Chapter Eleven
AN: A quick apology here, I've only just read Duo's Episode Zero manga, and I've been making a few blind references to his past. I'm gonna try and cover my mistakes as I go, but bear with me okay? I'm still a newbie to this sorta thing…
"Well…" The doctor looked flustered. Maybe she hadn't been expecting a confession so readily. Maybe she was beginning to have her own doubts. Whatever the reason, I was still able to see the confusion on her face.
"Well," she repeated, "I'll inform my superiors. But for now I'd ask you to stay within our custody."
"I don't seem to have too much choice in it." I shrugged, and winced.
The doctor smiled and got up. I was slightly apprehensive, even more so after what I'd just told her. She came back with a square of cloth, which she folded in half. She tied the corners in a knot at my shoulder and I let my arm lie in the sling. She stepped back and beamed. "Maybe not as good as surgery, but keeping your weight off it will do you the world of good."
I blushed slightly. I didn't trust her, but she was showing me more kindness than I knew humans could. "Thanks."
She smiled ruefully. "No problem." She paused. I would have risen to my feet, but I sensed she had something more to say. "I used to have a daughter like you. A beautiful girl. Stubborn too. Didn't like accepting help."
I rolled my eyes without realising I was doing it. Memory lane huh? No! Please not that!
She caught me. "That would have been her reaction too. But I just want to give you a piece of advice. Don't be afraid of help from others." She got to her feet and invited me to do the same. She led me to the door, opened it and caught my eye.
"Of course, in your position, treat it with suspicion, but never fear it. Someone may genuinely want to help."
I nodded vaguely to myself. What she said certainly made sense, but she could hardly expect a few choice words to mean anything to me? Surely?
I heard the door click shut behind me without realising I'd stepped out of it.
"That sounded eventful."
I turned toward Gershom, who was stood against the wall, absently kicking the paint work with a heel. "How so?"
He shrugged. "You're the first in years to leave her office voluntarily." At my quizzical look, he continued. "All offenders are sent to her office to receive dismissal."
"Right… Whatever you say." I was still confused. Why was this entire community acting like an army? From what I could see, they were simply squatters, hiding in a busted out New York. They didn't even appear to have decent weapons. Although, I reminded myself cautiously, several forces have proven that you don't have to show off to be powerful.
"You okay?"
I looked up with a jerk. "What?"
"You just seemed a little preoccupied."
I nodded distractedly. "Yeah, I was."
He frowned slightly, as he regarded my sudden change in attitude. From loud and rebellious, to silent and shy. He looked at my feet for a second, before returning to meet my gaze. "Come on," he said, turning. "I've got something I think you'd appreciate seeing."
