Shell Shock
Writers:
Denny and Leila
Rating: PG-RG
Warnings: Ratchet/Azimuth. Violence.
Disclaimer: We value our lives too much to even dare think about claiming Ratchet and Alister as our own. We borrow them for an RP, so don't worry. [Put the Wargroks back into your cage!]
Summary: Everyone's nightmare is to wake up in a cold, dark place without a clue where one is. Sadly, that's what's happened to us. What's even better, we have monsters and weird encounters to endure as well. And then there's them…
Lucky, right? If I ever get out of here, I will need some therapy sessions.
Chapter 25
Whispers echoed through corridors as shapeless shadows moved about. Giggles, faint and hidden within inarticulate sounds, chimed from each corner as they hurried to the hall in which they assembled for all sorts of sophisticated exchange. It was the center of their collective mind, in literal as well as metaphorical sense; whenever they reconvened in this place, they believed to discover the finest ideas of entertainment and to unravel their cruelest sides without grave violent disputes. This time, however, they did not expect a peaceful discussion.
A rumor of most peculiar value had reached their minds, promising them delight, thrill and fear alike. It was said that some of the rather simple-minded entities had gathered insolent courage to face the superior with a just as insolent motive in their minds; so insolent in fact that none of the sophisticated fractures of mind believed to see their lesser gifted brethren leave the hall again.
All this was, however, nothing but assumptions, nothing but speculations and nothing but expectations. The possibility that those imprudent entities would be allowed to continue their somewhat miserable existence was still apparent; the chances that their Superior would surpass their imagination and do the unimaginable were just as high as for the opposite - and for this reason, this reason alone they had decided to gather once more in secret to watch and to whisper, to see and to enjoy.
When the last entity entered the room, nothing, not even the slightest giggle, could be heard. Tension, paralyzing yet compelling, stifled any attempts to voice their thoughts. The stage was not theirs, unfortunately so. No, today the stage was the Superior's and the pitiful lesser entities'. And what awful display those miserable creatures formed! They were all hunching, unwilling to offer any sign that the Superior could see as an act of defiance – after all, the goal they were following was dangerous enough on its own.
Unlike them, the Superior sat quietly before them on its throne. Hands folded, head held high, it looked contemptuously at the entities crawling before its feet. How tired it felt! It was drained of energy, drained of zeal, drained of patience; yet it would not succumb to its weak state and give any of those entities a reason to question its superiority.
"What do you want?", it addressed the ones before him, "I have some matters to tend to, so speak your mind before I lose my time and patience."
One of the minor Shapeshifters stepped forward. It was wringing its hands, conscious of this show of anxiety, but dealing this directly with Superior was already a matter of life and death, so showing weakness here didn't matter for once.
"We would like to request more energy to hunt for the Precious. Not from you, your Highness, but from Nefarious."
"More energy, you say?" The superior fracture of mind narrowed its eyes as it lowered its head a little. "More energy to hunt for our Precious you wish to obtain."
That we do, your Highness.The Shapeshifter kept its head bowed. It couldn't hide anything from the Superior so it held its mind wide open for whatever the highest entity wished to see.
"Why would you require more energy for such a terribly simple task?"The creature did not even touch the lesser being's mind.
"We know what our goal is: Either to kill our Precious should he prove too weak for our standards or to be one of us should he prove that he is worthy. We know that we aren't strong enough to be a challenge to him so we have accepted we are about to die - failure is not an option for us." At this, it jerked up its head, hiss dripping with venom as it continued. "But what we can do is make the elder suffer. To show him how wrong he was to believe he could hold our Precious away from us before he is led to his demise. For that goal we need energy."
Silence followed the entity's words. Stifling tension arose within the room, every pair of eyes turned to the Superior in expectation. Even those who deemed themselves worthy to stand beside it held their breaths – nobody dared to interrupt the perfect absence of noise for they knew it was the moment of truth. What would the Superior do? Which path would it choose—
Suddenly bone-shattering cackling echoed in the whole room. It filled every nook, every corner with the cold and contemptuous sound. Mockery accompanied the exhilarated voice, honest delight could be heard; the Superior even had to throw its head back to cackle to its mind's content.
