Drug

by O'Rourke, Lynda

  DRUG

  (The Kassidy Bell Series)

  Book 1

  By

  Lynda O’Rourke

  First Edition Published by Ravenwoodgreys

  Copyright 2014 by Lynda O’Rourke

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organisations is entirely coincidental.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Story Editor

  Tim O’Rourke

  Book cover designed by:

  Tom O’Rourke

  Copyedited by:

  Carolyn M. Pinard

  www.cjpinard.com

  For Tim - Thank you for all your help and encouragement and giving me a taste over the last three years of how much fun it is to write a book – I’m now hooked on writing – love you.

  For Joseph, Thomas, and Zachary – this book is a little of me that will stay with you when I’m long gone – love you all.

  For Snuffy – for keeping me company while I wrote Drug.

  DRUG

  CHAPTER ONE

  I took another look at the security guards standing by the large metal gates just over my shoulder. The place looked like a prison with its tall wire fences and security cameras. There were bars on the windows – to keep people out or in?

  I shuddered.

  My mind was on overdrive. I took my phone out of my pocket. A text from my friend Hannah flashed on the screen. Maybe this would take my mind off of what I had let myself in for. I’d told her over the phone late last night what I was going to do. She thought I’d lost my freaking mind – but understood my reasons. The text read:

  Good luck, Kassidy, I hope all goes well. Rather you than me! When you get out of that place tomorrow come over at six. Don’t forget my new address – 4 Christchurch Road. Can’t wait to show you my new flat. It’s gorgeous! Love ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya! Hannah x

  I wouldn’t wanna be me either. I placed my phone back into my pocket. It was okay for Hannah, she had a good job. A job that paid well enough for her to move into some posh new development near to the marina where all the rich city-types lived. Hannah had suggested I get a job – to look in the local paper. It had to be worth a try. Four weeks ago I’d had a job. But I’d been made redundant and was now struggling to pay my rent. I was up to my eyeballs in debt. I had been scraping through – just. But with no job now, I was gonna sink fast. My rent was due in the next couple of days and I knew my landlord wouldn’t be kind. I had to find a job, and fast.

  So just two days ago, I’d sat alone at the kitchen table and flicked through the local newspaper to the job section. It didn’t surprise me that I wasn’t qualified for any of the available positions, unless I wanted to clean toilets or mop floors. I would if I had to, but not yet. And besides, the wage was crap. I’d never be able to pay my bills on that silly amount each month. I was about to give up when something caught my eye. A small advertisement right at the bottom of the page. The word WANTED stood out like a sore thumb. It wasn’t a job – more like a quick fix. But it would keep me going for a few months, at least until I found something more permanent.

  That’s why I now stood in line. I tried to tell myself I could be doing worse things to make money – like pimping myself – or there was always the exciting prospect of cleaning those toilets and mopping floors. But I still couldn’t shake that growing unease I felt.

  The line suddenly moved forward. Straining to see the people in front, I think I counted nine. Are we going in now? Shit, this was it. The point of no return? Maybe I could change my mind after I’d seen what was inside? Calm down. You’ll be fine, I told myself. If it was going to be that bad then surely all these other people in line wouldn’t be doing it. Some of them looked a bit older than me, probably had more common sense than I did, so surely they wouldn’t be getting themselves mixed up in something like this if it was dangerous? And besides – none of them had two heads – not that I could see!

  It was at moments like this I missed my dad. Even though when he had been alive he hadn’t been able to string more than a few slurred sentences together – he had still been company of a sort. So after work I would go and sit by his grave. Did he hear my sobs? Did he know the mess he had left me in because of his drinking? If he did, he didn’t say so.

  I was nervous. Could any amount of money be worth the anxiety I was now feeling? I tried to calm my breathing. Deep breaths in and out. In and out. In and out. It was no use – those butterflies in my stomach just wouldn’t ease. My hands shook. My heart thumped. Why had I got myself into this? I could turn around right now and ask security to let me out. Tell them I’d changed my mind. But what did I have to go back to?

  “Excuse me”, I said, tapping the shoulder of the girl standing in front of me.

  She turned around and smiled. She must have been in her early twenties.

  “Yes?” she said, pulling her coat tight around her.

  “Do you know what they’re gonna do to us”? I asked. “That letter they sent didn’t really say very much”.

  “All I know is that I had to turn up here at midday with my passport,” she said. “I mean, I know what I’ve signed up for, I just don’t know how it’s going to be done.”

  “I’m feeling rather nervous,” I admitted. “I’m not sure if I’ve made the right decision by coming here.”

  “Nothing bad is going to happen – these places wouldn’t be allowed to exist if it was dangerous,” she said.

  “I guess,” I shrugged. “It just doesn’t look like the friendliest of places.”

  “What’s your name? I’m Carly,” she smiled.

