L stepped into the hall, making a right turn. He didn't see Howell.
The idea came to mind that no one would be waiting for him, that he was endangering himself for nothing, but he pushed it aside.
In spite of his sensation of physical vulnerability, exploring would be good. If he kept his wits about him, he might be able to see what patients at the Institute were up against without putting himself in more serious danger: stay at the edges of rooms, observe, be ready to retreat when and where it is necessary. Will that kind of retreat feel like failure...?
There is no way to know until I have experienced it.
Something flickered in his peripheral vision, as if the drywall just behind him and to his left had vanished, revealing a glint of pipes. He paused, putting his back to the wall that had been to his right, taking a closer look. The broken wall appeared smooth and normal, and he stared at it for a moment with a puzzled frown, then darted across the hall to touch it.
Nothing. It was hard under his fingertips.
He shook his head and moved on -- past the door to the Nurses' Station, and into the main hall, where he began to look for Howell with more intent.
no subject
L stepped into the hall, making a right turn. He didn't see Howell.
The idea came to mind that no one would be waiting for him, that he was endangering himself for nothing, but he pushed it aside.
In spite of his sensation of physical vulnerability, exploring would be good. If he kept his wits about him, he might be able to see what patients at the Institute were up against without putting himself in more serious danger: stay at the edges of rooms, observe, be ready to retreat when and where it is necessary. Will that kind of retreat feel like failure...?
There is no way to know until I have experienced it.
Something flickered in his peripheral vision, as if the drywall just behind him and to his left had vanished, revealing a glint of pipes. He paused, putting his back to the wall that had been to his right, taking a closer look. The broken wall appeared smooth and normal, and he stared at it for a moment with a puzzled frown, then darted across the hall to touch it.
Nothing. It was hard under his fingertips.
He shook his head and moved on -- past the door to the Nurses' Station, and into the main hall, where he began to look for Howell with more intent.
[To here.]