We made our way through the rest of the corridor and went up a flight of stairs. As we made it to the first floor, I felt a draft blow through the hall. To my left were a row of wide windows that overlooked the street below.
Across from us was a set of three-story buildings, split by a junction in the middle of the road. They appeared to have a modernist design with white curved arches and balconies reaching upwards. Most of the white plaster had chipped off the walls and revealed a yellowish concrete. The walls at ground level were marked by graffiti.
The streets themselves were bustling with numerous people walking up and down the road. They wore various outfits, most appearing to be baggy dark coats and hoods that brushed against a strong breeze. I could see several vehicles slowly moving in between the crowds as they walked across the road. One appeared to be a futuristic black and red sports car with the hood and right windows held down by silver duct tape. Driving down from up the junction was an old green military truck with a white star painted on the hood. As it drew closer, I saw that it had a tall metal cage built around the bed. Inside was a man in dark fatigues sitting on set of black crates. The truck stopped as a man in a similar garb and a reflective orange vest stood in the centre of the junction and raised his hand. As he turned around to let the banged up sports car through, I saw his face.
The head appeared slightly swollen, poorly hidden by a thin white bandage covering the top half of his face. The most striking feature was how far apart the eyes were. They appeared to be pitch black, even from up here. But they were not was large as the one the previous being bore.
"George?" Said Dr. Acharya, snapping me back to reality.
"Oh, sorry." I pulled myself away from the window and continued on.
We arrived at a familiar corner. The corridor I ran into last night had been closed off by red and white plastic tape. One man stood at the far end with a brush and pan, pouring glass shards into a large wheeled bin. Another man stood close by, affixing a large blue tarp over the broken window. He struggled as the wind blew and sent the other end of the tarp fluttering around him as he held the other side to the wall. The other man saw him and walked over to assist him. I was beginning to feel immensely guilty and embarrassed by what I had done.
I looked over to Dr. Acharya and struggled to say something that could be taken as an apology.
"Don't worry about that now. You have people to meet. Ah, there they are." He said, turning over to the corner.
And, there they stood, clear as day! Just standing next to each other a dozen metres away. I turned my head down as soon I caught the glimpse of the tall figure. The fear from last night becoming fresh again.
"Come on, George. There is nothing to fear."
I took a deep breath, and began walking towards the two figures.
The thin, human-like figure stood behind an open door and jiggled the handle as the tall, looming creature stood beside him. I heard that same slight lisped voice from last night.
"See, it locks from the outside. He could just go right through."
"Oh, how could I been so careless." Said the tall figure as it put one hand to its face. Its voice had a vibratory sound to it, rolling the syllables. But its soft and gentle tone gave the voice an oddly feminine quality.
"No, it's not your fault. This didn't always do that. Just another thing on the list of stuff to fix around here."
"Good morning." Said Dr. Acharya, softly.
We were standing right next to them now. Despite my attempts at bravery, I was shuddering now. My head was pointing down to the floor, trying to avoid the sight of the array of shield-like scales that touched the ground.
I heard the doctor say something in a hushed tone.
"Hello, George." I heard the tall figure say above me.
A small shape started to poke from above my field of vision. I looked slightly to see that the creature had raised its hand out in front of me, its palm facing upwards.
Those long white fingers with their black talons shone again. Part of me wanted to scream and run away, but the rational side of me knew that I had to be brave. I mentally repeated a short mantra to give me strength.
"Mithras mecum."
I raised my hand and placed it in the creature's white palm. Its skin was smooth but somewhat hard. The fingers gently wrapped around mine and gave it a light shake. I slowly lifted my head upwards to see the face of the creature. Past the long mat of scales, then to a large sheet of blue fabric, which opened to reveal a long neck, covered by an array of narrow white and blue scales. The protrusions were visible now, light blue scales extended outwards from the base of the neck and wrapped around the top of the head like a hood, which I could now see.
A small snout and mouth that protruded outwards, eyes with diamond pupils with a scaled brow that displayed a patient nature. This being, by all means, was a snake. Albeit a colossal one with arms and wearing a nurse's scrub. I felt my fear slowly dissipate, replaced with sheer bewilderment.
