"Do I want to, what?" Jason couldn't believe what she was proposing, it seemed almost unheard-of. Emma sighed in annoyance, her signature eyeroll present to the exchange.
"I said, do you want to go with me to the HTA to ask to see Reyna?" Jason gawked at her. Firstly, how were they even going to find the headquarters. It wasn't as if it was secret but they weren't permitted to have information on the organization. Second, why would she invite him? It wasn't as if he and Reyna were close.
"Come on Jason, we both know that you are worried, as am I. I also happen to know how to get there, having scraped it out of Reyna. That took five servings of Liquid Bean, if you were wondering."
"I wasn't but thanks, I guess."
"So, you in?"
"Uh." Emma rolled her eyes once again.
"I'll take that as a yes, great, let's go." It was the end of their evening shift, 3:30 p.m., and their replacements were already there to take over. Jason huffed but didn't answer, they both knew he wanted to go. Leading the way, Emma strut out of the shop, the door dinging in their wake. Jason hurried behind her, falling into step with the rather quick brunette. Nearing the park that Jason had passed a couple days prior, he gulped. Growing nervous, Jason's eyes shifted left and right, scanning the rushing pedestrians. Emma appeared immune to the surrounding humans, her destination set on the headquarters. Walking through the bushes, passing trees, the human life dialed down, leaving the two alone. This did not last, as they neared a grey building in the distance. Around the building was a white picket fence, one that would traditionally be used for decoration. Inside the fence, many individuals, varying in age, sat around. The younger kids ran in what looked like a game of tag. Most of the seated conversers looked like any other person on the street, only a few appearing abnormal. One young lad was shaking violently, startling Emma, though she hid it well. The teenagers surrounding the boy were unaffected with the tremoring, rendering Jason speechless. Nearing the fence, a single gate stood in-between the duo and the doors to the facility. Jason ended up opening the entrance, Emma too busy looking at all the gathered students. The two entered, capturing the eyes of all the seated individuals, whispers reaching the two's ears. Jason could only capture fragments of the conversations around him, before they entered the heavy glass doors. A rush of cold air hit their faces, stepping over the small seal in the floor, signaling their entrance. A white desk waited for them, two doors on either side of it. A single woman sat there, typing on her white laptop, white nails zipping. Hearing the door close, her head raised, a bright smile plastered on her flawless face. The lady could have been in her early thirties, her light brown hair pulled into a tight ponytail, centered on the back of her head. Her eyes were a baby blue, dusted with crème eyeshadow. Her eyebrows were penciled dark, eyelashes long and fake, smeared in black mascara. Her lips were pulled upward in her large smile, covered in crème as well. She wore white scrubs with a nametag pinned over her heart. Welcome! My Name Is: Nancy
"Hi you two! How can I help you this afternoon?" Her voice rung in the empty room, smile unwavering. Emma and Jason exchanged quick glances, before Emma stepped forward.
"Yes, um, we are here to check in on a patient."
"Perfect! Are you family?"
"N- "
"Yes." Jason cut her off, sending her a hard glance. Emma nodded in understanding, faking a smile. Nancy didn't question, her expression firm, moving her gaze to the computer, typing quickly. She looked up again, smile holding strong.
"What department are they signed in to? The patient?"
"Um, we aren't sure, is there options?" A merry laugh erupted from the pearly white teeth Nancy displayed.
"Of course! There is,
o Adult
o Appearance
o Behavioral
o Elderly
o External
o Infant
o Internal
o Long-Term
o Mental
o Short-Term
o Skin
o Toddler
o Young Adult
Remember, a few of our inhabitants are in more than one group." Jason looked to Emma to choose, seeing as he honestly had no idea why Reyna was in the organization in the first place.
"Check Mental first, please." Jason sent Emma a look, but she dismissed it, looking toward the secretary. Nancy gave a simple nod, typing on her laptop.
"Perfect! Do you have a name for me?"
"Reyna Evans." Nancy's typing slowed to a stop, her head raising leisurely, her smile gone. She faltered for a moment, her smile returning.
"Of course, are you Emma Mills?" Emma frowned, looking at Jason, he too pulling a face.
"Yes ma'am." Nancy somehow managed to purse her lips while smiling, resulting in a terrifying look.
"You are Miss Evans emergency contact."
"Oh, I was unaware."
"We know." Silence took over the room, an eerie feeling creeping up on Emma and Jason.
"Now!" Nancy exclaimed, clapping her hands together, startling the duo.
"We have a patient to visit, don't we!" They only nodded in an awkward fashion.
"One moment please," She raised a hand to them, using the other to press on a button on the desk.
"Teachers, seventeen, twenty-three, forty-two, four, one hundred, and negative one, patient Evans has visitors. Please ensure she looks," Nancy glanced up at the two, her smile remaining, "acceptable." With that, she lifted her hand and stood. Preparing to lead the two to the unaware blonde.
YOU ARE READING
Greeting Insanity
General FictionI find comfort in the colors of the world That's where the "doctors" have it wrong Sticking people like me In rooms adorned only with Plain Crisp White Walls White room White bed White toiletries White necessities It's vile It's cruel And it makes...
