Haphephobia

Chapter 6

"A list of needed supplies and an explanation has been sent to your parents, Benjamin. I'm sure you were already expecting this, but you probably won't be seeing them again. I am sorry to be the one to tell you this, but it is for the safekeeping of your family and I'm sure you don't want to see any harm coming to them." Dr. Jensen said, and I sighed.

The doctor was right; I had been expecting it. That didn't help with the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, though. What person with caring parents ever wants to have to be separated from them forever? We weren't strangers to distance, but I knew they still loved me. I wiped my face with my palms, taking a deep breath. Step one in the endless list of difficult sacrifices I knew I was going to have to make. 

"By the way, I thought I should thank you properly for accepting the invitation to join us. Also, I wanted to commend you for the way you handled the situation with Ava... You were brave and you exemplified what it means to be a leader. Everyone- those people you saw- they all respect you. And you've been here for what..." Dr Jensen checked his watch, "Three, four hours? Well, awake, anyways." He laughed. I smiled wryly, my thoughts somewhere else.

You're supposed to say thank you when someone hands you a compliment... Ava spoke up, and I remembered she was sitting right next to me. I jumped a little, startled. Everything was going to take time to get used to, I knew; telepathic communication was one of them. 

Sorry. I didn't mean- well, anyway, this has been a long day. There's been plenty of information to take in here. I responded distractedly, and Ava raised an eyebrow, not willing to prolong the conversation. Clearly, she realized I had needed some space. 

"There are some rules you should know about while you reside here, Benjamin. I've left a packet you are required to read in your new room- which, by the way, Ava will show you to, I'm sure," Dr. Jensen gave Ava a pointed look, which gave me an uncomfortable feeling. I didn't like the way that came out.

"You will be required to wake up at six in the morning every weekday. Monday through Thursday is spent with a full day of training, and Fridays are reserved for a half day of school and a half day of training. You will not be cut any slack for being the new one around here. All meals last thirty minutes. Curfew is eleven sharp, except Friday and Saturday evenings, which you'll be allowed to waste as you please.

"No shenanigans are permitted on the grounds. This includes fooling around with the ladies, if you catch my drift..." Another pointed look between both Ava and I. I rolled my eyes: as if. "Not that I should be particularly worried about that with you, Ben. In fact, you seem to be the least of my problems: needless to say, I have plenty of gargantuan fish to be metaphorically fried. 

"The rest of the rules you could possibly need are broken down in the file. For now, it is nearly ten-thirty and I'm ready to turn in. Begone. Ava, show him around and make sure he socializes with people." Dr. Jensen said the last part as though he expected I wouldn't do so on my own: he was correct. Ava nodded politely, and we both stood up. Just before we made it out the door, Dr. Jensen called out before us,

"Welcome, by the way, Ben. I sincerely hope you grow to love this place as much as we do." He said. I looked back only for another small grin, as though I was trying to say thanks in as unobtrusive a way as possible. The doctor reciprocated it, and I felt content to walk right out of the small white office, Ava by my side.

So what do you think? Are you looking forward to anything in particular? Ava asked, excitedly. Ben crossed his arms, looking down at himself. He was still in the hospital robe, the hem of which was still slightly damp and incredibly cold. His bare feet hit the stony tile floor, and he shivered slightly.