"Delicious," it thought, "Simply delicious! Is this really what you believe? That you, the lowest of our kind, are graced with the honor to kill our Precious? To even kill, no, torture that abomination that accompanies him? What do you think you are?" Laughing so hard it had to wipe its eyes, it stood up and approached the entities. Hearing that lets me believe you see yourself superior to any other entity above you. How delicious is that?"
With the widest grin on its lips it closed in to the lesser entities until it stopped right before them. The exhilarated tone in its voice grew louder and louder. "To think that you see yourself worthy of such a sacrilegious act is so… so… incredibly entertaining, don't you all agree?" Giggling came from the rest of the Shapeshifters, mocking the lower entities mercilessly. The Superior smiled in delight and encouraged the masses to continue. "Yes, it is quite entertaining, isn't it?", it asked with a giggle. "To think that you low creatures would elevate yourselves over us, no, me!"Suddenly incredible pressure forced every guard into silence. From one moment to another the Superior's expression had turned from a delighted smile into a sanguinary grimace.
"Know your place."
A piercing scream filled the hall as the lesser guard was devoured violently.
The rest of the inferiors fell back. Dignity be damned, they didn't want to die like their brethren had at the hands of the Superior by just being close to it. They at least kept from crawling back and away from the entity - given the rest of the Shapeshifters' reactions, however, it was doubtful if anybody would have noticed.
"How dare you imply your position is beyond your superiors?", the entity whispered calmly in thought, "How dare you speak so shamelessly before me?" It took one step towards the intimidated guards with a contemptuous sneer escaping its lips. The spectators edged away even though they knew that they were the mere audience which did not even claim the smallest bit in their leader's mind; for this the Superior found itself far too submerged in its cruel play. "You are not fit to kill them. You are not fit to relish either energy."
One of the Shapeshifters barely kept from its face pulling into a sneer at the Superior's twisting of their words. So that's how it was. The Superior just wanted to show off and find any reason to devour them to replenish its own strained energy reserves.
"You are right, we are not fit to kill them." And we never said that, was added as an unspoken statement.
The entity's gaze fell on the Shapeshifter that had addressed it. "Have you forgotten your part in this game? You are nothing, nothing but decoys. Disposable, replaceable, destructible. All that you are fit to be are means of stalling their escape, to lull them into the illusion of victory. You are to die, to wither, to sacrifice yourselves to redeem the lack of value you possess. If we wanted to seize them now, it would not be you alone who is sent out to hunt them. No, as much as we are beyond any life form's level, you would never be fit to seize them. To kill them, even! How could you believe that this had included you? To even hint at this is disgustingly haughty of you. I thought all of your proud lot had ceased their singular existence already; or have you devoured Pride before it became countable?"
The inferiors stayed silent, knowing that any retort would be just used against them again. The best they could do was blocking out the Superior droning on - it was so lost in its speech, it wouldn't notice and it didn't care either to look into their minds.
"Whichever way." The Superior turned around and stepped slowly back to its seat. "I did have in mind to visit the good doctor this fine day. I have some dire questions to ask him-"
"Oh, suddenly you want to visit the Doctor and ask questions." Life be damned; the Superior be damned. It would get killed, devoured or subjected to yet a worse fate but the lesser guard didn't care anymore. It materialized its weapon in a hand, beginning to giggle in madness - any moment it would die because of insubordination and yet the Shapeshifter couldn't help but find the Superior's disbelieving expression exhilarating.
"Have I ever said with a single word that I did not want to visit him?", was the calm reply. Initial surprise was overcome by indifference. If this Shapeshifter wished to die, fine, let it be. The Superior was too tired to budge.
The inferior tilted its head, grinning. "And did we ever say we were fit to kill them? No, we didn't. You just twisted our brethren's words to your amusement and to get their energy." Arms spreading wide, it cackled loudly. "So hilarious - you feel the need to justify devouring one of us! But you still don't look well. How about another 'meal'?"The Shapeshifter rushed forward, madness glinting in its eyes.
"Then, I wouldn't recommend it. I feel like Insanity is inside me so I wonder how stable the rest of us is…"
"I have already wondered where Insanity had vanished to – not that we would have missed it."Indifference dominated the Superior's expression as it stood still.
"And truth be told, I think we can do without it."
Just before the riled up Shapeshifter could reach the other, a double-headed scythe pierced it from above and rammed it into the ground. The Superior looked down at the entity that was now unable to move, unable to shape shift, unable to exert its thoughtless act with but a condescending smirk.
