0.5 ALIVE IN THE DARK
The silver-haired boy didn't seem to take any notice of the three unknown men in his room, nor did he heed Dr. Hojos words as he spoke about his condition.
"Sephrahims colic, and he is of outmost importance to me" Dr. Hojo explained with a firm look on his face "Harm must not reach him, not in any way. Your job is to watch over him and his well-being"
"So, we're to baby-sit him?" Seifer said and Squall drove his elbow in his ribs and gave him a hostile look, but Dr. Hojo seemed too busy staring at the boy to hear Seifers words.
"He will not respond to speech, nor will he speak himself" the doctor continued without taking his eyes of the lovely child "He will show no understanding to what occurs in his surroundings. He will not move of free will. He does not seem to hear or see anything. He does not react to pain, cold, heat or anything at all. He will most likely not know you are here"
"So he just sits there?" Seifer started.
"Yes" Dr. Hojo replayed with a hazed gaze underneath the thick glasses.
"Not doing a thing?"
"Yes"
"Without speaking or listening?"
"Yes"
"Seemingly completely unaware of what's going on around him?"
"Yes"
"Squall, I think we've found you a soul-mate" Seifer chuckled, obviously believing himself to be very amusing.
Zell tried this best to suppress a giggle that just wouldn't stay down.
Squall kept his stone expression.
"Whatever" he said with a wave of his hand, as if to put the joke aside.
"He will respond to some commands" Dr. Hojo continued as if this little interruption had never occurred "If you pull at his arm he will stand. If you lead him, he will walk. If you push him down he will sit and eventually lay down. If you leave him standing upright without support of a while he will most likely fall to his knees or sit down. That is about the only thing he does on his own now days…"
Dr. Hojo sighted and stroked the boys hair. Squall didn't know what to make of his behaviour. What was this young man to that professor? It could not be his son… right? Dr. Hojo turned towards the door as if to leave, but Zell stopped him.
"Wait. What about food and all that?" he asked.
"Is that the only thing on your mind?" Seifer commented.
"For HIM, you moron!" Zell cursed back.
"Oh, that I did almost forget" Dr. Hojo said and straightened his glasses "If you pour water down his throat he will swallow, but that does not apply to food"
He walked over to a wooden closet that stood on the other side of the room, next to a well-stacked book-shelf. He opened the green-painted door and took out a small box. He opened it and took out a big syringe with a sharp needle and a radiant blue liquid in the container. Instinctively, all three SeeDs took a step back.
"This is all the nutrition he needs. Just give him one once a day around noon" He glanced at the three SeeDs "Does anyone of you know how to inject one of these?"
After a whiles silence Zell spoke up.
"I do, Sir" Zell said, to Squalls immediate surprise. How would Zell have learned how to inject syringes? He was clumsier that three Selphies, or at least, that's what Squall had come to think.
"Excellent!" Dr. Hojo said "It should be enough in here to last until I return. Unfortunately, I am in a hurry and must now take my leave. I am sorry for not having the time to show you around the house. Here" he gave a huge set of keys to Squall "This are the keys for the kitchen, the living room, the front doors and three bedrooms, and this room of cause. The rooms to witch you have not been given a key shall remain locked. Understood? Very well. I bid you farewell and good luck"
And with those words he rushed out the door as if someone were hunting him. Minutes later they heard the car drive of into the snow. The three SeeDs were left alone in the mansion with the sliver-haired boy.
"This… is weird" Zell concluded.
Squall fully agreed in his silence. The boy said nothing…