damned_institute | Day 43: Courtyard, Third Shift

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Day 43: Courtyard, Third Shift

Once again, Endrance's nurse interfered with his plans. He had been planning to look around the Game Room, but the moment he began to move towards the Sun Room, she had taken him by the arm. "Your family has asked that we make sure you get as much fresh air and sunshine has possible, and you won't get that by staying inside playing video games all day."

He had thought for a moment about protesting, but decided against it. After all, if what had happened to Haseo was punishment for having spoken too strongly the day before, he didn't want to make that worse somehow. So, when given the choice of going out to the recreational field or the courtyard, he chose the latter.

There were a few reasons behind the decision, the most salient being that he wanted to see what the area looked like for a second time - this time without the threat of a brainwashed patient surprising him. The second reason was just as strong as the first, and it had to do with the presence of a second former Demon Palace Emperor. As energetic as she was normally in The World, he couldn't imagine Alkaid not wanting to spend some time outside.

Just as before, he sat down under a tree by the side of the pond, keeping one eye on the door.

[closed to Alkaid]

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Well, mostly in one piece; Adelheid still felt like a part of him was in some townperson's stomach somewhere, but he wasn't going to mention that. Not if he didn't have to. Instead, he accepted Faize's offer to sit down, easing onto the bench and offering a quiet smile.

At least Faize seemed to be doing all right. Adelheid had had his doubts, but here was proof that he'd managed to survive so far. "I'm glad that you made it through last night as well," he answered, though he brushed the back of his hand against his forehead. Despite the chilly weather, he was still sweating- not as bad as it would be in the night to come, but still a tiny bit worrisome. "...were you injured badly?"

"Not at all," he replied with a sheepish smile. "I was fortunate enough to get away with only a few scrapes. Those who were with me also made it through without sustaining any serious injuries." He flexed his hand to show that his movement was not impeded by damage or by pain. It seemed the bandages made it appear worse than it was.

For a few moments, Faize silently faced forward, looking over the courtyard thoughtfully. "...Still, last night's events were quite a surprise. Even being warned about monsters, I hadn't expected anything quite like that." He had to wonder if the event was somehow different from the usual nightly attacks. Many of the patients had seemed as shocked and unprepared as he was. They weren't all as new as he was, were they?

Setting that thought aside for the moment, Faize's gaze returned to Adelheid. "And how did you fare?"

Adelheid was glad for that, at least. Not everyone had done as well, surely, so Faize's relative lack of injury was good. Especially considering that the patient body would be slightly curtailed because of the lack of immediate recovery.

The statement made Adelheid nod sadly, similarly as surprised at what had happened. "I've never seen an attack in town," he quietly affirmed, "and while I've seen the change between nurses and their night versions... I've never seen such a wide-spread transformation. The entire town being twisted in such a manner? I never thought that the change extended beyond the walls of this Institute..."

But Faize's last question was the one that got Adelheid to fall silent, his gaze sinking to the ground and a pained expression crossing his face. He wanted to hide it, but after what had happened the night before... All he could say was a quiet, "...perhaps not quite as well as you."

"I see. I suppose I should be relieved that it's not a common occurrence... although there's little else to be relieved about in this situation. Our captors' influence must spread far indeed," Faize mused with a small frown. Escape was looking less and less feasible. Perhaps the only option was to eliminate the Head Doctor and stop the institute from the inside. But that was also more easily said than done...

Faize merely nodded solemnly when Adelheid answered his question. "As I thought, then. Forgive me for saying so, but you look quite unwell today." He didn't ask for details. If Adelheid wished to speak about the experience, he was welcome to. Faize could understand if it was something he'd rather not discuss, however.

"That is something that worries me as well. Originally, I thought it might be possible to escape the confines of the Institute, perhaps find a bastion of normalcy and regroup there... unfortunately, that possibility is rather doubtful now." It was possible that the entire world was like this... and if that was the case, the further they roamed from the Institute, paradoxically, the greater the danger they were in. He didn't like considering it, but perhaps their only hope of escape would be to solve the mystery of how they'd arrived at the first place.

The statement that Faize made caused Adelheid to wince, as he never did like admitting that he was unwell and liked even less it being so obvious that someone else could comment on it. However, if such was the case, then perhaps Faize could help him puzzle something out. "I was bitten last night, and what happened with those creatures... it is contagious. Which, if it will happen again tonight... I've been trying to think of a way to make sure no one happens across me, and to prevent myself from attacking them."

