Desert Dark Read Online Free PDF

she’d expected a couch. Dr. Cameron pulled his seat from behind the desk.
    â€œNadia, I want you to know I’m here for you. If you ever need to talk, please don’t hesitate to come by.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œI like to get to know each of our students personally. I hope that, in time, you’ll come to consider me your confidant.”
    â€œOkay.” Nadia rubbed her arms. The AC vent directly above shot a constant stream of cold air across her back.
    â€œAs part of your orientation, I have a few questions to ask. Have you ever been approached by anyone claiming to represent the US government?”
    She raised her eyebrows. “What?”
    â€œPlease answer the question.”
    â€œNo, I haven’t.”
    â€œDo you work for an agency not associated with the United States?”
    Nadia laughed. “Is this a joke?”
    Dr. Cameron smiled. “It is not.”
    She stopped smiling. His pleasant expression didn’t waver. “Okay. No. I don’t have a job. I mean, I worked at Mr. Softee’s Frozen Yogurt Shack one summer, but I got paid cash, like under the table, so . . .” Her voice trailed off.
Should I have admitted that?
“I mean, I don’t think I made enough money that I would’ve been taxed, even if I had received a proper check—it’s not like I was deliberately engaged in tax-evasion. I’m not even sure that counts.”
Stop talking
.
    She shifted her weight. Crossed her legs, uncrossed them. Crossed the other way. She considered moving her chair from the arctic zone, but if she moved toward him he would think her too forward—aggressive. If she moved back, he’d think she was subconsciously trying to escape. She’d watched enough television to know that with a psychiatrist, a cigar is never a cigar.
    â€œAre you nervous?” Dr. Cameron asked.
    â€œA little.”
    â€œMost people are their first time in. Try to relax; I’m not here to judge you. Consider this a getting-to-know-you visit. Please fill this out for me.” Dr. Cameron handed her a booklet and a clipboard. “Be as honest as you can. If you’re unsure about something, take a guess.”
    Nadia opened the book and read the first few questions.
Do you hear voices? Are people out to get you? Have you ever been abducted by aliens?
She filled in the circles and turned the page.
Please finish these sentences: I love my father, but ___; God is ___; I wish my country were ___
. Nadia glanced at Dr. Cameron before scratching out her answers.
    Twenty fill-in-the-blanks later, Dr. Cameron said, “Okay, I’m going to administer a polygraph.”
    â€œA lie detector? Why?” Freezing now, she rubbed her thighs to warm her hands. She’d be shivering even if his thermostat wasn’t set at forty. Nerves made her cold.
    â€œDon’t worry; my questions are general. Nothing too personal or embarrassing.” His voice was friendly, encouraging.
    For the next hour, he pelted her with questions:
Have you ever used illicit drugs? Do you believe that an inefficient national leader should be removed from office, using whatever force necessary? Have you ever been photographed in a compromising situation?
For the first twenty minutes, Nadia considered each response: what her answers might reveal, what private information Dr. Cameron could ascertain. Eventually, mentally exhausted, she gave up, answering from her gut:
no, yes, I don’t know
.
    Finally, he powered down the machine and asked, “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
    â€œThat’s your idea of ‘nothing too personal’?”
    Dr. Cameron smiled. “Now, there are a few things we need to discuss. First of all, if you ever have comments or concerns about your fellow students, I ask that you bring them to my attention immediately. Secondly, what I’m about to tell you isn’t meant to frighten or threaten. I’m merely