Day 65: Intercom, Noon

[damned_intercom]

As the sun peaked out from behind the clouds, the temperature mercificully raised a few degrees. The staff, as if sensing the impending shift change, had already begun to round up the patients. Sure enough, the intercom jingle sounded, and with it came the Head Doctor's jovial voice.

"Good afternoon, patients!" he greeted. "Sorry for the delay, I had some last-minute business to take care of, but we're back on track! For your meal, nurses will issue sack lunches with your choice of either chicken sandwiches or grilled-cheese sandwiches, which will include boxed juice and a brownie.

You'll also have a choice of the Sun Room, Game Room, Music Room, Library or Courtyard this shift. Enjoy!"

With that, the intercom click off.

Comments

Room ???

[redcladidealist]

Lloyd wasn't sure what it was that woke him up. A noise, a voice... something. He groaned, rolling over. His head felt like it was stuffed full of cotton, and even that simple movement felt sluggish. At least he could move again, though. That was better than...

...before...

With a jolt, his eyes snapped open as he remembered what had happened the last time he'd woken up. Yuan's voice, Yuan's hand, dragging him out of bed, talking about his father-

"Dad!"

Alarm shot through him and he bolted upright. The room he found himself in was completely unfamiliar, everything a dreary shade of gray, but the only thing he really noted was that Yuan wasn't there. No one was. Maybe some other time, under different circumstances, he might have been a little more interested in looking around the room, but if his Dad was in danger, there wasn't time for that. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, suffering a moment of dizziness from getting up so quickly. He barely waited for it to pass, though, before heading straight for the door.

It opened before he reached it.

"Oh, good. You're already awake, Nigel." The young man who entered was cheerful, his open, friendly face set under a casual cap of dark brown hair. "How are you feeling? Are you ready for lunch?"

What? Lloyd stared at the man, disarmed by the friendliness. That certainly wasn't the kind of response he would have expected if he'd been captured by the Renegades again. When the man's words sank it, it didn't help things make any more sense. Bewildered and lost, Lloyd stared again. "What did you just call me?"

"Oh, don't worry," the man reassured him. "A little confusion is natural. Just remember that we're here to help you."

Help him with what? Lloyd nearly asked the question out loud, then abruptly shook his head. He needed to focus. His Dad was in trouble! In the back of his mind, something bothered him about the way Yuan had phrased it when he'd asked Lloyd if he wanted to see his father, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was, and right now he had more important things to worry about. Like finding his Dad and getting him out of the half-elf's hands. "Look, I don't know what's going on, but my Dad needs my help. Can you tell me where I am?"

The man pursed his lips, seeming to think about how to answer. Finally, he laid a reassuring hand on Lloyd's shoulder. "It's all right, Nigel. I'm sure your father is fine. Now, why don't you come with me and we can get you some lunch? You can't do anything on an empty stomach, right?" The cheerful expression returned. "I'm sure you'll feel better, too."

Lloyd frowned even as his stomach grumbled at the mention of food. The guy had a point, even if he wasn't really answering any of Lloyd's questions. One thing had to be cleared up, though. "My name isn't Nigel. It's Lloyd. You still haven't told me where I am."

Something that looked like pity flashed across the man's face. "This is Landel's Institute. It's fine if you don't remember coming here. You were in pretty bad condition when you arrived. I promise you, though, you'll get better. This place has the finest doctors. Now," he continued, smiling again. "The first step to recovery is making sure you're fed. Let's get you up to the cafeteria to pick up your lunch." Hand still on Lloyd's shoulder, he gave him a gentle push.

Something still didn't feel right about all this, but Lloyd allowed himself to be led. That last part, at least, fit in with his memories. He didn't know what Yuan had done to him to paralyze him like that, or what had happened afterward, but he definitely hadn't been in good condition. Maybe someone had found him and brought him here to get a doctor. He already felt a lot better. Except... now that he focused on it, something felt a little off there, too. Not sick, exactly, but...

He shook his head, the elusive feeling defying description. Maybe the man - was he a doctor? - maybe he was right. Maybe he'd feel better after he'd had a chance to eat.