"I had been thinking something similar," Faize admitted grimly. It was a rather serious blow to their hopes of escape, but they needed to take it as a push towards considering other methods of reclaiming their freedom. They needed to shift their focus. Giving up was not an option Faize wanted to consider just yet.

There was a look of concern on Faize's face, albeit subtle, when Adelheid informed him of his condition. The infection spread by those creatures... the symptoms described sounded unpleasant, to say the least. "I... I see." There was sympathy in his eyes, but he didn't speak on it. He suspected that Adelheid was uncomfortable enough, and most likely didn't want any expressions of pity.

"That is rather difficult. It may be possible to barricade yourself in your room should the situation be dire enough to call for it, but..." Faize averted his eyes, wondering if such a suggestion was inappropriate.

It was good that someone else was thinking his same thoughts, but at the same time, it was aggravating as well. Here he had thought that the outside world was safe... but perhaps such was not the case. It certainly didn't mean he was going to give up, though; it just meant that he'd have to rely more on dealing with the Institute and its machinations.

But far from being offended, Adelheid nodded quietly at Faize's statement. "I had considered the same thing," he admitted, "but those flimsy desks and beds wouldn't hold me for long. And if I barricade myself in, my room mate will be locked in with me- if I wait, I won't have time to do so."

A pause, and then a faint laugh. "Of all the problems to face me, I never thought keeping myself in the Institute would give me a pause."

"I see. I... did not realize the extent of the infection's psychological effect," Faize admitted, apologetic. With limited knowledge and no experience with the infection, it was difficult to give useful advice. And besides that, envisioning an illness that could drive someone to actively seek and attack other humans was highly disturbing, and it had to be several times worse for Adelheid. He was the one who was actually struggling with the disease. Perhaps Faize really shouldn't have said anything at all...

Adelheid's small laugh earned him a perplexed look for a brief moment. Faize didn't know many who could joke in the face of such horrible circumstances, but perhaps that was Adelheid's way of dealing with the situation. That, or he was simply strong enough to remain his usual self while suffering from the illness. Faize was not confident that he could do the same.

"I suppose it is rather ironic," he agreed after a moment.

"Perhaps it is similar to what the staff suffers from... I'm in full control of myself during the day, but at night?" He just hoped that the infection wasn't permanent. A few nights, perhaps, he could endure- it would be hell on earth for him, but he could endure it. But endless nights of such torment, no hope of a cure whatsoever? He'd prefer death to something like that. Especially since it meant that he and his beloved sister could never again trust each other as thoroughly as they once had.

Still, now he shook his head, deciding that he'd probably spent enough time on that topic of conversation. Monopolizing such talks weren't usually his style, and making it so personal? If it wasn't such an extraordinary event, he might not have had to. So then, he said, "...I apologize for going on about that topic. Not exactly the usual topic of conversation, I admit."

The same ailment as the staff? Now that was a chilling thought. Adelheid was perhaps the closest thing to a friend that Faize had within these walls. For that person to face the possibility of becoming a monster...

Faize shook his head at the apology. "Please, don't apologize. I believe I was guilty of something similar just yesterday." The unavoidable end of Eldar was not a pleasant subject, he was sure, and while he didn't speak long on it, it had caused their last conversation to end on a somewhat depressing note. "Besides, I believe there are times when it's best to talk about what weighs on your mind." It was perhaps hypocritical of Faize to say something like that, being one who kept all of his worst feelings and experiences well below the surface, but it was true that he didn't mind listening to others talk about their problems.

From the way the nurses seemed to be gathering nearby, it appeared that the shift was winding to a close. There wasn't likely to be enough time to begin to speak on a more enjoyable subject, unfortunately, but they at least had the time to wrap up their current discussion.

"Perhaps so," Adelheid answered with a quiet nod, remembering how Faize had spoken during the previous day. He hadn't minded that, but it was different to help someone else and to speak of his own problems. It wasn't something he was accustomed to, but there was something about Faize that put him a little at his ease. Perhaps it was because they were both lone survivors, or perhaps because they had some similar interests... but Adelheid liked Faize. And didn't mind having him know some of his problems, at least.

While the nurses were circling around, Adelheid shook his head as he stood up, disgusted at the inexorable flow of time. Just a little while longer, and he'd know the truth. "...we'll see whether that's true or not tonight," he quietly said, "and I hope that we can talk again tomorrow, Faize."

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Day 43: Courtyard, Third Shift

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