Dishonored: The Ties That Bind

Chapter 5

   "I'm here to see young Wendell," Daud said to the matron on-duty cheerfully, "I hear he had...a bit of an accident?"
The portly woman looked at the tall, smiling man, dressed in a day suit and carrying a plastic bag full of red grapes, and also smiled at him. "Oh, are you a relation of his, then?"
   "I surely am, heh. I'm his Uncle Derek, from his mother's side. Thankfully not quite as clumsy as Wendell, ei? Haha."
The matron didn't look overly-impressed, but she turned the visitor's book towards him. "Sign here, please." She said with a slight stiffness in her voice. "Maximum of one hour."
   "Oh, I won't need that much." Daud assured her. "I was just stoppin' by on the way to the office before work. Few minutes, few grapes, shouid perk him right up. Will he be out soon?"
   "Well...not for a while yet. He'll need surgery first. He was very lucky though, could have lost the leg."
   "He's always been a lucky sort. Where's he at, then?"
   "Down that corridor," she pointed, "third on the left. We have some rather poorly people nearby, so I'll have to ask you to keep the noise down I'm afraid."
   "I'll be as good as gold, darlin'." Daud winked at her. He then walked away and headed down the right corridor, the smile still plastered to his face. He politely knocked on the door, and a young brunette nurse opened it a few inches.
   "Can I help you?" She asked.
   "I hope so, I'm here to see my nephew for a bit."
   "Oh, that's nice. And you are?"
   "I'm his Uncle Derek. I've signed in and everythin'. Is he allowed grapes? I hear they're good for sick people."
She tittered. "Yes, they're always welcome. I'll just finish up here, I won't be long if you'd like to come in."

Daud entered the clinical-smelling room, and there on a gurney with his leg bandaged and propped up, was young Wendell. Looked all of eighteen or so, Daud reckoned, and also definitely looked like a conniving little shit.
   "...what's goin' on?" Wendell squeaked, staring at Daud.
   "Oh, that's rich, that is." Daud tutted. "Why, ye didn't think your Unk would wanna visit ya? Shame, lad. Even brought grapes for my favourite nephew."
Wendell paused; maybe it was one of the Hatters, come to check on him? They'd use some sort of secret identity, like he'd read about in some of his books.
   "...sorry." He said. "Guess I'm still feelin' sorry for meself. It's great to see you."
Daud beamed. "That's more like it. What the blazes happened for you to get yer leg trussed up like this?" He came over and stood at the right side of the bed, offering him a grape.
Wendell took one. "My own fault, really. Was playin' with the lads an' fell off a bridge onto a crate. Smashed it, and this chunk o' wood went right through me."
Daud mock-winced through his teeth. "Ooh, that makes me shiver, that does. I'll bet that hurt a bit."
   "Bloody did. But thankfully, I won't lose it. Just need to have some splints removed from the inside, then I should be okay."
Daud grinned. "Glad to hear it."
   "Right, I'm all done now." The nurse smiled. "I'll leave you to it and come back in an hour or so." She packed away her instruments and creams, then closed the door behind her. Daud watched it shut, then counted to five in his head.

   "...it's good of you to check up on me." Wendell said in a hushed voice. "Who sent ya? Was it Zack? Or Mallory?"
At that point, the smile and cheery manner melted from Daud's face, and he looked at the young man with undisguised hatred.
   "Neither." He said.
   "Then...I don't understand."
   "Does this make it easier?" Daud lunged for the man's mouth, clamping a hand over it while remaining close to his face, and Wendell also felt the point of a very slim knife at his throat, just under his Adam's apple. Wendell stiffened and started to struggle, but then felt the sharp point start to dig in even deeper.
   "I wouldn't." Daud threatened quietly. "Or you'll see why they call it an apple. You're gonna be real good for me, aren't ya? I'd hate to have to mess up these sheets."
Wendell, now scared and sniffling, nodded silently.
   "Good. You learn fast." Daud removed the hand, but the knife stayed where it was for the moment. "I'm also sure that you know why I'm here, Wendell. I know exactly what happened."
   "A-are you gonna kill me?" He quivered.
   "That depends." Daud pulled up a chair, then decided to eat a few grapes while he was at it. He'd only had a light breakfast.