Chapter 3:

Genji Part II

The room was a white blur. Soft voices murmured and echoed all around him. He lay on something unrecognizable, but numbly comfortable. A pale, blurry thing moved over his face, then the world faded into darkness.

…

He woke up again, the world not as odd as it was before. There was a white tiled ceiling above him, and underneath his slowly throbbing head, a fluffy pillow which let him sink into oblivion. It was rather comfortable for death.

His eyes began to water as he remembered how he died. The mental and physical pain that came with it and how helpless he was to do anything to stop his brother. As a tear began to trail down his cheek, he noticed it suddenly stopped and began to follow a 90 degree angle. His eyes shifted to his cheek and for the first time he noticed a metal piece surrounding his entire jaw. Genji attempted to say something, but his mouth couldn't open even the slightest bit.

What the hell was this?

Was he magically not dead? His eyes glanced down at his right arm, trying to get his eyes to focus. It was still gone, and in its place a sort of plastic cup closed the wound. For a moment he would wish the world would stop fucking with him and at least allow his mind to make sense of the situation. Approaching voices caught his attention, but his drugged state didn't allow him to feel any real sense of alarm.

"...waking up, at last. I do hope that drug you gave him won't keep him senseless forever. The last few times he woke up he just stared at the ceiling and then fell asleep again, kaput!"

"Sorry, Dr. Ziegler, we just normally have to use the stuff on Blackwatch's... eh, I wouldn't call them patients, more like prisoners."

Prisoners? Who the hell would take a dead man prisoner? Genji wondered, he also realized that they were speaking in English, and that the first voice was annoyingly accented.

"Well, he's no prisoner when he's in my care. After he's healthy and able to take care of himself, you may do what you must. But for now, the poor man is my charge, not Morrison's nor Reyes'."

A slightly blurry woman looked over him, his eyes solely focused on her, narrowing and aiming to be intimidating. Despite his state, he wasn't going to take this situation lightly.

"Greetings, Mr. Shimada, I hope you are feeling well?" He was able to discern that the blonde doctor at least had a nervous smile on her face. Good.

Apparently she must have forgotten that he couldn't talk, and patiently waited for an answer. He could only stare at her then raise an eyebrow in a questioning stare. The other presumed doctor saved them from an everlasting awkward silence.

"Er.. Dr. Ziegler he can't talk," They said with a confused slur.

"Oh, right," she answered with an apologetic smile. Genji, still unable to talk, tried to sit himself up, starting to become uncomfortable in the laying position. Doctor Ziegler reached out and tried to stop him, but was a little too late.

Lifting yourself up with only one arm was difficult enough, but the damage done to his spine, and the difficulty of making his legs move caused immense pain to spike through him. His eyes simply widened and he collapsed in a tearful heap. The doctor stuck something sharp into the back of his left arm, and he felt himself get drowsy again as the pain lessened.

Both doctors helped him back into his previous position, and were kind enough to try to prop him up a bit more. After a few minutes his head cleared, and he used his remaining hand to rub his forehead and eyes, tired despite being asleep for who knows how long.

Neither doctor heeded their attention towards him for the moment, so Genji took the time to explore the metal muzzle placed on him. All he could find was that it was connected to another piece on the back of his head and that there was a way to take it off. The only problem was that he didn't know how. He then checked his legs, lifting the covers a bit, Genji tilted his head to the side and tried to move one leg up. It barely responded. He tried again, still only a little twitch. He wouldn't be able to get out of here on his own-and he wouldn't be able to survive without somewhere to go-but the people so far seemed nice enough.

The one called Ziegler came back, holding an extra tablet on top of her own. She handed him the smaller one with a little smile.

"Unfortunately, you won't be able to talk for a while because of the damage done to your jaw and throat. I had to implement a certain feature which pumps in oxygen nearly directly to your lungs as well, and the mask will keep your jaw intact until it mends. However, so we can communicate, I brought you a tablet directly hooked up to a chat with me and the other doctors here. That way you can tell us anything you need, or if you just need company. I also realize you aren't a native English speaker, but give it a go."

