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damned_institute2007-05-19 04:03 am
damned-intercom.livejournal.com) wrote in damned_institute2007-05-19 04:03 am
Day 24: Intercom, Morning
The intercom clicked on in all its forced normalcy, the Head Doctor clearing his throat before he gave his usual string of orders.
"Ah, yes, first and foremost, I believe it's now time that our Group 2 batch of patients is taken from their rooms and introduced to our main population. Nurses, if you would be kind enough to oblige...? Thank you, and welcome to all the new faces!
"In other news, today is the day that we begin implementing our three-day therapy period for patients who need the most intensive treatment. We've in fact hired a new line of doctors to meet your needs, some of whom are specialized in psychology and others... well, others who have been assigned to patients with physical ailments relating to their mental instability. Those of you who have been assigned to attend therapy this shift will be escorted by nurses to your assigned doctor when your turn comes."
He coughed, then went through his normal routine of shuffling papers and fumbling when in truth, he most likely had a mind sharper than any number of tacks.
"Ah, here we go. As for the rest of you, it seems as if it's time for all patients to get some sun in the great outdoors! All patients in the cafeteria, please exit the doors to the east and west and head into the courtyard, please. Nurses, please keep a close eye on the patients so that they don't venture too close to the edge of the pond? Thank you!"
He paused, taking a deep breath before exhaling and ending his chipper update.
"I believe that's all! I trust you all have a pleasant and productive morning. Good day!"
[ Doctors: Same drill as last time, with each of you making your own post in this format: Day 24: Doctor's Office [Number], Dr. [Doctor Name]. Patients should respond to their respective doctor's post, each with their own thread. ]
"Ah, yes, first and foremost, I believe it's now time that our Group 2 batch of patients is taken from their rooms and introduced to our main population. Nurses, if you would be kind enough to oblige...? Thank you, and welcome to all the new faces!
"In other news, today is the day that we begin implementing our three-day therapy period for patients who need the most intensive treatment. We've in fact hired a new line of doctors to meet your needs, some of whom are specialized in psychology and others... well, others who have been assigned to patients with physical ailments relating to their mental instability. Those of you who have been assigned to attend therapy this shift will be escorted by nurses to your assigned doctor when your turn comes."
He coughed, then went through his normal routine of shuffling papers and fumbling when in truth, he most likely had a mind sharper than any number of tacks.
"Ah, here we go. As for the rest of you, it seems as if it's time for all patients to get some sun in the great outdoors! All patients in the cafeteria, please exit the doors to the east and west and head into the courtyard, please. Nurses, please keep a close eye on the patients so that they don't venture too close to the edge of the pond? Thank you!"
He paused, taking a deep breath before exhaling and ending his chipper update.
"I believe that's all! I trust you all have a pleasant and productive morning. Good day!"
[ Doctors: Same drill as last time, with each of you making your own post in this format: Day 24: Doctor's Office [Number], Dr. [Doctor Name]. Patients should respond to their respective doctor's post, each with their own thread. ]
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Artemis squeezed Holly’s hand tightly. They were as close as they could ever be. Their minds were one.
Artemis turned and stared at his friend with the blue eyes. Holly was staring back, and she was smiling.
“I remember,” she said aloud. “You saved me.”
Artemis smiled back. “It never happened,” he said.
And then their minds and bodies were split right down to the subatomic level and whisked across galaxies and millennia.
---
“Sean? Sean?” The woman paused, as though wondering whether continuing was a good idea. “Young man,” The voice continued, a bit stern. “You’ve already missed breakfast—I think you’ve slept quite enough.”
Artemis groaned and turned over, “Really mother, I believe that interdimensional travel via time slip is reason enough to sleep past breakfast.” The boy paused, furrowing his brow slightly. He thought for a moment that his left eye stung, but the pain had vanished in an instant. For now, Artemis was more concerned with the fact that his mother was calling him Sean. And once he’d sat up and looked, wide-eyed, at his surroundings, he was even more concerned with where he was.
