goofy ah oc story

Chapter Five

Sunlight shines through the transparent walls, and bounces off gardening supplies. Flowers and plants of rich color rest in dirt beds, healthy as ever. A few pots of vibrant yellow petunias are visible, paired with blood red roses. Vines hang from beams above, little flowers blooming on them. It really is a spectacular place.

Rowan stares in awe, admiring the room. "You weren't lying when you said it was pretty..."

One by one, everyone forms a circle in the center of the garden. Smooth, round stones serve as seats, which aren't that uncomfortable, really. However, Rowan feels the need to use the restroom. He looks towards one of the nurses, and asks awkwardly, "is there a washroom I could use?"

The nurse smiles, and nods. "Yes, just down the hall and then take the first right. There will be a sign above the entrance. Just don't take too long, you won't want to miss the activity." She gestures for him to hurry.

Rowan returns the nod with a grateful glance as he turns back to where they entered the garden from. Then, he strides past the glass door and into the long hallway. It's nearly silent, something he hadn't experienced since he arrived. Rowan had not realized how much he missed the peace and quiet.

With each step the bliss faded, as Rowan realized he had gotten lost. Did he pass the turn? Surely not? He sighs, looking back and then forwards again. What the... was the building really so big, that he lost his way?

Rowan passes a door, and tries the knob. Locked. He repeats the process several more times with each door he finds, before realizing the bathroom would have a sign above, as the nurse had stated. How stupid could he have been? Yet, it didn't help much, because by now he was very off track.

He continues to wander down hallways, and is about to turn a corner when he hears a voice. Rowan immediately stops in his tracks, flattening against the wall. He's about to quickly turn back when he recognizes Valery's voice. Rowan grows curious, and decides to listen in. No other voice? Was she talking to herself? Rowan peers around the corner, and sees Valery sitting against the opposite wall, a phone held to her ear. She wears a content expression, which seems genuine, to Rowan's surprise.

Her voice is a whisper. "Yeah, yeah... he's been doing well, as well as his brother." Valery giggles. "I know, Cameron. I always forget."

Rowan hugs the wall once more, to stay unseen while continuing to eavesdrop. There's a buzz in the air as a fan turns on.

"Uh-huh." A response of agreement from Valery. "Yes, the new arrival is certainly jumpy."

Huh? Were they talking about Rowan? Jumpy, she says? Also, who's Cameron? Never heard of them... Rowan has heard enough. He turns around, and begins to walk off, when his foot catches and he falls forward, crashing into the ground, with a thump.

He hears Valery stop talking. "Is somebody there?" She calls out, and then mutters, "...I'll talk to you later." There's a beep, signaling she must have hung up.

Rowan scrambles to his feet, dusting himself off as Valery rounds the corner. He awkwardly pauses to come up with something.

She beats him to it. "Hm? What are you doing, shouldn't you be in the gardens?" Valery then asks as if nothing had happened, "are you lost dear?"

He stares for a moment, before sputtering out the words, "yes, uh, yeah. That's right! I was looking for the restroom." Rowan finishes.

"Please, no need to be so jumpy." She gives a passive aggressive smile that says; watch yourself, and then points behind him, "the washroom is the next left down that hall."

Rowan nods quickly. "Yep... thanks." He gratefully says, turning, not stopping to listen to her. When she calls out,

"don't take too long, you wouldn't want to fall behind the others!" Valery walks off, waving.