Inarticulate whispers filled the room as the spectators hushed about the sudden change of events. They had expected one of the Superiors to save their leader or even the highest entity itself to defend its stance – instead there had been yet another unexpected turn of events with yet another unexpected figure entering this play.
"You have just come in time, my dear." The Superior smirked and turned its attention to its savior. Ignoring the pained moans of the entity groveling on the ground, it stepped beside the riled up inferior and towards the entity pinning it down. "Impeccable timing, as I have expected from you." As the entity looked up, the Superior stroked gently over its cheek. "I knew you would be simply perfect once we would be done with you."
A barely visible shudder went through the most-recently arrived Shapeshifter, although it was clear it was not from pleasure even if its face was still hidden. A confused whisper wandered through the room – how could any entity feel anxious when it was touched by their leader? Such honor was meant to elate, not to appall.
"Oh? Are you nervous again?" The Superior giggled lowly before it gently put both hands on the entity's cheeks. "Now, now, we cannot have that, now can we? Let me ease your fears."
Slowly its fingers trailed along the contours of the other's jaw and undid the protection around the lower half of the other's head. Every guard's eyes rested on them; silence revealed that none dared to interrupt once more. A smirk appeared on the Superior's face; then it leant in and cautiously placed their lips on each other.
A violent, but only faint jolt went through the kissed entity. Its body tensed up, seemed to wish to revolt – but instead, its movements slowed. The hand that had been intended to push the Superior away stopped for a moment and remained in the air. Then, as it slowly returned the gesture, the entity shakily reached out for its leader's arm and hesitantly placed its hand on the other's limb. Its whole being seemed to melt into the kiss; the body that had initially rejected any intimacy edged closer to the Superior under fine shivers.
The touch had to be broken eventually, however. Distancing itself, the leader's fingers slid along the fine contours and reformed the protection around the entity's head. The Superior saw with delight how the Shapeshifter was watching it quietly, obediently with all its fears melting away. "There we go. This should have stopped your quivers for now."
The entity nodded meekly. Then it suddenly jerked around and rammed the scythe deeper into the creature groveling beneath its heel and thus finally reaching the purpose of its attack.
The inferior could only gurgle, writhing for a few more moments around the scythe's tip embedded into its chest. Then it locked up, face morphing into surprise before it went limp and eventually dissolved.
Delighted giggling came from the superior as it entwined its fingers under an elated grin. Its eyes rested only that long on the now vacant spot on the ground before its attention was all turned back to the creature before it. All tension was gone from the room; instead a pleasant feeling of satisfaction lingered. "You are such a fine entity. So perfectly suitable for everything that is needed."
It shuddered in utmost satisfaction and breathed in shakily as the other entity rose and stepped closer. When they almost touched again, though, the Superior put some distance between them and waved its finger teasingly in a denying manner. "Ah-ah-ah, not yet, not quite yet…", it whispered into the other's thoughts, "I will tend to you after I have visited the good doctor."
When the other entity motioned to reply, the Superior stepped forward and pecked it onto its cheek.
"You are so darling. I am glad to have you," it whispered into the creature's thoughts. "Now, while I search out Nefarious, how about you replenish yourself? There seems to be quite the satisfactory energy source before us, and quite the voyeuristic crowd to entertain as well."
A faint nod came as reply from the creature. The Superior smiled playfully before it raised its hand and waved for the ones closest to its level. "Entertain the crowd as you take those inferiors' energy in. Let them cherish the display before them. But most importantly,"it leant forward to where it suspected the other entity's audio sensors.
"Enjoy yourself."
The lights were dimmed in the suite, the brightest source of light coming from the large screen in the wall. One message appeared over and over again on the screen yet the room's two occupants were unaware of this.
A white ear with red stripes flicked lazily. Fur rustled against fur, arms were resting shoulder on shoulder. Two game controllers were hanging loosely from their fingers, while their eyes remained closed firmly.
Ratchet's face was turned to the side, nuzzling against Alister's shoulder. The elder was radiating so much heat it cocooned the younger around his upper body and made him purr in contentment.
The sound was complemented by the general's low hum. His cheek rested on Ratchet's head as he seemed to be in such a deep slumber that made even his habit of waking up early fall short.
