Lab Rat: Subject 253

In Which He Sees Green (And Red)

     Yard time.

     It had to be one of his second favourite times of the day - his first being any waking moment he got to spend with his little nurse.

     "Do ya think pizza exists in the out world?" 109 muses from her place on the bench, back against the table while her eyes wander the fenced-off surroundings.

     "God I hope so," 216 replies almost worriedly. He sat on the ground next to her, shoulder brushing her knee. His bald head reflects the sun and 253 resists the urge to slap it. "If we ever get outta here, and it turns out pizza isn't a thing, I'm begging them to take me back like a desperate pizza whore."

     253 snorts, throwing an arm over his eyes and laying back against the table. "I won't disagree with you there."

     "Hey," 109 turns around. "What would ya do if we had a chance to escape... But we had to leave Ella behind?"

     "Oh shit," 216 exclaims, also glancing at the younger man. "That's a horrid question, Flytrap. You can't ask him that... Okay, I'm done being the good friend. Hippy, answer the fudging question."

     253 hesitates.

     It's not like he hadn't thought of it himself. He'd be lying if he said he didn't spend every moment thinking about her. It was only a matter of time before that question came to him. Which is why he knew his exact answer - he just didn't want them to know he'd already decided. "I'd stay."

     "Oh my god. Awww!" 216 squeals. Despite looking like the kind of guy you'd find in a bar fight, 216 had the biggest heart 253 had ever known.

     Flytrap nods in agreement. "That's real cute. But I'm sorry to hear about the pair of balls you've apparently misplaced." Her smile was sarcastic.

     253 wasn't stupid. He knew she was being a bitch because she was worried that if 253 ever had to make that decision, she would have to leave a close friend behind. He'd say something to comfort her, but acknowledging her feelings out-loud would only upset her more.

     So he pats her shoulder.

     And predictably, she shoves him off. "I'm not a damn dog," she grumbles and 253 sighs.

     "Sure you are," Fairy reaches up and messes up her short, spiky sandy-brown hair. "You've got the bite and the claws of one. Oh, and you're a complete bitch."

     She kicks him in the hip. He grunts and removes his hand, shifting away. She complains, "Why the fuck do ya both insist on touching me today? Ya craving female contact or somethin'?"

     "You're more of a man than me and Hippy put together," Fairy states.

    Without removing his arm off his eyes, 253 points to him. "That's fucking true."

     "Hey! Fuck ya both!" She looks angry. And then she sighs, nodding. "Yeah, fair enough."

     - -

      "Looks like Ella's got herself a new admirer," Flytrap comments in between bites of her meal.

     253 knew. Oh how well he knew. He hadn't taken his eyes off of his nurse from the moment he'd entered the mess hall for dinner, his love-sick gaze quickly turning possesive and jealous when one of the newest recruited Doctors sat next to her.

     He was fairly young. 253 hadn't seen him before but it wasn't uncommon for Doctors and Scientists to come and go. He wore the usual white lab coat and had slicked back dark hair. The thing that stood out the most to 253 was just how skinny the man was; it was almost unhleathy, and that made him frown because Ella appeared to be close to the same weight.

     She really needs to start eating more.

     His expression grows more troublesome when he notices a cup with a straw in front of her instead of a plate. Hell, had he ever seen her actually eat?

     He considered heading over and forcing her to take his meal but knew he'd get taken to the Lower Levels for punishment if he stepped even an inch over the invisible line which separated the Subjects from their Creators.

     "She looks uncomfortable." Flytrap shakes her head. "Stupid asshole. She should tell him to do one."

     "She won't." And 253 hated that. That she was too timid or didn't see herself worthy enough to be stood up for. Who's hurt you? He wonders because girls are usually feisty - like Flytrap - unless someone made them feel unworthy. Unimportant. "Son. Of. A. Bitch." He grits the words out through clenched teeth.

    Twigs hand was resting on her knee and Ella shifts in her seat, looking everywhere but him. Briefly, her eyes meet 253 and she freezes before glancing away, looking ashamed.

     His blood boils. "I'm going over there. I'm going to fucking kill him."

      Flytraps hand on his shoulder stops him from standing. "Don't. You'll get both you and her into trouble." Glancing around the hall, she spots their third musketeer eating with Subject 101 and 102. She sticks her fingers in her mouth and whistles.

     Fairy glances over at the noise, eyes flickering between Flytraps worried and Hippys furious expressions.  "Oh shit," he mumbles, throwing a charming smile at the blonde twins he was sharing a meal with. "Excuse me, ladies."

     Tray in hand, he makes his way over to his neighbours. "Whats happening?" He asks, sitting opposite them.

     "Ten O'clock."

     Fairy looks over their shoulders, searching.

     Flytrap sighs. "My Ten O'clock, Dumpy."

     "Oh." He turns, looking behind him.

     She facepalms. "That's Three O'clock! Jesus - look at Nurse Ella!" She hisses.

     Unphased by her frustration, he takes in the man sitting next to the obviously uncomfortable woman. "Who's the bean pole touching up Hippys girl?"

     "Dead. That's what he fucking is," 253 growls.

     Fairy turns back to the table. "Whoa, easy, Hippy," he tries to calm him. "I know you want to... But you can't do anything, brother."

     "Watch me." Hands on the table, he pushes himself to his feet.

     "Sit down, 253," Ben, a black man dressed in his blue guard uniform, warns him.

     "Doctor Gales!" 253 shouts, ignoring him.

     Henry, an older man with thinning grey hair, glances over from his meal with his colleagues. He sighs, seeing who was demanding his attention. "Yes, Subject 253?"

     "I think I was out in the sun for too long. I'm feeling dizzy and nauseated." He glances at Ella out of the corner of his eye. She was watching him. "I'm feeling dehydrated as well."

     The Doctor frowns, concerned, before turning his attention to the guard. "Ben, escourt him and Nurse Ella to the medical wing. He may need to be put on an IV."

     Ella was already standing up, relief obvious. She knew he was faking just to get her away from Doctor Twig. 253 represses his smile. His plan worked.

     "I'll be damned," Fairy mutters in disbelief, watching them walk out of the hall. "He pulled it off."

     "I hope he knows what he's doing," Flytrap sighs, playing with her food.