Before she had even finished, Genji was efficiently making use of the keyboard and quickly got a message sent.

'How do you know who I am? Who are you? Where am I?'

The doctor glanced down as a small bing! sounded and thoughtfully covered her mouth.

"Oh dear, I suppose you have quite a few questions."

'I could ask many more. I now ask 3.'

"Well, let me pull up a chair and I'll tell you what I can."

She only grabbed past a curtain and a chair trailed behind her. Ziegler crossed her legs to get comfortable while she decided where to start.

"Well, my name is Angela Ziegler. I am a doctor and medical scientist at Overwatch's disposal. Let's see, we found you a week back at the-"

Genji stared with wide eyes, and quickly typed something without even looking down at the keyboard.

'A week?'

Angela glanced at her device then solemnly nodded at Genji. "Yes, you've been out and recovering all that time, and unfortunately your wounds still need time. But onwards with the story. You were in the castle at Hanamura, in very poor condition. To be honest, I didn't think you were still alive, but by the Heavens it turned out you still had time. We took you back here as quickly as we could and began your recovery. Then, as all patients must go through, we tested your DNA and we figured out you were Genji Shimada. I don't wish to spark any bad memories, but to be backstabbed by those of your own, it must be terrible."

It is, Genji thought to himself as the lonely feeling of mixed anger and sadness washed over him.

Angela noticed that he didn't seem to want to talk much, and having answered his three questions already, stood up.

"Well, I'll give you sometime to think alone. It's already evening as well, and since you're mostly back to your senses, tomorrow we'll get you a tour of the base. I'm sure spending a week in that bed means you must be sick of it."

She left his sight and to the left he heard a door open and close. It seemed no one else was in here, and all the lights, except for the lamp next to his bed, had been turned off. Genji took a moment to take a better look at his surroundings. Far in front of him, the other side of the room, was a countered wall with various cupboards, and of course, no windows. Probably so no one would disturb the priso- prisoners? Where did that come from? He was a patient of Ms. Angela Ziegler. Or.. At least he thought he was. He thought about asking on the chat, but it was visible to all of the supposed personnel in the medical department. He'd prefer something more private for a question like that. Who knew what the others might think.

He gave a mental sigh, only because he couldn't do much with the annoying mask-or muzzle as he preferred to call it,-and looked at his attire. Wait… Was he not wearing a shirt? He carefully skimmed a hand over his chest and realized that it was nearly covered wholly in bandages. He was half naked-ish.

Well then.

Forgetting about his injuries for a split second, he let his hand heavily fall on his torn front, and experienced a massive hammer of pain. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he dared not move for the next minute. Maybe they had been too afraid of hurting him to put on a new shirt, there was a lot of reason behind that.

He also wanted to check his legs, but Genji decided it wasn't worth anymore accidental pain tonight and wiggled around to try and get comfortable for some more rest.

Despite having slept for so long, the young man still felt tired and fell asleep easily.

A hand gently squeezed his shoulder and shook it as his eyes narrowly opened, afraid to let the light in.

"Sorry if I woke you too harshly, I was just afraid you would sleep in for another week if I didn't," Doctor Ziegler said in an attempted joke beside Genji's bed.

Harsh? Hardly. Genji raised an amused eyebrow to show the hidden smirk under the mask. And although what she said was meant to be for fun, he was glad that the doctor had woken him. He glanced around and found the tablet still on the table next to him. His hand grabbed it and began typing.

'How does this work? Do I step out?'

"Oh, right! I promised you a look around, didn't I?" She said in a sweet voice. "Here, your legs are still immobile from your spinal injury, so you'll have to use a wheelchair, and I'll also have to move your legs for you."

Genji nodded his understanding and helped by throwing the sheets off his legs. Angela noticed his worried look as she began to get ready to move him. It must've been because of the last time he'd tried to move.

