The Hollowed / Season 1, Episode 6
Skipping the Dose
Jake’s boots scuffed against the polished tile of the Wellness Hub’s main corridor, the sound swallowed by the hum of overhead vents pumping out air so sterile it stung his nostrils. He hunched his shoulders, hands jammed deep into the pockets of his Nexagen-issued hoodie, the fabric stiff and smelling faintly of chemical detergent. His wristband pulsed once, a faint green flicker reminding him it was time for his midday dose. He ignored it. Hadn’t taken the last two either. Not since the thing in the mirror started watching him back. “Jake, you’re late.” Dr. Calloway’s voice cut through the quiet, sharp as a scalpel. She stood at the end of the hall, clipboard pressed against her chest like a shield, her white coat pristine against the gray walls. Her eyes, though—those didn’t match the rest of her. Tired. Too many late nights, maybe. Or something heavier. “Didn’t hear the alert,” Jake muttered, slowing his steps but not stopping. The lie tasted bitter. He’d heard it, felt the buzz against his skin, but every time he thought about swallowing another of those chalky pills, his gut twisted. Felt like signing a contract he couldn’t read. Her lips pressed thin, a crack in the professional mask. “Your compliance metrics are dropping. If you don’t—” “Yeah, yeah, I know. No pay if...