The Hellsing Estate; the location of Hellsing Manor and the primary base of operations for the H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. organization. Within the base itself were several sectors, including the intelligence wing, the technology wing, and the combat wing, but what we'll be focusing on is what happened in the research wing, as something peculiar happened on his day. It was something that had been anticipated for around three months, and it certainly didn't go unnoticed, although the lab was empty when it happened.
It was almost completely silent in the top secret sector of the base, as none of the operatives who had access to it were present. Only the faint sound of beeping and pumping of air was audible in the desolate room. It was dark, as the lights were turned off, but the scattered papers and reference books were still visible from the illumination emitting from the barred door off in the back of the lab. That was where the sounds were coming from. It was also where the only life in the room was located.
Inside were dozens of machines hooked up to a body lying on a bed in the center. The figure was bound tightly to the bed frame with chains and leather straps to hinder any movement. Its torso was bare, revealing the images cut and tattooed into the flesh. A deep laceration spanned from the left shoulder to the right hip on the body. It was completely healed, but it was blackened. The growth seemed to spread outward a few inches, but stopped abruptly. This is what happens when a human is cut with the claws of a creature known as an "annie", and lived.
The body was still on the bed for three months, but on this day, something unexpected happened. There was a small twitch. A finger moved, ever so slightly, and it was followed by a few more. There was movement behind the darkened eyelids that shielded the vision of the poor soul trapped here. It lasted until they gradually fluttered open, squinting at the brightness casting down on them. Furrowing his brow, the Omid gentleman awoke.
Preston awoke.
His mind was foggy as he tried to process his surroundings. The plain walls and machinery came into view, much to his puzzlement. Where was he, anyway? After a few moments longer, it dawned on Preston that the devices were hooked up to him. When he tried to reach up and touch one of the tubes and wires, his eyes widened as he found himself restrained. Upon that discovery, he did the only logical thing he could think of. Preston screamed.
His voice tore through the room like stones against a wet paper towel. The beeping on the machines sped up as his heartrate increased from fear. Where was he? How did he get there?
His screaming cut off short into a pained grunt as he felt a burning sensation on his torso. The black gash was irritated, and sent a horrible ache through his bones. Preston's mind began to catch up with him, as he tried desperately to retrace his steps. Where was he last? He was at the castle of Krampus, trying to retrieve the bluenette with his friends and the agents of H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. He was injured, and Dafydd took to desperate measures while giving him some form of first aid. Preston looked down and saw the markings still engraved in his flesh. They had healed up into light-coloured scars that stood out against his brown skin. It hurt just remembering the knife carving into him.
That's right! He passed out from pain! But where was he? He wasn't in the castle, still, that's for certain. Wherever he was, he certainly hoped that he was safe. Preston was scared. The Omid boy was only human, after all. He didn't ask for this sort of treatment! The man choked out a sob as he recalled the events that he had gone through. He hoped to God that he was safe now. The poor man didn't think that he could take much more fighting. All he wanted to do was go home, but apparently, that was too much to ask.
Poor Preston cried and growled as he tugged at his restraints in an effort to free himself. There were a few attempts to call for help, but he just couldn't form any words, no matter how hard he tried. His arms and legs were weak, like he hadn't used them in ages, making them useless. It was true, though.
The Omid had no idea just how much time had passed, but he would soon find out as researchers rushed to the laboratory. The surveillance cameras had picked up his movement. Speakers crackled, causing the man to flinch as he frantically looked around the room for the source of the noise. Thank God, he heard a familiar voice.
"Preston! You're awake!" declared Dafydd, speaking into the microphone on the other side of the wall. "Don't worry, it's me! Dafydd! You're safe, now. You're at the H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. base, undergoing treatment."
Preston was at H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G.? While concerning, it was a lot better than a raging battlefield, that's for sure. Visibly, he relaxed, sinking down into the mattress at the good news. Slowly, his breathing began to calm down, and his sobs turned into soft hiccups. Maybe he was going to be alright.
Suddenly, the door opened, and the sorcerer walked through it, wearing his white labcoat and nametag. He walked over to the Omid gentleman, making sure that he didn't get too close. After all, they still didn't know how contagious the man's infection of Black Annis is. Even still, he smiled in a friendly manner.
"You alright?" he asked softly. "How are you feeling?"
Preston opened his mouth to reply, but no words came out. What could he say? His body hurt, he was scared and disoriented, and he wanted to go home. That's how he was feeling. Yet all that would escape his throat was the sound of air.
"Ah, I see." Dafydd stated. "Your body is still under a lot of stress, and you've been out long enough that it's gonna take you a while to start functioning normally again…" He rubbed his chin, looking at his former classmate with concern while Preston looked back at him with fear. It was then that the sorcerer put his hands up.
"Oh! Yeah… I don't know how to break this to you gently, but… you've been here for three months." Dafydd said, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. "Ah! But don't worry! We'll keep taking care of you! After a little bit more rest, we'll get you started on recovery." With that, Preston fell silent.
"And… we'll get you a psychologist, too." The wizard continued. "After the Black Annis incident, the others had to go to counseling as well. They all should be done, or almost done by now. They're alright." His words seemed to make the other man perk up a bit, and then sigh with relief. That was good. His friends were alright as well. With that, the researcher kept talking.
"Now that you're awake, we'll start trying to figure out when you can see them. Should be soon." He said. "Oh, and we're sorry about the restraints. Standard protocol. We didn't know what the Annis would do to you, so we had to take precautions." Oh no. That brought the mood back down again. Regardless, they needed to get this out of the way.
"Because you didn't die, the Black Annis is responding to your body differently." Dafydd added. "We're still not sure what's going to happen, but right now, you're pretty stable. You'll have to come back for check-ups pretty regularly, though, so we can monitor your progress. I'm sorry… We're going all that we can…" To that, Preston fell silent. His eyes dulled a bit as he stared past the sorcerer.
"I'll… I'll let you rest a bit…" Dafydd stated, turning to walk out and leave the other alone. "I'll be back to check on you soon."
The door closed again and locked, leaving the Omid trapped again behind walls of steel. Now Preston only felt numbness throughout his entire being. Tears feel freely from his eyes, once he was left by himself. What else could he do? How does he handle this news? He was sick, and he wasn't going to be able to get better anytime soon. Not now, and not ever.
A/N: "Give us the sensational seven!"
THERE YA GO, KIDS.
I'm gonna crush you all with this kid, just you wait...
A lot has changed while he was out, huh?
Dan and Kris are not-boyfriends, but totally gay for each other, Ciel and Alois got stronger and gayer, Charlotte and Amelie are gonna get gay married...
So much gayness happened in three months.
Beautiful.
Until the next chapter, my duckies~!
