The Clinic

Earth's Fall- Day 7567- 1:18PM- The Shed, Mayskeep, Tundra, North Wing.

"Cophium Meetegen?" Robert asked to clarify what Jean Parker had just said. He leaned over the table, opposite Jean, beckoning him to repeat it.

"Yes, Meetegen. You heard me right," Jean said with a stark face as he glared over the large blueprint on the table. 

"And you're sure it will do everythin' you think it can do?" Robert asked, folding his arms dramatically. 

"Yes, and more. It is a wonderful element."

"I believe so, then," Robert said, taking a look at the draft on the blueprint. They were in the same dark basement in the Shade at Mayskeep, under the same bright white light. 

"You think He will fund it?" Jean asked with hope in his eyes.

"Of course! Why not?" Robert boomed with certainty. "This is a world changing project. He'll surely do the best he can."

There was silence as Jean remained seated, watching Robert take multiple looks at the paperwork. 

"And my son? Have you found him yet?" Jean asked all of a sudden.

Robert looked up at him and smiled. "Your son is mighty good at hiding, my man. But don't sweat it, we'll track him down, no problemo."

Jean tried to protest but Robert assured once again, "We will find him."

∞

The next morning, Loras woke everyone up with loud knocks on their doors. Levi was startled to find himself still deep in slumber, even after what transpired the previous night.

Loras gathered them up from their rooms and back into the little golf cart vehicle, with no words spoken from anyone. Levi tried to notice any change with Abby, but her facial expressions conveyed that things were cool.

They arrived at the clinic, and this time, Levi could see the building clearly as it was daytime. From the outside, the building appeared to be constructed entirely of glass, with perpendicular white walls that added complexity to its shape. 

There was a long ramp like a hallway, shielded in yet the same glass walls. It connected from the clinic to the main building. That must've been where he and The Dean were walking on for such a long time.

Loras led them into the clinic, holding the files he had given them earlier in his arms. He had instructed them not to unzip the souvenir bags until after the med test. Levi noticed Nate keeping a protective arm around Jamie, who kept glancing at him from time to time. 

The interior of the clinic was quiet. Levi was expecting a bustling room filled with doctors and nurses rushing around, but it was surprisingly quiet. As expected, it was security tight. Loras cleared them off with a few turns and body checks, before they had to pass under a scanner, operating with Meetegen. 

The team walked through many white rooms, with numerous medical equipment scattered around and excessive security. The academics, excluding Nate and Jamie, walked in a straight line behind Loras, still dressed in their night clothes. The place was extremely quiet, with the only sounds coming from their footwear and Paige's gum chewing. 

Levi started to recognize the hallways they walked in, and he sensed the main clinic room was close. The red haired doctor! Shoot. He forgot about her. He secretly hoped she was the one they were going to meet.

Loras stopped, and turned to a brown door to the left. He motioned for the team to stay put, before he entered the room. 

With the abrupt loneliness dawned on them, they suddenly remembered their beefs. Nate turned his head backward to face Levi. "How did you sleep, punk?" He asked. 

Levi didn't answer, he just looked at Nate. He could see Jamie staring at himself, even though his eyeballs were focused on Nate. Brody threw a supportive arm around Levi to back him up. 

From their current positions, Levi could discern who was on which side. He, Brody, and Abby faced Nate, Jamie, and Paige, with Box, as usual, beside them, unbothered. Levi wondered if he could speak. 

The door swung open and Loras stuck his head out. "Alright!" He called to Abby, Box, and Brody, "Y'all three first." Abby glanced up at Levi for a moment before stepping into the room with Box. Brody followed, giving Levi's arm a friendly pat. "Rest of y'all can have a seat on that there bench," Loras said, gesturing towards a steel waiting bench nonchalantly leaning against the wall across from the door.

Nate, Jamie, and Paige sat on the bench, Levi stood for a while. Why did his backup have to leave so sudden? He let out a silent sigh and took a seat next to Paige, who was still chewing loudly. She shot him a disapproving look before shifting slightly away from him.

Silence.

"How did everyone sleep?" Levi could hear Jamie ask, her voice sounding weary. 

No one really answered. 

"I didn't sleep too well," Jamie continued, yawning. Levi found it surprising how she rested her head between Nate's neck and his extended arm on the bench. If Jamie and this Nate guy were really something, then that's a loss for him. 

Paige kept blowing her bubbles with her arms folded and her legs crossed. She was wearing a petite T-shirt and baggy trousers. Levi could tell that she looked very young, probably 15 or so. 

After a long time of waiting, Loras opened the door with his head out again. "D 'n P?" He called out. 

The two academics looked up with sleepy eyes. Paige had already dozed off, her arms still folded. Levi couldn't tell about Nate because Paige was sitting between him and the other two. 

Paige reluctantly got up and scratched her dyed hair, while Nate took his time, with an inquisitive look as to why he and Paige were called at the same time. He definitely didn't want to leave Jamie with the new cuckoo. 

Paige turned to meet Levi before entering the room. She gave a mischievous smile, and Levi could now see her facial features more clearly. She stuck the tip of her index finger and thumb into her mouth and pulled out the gum she was chewing. She then rolled it up and tossed it at Levi, and it landed on his belly. "Do me a favour and hold that."

Nate got up and arranged himself too, skimming Levi and Jamie quickly. "I'll see you then," he said to Jamie. 

"Yeah," she replied.

He took another long glance at them before entering and shutting the door. 

Levi felt a shift in the atmosphere. He sat there, timidly keeping his legs together and staring straight ahead. From the corner of his eye, he noticed her adjusting her hair strands as she glanced towards him. 

"Hey," she said.

Levi turned his head timidly and slowly, "Hi- he- hey," he muttered with a shaky smile.

Jamie scooted next to him, and Levi immediately squashed his body together in self-awareness. He heard her let out an impressed chuckle, saying, "For real, it's been a while and you've really changed."