Conversion Bureau: Taken to the Sea

*Dream*
The full moon shines over the water as it crashes violently against the rocks of the cliffs. The water sprays its mist upon my skin, sending me welcoming chills. I close my eyes to listen to the waves, I hear singing coming from under the water, beckoning me to dive in and meet them.

I take the leap of faith and dive into the water, swimming deeper and following the voices. The water is cold, but not freezing. The darkness grows, making it hard to see where I am going, but I follow the singing voices through the darkness, they are my guide.

A city. The voices lead me to the ruins of an underwater city. The citizens of this city are aquatic in nature, adapted to the harsh, cold and dark environment of the abyss. I open my eyes to sing along with the voices. The citizens swim alongside me, deeper into the darkness.

'llll or'azath syha'hnahh n'ghftephai n'gha ahornah ah'mglw'nafh...'
*Dream End*

I woke up with a small moan to the sound of knocking on my door. I opened my eyes to find myself back in the blank whiteness of my bedroom within the Conversion Bureau. The knocking came again.

I sat up from my bed and stretched my arms over my head with a quiet yawn. I rubbed my eyes and called to the door, "Who is it?"

"It's Dr. Umbridge." A young female voice answered the other side of the door, "It's 8:30 in the morning. Time for your treatment."

My eyes widened as anxiety made my heart beat faster than normal and my breathing shallow and dry.

I was hoping my treatment would be ready next week, but this was too soon. I've only been here for a month and they told me my treatment won't be ready until another month! I'm not ready for this!!

Luckily, a nice person from my past taught me a breathing exercise to help keep my nerves calm and my anxiety low.

I closed my eyes, placed my hand over my heart, and took a deep breath. I held my breath for two seconds, then exhaled, moving my hand away from my heart.

With that, my nerves were calm, and I was brave enough to face my treatment. I picked myself from my bed and walked over to the door. I twisted the doorknob and pulled the door open.

Standing on the other side of the doorway was a Caucasian human female in a doctor's uniform. Her wavy, shoulder-length hair was a chestnut brunette, and her eyes were a hazel color. This was Dr. Umbridge.

Dr. Umbridge looked at me from her pager and asked me in a genuine tone, "Are you ready, Miss Carter?"

I swallowed a lump of nerves in my throat and answered, "As I'll ever be." Then I asked, "I thought my treatment was not for another month. Why so soon?"

Dr. Umbridge beckoned me to follow her down the hallway. I did so, and she began to explain the situation.

"You are a special case, Miss. Carter. Most of our volunteers and residents were not exposed to Equestrian magic before conversion." She checked her clipboard, "While still dangerous and lethal to humans, we wish to test how your level of exposure affects your conversion. We gave you two months to see how you will adjust, but your life signs have been dropping an alarming rate. So we decided now or never."

I lowered my head and uttered an "Oh" before covering my mouth and giving out a small cough.

I followed Dr. Umbridge down the corridor and turned a few corners. We took an elevator to the fourth floor of the facility, and took a few more turns until we entered a large room with a twin sized bed with light blue bed sheets and comforter, a large window that looks over the facility grounds and the mountains, a desk with a computer and desk chair, and a video camera sitting next to the computer.

Standing at the other side of the room, looking over a table of medical tools, was a tall and lean-built male with short blonde hair and wore a nurse uniform. The nurse turned around, holding a syringe and a tube of glowing deep turquoise liquid. I was able to see his green eyes and name tag on his lapel. 'Nurse James Buitt'.

Nurse James turned to Dr. Umbridge and I and gave us a genuine smile, "Ah. Dr. Umbridge and Miss. Cater. I was just getting everything ready for the treatment." He turned to me and asked, "Nervous?"

I looked at Nurse James and sunk my head into my shoulders with a small nod. Nurse James smiled and assured, "It's okay to be nervous. This is my first time giving this treatment."

Dr. Umbridge cleared her throat and led me toward the desk and computer. She sat me down on the desk chair and started connecting the camera to the computer.

