The kid groaned as he came around. His back was stiff, his mouth dry, his eyelids heavy, and his nose itched. He raised his hand to scratch his nose when his wrists tugged against the straps. Stuck! Panic shot through him as he tugged at the straps and looked around. The room hadn't changed, but there were far more tubes sticking out of him than he remembered. He craned his neck as far as he could to look at his leg. The vital monitors began to beep as his heartrate increased.
Moments later, Viktor entered the room. He strode over to the kid and looked down at him.
"You are finally awake," he said.
At the sight of Viktor, the kid calmed.
"Yes, I am," he said, "can you please untie me, I could really use a stretch."
"I will unstrap you, but I would not recommend more than sitting up. Your body is weak from being asleep for three days," Viktor said.
"Three days?"
"You were exceedingly weak after the surgery. I allowed it rest and it has been healing at a steady rate."
"Can I see it?"
Viktor nodded and removed the straps on the kid's wrists. He grabbed the kid's arm and helped him to sit up so he wouldn't disturb the IVs he was hooked up to. The kid's eyes grew wide as he looked down at the sock around his stump. He was silent for a minute.
"So it's really gone then," he finally said.
"Removed and properly incinerated," Viktor answered.
The kid reached down to touch it but Viktor grabbed his wrist.
"Do not touch it," Viktor ordered, "It still needs time to heal. If you do anything with it today it will be light stretching and only under my supervision. Fail to comply and I will strap you down again. Is that clear?"
"Yes. Crystal."
The kid's stomach growled.
"You have been fed intravenously the last few days," Viktor said, "I will fetch you food. Do not touch your tubes."
"Thank you."
Viktor left without a response. He returned minutes later flanked by his automatons. One carried a shirt as plain and sterile as the room and the other carried a hot bowel of soup. Viktor pushed the tray table to rest over the kid's lap before sitting down in a chair and opening a well-worn journal.
"Your stomach isn't strong enough for solid food." Viktor explained as he motioned for the automaton to give him the soup," Eat slowly, and while you eat you will answer my questions."
The kid nodded as he tore into his food uncaring of how it scalded his tongue.
"I have recorded most of your vital information; sex, height, weight, blood type. What is your age?" Viktor asked.
"Sixteen."
"How long had you been living on the streets?"
"A year."
"Your face shows signs of Shimmer. When was your last exposure and have you been using other narcotics?"
"I haven't been able to afford food, never mind Shimmer. I only ever did Shimmer and it's been weeks since I've used it."
"Can you be more specific?"
"I don't know, seven weeks I think."
"Are you carrying any diseases?"
"What? No, none."
"Are you allergic to anything?"
"Sunflower seeds, but that's it."
"Outside of what I have treated, are there other injuries that may hamper your ability to accept a prosthetic?"
"None that I know of."
"That answer will have to suffice. Lastly, is there any other medical condition you have that I should know about?"
"No."
Viktor finished his writing, closed his journal, and turned to leave.
"I will return later," he said, "if your need is dire, you may send the automatons to find me."
"Wait, that's it? That's all the information you consider vital?" the kid asked.
"Is there other information you deem vital for your success?"
"My name, perhaps?"
"Your name is irrelevant. Your designation in my notes is N-12."
"N-12? That's just a letter and number, it's not the same as a name."
"Correct. Names can be shared by individuals, while you are the only, and will be the only, N-12 in my records. If you have any important information, speak now, I have other matters to attend to."
"It's Ren, by the way. Renatus."
"Eat and rest, N-12. I shall return later."
Ren said nothing and Viktor departed.