  “Kassidy Bell,” I said, pulling my blonde hair from out of my face. The wind had picked up and the dark clouds threatened rain. It had been warm and sunny earlier when I’d taken the bus from town. The trip up Strangers Hill had only taken twenty minutes, but it had seemed longer with those butterflies inside my stomach starting to feel more like a flock of crows.

  “Looks like we’re going in,” Carly said, turning and following the line.

  I trailed after her, each step feeling like I had a bag of cement attached to my feet. One more glance at the gate – my escape. Doubts were running wild in my head, but I needed the money. I had to do this.

  CHAPTER TWO

  We were led down a corridor into a reception area. The first thing I noticed was the sterile smell, just like a hospital. The walls were blank and the floors tiled. Nothing out of place – it was all very pristine.

  “Good afternoon, everyone, my name is Doctor Middleton,” a guy in a white coat said. He was thin, tall, and probably in his fifties. He cleared his throat like he had something stuck in it. “If you could take a seat then I will hand you all an information sheet and consent form.”

  I sat down next to Carly. Even though I’d only spoken to her briefly outside, I kinda felt I could ask her for help if I needed it.

  “Do you know anyone who has ever done this before?” I whispered, biting my fingernail.

  “My boyfriend’s brother did it once,” she said, fiddling with a button on her coat.

  “Really? And he was fine afterwards”? I asked, feeling a sense of relief at hearing this.

  “No, he died,” Carly said, shaking her head.

  “You’re joking!�
�� I gasped rather too loudly. A girl with greasy black hair sitting a couple of chairs away looked over at me.

  “I’m winding you up,” she sniggered. “I don’t know anyone who has done this, but it’s got to be a good thing we’re doing – think of all those people we might be helping – saving!”

  “Is that why you volunteered? You want to help sick people?” I asked, feeling rather shallow at my own reasons for doing this.

  “Of course, and let’s not forget the money.” She winked, elbowing me in the ribs.

  I smiled. Carly was nice. A bit of a wind-up but she made me feel at ease. I was about to ask her what she needed the money for when Doctor Middleton walked past handing me a pen and two sheets of paper attached to a clipboard.

  “Please take your time reading the information sheet. It explains exactly what the trial involves. The whole procedure is written very clearly for you. If you have any questions after you have read it then please feel free to ask me,” Doctor Middleton smiled, handing Carly a clipboard.

  “Excuse me,” said a young guy at the front of the room. “What is this drug going to be used for?”

  “Can I take your name?” Doctor Middleton asked, looking down at some notes he had in his hands.

  “Max Landy,” the guy said. “Have you tested this drug on humans before?”

  “No. These are the first human trials of the drug. But I can assure you, it’s going to help millions of people. The drug is designed to strengthen the immune system,” Doctor Middleton explained, clearing his throat again. “The results from the initial laboratory studies show an excellent response to the drug, and now we are well and truly ready to start human testing – that is why you are all here today.”

  “Hey, I’ve signed my consent form,” Max said, waving it around in the air like he was holding the winning lottery ticket.

  He seemed way more desperate than me to get his hands on the £2,000 we had been promised for becoming guinea pigs overnight. But it was a lot of money. To me, anyhow.

  “How much?!” Hannah had gasped, when I’d told her last night. “Who pays that kind of money just to stick a few needles in your arm? Sounds too good to be true if you ask me.”

  Well, I hadn’t been asking her. I needed the money.

  I watched the other volunteers to see if they were signing. I hadn’t even read through the information sheet yet. Three more people stood up and handed the consent forms to Doctor Middleton. I looked back down and tried to speed-read the sentences. The first few paragraphs were about the company – Cruor Pharma. The second part was the do’s and don’ts while in the building – the rules. I skipped through most of that. Then I got to the bit about the actual procedure. The drug – named VA20 – would be administered through a drip. All volunteers would be monitored throughout the night.

  “I would like to add,” Doctor Middleton started, “that you still have time to pull out of this drug trial up until you reach the ward, so please bear that in mind”.

  “We’ve signed ours,” called out two young girls, passing the forms to him.

  “Thank you,” he said, attaching them to the clipboard he was holding. “Can you give me your names so I can tick you both off the list please?”

  “Wendy Jones and May Stapleton,” they answered, sitting back down.

  “Are you gonna sign that form or just stare at it?” Carly asked me. “I’m ready to hand mine in but I’ll wait for you if you want?”

  “I haven’t read it all,” I said, pen hovering over the signature box – the pressure to sign making me sweat. Was I doing the right thing? Everyone else here seemed very relaxed – like they’d just signed up for a college course. No big deal.

  “Just sign it,” Carly cut in. “I’ve read it and there’s nothing to worry about. You’re not gonna come out of here tomorrow morning with a beard and pointed ears.”

  “Okay, I’ll sign it,” I smiled, not wanting to be the only one in the room making a fuss. I did still have time to pull out before I got to the ward after all.

  Carly snatched my form, walked over to Doctor Middleton, and told him our names so he could tick us off his list. I took the moment to have a look at the other volunteers. They were all young. Five males and five females. I wondered what shit in their lives had brought them here. Did they need the money as badly as me? Was life giving them a tough ride?

