Chapter 6

The following week went by quietly and without much trouble. Jack /had/ said that eventually, the time would come where the researchers would tire of me and move on. I just didn't think it would happen so quickly. It only took one night to finish reading the horror-mystery, so Steve brought me two more this time. By the next day, I'd finished those, too.

"Wow, you read pretty fast."

I glanced over. Having been reading, I didn't even notice the young man entering.

"Yeah... books are my weakness," I snorted. "Give me a minute? I'm on the last page."

"Of course, of course," he said, taking a seat across from me.

Once I was finished, I set the book on the table.

"So, what did ya think?" he inquired, clearly excited.

"It was good," I answered. "Maybe a little played when it came to the reason behind the murders."

"True," he agreed with a sigh. "But it worked. What'd you think of the grandmother?"

A shudder was all the answer he needed to send him laughing.

"I was suspicious of her in the beginning, but oh my god..." I shuddered once again, settling back in my chair.

I glanced over the young researcher, deep in thought. He had a life before all this and I had to wonder about it.

"Oh, I brought you another book since you hoovered the other two. Its a lot thicker," he piped up after getting over his fit.

He set it on the table, but paused, apparently noticing something.

"W-what...? Why are you staring?" he sputtered.

"Oh... sorry," I mumbled, letting my gaze dance around the room while I tried to figure out what I wanted to say before landing on him again. "I just... why're you here?"

He didn't seem any less surprised and took a moment to ponder the question, being a vague one.

"Why not?"

Now it was my turn to take a pause, but then I laughed. Touche.

"If you're asking why I'm at the Foundation." he snickered, "I was recruited out of college."

"Impressive? Or desperate?" I teased, crossing one leg over the other.

"Oh god, I hope they were impressed with my scores," he responded, suddenly looking mortified. I didn't think of the desperate part..."

I only shook my head, glancing up as a group of guards walked by my open door. Not a one turned their head to check on us.

"What about your family?"

Steve shrugged, for the first time looking somewhat somber, gaze lowered to his hands that fidgeted nervously with his lab coat. I personally didn't like talking about my own family, so I hoped I hadn't pushed my luck.

"Parents?" I inquired softly.

"Car crash," he mumbled, shrugging again. "While I was in college."

"I'm sorry," I murmured.

"Nah, I don't... I don't really understand condolences... I just never did," he snorted. "Thanks though."

The topic of dead parents... It was a harsh thing and I couldn't believe I was the one to bring it up. A lofty silence weighed over as I mindlessly thumbed through the new ook. Of course, I didn't actually retain anything, I just wanted to occupy my hands. I finally glanced up and met Steve's gaze. A big mistake. I felt a big twinge in my heart and let out a sigh.

"You never told anyone why exactly you came here," Steve pointed out slowly, watching me carefully.

"Yeah..." I mumbled with an uncomfortable shift in my chair, casting my gaze to the side. "It's hard to talk about."

"I don't think it'd be an easy topic for any scp. So many of you guys come in off the basis of death," he responded without missing a beat. "I don't think anyone here could or would judge you."

I finally met his gaze, which was gentle and reassuring. I cleared the block from my throat, happy there was at least one researcher not pressuring me for my entire life story.

"Thanks, Steve... but I might need to save that story for another day. The memory is too fresh," I replied lowly, offering an awkward smile.

"It's no problem, Bael," he said with a wide, almost goofy smile.

I couldn't help myself.

"So, Steve... I never got to question anyone about gossip in high school," I started, leaning back in my chair casually. "Who's the prettiest girl on campus?"

The question clearly caught him off guard, pale face warming up visibly.

"I-I don't really have the t-time to uh pay too much attention to- ugh why that question of all questions..." he playfully whined, covering his face.

I laughed, a hand moving to my belly. This was the kind of thing I missed out on in my youth: someone to comfortably play with..

"Its the juiciest gossip," I snickered, pushing some hair from my face once my fit subsided. "There has to be someone you're interested in!"

"Well /yeah/, but it-I- the cameras on," he hissed in a whisper.

"Oh my word, do you really think whoever is in there cares? They can't even hear us, remember?" I teased.

"Okay, okay, good point..." he breathed, trying to calm his face. "I... one of the researchers on your team is..."

"Wait, on my team? If you're talking about that Celia chick," I grumbled.

"Oh, no, no, no," he quickly reassured me. "No way," he shuddered. "She scares me."

"Eh... she's just annoying," I murmured. "You were saying?"

"Hh, right... She... not Celia, but uh... her name is Francesca," he finally came out bashfully, playing with his SCP ID card, face locked down.

"That's a pretty name," I commented encouragingly with a playful nudge to his foot.

