The Mechanics of Us

Chapter 35

The cement walls are thick and coated in leaded paint. You could tell because this hospital has been here for centuries, but no weathering could be detected. Granted, they could have repainted it, but who has time to do that every year. The hospital itself was blue and black with a bright gold sign at the front that has the name and logo on it. We crouch down and, with light steps, make our way over to the large sign.

When we get up to it, the mechanic huddles behind it.

Her eyes squint and search the grounds-"How are we going to get in?" - she asks in a hoarse whisper.

"The back way?-" I respond sarcastically.

"Well obviously, we can't go in the front looking like this!" she gestures to her entirety, and then an idea begins to formulate.

"I think we can actually," a devilish grin sews itself on my face, and my eyes narrow, my right eyebrow cocking upwards.

***

The plan is relatively simple. The mechanic enters the hospital, quite dramatically, complaints about her collarbone being hurt and how there was a motorcycle accident, the doctors, nurses, staff, whomever, rush over to her and help. I sneak it since I can't be seen due to my exposed hand being a dead give away.

I explain this to the mechanic, who stares at me with a puzzled yet unimpressed expression.

"You do know this isn't like the movies, right?" her tone is dull but nonjudgmental.

I deadpan and cross my arms in front of my chest.

"Got any better ideas?" I quip back.

"We walk in, I complain about my collar bone, you can be there just keep your hands in your pockets, and then we can just move around" she explains.

"Boring, but okay" I throw my hands up in defeat and for dramatic effect.

In hindsight, her plan is much more realistic and probably less distracting, so we both agree to follow through with hers. Before we go in, the mechanic makes sure no copper is on her, and if there is it is rubbed off or covered, and I make sure her jacket is snug around me, and my hands remain in the pockets.

"Ready?" she asks anxiously...

"Ready," I affirm.

The mechanic enters first and goes up to the front desk. I follow behind and keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. There's an eerie mood to the hospital. The dim fluorescent lighting, the doctors, huddling in a corner grumbling with each other, the nurses are doing the same but in a different corner. The mechanic is handed some papers, and then the man gestures for her to take a seat in the waiting room. She strolls past me calmly, and I follow closely behind. To get to the waiting room, you have to cut through the ER. I take the lead this time and aimlessly walk past the rows of hospital beds, medical carts, random patients, and staff. I am almost to the waiting room before a quick surge of electricity zaps through my body, causing me to freeze.

Under a hospital bed remains a dark brown ringed stain, and I find myself drawn to it. Another memory flashes before me, and I start to reach up to hold my head, but the mechanic stops me before I could.

"Let's keep walking," she whispers and gently drags me forward along with her.

We don't go to the waiting room but instead find the woman's bathroom and reconvene there. The mechanic's growing concern is easily recognizable, and I don't even need her to ask the question because I know what it will be.

"This is the hospital where I was taken and this-" I jerk my hand out of the pocket, the silver rods glinting in the poorly lit bathroom.

"Happened. I didn't think I remembered much of it. If anything at all. But I guess I do" there's defeat in my voice, and I lean my forehead against the bathroom wall, the cold tile is refreshing.