Cotard Curse (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 3

Nichole was surprised to see Jared Benson wandering through the parking lot as she arrived. Even so, she didn't mention it and gave him a warm smile as she approached.   

"Miss Reynolds! It's great to see you, we really appreciate you coming in so early in the morning." Jared said, stopping in his tracks. 

"It's really no trouble, I'm excited to be here."

Jared smiled and ushered her inside, keeping close behind her as they walked into the lobby. The desk lady smiled at Nichole who smiled back while Jared rushed to the elevator. Nichole had to walk quickly to catch the lift as the doors opened; it was like Jared forgot she was with him. 

"Is there any particular area I'll be focusing on today or will I be having a look around again?" Nichole asked as the elevator started rising. 

Jared glanced at Nichole cheerily, something she wasn't particularly expecting. "I was hoping you'd be keen to help me out with Number Nine. I'll obviously stay with you for the day so that you can learn what you're doing." 

"Number Nine? Is that Alec?" Nichole asked. 

Jared's smile dropped slightly and he chuckled uncomfortably. "Uh, yeah. The patients are not called by their names as we don't want to encourage behaviour that they're actually people." 

Nichole frowned. "But... they are actually people." 

Sympathy appeared in Jared's voice. "Sadly, not in here they aren't. They're just sheep, so that's how we treat them. Just Number Nine should be fine." 

Just Number Nine. The words echoed in Nichole's head and she experienced a feeling of disgust to the subject. However, she held her tongue and nodded to the man beside her; the dislike for him growing. Nichole was happy that the elevator doors slid open before there was a chance of an awkward pause and she quickly walked into the open space. 

Jared stepped next to her and made his way to Alec's room, quietly unlocking it. Nichole followed him straight in, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her. 

There were no windows or lamps on and the room would've been pitch black if not for the agape door giving a dim glow. Nichole's eyes quickly adjusted just as she saw Jared making his way up to Alec's bed that sat on the far wall of the tiny room. Nichole was surprised by the lack of furniture; a desk, bedside table, bed and mirror were the only things in sight. 

The dainty boy in the bed was staring up at the ceiling, his arms and legs tensed and straight. The blanket and pillow were folded neatly on the floor, seeming unused. He made no sign that he'd noticed Nichole and Jared come in.

"Good morning number nine!" Alex called cheerfully. The boy still made no indication that he had heard, but Jared continued. "This is Nichole, the girl you met yesterday. You remember her don't you?" Nothing. 

Jared laughed. "No matter, you'll be with her all day today so that should give you some time to get to know her. You're lucky, she's your age! She'll be accompanying you around today so I don't want any trouble. Now up you get, you have 5 minutes until Nichole will take you to line up for meds."

"Meds are just downstairs like I showed you the other day, we'll take him there in a second. The nurses will give the boy a quick checkup and their medication before you head to the cafeteria." Nichole nodded, aware of the process. Jared started looking over his clipboard and no one moved for a good few minutes, silence thick in the air. 

It came to the five minute mark and Jared finally looked up from his clipboard, glancing at Alec before facing Nichole. "Okay, I'm going to have to leave you for bit. Get it-" Nichole was appalled at the pronoun. "-down to meds and the nurses will tell you where to take him next." Before Nichole was able to protest, Jared slipped out of the room and Nichole sighed, looking back at the teen who hadn't moved from the bed. He continued staring into space.