With a slightly startled jerk Ratchet lifted his head away, blinking owlishly at the screen. It took his eyes some time to focus before he could read the message 'You have lost, Player 2' - even longer it took him to understand what he had read.
The sudden removal of the comfy cushion seemed to pass the sleeping elder completely. He simply turned a bit and leant against the comfy couch they were sitting on, almost dropping the controller as he did so.
Ratchet groaned lowly as he moved a hand to the back of his neck which seemed intent to make him feel miserable.
All of the younger's suffering did not bother Azimuth in the slightest. For once he seemed to be in deep sleep, void of discouraging thoughts and remembrances.
It was in this moment his brain was finally to catch up where he was, on what piece of furniture, with whom next to him, what they had been doing... Then he looked down at the controller innoncently lying in his hands, only now noticing its weight.
He hadn't known one could get a hangover from playing video games.
With a look at the elder, however, it seemed strangely possible to him. Quite the entertaining night it had been, with him beating Azimuth in any video game there was. A smirk hushed over his lips as he remembered the countless moments where the elder had cursed at the screen justbecause he kept losing. Yes, that night had been full with pleasant memories.
A cough suddenly built in his throat which he quickly quenched before he quickly stood up from the couch. He really needed some water. He had been so immersed in beating the elder he had forgotten to fetch himself anything to drink.
Azimuth's ear flicked when there was a strange sense of emptiness beside his body. A frown appeared on his face as he turned around a bit more. He did not want to wake up at all as long as he could.
Ratchet poured two glasses of water, should Alister also need something to drink. He walked back to the couch, taking a turn to shut off the screen and wipe the low table clean from the remnants of chips and pretzels.
A low, dull sound reached the younger's ears. Apparently the game controller had fallen out of the elder's hand.
Huh. I thought this would maybe wake him up, he's such a light sleeper.Who would have known that video games could knock out the general for that long? Arranging one glass for Alister, he took deep gulps from his to ease the burning in his throat.
"Mmh…" The general mumbled as he moved about on the couch, "… Not there, Ratchet. More over… here, mmh…"
Heat exploded under the skin of Ratchet's face while shivers ran down his spine. What was Azimuth dreaming about? He could fathom something, but…
"Mmh... yes, that's it..." The elder's head hung down a bit. "The wrench... lower... good aim..."
"... What."
"You... heard right. Take... good aim, yes... Good..." The elder's ears flicked as a faint smile hushed over his lips. "Uh huh, the reward still... stands..."
The smile made Ratchet's heart flip a bit, his previous embarrassment forgotten for assuming the contents of Alister's dream. Curious, and somehow a bit eager, he approached the couch. He had seen Alister asleep several times now but always the elder had carried this guarded look still; even in sleep his body primed to defend himself any moment. Now he looked unusually peaceful which made him in turn seem younger. The lines of his face were smoother, his ears drooping in relaxation, the smile growing. Ratchet carefully leant his head towards his with a whisper. "What kind of reward is it?"
"The... endearing kind...", Azimuth whispered back and slowly moved towards the younger. It appeared that he had sensed Ratchet's presence so close to him already.
"This sounds... nice but that still doesn't tell me what it entails." Carefully Ratchet inched closer as he continued whispering. "Would you please clarify for me?"
The general slowly leant nearer, eyelids fluttering faintly. "Well…", he mumbled, "I could… show you… if you want…"
He shouldn't do this. He should back away and let Alister wake up on his own, or call him from the kitchen and act as if he hadn't noticed. With that he slowly drew back. He couldn't abuse Alister's vulnerability like this. If awake the elder would be mortified by his actions; more likely he wouldn't act like that as long as he didn't feel comfortable about it and right now he was unconscious of his mind's actions. Hoping that the fluttering eyes meant still meant Alister was asleep, the table's edge was all but forgotten to him.
A loud yelp and a crash followed.
Immediately the elder jumped from the couch, body tensed up, ears perked to their highest and eyes searching for the source of sound. "What... What happened?", he asked before he perceived Ratchet on the ground, moving about on the ground. "Oh- Are you all right, Ratchet?" Hurrying around the table, he helped the younger up. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Ugh, yeah. Just a little sore." The spot on his shoulder throbbed but it was bearable. "I was heading to the kitchen and didn't look where I went."
