She sat in the lobby, waiting for her buzzer to vibrate. Inhaling deeply, she was sure that this was the right move. She could hear the canned music playing over the sound system, crackling with age. It irritated her that they could charge $700 for each pill, but they couldn't update their sound system. In between each song, the same incessant advertisement would play.
She sighed again. Well-being. She didn't even have the interest in debating with anyone anymore about whose interpretation of well-being mattered. She was just going to check out of the program and deal with life head-on.
The buzzer alerted her that she was next. She stood up, wiped her clammy hands on her pants and walked to the receptionist.
"Hi there! Did you just need a refill?"
"No. I'm here to get my atomizer removed."
The look the receptionist's face dropped into a judgmental stare.
"Are you sure that you -"
"Yes, I have been sure for the last sixteen times that I've been asked that question."
"How long have you been off of them?"
"14 days, 2 hours, and -" she looked at her watch "44 minutes."
"Hm." The receptionist sniffed. "No wonder. Room 5."
She sauntered into the room, ready to brave this new/old world without the help of chemical assistance. She could already feel the effects of withdrawal, not just on her mood - but in her body. Her joints were on fire, she felt queasy and her head hadn't stopped spinning for the last 5 days. Be that as it may, the plastic euphoria that she had worn since her 24th birthday was no longer effective. She would adjust, or... not.
"Raise your arm. This is going to hurt."
She scowled. "But it didn't hurt going in."
"Well, it will coming out."
This has been my entry for @mariannewest's 5 minute Freewrite. Prompt: well-being. It was my first time joining the fun! Hope you enjoyed the read. If you'd like to try, go visit @freewritehouse for daily prompts and instructions!
Update: This has become a series of indeterminate length! Come along for the ride if you like and continue to Part 2
Thank you to my graphic god @penderis (that's a small g, Pen lol) for my Dreemie Divider! It's exactly what I wanted.
I certify that I am the original author of this post, which also appears here.