the green thought

Part 5

Ch 4

Tuesday 4031, Onris

'What the hell was his problem?' I marched off the elevator taking in the commotion around us. A lanky man ran up to us watching the man who just pushed me forward. "Can I help you caseworker?" His voice was grating but the guy from the elevator was worse. "Take care of this brat his amending is on this floor, just make sure someone doesn't kill him before he gets there." The man pursed his lips and grabbed my chin "get off of me!" I growled, his fingers only intensified the stinging. "Did you do this?" His eyes bore into the man, he shrugged again "kid's got a mouth, he needs to learn some manners." The thin man shook his head pinching the bridge of his nose. "Get back to work Dan, your boss can deal with the report tomorrow." Dan's face went beat red as he stalked back to the elevator. "Screw off Hames." I winked at Dan as the doors closed, Hames looked me over when I spun around again.

"do you really need those on?" I frowned giving him a dirty look "who cares? You won't do anything about it." He tilted his head to the side in contemplation "touché, what's your name?" I huffed "its Onris Doriê  Mr. Hames." He looked down on me "you do have quite the mouth on you, don't touch anything and just go sit over there. someone will call you when the room's free." He strode past me, "thanks" I mumbled plopping into a seat. The girl from the elevator avoided looking in my direction. I felt horrible about scaring her but if I move I'd probably fall out of Hames good graces- something told me that would be worse than the elevator. A clock ticked noisily about my head, it was around eight I think. After speaking with him for a minute she walked slowly over, sitting two seats away from me.

That same feeling of guilt filled my chest I leaned over a little keeping my voice low "I'm really sorry about the elevator. Are you okay?" She just stared at me blankly, it was weird how long it took her to answer. Her voice was so small "I'm fine that guy was nuts." I chuckled in disbelief, the noise seemed to startle her but she let out a laugh. "Yeah probably has a few screws loose." She nodded in agreement. I bite my cheek waiting for her to say something but she just watched everyone hustling by. "What's your name?" She slowly pulled her attention back to me keeping one eye on reception. "Emerly, why?" I smiled as she slid a seat closer "Emerly have you ever been here before?" She straightened, tucking her hair behind her ears. "no but I know the woman that runs this floor, Mrs. Keller, why?" I matched her posture.

"Just wondering, I've never amended before. I have no idea what they do on this floor." She was gripping her knees so tightly her knuckles looked translucent. Now that I got a better look at her she was very pale her cheeks were blotchy and red, her dark greasy hair and grey uniform made her look ghostly. She finally met my gaze, her expression hollow "blood, that's all they do here." She bowed her head letting tears fall on her lap. I reached out to comfort her but one hand pulled the other with it. Awkwardly I put one hand on her shoulder the other dangling limping. She whipped at her face exhaling in sputters "do the marrow, no matter what anyone says don't let them take nutrients, tell them to take the marrow."

Before I could question her my name was called through the intercom. We stood, her head was held high as she marched forward, her determination looked to be the only thing that kept her from openly weeping. She must have lost someone here, these kinds of debt collectors were infamous for their cruelty and absent bedside manner. A chill ran down my spine, at least I'm not alone. A nurse led us through countless work stations, some were empty proudly displaying shinny rows of surgical tools. Next to each open bed was a bar cart full of empty files. Others had thin blue Hospital curtains drawn. The chatter only grew as we walked, some shouted, some cried but I couldn't see a single face making all the noise. The nurse stopped at an actual door- P.R. 14.

"She'll be right with you both shortly." I hopped up on the exam table as she took the small chair beside me. "So Emerly, why are you here? I'm not complaining just confused." She tried to smile, wringing her hands together. "Mrs. Keller got me this job, I'm being promoted today. I just wanted to thank her." I nodded "makes sense, can I ask a favor?" She pulled at her bangs "sure what is it?" I squirmed letting go of a ragged breath "could you...stay, just for a while..." she stood up grabbing my hands, she smiled warmly "of course I can, I can't imagine being here alone. Before I forget what's your name?" I relaxed and extended both hands. "Onris Doriê, but everyone calls me On." She shook both hands giggling. "I like it, nice to meet you On."