"Yeah, it really is," he gushed. "She's kind, but can handle herself against troublesome SCPs," he added. "She's constantly impressing me around every corner."

"Do you think she likes you?"

"As a friend, yeah," he sighed. "I think a lot of people around here only see me as an annoying kid because I still get excited about nerdy things," he murmured. "In this kind of place its such a disadvantage to only be seen as young..."

"Well, you are kinda young," I pointed out. "But you can't help that. The Foundation chose you for your obvious capabilities," I added, reaching over and patting his knee. "You clearly have something good in you."

The young researcher looked up with an appreciative smile.

"You're too good to me."

"True," I admitted, leaning back in my chair. "But maybe I'm just buttering you up for if I decide to escape."

He laughed loudly. "You worked so hard to get here and you wanna leave now?" he snorted.

"Who knows! This place..." I didn't mean to turn so somber suddenly. "I'm getting the feeling its dirtier than I thought."

After a small silence, Steve responded with a very small, soft voice.

"I heard what happened with 9..."

"I'm not surprised," I snorted. "I don't know... maybe it /was/ all... fake."

"Just because it was a night terror doesn't mean it wasn't real," Steve interjected quickly. "Don't doubt yourself."

Something in his voice made me pause, but then Jack slipped into the room.

"You're needed in Research Room 42C," he informed the young man.

"Ah... all right," he said, standing and adjusting his lab coat. "I can't wait to hear what you think of the book," he added happily, before offering a wave and slipping out.

"He sure did leave in a hurry," I grumbled, stretching my legs out.

"Newer researchers don't actually get called to the Research Rooms often," Jack responded. "They usually do the grunt work of sitting and watching SCPs all day. No offense."

I playfully rolled my eyes. I guess it would get boring watching someone like me all day. I had to wonder if he was also on the new SCP team. Lucky bastard.

"You guys are pretty chummy," the guard commented, taking the seat at the table. "It's good to get along with your team."

"Yeah... he's a good guy," I agreed. "I still haven't meant two of them."

"Right. Doctor Francesca and Doctor Daniel," he confirmed. "I know Henry seems like an ass, but its better than having someone nuts like Dr. Clef," he snorted. "He's apparently making Hugh's life hell right now with his crazy experiments."

"Poor Hugh... Have you had much time with him?"

"No," he fake sobbed. "But this just happens sometimes... Sometimes all I get when I sleep is a shirt he wore the day before."

"Does that... help you feel better?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Helps me sleep better, honey," he laughed. "Something about it makes me feel safe."

I glanced over the muscular, tall man and had to take his word for it. I lowered my gaze somewhat. I had to wonder if I'd ever experience the same level of devotion as Hugh and Jack.

"It'll all be okay," Jack said suddenly. "I also got you something to tide you over until dinner."

"After digging around through various pockets on his tactical vest, he pulled out a dark chocolate granola bar and I gratefully accepted it.

"Thanks," I responded with a smile. "You've been a great help."

"I do my best," he laughed. "I get to see Hugh for a little bit on shift change," he added in a sing-song voice. "Since he's with you tonight."

A wave of relief washed over me. I was definitely still struggling with the whole 9 experience, but having one more night to think it over was better than nothing. Plus, what Steve said... maybe it was dangerous to ask him about it, but if there was a chance its real, I need to know. Jack stood and adjusted his gun.

"One day at a time."

Three nights later and I woke up, disoriented with a mile headache. How long had I been asleep? I thought I was only going to take a nap, but maybe I actually managed some actual sleep. Legs a little wobbly, I stumbled across my small, dark room to the bathroom, grabbing a drink from the sink. A little bit, but I actually just wanted to fall asleep again. I'm not sure what happened, but being able to sleep so soundly was a relief.

As I was leaving the bathroom, a small noise gave me cause to pause. Oh...

"You've been asleep for so long," came a soft voice from my bed. "I was actually surprised when I came in and you were gone."

It was almost painful how hard my heart was beating. Why? The cot creaked and I heard the familiar noise of muffled boots and I tried to back away only to immediately hit the bathroom door.

"Did you miss me?"

His face was so close to mine that I could feel his breath against the door, body shaking.

"You're not real."

A moment of silence.

"Oh?" he practically purred, putting a hand on the door near my head. "You truly think the good doctor is being truthful?"

I clenched my teeth.

"Shut up... This is just in my head. No way I'd be able to sleep so soundly. You're just a nightmare," I murmured shakily. "Just a nightmare."

I didn't need lights to know how incredibly close he was now. I shut my eyes tight and suddenly the presence was gone. I didn't open my eyes again until I heard him leave and I slumped down to the floor. Please... just wake me up.