Jake stood in the lab, trying to do blood work on J. The voice was in a jovial mood today and kept telling him lame jokes. They proved to be as distracting as Pop Goes the Weasel. Jake sighs and rakes his hand through his hair. He just wanted to be able to think clearly. Was that too much to ask?
"Maybe I would be less annoying if you stopped trying to get rid of me."
Jake pressed his eyelids shut and whispered, "You aren't real, you're just in my head."
"I'm as real as you let me be Jake."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
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"You're too afraid to find out. Pussy."
"Hey, I'm not a pussy!" By the time Jake realizes that he's yelling, it's too late. Ivy has arrived at the lab and is standing there staring at him. She probably thinks he's crazier than he's admitted to.
"I would say that I didn't call you one, but I think you already know it wasn't me. The voice must be upset with you today," she smiles.
"Yeah," Jake sighs.
Ivy can't help but notice how tired he is. His eyes were so red that it looked as if he had been crying. Ivy also noticed how pale he had become from being locked in the lab for six months. He would benefit immensely from a little fresh air and sunshine.
Ivy also noticed that in the last few months it seemed as if Jake was starting to get comfortable around everyone. Like he was allowing his roots to grow. He had stopped trying to communicate with his family back in Chicago. Jake seemed to spend far more time at his twins side. It wasn't absurd to even think he had developed feelings for J.
"You know what Jake?" Ivy says as she lays down her purse, "I think it's time we got you some fresh air. Come on, follow me," she smiles and turns for the door. She types in the code and the door opens. She looks back at Jake who just stood there confused. "Are you coming or what?"
Jake quickly takes the stethoscope from his neck and shucked the white lab coat off his shoulders. He then moves quickly for the door. He follows Ivy out of the lab, the door closing behind him. He follows her through another doorway. In front of them is an elevator bank. Ivy presses the button and a door opens. She gets in and Jake follows. The door closes and Jake can feel it going up.
Jake's eyebrows furrow when the doors open. It was quite dark. It looked as if there was a rock wall in front of him. He steps out cautiously, they appeared to be in a tunnel of some sort. He then hears water and looks down. He was standing in a slow moving stream of sorts. He follows Ivy and soon the tunnel opens up and he sees they're in a cave. Ivy starts up a set of stairs as he follows. Finally they come to an electronic door. Ivy scans a card across it and it opens.
There was a bright light. So bright that Jake finds himself shielding his eyes from it. After a moment he's adjusted to the light and watches as Ivy walks into the bright light. Jake squints his eyes and steps carefully because he couldn't see his feet.
