Practice

Day 5

Project – Subject: N-12

It is the second day of rehabilitation. N-12's body is ready for the prosthetic. Medication to promote bone growth has been effective. Temporary chem-implant to reduce pain in stump has also proved effective. Subject's morale is high. Ready to begin.

Viktor sat down next to Ren and presented the prosthetic.

"Observe closely," he said, "I will demonstrate how to put it on."

Ren nodded and watched.

"This is your liner; it has a pin in the bottom."

Viktor passed Ren another sock like cloth of a thicker material than the previous socks he was given. At its end was the pin, a metal peg sticking out of a disc that would fit into the socket of the prosthetic. Viktor had Ren turn the liner inside out and place his stump against the disc the liner before pulling it on. Ren lifted his leg and smirked at the little pin sticking out the bottom.

"This must be the world's smallest peg leg," Ren said, "I didn't know you catered to Yordle pirates."

"Focus N-12."

"It was only a joke."

"It was a waste of my time."

"What? A second?"

"4.48 seconds," Viktor grumbled before turning his attention back to the prosthetic, "pay attention. For you limb to fit, you will need to wear an extra pair of socks. Put them on. Slide the pin into the slot of the socket, then push until you hear a click."

He placed the prosthetic up to the pin and guided it in. He pushed it up against Ren, who pushed back in turn. There was a click and Ren stopped moving. He looked down at his new limb, finding that, for the first time, looking at it did not fill him with dread or revulsion. Instead, his heart felt like it was plunged in ice water and was trembling from the cold.

"Stand slowly," Viktor ordered.

Ren took a breath and swung his legs over the side of the table. As he looked down at the ground, he felt his confidence waver, as the floor below suddenly appeared twice as far away. But he refused to be intimidated and, closing his eyes, Ren lowered himself to the ground.

The cold floor greeted his organic toes and, with the clap of wood on floor, his prosthetic touched ground. Ren pushed forward from the table he was leaning on and immediately felt his legs quiver and give way. He caught himself against the table.

"A crutch will prove beneficial at this stage," Viktor said, "remain still and-"

Ren raised his hand to interrupt Viktor.

"Let me try," he said as he steadied his legs.

He shifted his weight to his organic leg, letting it remember how to support him, and then he placed the slightest amount on his new leg. His knees began to shake again, but he gripped the table tightly until the feeling passed. Then he pushed off again. He looked down at his legs, the joint between flesh and wood, his wriggling toes, and the cold floor. And then he let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. The ice that had gripped his heart melted and it was replaced by a red hot thumping.

"I'm! Viktor, I'm standing!" Ren laughed.

He was so wrapped in his exuberance that his mind forgot all fatigue, but his body did not, and he soon found himself losing his balance once more. Viktor caught him and thrust the crutch into his hands.

"Your form is still too weak to stand alone for long," Viktor scolded, "you will need practice on the bars before you are able to walk on your own."

Viktor aided Ren over to where the automatons and Viktor had assembled a set of parallel railings for Ren balance himself on as he relearned to walk. One glance was all it took to tell that these were not made by a medical facility, but rather they were welded together by whatever non-rusted scrap Viktor was able to find laying around the factory. They were mismatched in shape and color, but they were put together solidly and evenly enough that they would serve to ease Ren's recovery.

"Practice standing for now," Viktor ordered, "do not take a step until you know how balance your weight."

Ren nodded and threw down the crutch for the railings in a heartbeat. With hands steadying him on either side, he began to shift the weight between his legs to experiment with what was comfortable. Viktor sat back down in his chair and continued to record his observations.

Prosthetic fits with two extra socks. Will make adjustment for final limb. Other than socket, measurements were correct. Lack of balance due to muscle fatigue, not poor craftsmanship. N-12's spirit remains high, if not enhanced. He would likely continue to practice until he passed out. Cannot allow that. Could cause more harm than good. Possibly need to restrain him for night. Decide later based on behavior.

"Are you able to balance yourself?" Viktor asked.

Ren nodded.

"Attempt to take, N-12. Hold onto the railings. Do not allow yourself to fall due to pride or stubbornness."

Ren gripped the bars and stepped forward with his organic leg first before moving his new one behind him. Pain shot through his limb as his weight shifted to his prosthetic, but it was not so great a pain that he needed to stop. He had forced himself to walk through worse than this. Step by step, his stiff gait moved him down the rails. Ache engulfed his limbs, but Ren was smiling. He was walking again.

"Continue practicing," Viktor said, "walk along the railings until your muscles grow tired, but do not overexert yourself. You may cause yourself more harm than good."

"No way," Ren said, "I'm walking till then, then I'm walking more. I'll be going till I sleep, and then maybe even sleep walk."

Viktor sighed and added another not to his journal.

Restraints will be needed.