Only in Darkness

16: Training Season

Chicago, Illinois

2018

The Doctor stood at his kitchen Island, preparing himself breakfast, glass mixing bowls set out before him holding different ingredients, not a speck of disorganization could be seen amongst the expensive countertops and fine dishes. Something seemingly so psychologically clinical about it all, the plain ringtone interrupting him from continuing to stir the contents in one of the pans on the stove.

"I trust you're calling me with good news." The man spoke, almost robotic in his phrasing, cold and clipped.

A woman's voice on the other side of the phone, "Not yet, we're experiencing some difficulties with the patient, but we understand how important this is."

The doctor, obviously not happy with what he's just been told, frowns, and grabs a metal device with a clear button on top from next to his phone and moves it around in his hand. Manicured nails lightly scratching along the side of the technology, his thumb coming to rest on top of the button as he spoke down at the phone, "I'm not sure you do."

His thumb circled the button, caressing the device as the woman spoke again, a twinge of panic under her own strict cadence.

"We have been able to secure the independent contractor."

The man's head tipped ever so slightly to the side, his frown turning up at the corners. His thumb leaving the button and dragging down the side of the body.

"Good, I'll be seeing you shortly."

~~*~~

Marlowe didn't know where she was along the route to Chicago, but she could barely keep her eyes open while driving. Even with the plethora of energy drink cans littering the car she had borrowed from the Columbus safe house. So, going until she could see the little sign for lodging at the next exit she got off the road and pulled up to a rundown looking motel.

Not the best place, and there was definitely something nicer up the road but she was just too tired to really care too much. So, pulling her half-asleep self from the car she went into the front office and called out. A surprised looking woman came out from the back, bags under her eyes she attempted to cover with makeup and blood shot eyes, as well as the slight fizziness in on one side of her hair let Marlowe know she had woken the woman up. With a wince Marlowe apologized under her breath.

"It's okay, no worries, how can I help you?" The woman asked, eyes slightly brighter at the prospect of actually having someone renting out one of the rooms.

"I need a room for the night, one bed." Marlowe rasped out, and the woman nodded.

"Any preference, ground floor, second floor? Front? back?" The woman obviously tried to joke, her own laugh falling pitifully from her lips.

"As secluded as it gets, please." Marlowe attempted, succeeding in making the woman smile. Paying and being handed the key with a 'let me know if you need anything, I'm in room 101.' From the owner.

Finding her room in the back corner of the motel on the second floor, Marlowe's eye also caught the fire escape the lead down the ground but also up the roof. A small smile caught her lips as she settled in for the night.

She took a quick two-hour nap and was right back at it. Pulling out her laptop, she spent the next hour trying to read the same paragraph over and over until it stuck in her brain. Her frustration building the longer she tried, and the more tired she got.