damned_institute | Day 69: Intercom, Evening

Patients might hear the wind blowing outside as the intercom turned on and they were gradually moved from the courtyard or somewhere surrounding the Sun Room and back to their rooms. The wind made a howling noise, something that almost seemed to hint at what was to come when darkness hit and night began.

But for now, everything was as pleasant as it always was during the day, with the Head Doctor chiming in to explain what was on the menu this evening.

"I'm sure you all had a nice, relaxing day as you continue on your journey toward good health, but now it's time to head back to your rooms and have dinner with your roommate before lights out. Tonight we're serving some seasoned salmon with rice pilaf on the side, and for those of you who are vegetarians we have a black eyed pea soup along with a dinner roll.

"Whatever you're having tonight, eat up and get some rest! We'll be seeing you again tomorrow!"

The nurses didn't say much about the fact that some patients had roommates who had been missing for a few days now. Normally there would be someone to take their place, but that didn't seem to be the case for a few people. The mystery behind that was clearly one that was going to remain unanswered, but at least the patients had a hot plate of food waiting for them on their desks.

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... Hmm...? Was it dinner already...?

The Head Doctor's annoying voice had worked its way into Zero's ears - a skill it was unfortunately very good at - and thanks to that, the former Reploid was now unhappily sitting up and rubbing his eyes, wondering what time it was. Since his nurse had forbidden him from showering to protect his bandaged injuries, he had decided to remain seated on this couch in order to keep an eye on the bulletin board. Had that really put him to sleep unintentionally? ...Oh well. Either way, the whole afternoon was wasted, and now the nurse was gently trying to get him up and into his crutches so that he could go eat some dinner. Groggily, Zero obeyed.

He was more awake by the time he reached the room, so instead of giving into any temptation to rest a little longer, he sat down at his desk and began to eat. He wasn't sure if his 'illness' was going to return tonight, but he was going to prepare himself for the worst anyway. And that involved filling his stomach as much as possible before the night came. It was the least he could do.

This day had been ... Gabriel wasn't sure what it had been. He'd been nervous. Jumpy. He remembered Skulduggery's description of that monster--the very same monster he and the others had run into last night. He wasn't even sure whether he'd actually hallucinated or not, he'd been so nervous about it happening at all.

He'd just known the shadows had seemed darker, his lunch less appetising, every cough and hitch in his lungs something to be worried over.

Which was why, when he entered his room, his stomach was flipping over itself with dread. He stood for a moment in the doorway to take a breath and hopefully calm himself down, and then mustered a smile for Zero. It was a poor affair, especially once he spotted the crutches. He'd missed them in the morning.

"How are you feeling?"

The roommate came in not long after Zero got started on his dinner. Like yesterday, he resisted the temptation to look in Gabe's general direction; even if it wasn't technically night yet and he wasn't feeling any symptoms, he didn't want to take any chances. That would be why Gabe's anxiety and smile were going unnoticed.

...Though Zero supposed it was the least he could do to answer the man's question.

"Good enough," he said simply, only bothering to swallow the salmon in his mouth after he'd spoken. Likewise, the once-Reploid didn't speak again until after he'd paused to stuff another bite of food in his mouth. (Not that he was even remotely aware of his bad table manners...) "How are you holding up?"

There were so, so many ways Gabe could answer that question. Only one honest way.

"Not terribly well, to be honest," Gabe said bluntly, moving forward to come to his chair and eyeing his dinner unhappily. The sight of it made his stomach church with anxiety and apprehension. He glanced at Zero again with a frown. It seemed like every time he came back into the room his room-mate was getting worse in some way. Gabe had no reason not to offer help on this occasion--or any other.

"Do you need help tonight?" he asked with a furrow in his brow. "What happened the last?"

So Gabe wasn't doing well, either. Zero simply nodded his head when he heard that. The temptation to glance over at him was growing - perhaps the other man was clearly injured, or ill - but the once-Reploid resisted it as best as he could, staring hard at his dinner plate instead. Can't take any chances.

...His roommate's second statement nearly made Zero forget that reminder anyway, though. It certainly gave him pause in the middle of eating, in any case.

The only kind of help I need is for you to stay away. Zero hesitated to state that outright, though, especially when Gabe was already asking about the previous night's events. "...I just got attacked by something," he admitted, as he started to gather some more food on his fork. "I'll be fine." He sounded more sure than he felt, though, as he began contemplating a night with the crutches. Being unable to run, or use weapons outside of his handgun...yet the thought of letting a night go to waste was more undesirable than being a handicap to anyone who traveled with him - if anyone even traveled with him to begin with, assuming the illness didn't return tonight...

"I'm getting the impression that was par for the course last night." Gabe stared at his food for a few moments longer and then sat, taking up his fork. Without looking over he said, "You're not going to get very far on crutches if he's let monsters out into the halls again tonight."

Zero didn't strike him as the type to broadcast false bravado, which meant his assertion was more one to push Gabe away. Well, not tonight. Gabe didn't want to take even one step outside that door alone, as selfish as that was. And Zero needed the help, anyway.

He didn't put down the fork, but the Archangel hadn't yet picked anything up when he turned to look at Zero properly and from more closely, a thorough and intense examination. "I'll give you a hand, okay?"

It wasn't like him to be so forceful. Not like him at all. But he didn't want to be alone.

"No," was the immediate response, no hesitation whatsoever. Zero still refused to look away from his plate, but there was a noticeable frown on his face regardless. Even if there had been a surge of monster attacks the other night (made him wonder if Gabe had been attacked too, if that was what he'd meant by 'not terribly well'), and even if the help would admittedly be useful, the former Reploid wasn't going to let the man risk his life needlessly. He'd already failed to stop himself from hurting X the other night...

But I was in full health then. What can I do in this state? He couldn't help but admit that there was a good point to that thought. It wasn't like he could chase anyone down in crutches. There was also the possibility that the illness wouldn't return tonight; then he'd just be more of a handicap to any companions than anything else.

...Either way, I can't take any chances, he decided to himself.

Zero shook his head. "If you don't want to get hurt, you'd better stay away from me tonight." He almost regretted not being more specific after saying that, but then, he wasn't exactly eager to go off and ramble about what exactly was wrong with him. That wasn't an untrue statement he'd just said, anyway, so did it matter?

The Archangel looked up, and there was something serious in his face. Something tired, something knowledgable, something rather less like the naive young man he looked. "You won't hurt me," Gabe said calmly. "Even if you tried. And if my presence would keep you from hurting others, or yourself, then I'd consider the risk of such injuries justified."

Then he hesitated and his expression ripple with chagrin and apprehension, and he looked away, fiddling with his cutlery. "Besides, I'd ... much rather take that risk than go out there alone."

He jerked his head toward the door, his words almost plaintive.

Day 69: Intercom, Evening

M79

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