Frobisher

Part 8

When Alex finally woke up again, she was lying in a room almost identical to the one she and Eddie stayed in for most of the year. The only difference was there were no tables in the centre, and the door was wide open. She sat up groggily, still aching but feeling better than last time she woke. She waited until her head stopped spinning before making her way to the door. Outside was exactly what she wanted. A large rectangular common room opened up in front of her. There was a large round table in the centre, surrounded by chairs, and a few couches arranged in a circle around a coffee table. But the most amazing thing was the window. It took up all of the left-hand wall, opening up onto acres and acres of fields bordered by trees and bushes. She never realised how much she missed outside, or how this was the first time she'd seen the sky in months. It almost took her breath away.

She then noticed the people in the room. Toby and Gracie sat at the main table, flicking through a picture book and Eddie, Aaron and Dara were lounging at the couches, laughing and joking. It was a nice sight to see. For the first time, Alex saw Eddie laughing with worry in his eyes. Before no matter what happened, he was always plagued by the anxiety and worry here, but now he seemed carefree. She leaned against the door frame in case she collapsed as she could feel her knees threatening to buckle just as Eddie noticed her.

"Alex!" he said, pushing himself up off the couch. "They said you'd be out for an hour."

"That was an hour ago," Toby called out, before smiling at Alex and returning to Gracie.

Eddie looked sheepishly. "Sorry," he mumbled walking over to her. He gingerly hugged her and she returned his embrace, despite it hurting, it was nice. "You really pulled some strings," he said, his impish grin returning. "You even got a window."

"I never even realised how much I missed it," she answered honestly and Eddie helped her into one of the chairs by the window, sitting beside her.

"Neither did I. It's been almost a decade since I saw the sun. I'd almost forgotten what it looked like." He chuckled. "You should've seen Gracie. She just sat on the floor in front of the glass for the good part of thirty minutes staring and asking what things were. She's never even seen a dandelion before. It's crazy. But thanks to you, we all can."

He leaned over and pecked her on the cheek. She blushed, but their moment was interrupted when Aaron called across the room; "Hey! I see you. If you want to be within three feet of my baby sister you have to go through me first!"

Alex turned, eyebrow arched. "When we were kids, you were the one who kept tryna set me up with that kid Owen from next door."

"He had gained my approval. Unlike Mr PacMan here. I've only known you like three hours so."

Eddie helped Alex over to the couches, sitting her beside himself and opposite Aaron and Dara. "Actually," he replied matter of factly, "you met me the first day I came here almost ten years ago."

Aaron stared intently at his face. "Nope, no idea who you are."

"When I was first brought here I was only like eight and Eliza brought me to see Edward. You were sitting in the corner in your uniform reading a book and when I was brought in in cuffs you full-on went at him and he reminded you about some 'deal'. You then threatened to throttle him, followed by threatening to burn him into a chicken nugget if not for 'this', pointing at the metal thing behind your ear. You then stormed out with Eliza trailing after you."

Aaron thought for a moment before smiling. "I remember that! I was so annoyed at him that I punched him later that evening. I ended up grounded but," he said joyfully.

Alex looked between them. "You threatened to turn dad into a chicken nugget?"

Aaron looked offended. "Of course not. I threatened to burn him into a chicken nugget."

Dara glanced between the trio. "Well, you're all weird so I'm going to check on Arlo."

He hopped off the couch, disappearing into another room. 

"What's up with Arlo?" Alex asked, concerned. Eddie just grinned back.

"He didn't get powers from the enhancement, but for some reason, there is like residual energy or something and now his left-hand keeps spasming uncontrollably."

Alex smiled at that. It was nothing that would be a problem but it is pretty funny to imagine Arlo just sitting there while his hand started shaking for no apparent reason. Aaron reached to the shelf under the table and revealed a brand new deck of cards. He opened the box and poured out the deck. 

"Anyone down for a game of bull?" he asked, shuffling the cards.

Eddie blinked. "What's that?"

Alex smiled at him, "We'll teach you."

They stayed at the table, playing cards and talking and laughing for hours until the main door opened. Eliza stood in the corridor, glaring at the group in distaste. "Alexandra, you're needed in the labs," she said, before turning and stalking off down the corridor.

"I guess that's me," she said disheartened, placing her cards on the table. She stood and made her way toward the door, glancing back with a reassuring smile before hurrying after Eliza.

She rushed through the snaking corridors, following behind Eliza who could walk surprisingly fast for a short woman in heels and a pencil skirt. They finally reached the labs, a long network of corridors bustling with doctors and Eliza led her to one of the fogged glass doors. She swiped a card across the edge and then handed it to her. "Your access to your lab, and one or two of the main labs. There's a lab coat and ID inside that you are expected to wear at all times when in the science division," Eliza told her before opening the door and allowing Alex to step in. The door swung shut behind her as she glanced around.

It wasn't particularly big by any standards, but it wasn't small either. A ring of cabinets and counters bordered the walls and surrounded a central island. It was empty save a young girl flicking through some papers. She looked up at Alex when she walked in and gave her a reassuring smile. 

"I'm Janey, I'm here to get you up to speed on things," she said kindly, standing up from her stool.

"Umm, thanks," Alex replied, lifting the lab coat from the hook on the wall and slipping it on.

"So is this lab mine?" she asked in awe.

Janey nodded. "So I've got papers describing most of the research that you'll be helping with, but I don't know whether you'll understand or not."

"I did biochemistry for Leaving Cert and I started in University but..."

"So you should understand," she said, beckoning her over. Alex took the seat beside her and pulled over the nearest paper. She opened the first page and began to read.