「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(328) It's Moving

Charles' POV

As if on cue, Jimmy conveniently awakened from his beauty sleep the moment Dr. Rao reentered with a fix of light snacks. Carefully setting down the tray of milk and cookies, she merely smirked, like she had experienced this a hundred times over, as she exited the premises while I scrutinised the peculiar boy in amusement.

"Oh, aren't you timely," I commented jokingly.

Playfully flashing me his tongue, Jimmy energetically swooped under my arm he had snuggled with throughout his deep slumber and eagerly snatched over a plate of chocolate chip delights as he sat himself cross-legged.

Brassy as they were, his childish antics were, nonetheless, laughable and I chuckled, sneakily reaching for his share of delicious delicacies. Swiftly snagging one of the mini doughy goodies, I hurriedly popped it into my mouth and blatantly chomped as little one faced around with a glare of annoyance.

Soon, however, his antagonised eyes melted, and his lips vibrated with cheerful giggles as I comically mimicked his earlier shenanigan. With a keen smile, I extended him my palm and he gladly slapped it down low, totally mollified, but his already wide grin grew dramatically as I unconditionally offered up my portion of sweet treats.

Suddenly, Dr. Rao marched in with a small metallic dish and despite her normally confident strut, there was a tinge of uneasiness to her treads that broke from the facade. As if struggling not to cringe, her facial features were insanely stiff, but Jimmy just sighed, observing her crouching at his bedside.

"What?" I probed but there was just a concerning silence.

"Is there progress with that deal you mentioned?" I prodded with an expectant gaze.

"They've not updated me about that," Dr. Rao unveiled sheepishly.

"It's your wife. She's read it," she claimed in a hushed tone and a the only smile left in the room spread on my face.

"It's only been fifteen minutes. Are you sure-" Dr. Rao argued doubtfully.

"She'll be fine. Thank you," I reassured, gazing at her sincerely, albeit noticing Jimmy had paused in his incessant munching.

"What's all this?" I pried in a stern tone, staring disapprovingly at the syringes and needles that seemed to effortlessly drain away all of Jimmy's appetite.

"They need more of my DNA," Jimmy spat scornfully.

"It's not going be long more, Jimmy. I promise," Dr. Rao asserted with an earnest voice.

"Told you," Jimmy huffed, flashing me a face of resentment, as he grudgingly rolled up his sleeve to reveal an arm awfully scarred by numerous prick marks.

"I'm sorry," I whispered empathetically, gently taking his hand, but he barely squeezed it, not even blurting the slightest wince, as Dr. Rao professionally withdrew a sample of his blood.

Although only a infinitesimal amount of fluid had been extracted from his body, Jimmy's energy dwindled greatly, like all his enthusiasm had been siphoned out into that microscopic ampule, as Dr. Rao respectfully, and remorsefully, retreated with the small vial of crimson liquid.

"Hey, how about I challenge you to a match?" I suggested brightly.

"I don't do chess, old man," Jimmy scoffed, disinterested to even make eye contact.

"I don't mean that," I politely clarified and continuously nudged on his shoulders as I attempted to guide his eyes to the alluring PS2.

"Do you even know how to?" Jimmy sneered, mocking and bitter.