothing moved; no sound except the occasional squeak of the bed springs as she shifted her weight slightly.

As was her normal routine, Amelia lay down in bed at about 1am just staring at the ceiling. She waited, hoping and praying that tonight would be different; different than the previous 47 nights where she hadn't slept. When, as usual, it wasn't, Amelia Blanche sat up in bed, grabbed the T-Shirt on her bedpost and slipped it over her head. She ran her hands down over her face, then with her right hand she pushed a few strands of her soft shoulder-length blonde hair away from her face.
I guess it's time to write another page on my term paper, she thought as she sat down at her desk.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The next day, after school, Amelia walked home. She normally rode the bus, but life was slowing down for her. When one had a full 24 hours to use without the hassle of sleep, you tended to not worry about time anymore. As she passed along Hyperion Way she noticed a small bulletin on a shop. It caused her to stop walking.

That night, Amelia lay in bed as usual, but as she stared at the ceiling dreading the stillness, she was thinking about Crey Labs. Two weeks later, she took the PTA's Yellow line from Atlas Park to Steel Valley, then transferred to the Green Line and continued to Brickstown. As she got off the train, it started to rain.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

“Ms. Blanche,” A woman who Amelia thought was the receptionist called out, “May I have your forms?”

Amelia sat in a waiting room of about 40 people, she knew they only needed 12 for the study. She stood up at the mention of her name, and moved gently through the other people to the counter where Ms. McMillion stood. “Yes Ma'am, I'm Amelia Blanche.”

Taking Amelia's forms, Venus McMillion looked over them. “You truly haven't slept in 63 days? Astounding. You're just what we need in this study. Please head to the door over there,” at this she handed Amelia her papers and pointed across the hall to a metal door, with '4E72C-A' on it.

“Yes Ma'am” Amelia turned and wandered back through the crowd to get to the door. As she approached a mechanical buzzer sounded letting her through.

- - - - - - - - - - - -