"Really?" Azimuth looked at him before he spotted the glass of water. Quickly he tried to recall the events from the prior night, but could by all his might not remember pouring himself something to drink. "Who put this glass of water here?"
"That was me. I woke up with a terribly dry throat and went to fetch me something to drink. I thought you would maybe feel the same way so I brought you one glass, too."
"Is that so?" One eyebrow was raised at the younger. "It is odd, seeing how you placed the glass closer to the side facing the holo-screen instead of the couch and ended up falling over the table with your legs pointing into my prior position."
"I first turned off the screen. Apparently we fell asleep while still playing." He grinned. It wasn't a lie since he really had done that so his smile was genuine. "Then I cleaned the table, put the glass there and rounded the table to get better access to the other side." He pointed to the small ball of paper on the ground next to the couch. Chips and crumbs peeked out of it.
"Ah," Azimuth answered, "That explains everything, of course." He returned the gesture before he turned around and stretched his limbs, letting out a low moan. "Well, time to get our breakfast ready."
"I'm gonna help you! That way it goes faster."
Little did Alister know he would need all of his skill in cooking to keep breakfast from heading into apocalypse.
A couple of minutes later the elder was much more exhausted than expected. The actually distressful activity of preparing breakfast had turned out to be a much more strenuous task just because he had to look after Ratchet's actions as well, and had been more tiring than he had ever imagined. When he turned his head to the younger, however, a faint smile ghosted over his face when he saw the bright gaze in Ratchet's eyes.
"I'm really getting the hang of this." He proudly looked to the side to Alister then back to the pan in which what looked like a round, blacked piece of paper was lying.
"Yes," the elder replied, "Slowly." He quickly took out the ruined pancake and poured another one. "Maybe I'll do the pancakes and you prepare the fruit salad?" He got ahold of the pan and the spatula in Ratchet's hand.
"But I wanna do it! C'mon, let me." The younger reached for the kitchen utensils again.
"No!" The elder let out in disagreement before he repeated it with a lower voice. "No, I don't think that isn't a good idea."
"Am I that bad?" A glance to the ruined pancake and he winced. "Of course I am. Um, sorry for the mess but maybe you...
"Um, could you teach me maybe how to make them right?"
Azimuth looked at him. "Yes, yes of course." He turned to the pan and gave back the spatula. "All right, now listen well. Carefully slide the spatula beneath the pancake when the dough is no longer fluid."
Peering at the dough, Ratchet decided it looked solid enough so he shoved the spatula between the pancake and the pan's surface. He didn't loosen the dough however at the outer edges before pulling the spatula up, the pancake beginning to stretch between the middle point and the rim still sticking to the pan.
A low cry of bafflement reached his ears – and before he knew, huge hands wrapped around his, just like he felt covered in pleasant warmth from behind. "You have to be careful," the elder whispered into Ratchet's ear, "Otherwise the pancake will rip."
The elder guided the hand down which held the spatula, beginning to sweep it under the whole of the pancake. The dough resisted to being loosened as it already had begun to adhere to the pan's surface. Alister carefully shoved Ratchet's hand back and forth, scrubbing the edges free from the metal.
"And now that the pancake is ready to flip, we will flip it like this." Gently holding Ratchet's hand, he lifted the dough and turned it over. "You were too impatient before. It's easy, but you need to be careful to do it right." He shortly released his hand, turning down the heat of the hot plate. "Ah, that was another part of the problem. They get faster done when the plate is hot but you need to be quicker as well to flip and then to remove them from the pan."
"So, it's done now?" Ratchet sounded as if he wanted to sink into the ground, a bit at least. He looked to his former attempt, inwardly cringing now as he compared it to the perfect pancake currently present in the pan. How could he have been proud of that one?
"Now don't look like this." The elder chuckled into Ratchet's fur. "Beginners never get it right the first time."
"But this wasn't my first try." This wasn't as much embarrassment as it was a slight nip to his pride at being bested at making a pancake, even if it was his first try.
"It was your first try before me, so it still counts." Azimuth laughed lowly before he poured another one. "Do you want to try this alone or have me help out again?"
"I want to try it out." Alister handed him the spatula, crossing his arms in anticipation. He squinted his eyes as he turned to the hot plates, inspecting the pancake. It seemed indeed to bake slower than before as the edges were still partially fluid, so he waited. Once the basic parts were solid he carefully slid the spatula beneath it to lift it a bit and get a look at the underside.
