Vivamus, Moriendum est (Rorschach x oc)

28. Hotel Arizona

Mary's P.O.V.

"Another stray, James?"

"Yes, well I'd hoped she'd be more useful than this." The curly haired boy snapped.

"Useful for what exactly?" The girl demanded.

"We need more members if we're going to have a band. Roger sounds bloody ridiculous and well... I can't be expected to do everything."

"You want her for a singer?"

"Exactly!"

"And she'll do that how?"

"I dunno, but if she don' we'll send her back to whence she came."

"I can't believe you're on about this again. And that I came all the way out here for this."

"Because you'll do as your told. That's why."

"We're not really going to ditch her if things don't work out." Roger chimed in. He had sounded like he meant to make a statement, though he followed it up with a nervous question. "Are we?"

"If it don' work out? 'Course we'll ditch her." James or Ollie or whoever he was affirmed.

"No!" Roger protested, "we can't do that! We basically kidnapped her off the street and all this business isn't her fault!"

James smacked his arm, "will you shut it! Fine, if that's how you feel she's your responsibility henceforth. Get her down to the truck."

He stormed from the room, "D'ior!" he called over his shoulder.

The tall blonde girl shook her head and followed after him.

"What's going on?" I croaked. The words were clear but barely left my lips. My voice was hoarse from disuse. 

Roger's eyes flicked to me, he smiled lightly, "look at that, you can talk now. Still can't understand you quite right, but that sounded like a full sentence."

He approached the bed, "they've treated you well here, I hope?"

I shrugged.

"Hospitals can't be much fun I expect. But we're going home now, so all is good."

"Back to New York?" I croaked.

"New York? Nah, we've left there ages ago." Roger shook his head.

"I want to go home. I want to see Irene." I complained.

Roger raised a brow, "who's Irene?"

I frowned starting to get frustrated. 

"Alright, alright. Don't pout, we'll unpack that later. Now we're checking you out of here."

Well, I didn't get to go home but at least I got to leave here. I flung back the covers to the hospital bed and put my feet over the edge.

"Bit eager, are we?" Roger smiled.

Ignoring him I hoisted myself to my feet. Only my balance was awful, and I began to fall forward. Roger caught me and steadied me.

"Looks like we're not up to the walking yet."

"I got it." I hissed, ripping free of his arms. I took a shaky step forward and promptly fell straight onto the polished white floor. I groaned in embarrassment and frustration instead of trying to get up again.

Roger didn't push further and simply helped me up from the floor. Once standing he picked me up bridal style once more and carried me from the room.

Ollie/James was waiting with the blonde at the same front desk from when I had been checked in by the officer. The same old woman sat at the desk.

"Excellent." James said, though his face held no hint of pleasure or relief. He started to the door. It seemed he had a habit of dramatic and sudden exits. 

"Excuse me," The woman at the desk called.

"Rog, move faster. Don't give her the chance to say anything." James warned.

"This girl isn't cleared to leave." The desk woman informed us.

"And there it is. Damn you, Roger." James spun around from where he stood at the doors.

"She'll be leaving with us thank you." He addressed the woman.

"She isn't cleared." The woman repeated, flustered.

"Can we clear her?" James demanded.

"There's paperwork and-"

"Can we clear her?"

"I-"

"Don't make me ask a third time."

"I suppose."

"She's cleared!" James announced loudly to the room.

No one moved.

"Any problems?"

James receiving no verbalized objections nodded and turned for the doors once more. He pushed it open and this time he stuck his middle finger straight in the air as he walked out. The blonde girl gave a forced awkward smile and thanked the woman at the desk. She promptly followed after James.

"Cheers then." Roger called cheerfully to her.

Once more he carried me out into the unknown after a stranger.