In the hallway, outside of Rachel's door, sat Garfield. His earbuds in and Supernatural playing on his phone. This was as close as they could get to Rachel before being triggered into a traumatic flashback. From an outside perspective, sitting here wasn't a significant feat, but everyone in Garfield's system knew how much it took to even be in a hospital. How many months it took to be able to be in a room with more then two people. How many years it took to be able to (somewhat) freely walk in public. So many unnatural responses were ingrained into their body that when one seemingly unsubstantial obstacle was overcome, there was always another right after.
Even through the sound of the video, they heard everything. Even when watching the screen, they saw everything. Each scent was registered and scanned for threats. It was exhausting. And even all of Craig's work hadn't stopped them from nearly being shot at a parade, or nearly kidnapped by a room. Maybe we should avoid scheduled appearances for a while.
Non the less, through all the uncertainty, Craig still wanted to see the girl that had magically appeared before him in a dazzling light. He wanted to be able to sit by her bed side so that when she woke up, she wasn't alone. But here they were, sat in the hall...
A notification buzzed and the profile pic of Eddie popped up in the corner of his screen. He clicked it.
.Eddie- You still alive?
... Can't get rid of me that easily
.Eddie- So what was it like?
.Eddie- The curch
.Eddie- was is all creepy af and cutty
.Eddie- ?
... Oh f sure, it was a total horror fest in there
... You wiouldd have loved ut!
... * would. It *
Eddie- What did you find?
Eddie- Did you get that girl you were all on about/?
... Yeah. Ay hospital with her.
Eddie- Whats she like?
Eddie- You sure she aint a demon?
They thought about it. How could someone so small, so fragile... so breath taking... be a demon?
Someone approached and entered her room. Craig waited for them to come out, and when they did, he looked at their shoes and determined it was a nurse. After a few steps, the nurse turned around and stood by him.
"Um... You don't like the... bags... do you?" The nurse asked, purposely avoiding the word Intravenous.
He gulped. "Um, I-I... Um..." Why wont the words come out?! "Um-um" He shook his head; it was all he could manage.
"I have to change it, soon. Maybe you could see her before I put the new on one?"
They were pretty clued in on how it all worked, and knew IV bags should be replaced as soon as the used one is removed. Removing the tubes from the cannula would be more work for the nurse.
Stop thinking about it! Please stop thinking about it.
They could feel their heart pulsing faster and held onto their arm again.
"Sorry! I shouldn't have brought it up. Should I call for the professor? Or Richard?"
Why does this always happen? We're just a walking, talking disaster that cause people to worry!
Don't think like that.
Why were you even born, useless child?!
Don't listen to them!
Through the noise and the haze, Craig could just make out being guided into his room by Dick. Too many alters were talking over each other and he could hear David attempting to regain order.
How long has it been?
"Nothing even happened and I freaked out..." He looked up, realising he was alone in the room. "I guess he does have better things to do..." He scrambled for his jacket and pulled out a packet of Oreos and a capri sun. "Maybe Nalia can help..." He muttered, wondering if there was any way to positively trigger her to the stage. As he licked the middle out of the cookie he had an idea.
I hope I'm doing this alright. Please let me know if any of the bits with triggers and such seem off to you.
