chapter 6
"It's been a few weeks, yet they've been tested on so many times already," Evelyn whispers to Marcus. Lucas and Naomi are being tested on. The group of 4 are in Azreal's room. It's not like the others. It's as if they went to a small building on a military base. Bunkbeds line each wall in one room, while there are bathrooms and other necessities in another room.
"I just think it's better to take this at a faster rate, see how they change, if it's good, then move on to the next test. I mean, we can save lives here you know?" Marcus reminds Evelyn.
"I know, but how many tests until Iris's eye fully goes rainbow? Or how many tests until Azreal's eyes turn gray?" she asks quietly, worry growing on her face.
"Look, it'll be fine. If it's for the better good, they'll be taken care of," Marcus reassures Evelyn. The two hug tightly. They start talking about friends and family, the people they know outside of this hospital.
Azreal is looking around his room. He finds his friend's dog tag on one of the bunk beds and sits down on it. Iris notices and walks over to him, sitting beside him on the bunk bed. "You know, I fought in a couple of wars," Azreal says softly, his gaze focused on his friend's dog tag.
"What happened after that?" Iris asks quietly, trying to match his tone.
"Well, he died. So did most of my other friends too," Azreal says slowly, emotions finding their way into his voice. Iris gasps, her eyes shimmering before returning to their calm state.
"I'm sorry to hear that, it must've taken a toll on you," Iris whispers. Azreal starts to move the dog tag between his fingers.
"Strange thing is it didn't take any toll on me mentally. There was a trap on a door my friend walked into, he lost his legs instantly. Then my friends were shot down by a group of hidden soldiers. I don't remember how I survived, but I remember being brought into a hospital, then being discharged from the army because they thought I would've gone psycho," Azreal rants. He doesn't usually tell people his story, but he feels close to the other three patients here.
"How didn't you go crazy from that?" Iris asks, her interest focused on Azreal.
"Must be a miracle, but they say I have strong resilience," he admits. Iris wraps her arms around him, hoping it helps him.
"So, what's your story?" Azreal asks. He looks at Iris, waiting for a response. She lets go of Azreal, takes a deep breath, and sighs.
"Not as dark as yours, but I just grew up in a bad household. I couldn't let my emotions out, so I went to draw them out. One day, I accidentally left my sketchbook at school, and when the teacher found it, she reported it to the school," Iris says softly. A tear falls down her cheek, not out of sadness, but because she's far away from them now.
"So that's what had you taken into a mental hospital," Azreal thinks aloud.
"Apparently," Iris says shortly.
"What was inside the sketchbook?" Azreal asks.
"Just drawings of the abuse, pill bottles, me dying. Things like that, but there were lots of good happy paintings too," Iris says slowly. She remembers each drawing, but she wanted to make it sound not as terrible as it was.
"So, we're both in the same boat huh?" Azreal light-heartedly jokes. They both laugh.
The intercom chimes on, then comes the official's voice, "Azreal and Iris, come down to the testing rooms. Marcus and Evelyn, come down to the recovery room to pick up Lucas and Naomi." The intercom goes silent when he finishes.
"Guess it's our turn to go more insane!" Iris says sarcastically. Azreal smiles and shakes his head as they walk out of his activity room. Evelyn and Marcus are walking behind them.
"See you later," Evelyn says. "We'll be here for you later when your tests are done."
"See you later," Azreal and Iris say synchronized. Iris walks into the recovery room and hugs Naomi before entering the testing room with Azreal. The official was standing at the doorway waiting for them.
"This shouldn't take long," he says, trying to reassure them. The doors close behind them and they go into the lab, just like the first and second time.
"Well, it's late, but how are you all?" Marcus asks. They sit in Lucas's room because it has comfortable sofas. It's also an hour from 11, so they don't have much else to do.
"I'm doing fine," Azreal says, his voice monotone. He's writing in a small leather journal of his. He no longer has blue eyes, just dim, gray eyes take their spot.
"I don't feel too bad, just overwhelmed," Lucas says. He can feel the emotions of the people around him, but it comes with the feeling of emotional burnout. He wants to help everyone and take their pain away, but he's a bit fearful of what will happen.
"I should be able to take off my blindfold, right?" Iris asks. Her eyes were covered by a thicker white blindfold this time.
"Yes, I'll help take it off," Evelyn offers. Before she could even move, Naomi had already removed the blindfold. Iris's eyes are still shut.
"I don't feel much change," Naomi lies. She sits back down next to Iris and holds her hand in her lap. She taps Iris's hand, letting her know it's safe to open her eyes again. Iris hesitates, but she opens them. The outer edges are black, but her eyes hold the colors of the rainbow.
"Those eyes are beautiful," Evelyn compliments. The group stares into her eyes, mesmerized by the colors slowly moving around.
"Who is that next to you?" Iris asks. She points in between Marcus and Evelyn. They look to where she's pointing, and to nobody's surprise, they see nothing.
"There's nothing there, Iris," Naomi tells her. But she keeps staring between them.
"If you say so, but I see something I drew before," Iris says, slightly worried. The group looks at each other and then back between Marcus and Evelyn.
"What do you see?" Marcus asks. Iris's gaze is broken. She goes quiet, for there is a knot in her throat.
"Never mind," she mumbles. "Just tired." Naomi stands up and walks over to the door.
"Goodnight Evelyn and Marcus," she says. Naomi motions for Iris to come with her.
"Goodnight," Evelyn and Marcus both say. Lucas follows them out of the room, dragging his feet along the ground.
"Come on Azreal," he says. His voice makes it clear that he's burnt out. Azreal stands up and follows Lucas as if he were following orders.
"I'm worried about them Marcus, I feel like we should not let them be tested anymore," Evelyn whispers as she looks into Marcus's eyes.
"It's fine. Remember, this is our job, they'll be okay," Marcus says coldly. Fame and money enter his mind.
"But is it worth sacrificing them for it?" Evelyn questions as they stand up and walk to the door.
"Evelyn, they will heal, this is probably just a one-night thing anyways," Marcus answers, trying to reassure Evelyn again. Evelyn sighs.
"Fine, but one more week. If nothing changes, I'm gathering evidence and showing it to the cops," Evelyn says sternly.
"Fine," Marcus whispers. The two walk out the door and to their room.