The Last Performance (Hybrid Chronicles Spin-off)

Next Steps - Gabriel

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Word count: 1240
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Gabriel

I can't hold my tears in as they run down my cheeks and I sink down to the floor, bringing my knees up to my chest. "Gabriel, it's Dr Holly. Can you please come out of the bathroom and talk to me? I want to help, I'm here to listen." A voice rings out, lightly knocking on the door.

"W-what are you going to do?!" I stammer. "I've already made a couple phone calls. Adult Social Services is aware of your situation, we've found you a legal-aid lawyer and within a few days, there should be some beds open, one reserved for you. Till then, you can stay here with us.

Please come out and talk to me. You ran in here shortly after we brought you outback with us, crying without warning." She begs. "Do you feel stressed? You can tell me what's going on, I'll listen. I won't give you any advice or suggestions if you don't want me too, Mr Gabriel."

I climb to my feet, albeit shaky and slowly unlock the door and she pulls it open on her end, leaning against the door-frame. "That's better, now tell me what's going on." She smiles, handing me a tissue and I lightly dry my eyes.

"I-Is Payton, okay?" I stammer. "Uh, she's unconscious right now. Anxiety, got the best of her..." She trails off.

"Will she wake up again?" I ask, worried. "Definitely, it was just panic, Gabriel." She responds.

"I can't believe she did that..." I choke out. "I know, it's worrying. I've just been filling out documentation and making phone calls for her as well..." She answers.

"So, uh - Her Boss is dead? That young boy who saved her life is dead too?" I ask. She nods, her expression unreadable. "That's awful." I murmur.

"It is and she has very little supports in place too. Sully's public health system has failed her and she has no living family. A public guardian will be appointed till further notice for her." She tells me.

"Well, Crescent-Port is the richer city compared to Sully." I shoot back. I then clutch my hand to my head. "I can't believe she went right down to the Morgue, Holly... That's disturbing. Is she going to suffer flash-backs or something?"

"We don't know, we're not sure how much she saw. If she does though, we'll do our best to support her. A Psychologist is on their way here, but it will take about a day or two due to uh..." She trails off. "Due to what?" I ask.

"Arrive. Martial Law has been declared now Gabriel, only a few minutes ago just as Payton 'kicked off.' The Media just hasn't been informed yet. Local law enforcement is no longer in charge, all exits and entries out of Sully and Crescent-Port have been closed and both government's members are making rounds now. They're looking to sign a kind of treaty between eachother in just a few hours. It will likely be finalized before night-fall even."

"I don't know what to say to this, Holly..."

"Then say nothing. It's okay to be shaken up and uh - Now the Hospital is going to need to review Hospital policy as normally the elevator requires I.D to use it, but we had it disabled as we've had emergencies left right and center between moving people between all sorts of floors and even the morgue it's self. We goofed, this is our fault. I need to file an incident report in addition now as this is considered on us that Payton got hurt per-say."

I nod and she gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Do you want to go back and take a seat in Payton's room? It's the only space open, but she's filling the bed, but a chair is an option. We can't release you now as you've been declared vulnerable and exploited. My manager actually went out to your agent, his."

"Fucking, bat-shit crazy. I know and am well aware of what he can be like."

"Yeah, that... So, if you don't mind me asking, why did you-"

"Why did I put up with it? Why did I stay?"

"Yes, to tell me would be really good, Gabriel. We need as much information as possible so we can better assist you and have your application for help, processed."

"Uh, well- My Parents wanted the best for me from a young age and I strived to please them. I was born into a glitzy world, something Payton has never seen considering she's come from just below or slightly above the poverty line."

"Mmhmm." She responds, jotting this down. "So I stayed swept up in it all and over time, I think I just lost sight of what's really important and who I really am. I like performing on stage, it's fun, I'm passionate about it and the perks like exclusive access to places is fun too, but everything else about is a nightmare. I have to do whatever my manger wants, when he wants.

He doesn't care if I'm tired, sick... And I guess just the way my contract is set up... His he one with the money I've made actually, not me...

I'm his prized golden goose essentially so if he says jump, how high, sir? If I walked out, I'd have nothing. I'd be homeless so I just always told myself I had it too good to walk away from and a million people would die to have the life I'm living, an opportunity others will never even get more than a brief taste of. I'm... Lucky."

"A bird living life in a gilded cage, huh?" She responds. I nod. "Thanks for telling me. How does it feel be to talking about this? As for your contract, I can't comment on that as I'm a doctor, not a lawyer." She chuckles lightly.

"But you have rights and your Agent isn't acting in your best interests. His agency is exploiting you and it's their job also to make sure you're looked after and are well. They have a duty of care which they're bound and obligated too. They've violated that by not supporting you or getting you the help you needed.

I had a dig through your medical file, but it's a massive cover-up in some areas. You never stayed for a full 28 days or longer. You left, well we're removed often in less than a week-"

"It feels good and Holly, I don't want to talk about this anymore now. I'm tired, I just... I just wanted a way out and that was you guys. I've been waiting for a way out somehow like this for years, no one cared when I told and my Agent would get angry anytime I spoke up for myself.

He thought I was being stupid and would tell me to stop talking nonsense-"

"That's okay, I won't push you. Let's leave this for now. Come on, let's get you into Payton's room and we'll keep an eye on her and you over the next few days while we sort out both your situations." She smiles, voice warm and gentle as she guides me down the hallway towards the room, Payton's occupying. I wipe sweat from my forehead while a dull head-ache throbs, likely from stress that I have help now, support.