"You're getting better at this." Azimuth nodded in approval as he watched Ratchet flip the pancake.
"And getting better at being less of a hothead." Ratchet grinned with a chuckle.
"Perhaps." The elder took out the dishes and prepared the fruit salad while the younger carried on with the pancakes.
After a few minutes they found themselves seated once more and eating in silence.
"Say, what time is it? I think I've lost the track of time and Lawrence is likely going to call us anytime soon."
"We still have ten minutes before he calls us," the elder answered, "So let us take our time and relax."
"Relaxing dish washing?" Ratchet chuckled as he swept his arm in the air over the table, encompassing the numerous dishes with food remains.
"Of course. Have you never heard of the wonders of absolutely boring and repetitive actions?" Azimuth playfully looked at the younger with his head held high and his eyes heavily lidded. "The more you do something like that, the more aggressive it makes you. Perfect when Shapeshifters are our enemies, no?"
"Ten minutes are hardly enough to get boring." The chair's legs scrapped over the ground as Ratchet pushed away from the table. He gathered first his dish plus knife and spoon before balancing another plate on his.
Alister took the rest of the dishes and carried them to the wash basin. With quick hands he cleaned the plates and cutlery and forwarded each piece to Ratchet for drying them.
Soon, two neatly piles, one made of plates, one of cutlery rested on the counter, shining in the light. Lawrence would likely find still a nitpicker but since his standards were only his own the two Lombaxes were quite proud with it.
"All right, let's get to work. We should...", the general looked at the clock, "Oh. We might have to hurry and get dressed. We have five minutes left." He headed to the wardrobe and started to change his clothes. Light steps revealed to him that Ratchet was following his suggestion.
Ratchet took the protective guards from the wardrobe as soon as he had slipped into his armor, clipping them into place. Once having checked they were secure his gaze fell to Alister who was slipping on his gloves, back turned to him, muscles playing under the armor. The sight suddenly sparked an idea in Ratchet he would gleefully follow. After he stepped casually to him he leant forward and put his arms around the elder from behind around the chest.
Azimuth's ears perked as a low gasp escaped him. He looked down, then turned a bit back to the other. "I… Is something the matter?"
One arm slipped away as Ratchet rounded Alister, standing then next to him instead of behind. "Just felt like hugging you." He grinned as he shortly squeezed his arm around his back for emphasis. He would have liked to sling it around his shoulders but he was too small to reach him there.
"Oh really?", the elder answered, blinking as he smiled in a slightly confused manner. It was then he noticed that the collar around Ratchet's neck had not been locked yet. "You should be a bit more careful with your preparations, Ratchet," he said as he leant down to correct the circumstances for the younger.
He rolled his eyes although he kept still as Alister closed the collar. "I know my collar is open."
"Leave me the amusement of lecturing you, then." Azimuth smiled before he patted Ratchet on his shoulders. "All right, we're set-"
"Not quite yet." And with that, Ratchet slung both his arms around the other's neck, pressing the sides of their heads together for a short moment.
Startled, Azimuth did not budge even an inch. He just stood there, blinking, hands half-lowered until he decided to address the other. "Ratchet?", he whispered, but as the younger did not move, he tried to come up with a reason for it. It was then he realized the other's intentions. Raising his eyebrows in surprise and even in slight embarrassment, he hesitantly followed the Lombax's silent demand and put his arms around the other as well.
The action brought a smile on Ratchet's lips and a purr from his chest. He nuzzled against Alister's cheek for good measure before he slowly withdrew with a beaming grin at the elder. Then he pecked the elder on the cheek, followed by a brief kiss on the mouth. The contact was short yet it made his lips tingle in the best ways.
The gesture left Alister speechless. His ears flicked faintly, he blinked in a confused manner. It would have never occurred to him that Ratchet would do that so occasionally— was the younger really this comfortable with their situation? Eyes widened, he just stared at Ratchet until he found his voice again. "What… was that for?"
A shrug. "I just felt like it. And I like hugging you."
"I… see." Once more the elder blinked. Then he shook his head lightly, straightened up and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well…," he said as he looked up, "It's time to get going." He picked up his wrench from the wardrobe and walked towards the door. It slid open, but the passage was blocked by Lawrence who pushed him back into the room and out of sight until the door was closed again.