Why us? (Pokemon fanfic)

49- The Testing Continues

"The chamber is designed to monitor your every body function while you're inside, from your body temperature down to the most slightest shift in position, not that you'll be moving much anyway. The moulds inside have been designed to fit your exact body shape through scans you have unwittingly undergone since you arrived and will prevent you from moving more then a few millimetres." Kathrine explained. "The chamber is soundproof and itself emits its own light which won't be enough to put any strain your eyes at any point but bright enough so that your fear of the dark will not impact on the data collected during the course of the test."

"How long will I be in there?" I questioned, looking over the intimidating piece of machinery as I shrunk further into Red's arms.

"That is up to you." Team Rift's leader answered, smirking ever so slyly. "You could be in there a week, a day, an hour or even a minute. However, fail to meet what is expected and your friends will be punished for you lack of effort."

"What is expected of me then?" I asked, biting down on the tip of my tongue as I looked up at Red for reassurance.

"That's for me to know and you to find out." Kathrine retorted, folding her arms over her chest. "For now we need to go through a practice test to make sure all the systems work properly so nothing can interfere with the results when the time to do the actual test comes. Please lay down." As she said this two grunts opened the top half of the machine.

I took a step back, huddling closer to Red who seemed completely unsure of what to do. "But--"

"Not buts, get in. You will be perfectly safe so there is no reason for argument." She interrupted firmly.

"How can you be sure if you haven't even tested it!" I demanded. "I could get stuck in there for all I know!"

Kathrine sighed deeply. "That's why the chamber doesn't use mechanical locks, instead it is held shut with simple latches that have to be undone manually, in no circumstance will you be trapped in there longer then you want to be." She explained, pointing out the two sets of latches that sat out either end of the machine. "This is only a test run so you won't even be strapped down, now stop being such a child and get in Emma."

"I am a child for Arceus sake! How old do you think I am?" I glared at her as Red wrapped his arms around me protectively.

Kathrine simply sighed, pulling a Pokéball off her belt, letting out her Absol. It's midnight black fur radiated it's dark aura as sickly green eyes wavered emotionless at me and Red. "Get in there now or Absol will deal with Red much like he did the rest of your Pokémon." The slyness in her tone was sharp enough to make me flinch though I tried to hide it.

A slight growl came as my momentary response before I looked up at my boyfriend for a few brief moments. "Can Red wait here for me when I get out?" I sighed in defeat, still not letting my boyfriend go.

"If you get in right now, yes." Kathrine responded evenly.

With a defeated sigh, I complied. "Fine." I spat, hugging Red tightly for a moment before letting him go.

"I'll be right here okay?" The ruby eyed trainer smiled reassuringly, lightly kissing my forehead after I nodded.

Following Kathrine's instructions, I sat in the machine, slipping myself into the moulds. Red came to my side, offering a final hand squeeze before I eased myself back, listening absentmindedly as Kathrine ran through the list of safety details. My boyfriend carefully fixed up my hair so it didn't fall outside the skin tight casing as she did. He lightly caressed my cheek, giving me a reassuring smile, knowing I was nervous about the extreme movement restriction.