"I'm Mary." She said with that same soft tone.
Looking at her fully, it was a fitting name. Her inner white scales contrasted with the light blue scales on the sides of her body, resembling a flowing robe. Her large hood surrounding her head with its round shape also resembled a halo.
"Um, Hello, Mary." I said clumsily, as my mind was still battling itself as to process what was in front of me.
"Hi, George." Said the pink man-thing as he edged his way into view with its hand outstretched. Somewhat disturbed, I let go of Mary's hand and gently shook the creature's, it was smooth and somewhat moist, which unsettled me further.
"I'm Adam." He said with what I could decipher was a smile, the way his small cheeks retracted into his face, giving him a skeleton's grin. I stood in silence just staring at him. The large, bald head that housed equally large black eyes, descended down to a small, lipless jaw with bared teeth.
"Calm down, I'm not that scary." He said jokingly with his head tilted to one side.
I was a bit embarrassed that he caught me staring. I let go of his hand and straightened myself.
Adam, despite being very human-like, made me more nervous than the giant snake towering next to him. Whilst I knew that he was no threat to me, those otherworldly features combined with his apparent carefree attitude and mannerisms triggered something in the back of my mind. A small warning that this was something trying to look human.
"How are you feeling, man? Doing better than last night?"
Last night. It all rushed back to me in an instant, the waking up, the chase, the explosion, and then…
"What was that thing you did, that knocked me out?"
"Oh, that." Adam lifted his right arm and showed a small metal device on his wrist.
"These things are flimsy and-"
"Um, I don't mean to interrupt." Said Dr. Acharya.
"But, George. Isn't there something you wish to say to Mary and Adam?" He tilted his head to the back of the corridor. A short, cold breeze flew across my shoulders.
Oh, great George. Destroying a hospital wing. That's how you introduce yourself.
"Look, I am… Deeply sorry for what happened last night. I was frightened and confused and- I never meant to hurt either of you it's just-"
"Hey, it's alright." Said Adam.
"I know all this must be pretty weird to you, and I get that. But just promise to take it easy from now on and I'm sure things will go easier for you, okay?"
"Yeah, okay." That was easier said than done.
I turned to look at Mary, I remembered seeing her long tail slither away after I let my powers shatter the windows last night. Here in the light, I could see the array of blue scales laid out behind her in a remarkable diamond pattern. I certainly hoped she didn't cut herself over the mess I made.
"Is something the matter?" She said, turning to me.
That's the second time today I caught myself staring.
"Sorry, it's just, you weren't hurt were you? When you, um, walked over the glass last night?"
"Oh, no, I'm tougher than I look. Why did you leave your room last night?"
"I tried calling for someone on the console by the bed and no one came."
"I told you that thing was broken." Adam said to Mary.
"It wasn't last time."
"Why was I being kept here?" I pointed to the small room next to us.
"That is for you and I to discuss." Said Dr. Acharya.
"Well, this has been a very good chat. I believe George and I have some things to discuss, best we say our goodbyes and get back to work."
"Yes, um, it's been good meeting with you George. I'll see you later." Said Adam.
"Goodbye, George." Said Mary cheerfully as she and Adam walked down the hall.
I watched them both walk away, Mary's colossal tail turning behind her and following her whilst Adam's slender form went alongside her. I could hear him chattering away about something before they turned the corner and were out of sight.
"How are you feeling?" Asked Dr. Acharya.
I paused for a moment, trying to process all I had witnessed this morning.
"There's gonna more, isn't there?"
"Sorry?"
"More things I'm gonna have to get used to."
"Don't tell me you have a problem with them."
"I don't, Doctor, I really don't. It's just that… This is only the beginning isn't it? I'm gonna have a lot more to see, aren't I?"
The doctor have a knowing smirk.
"It was very difficult for me too, getting used to how things changed. You have a lot to learn, and you're going to have to be prepared for what comes your way. But it doesn't to be all at once. We'll take it slow. I think you should get your energy up before we continue. Speaking of, I don't think you've had a proper meal in, um, well, since you got here. You should have some breakfast before the examination, this way."
Breakfast sounded good.