  “If you could all follow me please, we can head down to the consultation rooms where you will have your health check and answer a few questions,” Doctor Middleton informed us, holding open the door.

  “Come on, Kassidy,” Carly called from across the room.

  I followed the rest of the group. The place was huge. Corridor after corridor. Doctors and scientists bustling about. Upstairs and past labs. It felt like we had been walking forever when Doctor Middleton suddenly came to a stop.

  “Wait here, and when your name is called out, proceed through there,” he said, pointing to a nearby door. “I’m going off to the ward now to make sure my staff are ready.”

  I wandered over to the window. The rain had started and the wind was blowing quite a gale. I could see the security guards outside – long raincoats and hoods pulled up tight. I counted ten, but there could’ve been more. The sterile rooms no longer looked bright and sparkling clean, just dark and unfriendly. The rain pelted against the window blurring my view.

  “Hi, I’m Jude,” a young guy with black hair said.

  “Hey,” I smiled, looking into his blue eyes. I hadn’t seen him come over to the window. “I’m Kassidy.”

  “Yeah, I know,” he said. “Your friend Carly told me. She said you were feeling scared. Don’t worry, I’ve done this before and I’ve never had one side effect. It’s quite safe.”

  “I’m not scared,” I said, feeling my cheeks flush. “I just wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing, that’s all. I don’t really like hospitals – they make me a little nervous.”

  “Well if it makes you feel any better, this isn’t really a hospital anymore – more like a huge science lab.” He grinned, running his hand through his short, wavy hair.

  “Okay, I’ll bear that in mind when they’re sticking needles into me and pumping only God knows what into my veins,” I smiled, looking down at my feet.

  “It’s only for one night, remember. And at least we’re in a group of nice people,” he said. “One needle and two grand in the bank. Easy money. Oh and you get to spend a night with me! Now that’s got to be worth having a needle stuck into you.”

  “I think the two grand seems the most appealing,” I smiled, wiping the condensation from the window.

  “Kassidy Bell.” Someone called my name.

  I looked across the room to see another doctor. She was bottle- blonde, grey roots refusing to go away, wrinkles around her eyes. She called my name again.

  “Here,” I said, waving my hand in the air. “It was nice chatting to you, Jude. Maybe we can talk some more on the ward.”

  “I would love to,” he smiled, eyes twinkling.

  I turned away – heart slightly racing. Not because I was about to have my health check but the thought of spending some more time with Jude was something to look forward to. He seemed cool, a bit of fun, and that was something I hadn’t had for a while. Maybe this drug trial wasn’t going to be as bad as I had first thought.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “Kassidy, have you been ill in the last week?” asked Doctor Wright, pen twitching in her hand.

  “No,” I said, letting my eyes wander around her office. It was very plain – just a couple of old photos of the Cruor Pharma building hanging on the walls. Classical music played quietly in the background.

  “Have you ever suffered from any of these?” she asked, handing me a list of illnesses.

  After a minute I placed the sheet of paper down onto her desk. “No, I’ve always been really healthy – my dad used to say I could drink drain water and not get ill.”

  Not looking up from her paperwork, Doctor Wrig
ht continued to make notes. “Really – that’s nice, now let’s take your temperature and blood pressure.”

  Hmmm, you wouldn’t want to get stuck in a room with her for too long – she hardly won the award for friendliness. Bit of an old cow. I hoped it wouldn’t be her fixing me up to the drip later.

  “Okay, that all seems fine. Now could you stand on the scales please?” she asked, pointing behind me.

  “So is Doctor Middleton in charge of all this?” I asked, standing on the cold scales.

  “Nine stone and one pound,” she wrote down. “Doctor Middleton is standing in for Doctor Langstone as he has been taken ill. Stand up against that wall chart so I can take your height.”

  I stared out through the window as she measured me. The rain still fell hard. I could see the tree branches bending over to the right – the wind must be pretty strong.

  “Five foot, eight inches,” Doctor Wright said. “All I need to do is take a blood sample from you and then you’re ready for the ward.”

  “If anything goes wrong, what will happen?” I asked, chewing on my lower lip.

  “Nothing will go wrong, Kassidy. We are highly trained doctors and scientists and have been doing drug trials for many years here. Hold your arm out please.”

  I watched the needle break the skin. A sharp sting. A pull on my arm like sucking milkshake through a straw. A small glass bottle slowly filled with my blood. Was she gonna leave me some, or did the greedy old bag want it all? She pulled the needle out, handing me some cotton wool to hold over the small bloody hole.

  “All done, you can join the others outside,” she said, writing my name on the bottle of blood.

  I left the room, glad to be free of Doctor Wright. She certainly didn’t go out of her way to make you feel wanted. I looked for Carly. She was standing by a vending machine with another girl. I think her name was Wendy Jones. She and her friend had been pretty keen in reception to hand in their consent forms.