Hacker

Chapter Eight

Alison bristled with indignation and made a point of not acknowledging the dirty looks and underhanded chuckles from the med students. Instead she concentrated on the television hanging above the receptions desk and purposefully did not look at Duckwoman. The large flat screen displayed some sort of news report involving an interview with a politician. The interviewee had a perpetual smug leer and his beady eyes flickered from the reporter to the camera unpredictably. He spoke with a syrupy smooth voice, and his words had Alison’s chest tightening; "We see social darwinisn in action, constantly. Put simply, those in the inner city are dominant in every way conceivable. We are healthier, stronger, and more intelligent. The Slums meanwhile, are still struggling to network an appropriate system for electricity" He snorted derisively, and and went on to remark "They resemble animals more than humans, living in their own dirt and unable to even sanitise the streets; let alone the filth they call air. Their exposure to radiation from the third war may be the source of their lack of civilised behaviour but this does not justify their ways" he spat with a scowl; "Furthermore, these terrorists masquerading themselves as renegades and freedom fighters will be taken to the camps, and if they are found incapable of hard labour that is only testament to their weakness as a people. The terrorists attempt at toppling the natural order is......."

Alison stopped listening to the stupid man that thought he was smart. Her nails bit sharply into her palms and her cheek had received enough damage. If she continued to hear the bastard out she would start throwing things and ruin her chances at getting the cure. Her hands twitched nevertheless and it became incredibly hard to keep a straight face. She felt a light tap on her shoulder and spun around, her boots scuffing soundlessly on the polished tiled floor.

"Hey, is there something wrong?" asked vibrant green eyes. They held a gentle question. Alison glared at the red headed boy, her anger coiled tightly in her belly. He stood not far away in the usual med student outfit, draped over a tall lean build. Alison couldn’t help but notice how green his eyes really were, how they almost glowed. He ran his hand absent-mindedly through his fiery red hair as he waited for an answer.

"Not anymore" Ali snapped, her voice harsh. His stunned expression gave her some satisfaction but it faded as she watched his face drop. She dismissed him as the tour guides arrived in doctor’s scrubs, walking side by side from the direction of the corridors.The shorter of the two began to speak once the crowd of students had quieted.

"My name is Richard Bends, and I will be giving you a guided tour around the hospital. I am also acting counsellor for all the students at this facility so if you have any problems or concerns best keep them to yourself. If you must, take it to my lovely and welcoming colleague here Dr Salt" He said simply, a smile tugging at his lips as he gestured to the frowning man beside him. Dr Salt appraised his co-worker with a look that could have made hardened criminals cringe but the other man just returned his gaze with a perfectly innocent expression of his own. Tension mounted between the two before Dr Bends continued: "I don’t want to hear who your family is, how much money your father makes or how much better you are then the rest of the mediocre lot, is that clear? You are here to learn not to complain, understand?" There was a collection of hurried nods and echoing agreements from the medical students.

"We will begin in the medical bay in the left wing and if you are squeamish please use a plastic bag or better yet, reconsider your career choice" Dr Salt said, his voice ringing coldly. Alison watched curiously as a brunette paled considerably, the pinkness slowly draining from her cheeks. Alison thought that she was the one that had laughed earlier and couldn’t help but smile at the girls discomfit.