"What's with the camera and computer?" I asked curiously.

"The P.E.R. likes for our residents to keep a video journal of their progress with their conversion." Nurse James explained, "Helps keep some level of sanity. Personally, I think it's unnecessary."

"You're not paid to give your opinions, Mr. Buitt." Dr. Umbridge pointed out. Then she turned to me and nodded, "He is right, though. This is to check on the progress and help keep your sanity. We ask you to do these journal entries at least weekly."

I sighed and looked at the camera. The computer switched on, and the red light at the bottom of the camera lens switched on. The computer screen showed the image of a young human female with ghostly pale skin, dark ginger pixie-cut hair, and hazel eyes. She looked dreadfully ill and nearly at Death's door. The girl was me.

"Okay, Miss. Carter." Dr. Umbridge began, "When the record light turns green, you may begin."

I took a deep breath and kept an eye on the red light on the camera. After two seconds, the light turned green. I collected myself and looked at the camera.

"Journal Entry #1.

Log Date: February 2nd, 2012.

Resident ID: XLR-73257.

Hello people and ponies of the world. My name is Eleanor May Carter, I'm 19 years old, and I am currently going under treatment in the Coversion Bureau in Alberta, Canada. As you can tell, I am human at the moment, but I won't stay that way for long.

This all began two years ago when a large island, inhabited by magical, pastel-colored, talking ponies, appeared in the Pacific Ocean. Not being used to change this drastic, we humans were not sure how to react. But the ponies proved to be peaceful and accepted Earth as their new home. Unfortunately, the elements of magic started growing with the ponies, and we humans found it was lethal for us.

So, to help save the human race, a government movement called the Ponification for Earth's Rebirth found facilities around the world that convert the human race into ponies. I know it sounds like a load of nonsense, but it's better than the alternative, in my opinion.

How did I end up here? Unlike the other residents in this facility, I was exposed to the magic of Equestria and found the hard way how bad it is to humans. Two months ago, I fell terribly ill, and the doctors found that I was slowly dying from exposure to the magic. I don't hate my pony friend for accidently doing this to me. She didn't know.

So... Ginger Spice? If you find this recording, I forgive you for the accident. And we can still be friends.

Okay. I believe I've held up enough time for this entry. I'll see you next week and see how this conversion goes.

Bye."

With that, Dr. Umbridge finished the recording and disconnected the camera from the computer, "Very good, Miss. Carter. Very calm and professional. Most residents start panicking and screaming. But you showed no fear. Well done."

"The serum is ready." Nurse James called from the twin sized bed.

I swallowed my nerves and took a breath. I stood up from the desk chair and walked over to the bed. I sat on the bed and rolled up my sleeve. Nurse James filled the syringe with the fluid and flicked the needle a few times to get the air bubbles out.

Dr. Umbridge took hold of my hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. Nurse James wiped my upper arm with a damp cotton ball and brought the syringe toward my arm. I closed my eyes and braced myself for what might happen next.

Finally, I felt a small pinch in my upper arm, and after a few seconds, the pinch was gone. Dr. Umbridge let out a small sigh of relief. I opened my eyes and looked at Nurse James, as he moved away from me with an empty syringe.

Dr. Umbridge smiled and patted me on the back, "Well done, Miss. Carter. Very brave."

"Now all we have to do is wait for the serum to take effect." Nurse James spoke up, as he put the syringe on the table, "Should take a couple of days. But we'll be checking on you for any early changes."

I nodded in understanding. Then Dr. Umbridge placed her hand over my shoulder. I looked at her, and she informed, "This will be your room from now on. So you will have access to a computer and record your journal entries."

I nodded again, and Dr. Umbridge stood from the bed and dusted herself off.

Nurse James turned to me, "Head to the cafeteria and get something to eat. It might help."

With that, Dr. Umbridge and Nurse James left my new bedroom, leaving to recollect on what just happened and think about my next move for the day.

I looked out the window and saw a group of residents playing basketball. Maybe I should go outside and get some fresh air. But right now, I'm getting hungry...