Off Record [Ereri/Riren] ✓

8 ⚕︎Tension ✍︎

Off Record
Chapter 8
⚕︎Tension ✍︎
Eren

ten·sion

/ˈtenSHən/

noun

Mental or emotional strain.

Ryder enters as I'm stretching my upper body. He's hesitant to approach me, cuddling the blanket and pillow to his torso.

"I'm normal." I promise. "I won't attack you."

Ryder nods and places the items within my reach. He turns to leave and I stop him quickly with a word. "Wait."

He turns towards me with a concerned expression. "Do you need something else?"

"I just," I sigh, "I want to apologize for, you know, attacking you almost every time you come in here."

Ryder smiles and sits down across from me, much to my surprise. "I know you don't mean to. I forgive you, but it'd be nice if you stopped doing that." He chuckles and scratches the back of his neck. "I got this job so I could help people and that's all I want to do for you."

I nod. "I wish everyone shared that sentiment."

Ryder starts picking at his fingernails. "I know Levi seems a little rough around the edges but he's good at what he does. You can trust him. I think he even likes you."

Levi. So that's his name. It suits him.

"He doesn't act like he likes me." I huff.

Ryder stands. "Trust me, it could be a lot worse for you here. You made the right choice to cooperate." He walks over to the door. "Sleep well, Eren."

I nod and set up my makeshift bed. "I'll try."

-

The next morning I wake up feeling much better after sleeping free of the straight jacket. Today's the day I finally get to meet the other patients. Anticipation and anxiety bloom in my chest and I nudge the Ryder summoning button with my toe so I can start getting ready.

We have a morning routine by now, I call him and he takes me to the bathroom and the showers in handcuffs. Unlike Dr. Ackerman, Ryder isn't a creep, so he turns away while I shower, only glancing over occasionally to make sure I'm still okay.

After emptying my bladder, showering, and brushing my teeth, I'm handed my new personalized gown to change into.

"Came in this morning." Ryder smiles. "Just in time for your big day."

I pull it on and Ryder leads me back to my room. He uncuffs me and reshakles my ankles after putting some cream on my wounds. He says it'll help them heal faster so I let him use it.

"Dr. Ackerman will come get you when it's time." Ryder informs me. I nod and he leaves, locking the door behind him. I lean against the wall and fiddle with the shackles. They are long enough to where I can walk freely around about half the room so I don't feel completely confined. Having my arms free makes the world of a difference to the point where I barely even notice I'm still restrained.

I lie down on my back and lift my legs into the air, placing them against the wall while I wait. I tap absentmindedly against my stomach and stare at the door.

I hope I make a good impression. It will really suck if everyone hates me. Nobody in the outside world really gave me a chance, but here...here they might be able to understand.

I here the door click and flip back over so that I'm sitting upright.

Dr. Ackerman enters and sits down in front of me, handing me a hairbrush. "Fix your hair and we'll be leaving shortly."