The Rat and The Tower

Chapter 9

   The Hospital was a large building, multiple hallways and rooms. Diffrent machines that did different medical needs. Supplies that had helped the Rebellion for years came from there, Mono himself being sent on a multitude of the runs.

In fact, he might even say he knew it like the back of his hand!

Which is why, standing outside of an elevator, he felt pretty stupid for forgetting how complicated and how annoying these things were to operate. Two batteries needed, like always, and wouldn't you know it, no batteries weren't kept in the waiting rooms!

Standing on the second level of the waiting room, Mono looked at the tall metal doors, his good eye looking over all of the scratches and dents from its years of wear and tear.

What even happened to make it look so dinky and rusty? Normally, the Nurses would come and tidy and make the place spotless, helping injured and ill adults, assisting doctors and other staff. If Mono knew they won't attack him or try to turn him in, he was sure they would have been great allies that helped them.

But, no Nurse could be seen, or any adult for that matter. Where was everyone? Sure the Hospital was normally eerie at night; but now it looked down run down and was in such a horrible condition.

Litter and dirt covered the floor, grim got on his feet, abandoned wheelchairs and walkers laid around. And he was totally ignoring the dried blood he saw out of the corner of his eye.

"Where do they keep the batteries at?" asked Rain, her voice coming from his blind side.

"Normally they have them scattered about. I think they might have a few extras in some of the rooms around here. It probably be worth it to look around a bit," Seven replied, hands in his jean pockets.

Squeaks gave a small noise of what Mono thought was a sound of agreement. The feral stayed by Seven's side, scratching her face with her curled hands. She's probably infested with fleas, the feral.

Seven took a step forward, coming on Mono's good side. "I'll look in the lower levels to see if they have any. Rain, you and Squeaks stay here in the lobby, Mono, you can-"

"Wait-" Mono began, "Isn't it a bit dangerous to split up?"

"Mono, we have made countless trips here. We'll be fine, plus the girls don't need to get into danger. Rain hasn't been here before, and Squeaks is well... Squeaks."

The feral looked up at her name, giving a confused head tilt.

Mono gave a concerned look to the boy in blue. Yeah, they had been on a countless runs here, but this different. Mono wasn't sure what, but something made his stomach turn.

"Which is why it's safer to take them with us," Mono replied. Rain looked over to him, before looking to her twin. She held her hands close to her chest, rubbing her wrist nervously, an old habit of hers that she did.

"Sev, Mono is right. After all, it's been years since you have been here. We don't know what has happened here, it's been a while since the scouts stop coming all the way out to here. For all we know, the adults here could have turned murderous like the ones in the alley. It doesn't help Mono is now a targeted figure by the Higher Ups."

Seven gave a groan, "And the Higher Ups can eat a bag of dead rats for all I can. No offense, Squeaks. No matter what, we're always goint to be hunted down."

"Which is why Mono has a point. It's safer to go in groups. Please, Sev, it'll help us get out of here faster too," the former Oracle argued.

For a moment, Mono was reminded of a younger Rain, back when they were all scouts together. How determined and strong she was, the voice of reason to Seven's brash and destructive personality. His heart gave a small flutter.