Seth and the Prometheus Guild

Under Control

"Leave us."

"Sir, he might still be dangerous. He's unconscious now and I secured him to the bed, but you can never be too careful, especially when even one bite is enough."

"Leave us."

"Sir, I think ..."

"Did I express myself poorly? I thought my instruction had been quite clear."

Seth stopped faking his sleep and sat up, opening his eyes. The Director stepped into his curtained-off space a moment later, closing the white drape behind him.

Murky brown eyes pondered the slender boy sitting on the new hospital bed. "I just received a report from the local chapter of the Guild."

Seth simply waited. He hoped he'd be getting some food soon, because while he'd stuffed himself yesterday night, his body was still asking for more.

"You did an adequate job," The Director finally continued. "I think we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement. For now, I'll release Elaine from the burden of your presence in her infirmary and give you into the loving care of Francesca. That should agree with you as well, I imagine."

As long as Francesca would procure some food for him, Seth didn't really care who shouldered 'the burden of his presence'.

"I have a little ... test planned for your weekend but next week you'll return to school in time to be assigned. I dearly hope there'll be no future incidents. Do you understand?"

Seth nodded, only half-listening.

"Good. Step out of that chain and follow me."

Seth complied easily, the chain Gregory had wrapped around his feet yesterday, after their ride back, simply slipping off and tinkling on the floor.

He'd barely passed across the curtained threshold when the door at the other side of the room flew open, and Elaine rushed into the room. "Sir, I thought I heard ..."

Her wide eyes landed on Seth and her already pale face lost any semblance of color. For a frozen second she just stared, and then she whirled around, almost tripped over her own feet and cried: "Gregory! Gregory, come quick!"

"No need for all this excitement, dear," The Director told her, stepping closer to the panicked woman. "The situation is firmly under control."

"What do you mean, under control? He's dangerous! He almost killed a man a few days ago and now you simply let him walk free?"

That seemed quite stupid to Seth as well. But The Director's misguided feelings of superiority and control only worked in his favor, so he didn't share his opinion.

"As I just said, it is under control. Seth here is deeply regretting his actions and will never behave in such an extreme fashion again." The Director turned towards him. "Isn't that correct, boy?"

Seth shrugged, replying in the way he thought The Director wanted him to. "Yes."

A short glimmer of annoyance ignited in The Director's eyes before he extinguished it. Smiling, he turned back to Elaine. "You see? There's no cause for alarm. Now, I intend to pay Francesca a quick visit. I'm sure she'll be delighted to hear about my decision."

Elaine just stared at him. Her voice had lost all its volume, instead suddenly sounding faint and brittle. "I can't believe you. This is taking it too far."

"Those things are still for me to decide. I'd advise you to not step out of place, dear. It doesn't suit you."

Elaine simply shook her head and walked out of the room, not saying another word.