And the woman, wasn’t his mother at all—she was a nurse. Artemis heaved an internal sigh of relief. He must have been injured upon re-entry, so he was in a hospital. Simple explanation. Except…
“Madam, I am currently in a hospital; that much I have discerned. But you have made a slight error. My name is not Sean, it is, in fact, Artemis Fowl II.” The boy threw off his white bedcovers and stood as he spoke. It was then that Artemis realized what he was wearing—gray sweatpants and a gray shirt sporting a happy face? Most unusual for a hospital. He looked up at the nurse, who was regarding him with… was that a look of pity?
“In any case, I would like you to return my suit—it’s one of my favorites—and let Domovoi Butler know that I am awake and would like to be taken home.”
“…Sean, please sit back down.” Artemis was confused. He had already told this woman his name, so why did she insist on calling him by that name? The boy crossed his arms.
“I’d rather stand, thank you.”
“Yes, your chart does say that you’ve developed a rather… abrasive personality.” Artemis chuckled to himself. ‘Abrasive’ was a new one. “But Sean, I’m happy to tell you that you are in someplace far better than a hospital.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Your guardians had you sent here right away after the tragedy—you’re at Landel’s Institute for Mental Health. I’m going to make sure that you get better, doesn’t that sound wonderful?”
Artemis stared at the nurse as though she’d just told him he’d been enrolled in remedial math classes. “A mental institution?”
“Yes.”
“My guardians?”
“Yes.” The nurse said, sounding hopeful that Artemis was understanding.
“…I’d like to use a phone, please. But if you don’t think I’m capable, please, by all means, call Fowl Manor yourself. I’m sure that my parents will be very displeased with you and your institution if you don’t.”
“Sean, your parents are dead.”
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“The mafia?”
“No, no, you stupid woman, the Russian mafiya! How did they die?!” Artemis shouted.
“It was a car accident…” The nurse said, looking down at Artemis with that same look of pity. “Your parents died, but the fire department arrived in time to save you. Your guardians noticed that you were not the same, and soon after realized that you were refusing to answer to your actual name or even admit that your parents were dead. And they sent you here.”
“A car accident? No, father and mother never drove a car—they would have had Butler or Juliet drive for them.”
“You guardians also noted that you have begun to create a fantasy world for you to live in—one where you are a criminal, and work with elves and fairies to save the world.”
That is my life! Not a story! Artemis’ mind began to process the information. Obviously this woman is mistaken. There has been some kind of error. Did I re-enter into this ill-fated couple’s car, and so they took me to be their son? Then where is Holly? And Qwan? And No. 1? And for that matter, where is the entire population of Hybras? I can’t believe that no one has noticed a hundred or more demons materialize in the English Channel for not reason at all. Either the spell has thrown me into some kind of misunderstanding or…
…this is a trap. It’s Opal Koboi, or Ark Soot, or maybe even Jon Spiro has escaped and put me here. Spiro has enough money to get the most honest person to tell obvious lies, and Soot has enough mesmer under his command to convince an entire country I’m the Easter Bunny. But which is it…?
“Sean…?” The nurse looked at the boy, concerned. “Are you all right? I understand that this is a lot to take in, so if you’d rather—”
“I’m sorry, Nurse…?” Artemis paused for a name.
“Oh! I’m Nurse Hedgerow.”
“Well, Nurse Hedgerow, I’m sorry to have been so insistent with you. My apologies. I’ll cooperate from now on, I promise!” He ground out, nearly choking on the last, extremely juvenile oath. But Nurse Hedgerow seemed to buy it. She smiled and patted Artemis on the head.
“Good! Well then, I’ll take you to the courtyard, and you can meet some of your new friends!”
“Oh good!” Artemis said, as sweetly as possible for him. This was going to be a long day.
(Italics taken from Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer)
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