The Blue Lives

17# Doctor No-Good

Summary: You had all right to be scared, and that feeling of dread manifests itself into a mad doctor. 

______________________________

"Alright, I am ready to go now..." You tug at George's arm to get his attention. He quickly turns to you, nods in agreement, and takes your hand to lead you back to the outside. 

"Ahw, leaving so soon? Righty then, have a fabulous day!" The shopkeeper waves goodbye, but you and George can't bother to pay him any attention. George opens the door and politely lets you exit first. "after you love." He says, gesturing to the outside with his arm. You smile at him and leave, George following close behind. 

George is attached to your hip as he keeps you close to him with a hand on your waist. But despite his reassurance, you can't shake the intense dread, a feeling that someone is staring a burning hole into your shoulder. 

There is a Joy doctor merely passing by on the other side of the street, a mere stranger to you but his behaviour is unnerving. There is a breeze picking up, the sunsetting sky pooling with greying clouds, contrasting colours of a spilt oil painting. It truly is Autumn. It makes you wonder if the sky would be different outside Wellington Wells, you can't wait to experience the real joy of freedom, it's so close you could almost taste it. 

"Those Doctors have always given me the creeps..." George mutters to you while eyeing the passing doctor. You hum in agreement, "Me too." You mumble back and tighten your hold on his arm. "I want to get back to the shelter as quickly as possible." your voice wavers, George's other hand comes to rest on yours that's holding his arm, reassuring you. "Go to the shelter quickly, we will." His pace speeds up, dragging you along to the shelter. 

~~~~

"almost there..." George attempts to comfort you while crossing the street to get to the "Oh thank god..." You heave a sigh of relief. The sooner you and George are out of the public eye, the better. 

While crossing another street, you didn't happen to notice a very crucial thing regarding your detection. 
A screeching alarm goes off and a fading red light blinds you. "YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR JOY IMMEDIATELY!" Came a sugar-coated robotic tone that nearly made you jump out of your skin. George seems to be just as startled. 
The alarm got the attention of the nearest Joy Doctor. "You haven't taken your Joy." He says with his tone of voice laced with malicious intent. The sinister sound of the doctor causes you to clutch at your companion's arm. You can feel George grab a fist full of the back of your sweater, he doesn't waste a second and speeds up his pace. You are slightly jogging to avoid the doctor and dragging you along with him. 
"Wait just a moment." The doctor mocks and chases after the duo. George's oxford heels clack against the cobblestone road of the street, the rhythm is almost melodic. He is taking over by survival instincts, holding an iron grip on you, nearly carrying you without much effort. 

"We have to get him off our tail first," he explains as takes a sharp turn into the direct opposite direction of your original destination, which causes you to panic slightly. "Oh God..." you mutter and pay attention to the footsteps following right behind. 

The suspicious behaviour of you and your companions attracts even more undesired attention from even more doctors who litter the streets. "What is this madness?" One of those men dares to question, joining his fellow doctor to catch you and George. The very last thing you want is to consume any more Joy, let alone be force-fed that horrid drug. 
"shit, shit, shit, shit..." George cusses quietly and takes another turn into the following street. 
By passing wellies either step aside in fear or point at you and shout "Downer!" 
You get the feeling of deja vu like you had a dream like this before. It wouldn't be that far-fetched if you did. You've been chased out of your own house before this whole mess got even worse than it already has.