A/N: And here's the fourth chapter. This one continues with the second storyline, started in the third chapter. I've decided to have the first storyline continue in third person omniscient, with the second being third person limited, switching between Ben, Gwen and Kevin. I am also done with present tense. I may eventually rewrite the first two chapters in past tense.
To the absolutely wonderful RenkonNairu: I am thoroughly thrilled that you are enjoying the direction this story decided to scamper in. Despite the fact you seem to be the only one who likes this fic, I shall continue. I know how frustrating it is to find a story that intrigues and excites you only to never see it finished. I officially dedicate this fic to you, who reviewed within hours of me posting the first chapter, thus assuring me that someone other than myself could be interested in this story. Thank you! And as far as Gwen being 'on the ball,' well, there's a very good reason for that, though it likely won't be revealed for at least a couple more chapters.
Warnings: Self-harming and mentions of drug use and suicide. Includes a few swear words, because Kevin is a potty-mouth.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ben 10: anything. Please don't sue me, I have no money.
EDITED: 2/26/15: Changed "nerves" to "courage", "and" to "until", added a sentence, changed the wording of another sentence and changed "shivers" to "shivered".
Addiction
Chapter Four
A week after Gwen and Max took Kevin off to somewhere, Ben finally gathered the courage to ask his cousin where that 'somewhere' was. She didn't respond directly, instead calling their grandfather and having him drive them to the Plumber's Earth headquarters. The ride was quiet, Ben imagining reasons for why Kevin would've been taken there, as well as why he would have stayed for so long. The imagined scenarios increased in in severity and decreased in likelihood the longer the ride went on, until he eventually gave up.
Once they arrived at the underground facility, Ben nervously followed his relatives as they walked to the Medical Wing. The hallways turned and twisted, each one seeming to have at least five more halls branching off of it. Or was it branching off of them? There were very little signs giving location or direction, yet the leading Tennysons walked with purpose, certain in their route. Ben mused that they had likely gone this way dozens of times in the past week. He himself wasn't sure he'd be able to find the way out even with the aid of a map.
After what seemed to the young hero like hours of walking, Max and Gwen paused before a door. A quick wave of the retired Plumber's badge at the security panel by the doorframe swung the door open outwards, and Max waved the two inside before entering himself and closing the door behind him.
The space looked to be some sort of security room, though it didn't seem like there was a guard on duty. The wall opposite the door was nearly covered by an enormous screen, with a small console and desk chair in front of it. The display was broken down into numerous smaller frames, each one showing a different room. The rooms themselves appeared identical: dull gray walls surrounding eggshell-colored tile floors, a single metal cot, a single metal door, toilet and sink. Some rooms were occupied by single individuals, while others showed two or more beings interacting with each other. About half the rooms appeared vacant.
They were cells, yes, but not for prisoners. This was a mental ward. A few of the more frightening scenarios he imagined on the ride came to Ben's mind, and he couldn't help a shiver ghosting down his spine.
None of the patients seemed to be in particularly bad shape, though. None were tied down, had IVs, or were drawing patterns in blood on the floor. That, coupled with the lack of someone actively monitoring the cells at all times, helped to ease Ben's mind somewhat. These people were all likely 'mentally unstable,' at least enough to warrant separation from the general public, but not to the extent that they were a danger to themselves or needed constant medication. Not well, but not as bad as they could be. And if the Tennysons were at this particular monitoring station, the description probably applied to Kevin as well.
Not good, but not too bad. Not as bad as it could be. Ben supposed that although the situation was a bit worse than the first few his mind came up with, he was fine with accepting it.
His eyes roamed across the screen, scanning for one particular person, studying each being. He dismissed a few out of hand, as they were obviously not human. About halfway through his search, he realized the error in that logic. Kevin had been returned to normal the last time he saw him, but what if the 'cure' wasn't permanent? Yes, the machine had supposedly stripped him completely of the alien energies, but what if it had missed something? What if Kevin had been awake when he was brought to the base, and managed to drain the energy from someone while they were trying to help him?
His sudden fears were calmed when, at a few inputs from Max, a single frame on the monitor was selected and enlarged in the center. The image duplicated three times, each copy showing the view in some other form of vision. Ben definitely recognized one as being infrared. Text filled the rest of the screen, in a language Ben couldn't identify, much less read. Gwen seemed to be able though, as she instantly zeroed in on a block of text and walked over to one side of the room to see it better.
Based on hair and skin tone, the figure shown in the room could be Kevin, but…
He was huddled in one corner, legs held to his bare chest. The torn jeans Kevin wore on his rampage were still on him, and he seemed to be wearing some sort of silvery gloves. His head was down, obscuring his face. What looked to be a change of clothes, in the blindingly white style the place seemed to favor, was sitting on the cot, untouched. A tray of food was on the floor by the door, similarly ignored. Ben had a sinking suspicion that the osmosian hadn't eaten since he got there. Every once in a while, Kevin shivered, holding himself tighter.
Whatever Gwen had read didn't seem to reassure her. She turned to their grandfather, holding out her hand.
"I'm going to see if…" She trailed off. Max nodded, handing over his badge, and Gwen left the room.
Once the door shut, Ben turned to his grandfather, silently asking for information.
"He's mostly gotten over the panic," he started, "but he still has a long way to go before he's fully recovered."
Ben nodded, not sure what to feel about the situation. "And the gloves?"
"To prevent him from absorbing anything."
Before he could ask more, a soft knock sounded from the room's speakers.
"Kevin? It's me, Gwen. I'm coming in."
The figure in the cell didn't react.
After a moment's pause, Gwen entered the room and quietly closed the door behind her. She didn't move for a second, and her posture screamed of uncertainty. She took a hesitant step forward, but at the lack of reaction from the huddled osmosian, she crossed the distance between them in slow, quiet strides. Once she got within two feet of him, she sat on the floor with her legs folded beneath her, hands grasping each other in her lap. She waited for some sort of reaction, but getting none, she began to talk.
"Kevin? It's Gwen."
Nothing. She sighed.
"You really should eat something. Starving yourself isn't helping anyone, least of all yourself."
More nothing, and another sigh.
"I want you to know that I'm here for you, Kevin. I want to help you, alright?"
A whole lot of nothing.
"Whenever you're ready, Kevin, alright? Whenever you're ready, I'll be right here to help you. You don't have to go through this alone. I won't let you go through it alone, okay? I'm here for you."
Silence.
Gwen stood up, arms wrapped tightly around her. "You'll get through this. We'll get through this. It'll be alright, I promise."
Still nothing, and Gwen turned, leaving the room without a second glance.
A/N: And there it is. Next chapter will continue with the first storyline, and will be up within a week. I already had the first four written before I posted, but now I have to start writing again, so I won't be able to put something new up every day like I've been doing. If you feel that my updates are too few and far between, feel free to threaten me with pointy objects. Over the internet, though, not in person.