Run For Your Life

Groundbreaking

Song: Forbidden Fruit by Hallway Swimmers

June 8

Every person had been to the lab by now, some more than others. They especially like Sydney, considering her power is more complex than the others, as is her headspace. As much as she hates it, there's not much of a choice in the matter. Luckily for Eddie and Richie, they are almost completely simple. Far from normal, but easy to read. Lack of empathy and an abnormal emotional range. The two have almost no worries and care for very little. They both tend to live life without thinking of the consequences. There is no deep dark emotional drive. Both Richie and Eddie are simply not complicated.

It's what makes them so compatible. While others might think before they speak, the two tend to do whatever without care. The two love each other's company because neither ever get mad at the other for doing something too outrageous. Their friends might shake their heads at the two's lack of morals and take what I want when I want it attitude, but to them it's normal. Really it's all they know. Which, again, is why they are so simple.

They don't feel guilt, and hardly any anger. At least anymore. Sadness only consumes the boys from time to time. There's nothing to look into because they are only capable of feeling so much. And what they feel, and like to feel, is the fun and excitement and overall rush of life. Which is why they are both so in tune with their powers. It's because they are so in tune with themselves, whereas Stanley Uris and Sydney Novak are not.

Those two are practically ticking time bombs waiting to go off. Each are filled with worry and anxiety and so so so many mood swings. Both constantly questioning the way of life and things, never really knowing what they are capable of. It's almost as if they care too much, unlike Richie and Eddie, who don't care at all.

Unless it's about each other. The two very much like each other, that much is obvious. They are practically inseparable. Richie has loved the boy since day one, and Eddie feels an undeniable connection towards the other.

It's one of the many free times, meaning they walk side by side, hand in hand. Just as always. They share glances and smiles and childhood stories. The two talk about their favorite animals and movies, even if they'd already talked about those things many times before. Not that Eddie remembers they've had those conversations. His memory isn't exactly up to par.

"I'm glad Stanley and Bill found each other. They seem happy. Actually, everyone seems happy. Doesn't it feel like everyone is pairing up?" Eddie looks ahead, eyes training in on Stanley Uris, who is walking beside his brother. Bill had been taken back to the lab quite some time ago.

"Yeah, makes you wonder if we shouldn't pair up, huh?" Richie usually doesn't get embarrassed, but his cheeks are really starting to heat up.

"Really? My mom always said boys who likes boys are icky." Eddie furrows his brows, though he'd be lying if he said he's never thought about it.

Richie stays silent, wishing he could teleport away from here. Again, he never gets uncomfortable or embarrassed, but now is different. The small boy makes him vulnerable.

After a moment of silence, Eddie speaks again. His lips turnt upwards and cheeks a tint of red. "But then again I've done a lot of icky things."

Eddie doesn't really care about all that stuff. Who is he to decipher what's icky and not? What is right and what is wrong? It's far too complicated and not something he wants to spend his time on. So instead of thinking on the matter, he simply pecks Richie's cheek and continues their walk.

Bill is not having as pleasant of a time as he's pricked and prodded. The man tries his best to stay still, but it's hard when there are constant new sensations and remedies. It's never ending and completely uncomfortable. Not to mention downright annoying. The questions are endless too. How does this feel or can you move your fingers? Fucking ridiculous.

It's obvious these people aren't any closer to figuring out what the hell is wrong with them, but they might be on to a few things. When they think Bill isn't paying any mind, they speak of things. Little do the doctors know that's when Bill is paying the most attention.

They talk of cells and added cells and even deformed tissue? Bill is in no way a scientist, therefor he has no clue what any of this means. Though he wants to find out. Especially right now, while he listens to them drone on about the same boring things. Except this time they sound a bit more confused, perhaps even enthusiastic. As if they've just made a mind boggling discovery. Bill can't tell if that's good or bad.

"Do you see that, right there?" Bill wants to look, but he can't. They can't know he's paying attention.

"What do you mean? It's just normal brain activity-..." The woman stops, clearly connecting whatever dots.

"It looks almost like-..."

"A tumor, right? But it's not. It's the exact same mark as that one boy."

"Uris."

"Precisely. At first we thought the same thing and immediately took him in for more testing, spending all time and energy on that small pea. Though what we found was unlike any substance we've ever found on this earth. Or anywhere else, for that matter."

"Ma'am, this is groundbreaking material. If we've actually found a way to connect two of them together, imagine what else we can find? We've got to start laparoscopic operations on each subject."

"That could be very expensive. Do we want to begin such a process when this is barely anything to go on?"

"Actually, we've found more unnatural activity in quite a few of them. It's just that none have been quite so identical."

"Who else?"

"West, Barber, Johnson, Martin, and Novak."

"There's been no signs in Sydney Novak so far-..."

"No, not her. Mark."

"Mark Novak?"

"Yes. We just never had the equipment back then to study more into one small case."

"Well have you sent samples to pathology?"

"Not yet, but we are working on it-..."

"I suggest you do so before I see you next. Now wrap this up, we are an hour behind schedule. And I don't exactly like being off schedule."

"But Dr. Reynolds, this could be huge!"

"Key word could. Only seven subjects out of hundreds? We'll do it another time, yes? For now test what you actually have. Murphy's time was an hour ago."

Everyone goes quiet now. There's nothing to focus on except the pitter pattering of shoes. It's frustrating, really. Bill has no idea what any of this means. Is there a reason him and Stanley have an identical mark in each of their brains? Substance beyond this world and our understanding? Is this really groundbreaking or just a coincidence? As much as Bill wants to know, he also doesn't want their hands of such information. Are they about to find out what is going on?

And more importantly are they ready to find out?