"Don't worry," she comforted. "I know what I'm doing, I know all your conditions inside and out, literally."

With careful hands and a bit of lifting, they eventually got Genji in the chair. He lay his head back on the headrest, glad that he was finally in a position other than laying down. Angela poked her head out from behind, giving him a sweet smile.

"Glad you're out?"

Genji awkwardly nodded his head and took the moment to stare at her beautifully blue eyes. If the situation wasn't as confusing, he might've found her more attractive, but he put his head back down and grabbed the tablet from his bed.

"Here," Dr. Ziegler handed him a large grey shirt. "It's a bit big, but I don't want you to hurt yourself putting it on."

Genji gladly took the shirt, now out of the bed the room seemed significantly colder. Putting it on would've been very easy, if it weren't for the fact that he was now wearing something on his face and had only one arm to work with. He awkwardly stuck his head out of the neck hole, and got the fabric stuck on the top of the mask. Knowing he looked like a fool, he cast an amused glance at the doctor who was trying to hold in her laughter with an amused smile.

He eventually got the shirt on with a bit of squirming, then Dr. Ziegler kindly draped a soft blanket over his shoulders.

"It's fall in Switzerland, I don't think you want to go without something warm," she'd said, and Genji was quickly glad for the blanket. Apparently they'd put a heater in the room he was formerly in, and when moving into the hallways the air was less controlled and, of course, colder.

They'd moved past a few offices with Angela explaining the people who worked there or the uses of the room before she decided to stop. They had made a lot of process in the winding hallways in the past few minutes, but Genji's stomach had given a tiny rumble. Angela glanced down at him.

"Actually, perhaps we should feed you first. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"

Genji simply nodded his agreement, but his stomach went the extra mile to growl its consent. However, while they traveled to the cafeteria, Genji stumbled across a rather good question, how could he eat? He decided to relay the thought through the chat, and got a rather long answer. Listening and science had always been his weak spots, but he tried to comprehend the doctor's answer.

"Oh, of course," Ziegler tapped on her bottom lip, probably trying to think of a simple explanation. "Well, due to the significant damage done to your mouth, you won't be able to chew anything for a while, so we've been feeding you mostly broth soups and smoothies. We also have to be careful when taking the mask off, your breathing will be unstable at first since oxygen is already being supplied directly to your larynx. I'm not even sure if you've noticed, but you're barely breathing through your nose or mouth since the air you need isn't being concentrated there in the mask."

No wonder he'd had the odd feeling of choking. Genji tried to take a deep breath, but felt only a small bit of air filter through his nose. He blankly stared forward for a while, contemplating on this new discovery. Breathing without breathing, maybe he should have paid more attention in his science classes. Hanzo would certainly agree…

Genji's expression fell at the thought of his brother. Did Hanzo even know he was alive? He shrank back in his chair and looked down. The pain from his still healing wounds amplified, and the hallway was filled with the sound of his own heavily beating heart until he became a shrinking ball of fear. A hand lightly touched his forehead causing his entire body to immediately go tense in defense.

"Are you okay, Mr. Shimada?" The wheelchair halted once more and Angela crouched in front of him, worry lining her gentle features.

Genji blinked a couple times before his mind registered who Angela was then he shut his eyes for a moment. He was in a good place now. There weren't any murderers here, he was with Overwatch. Overwatch helped people, they were helping him. There was nothing to worry about, everyone-

Two hands held his face and gently forced his head up to meet two eyes of the purest color.

"Look at me," Angela whispered.

Genji stared at her with the widest most terrified eyes, he'd seen a lot in the past twenty years. But the doctor was insistent that he looked at herself only. And so he looked into her face, taking in both the beauty and sincerity held there, it calmed him down a bit. He took a mental deep breath.

Forget everything. You're in a hallway, you're in Switzerland. You are far away from them.

His eyes closed tightly again until he heard her speak.

"Genji," she began, becoming informal in hopes of making him feel more comfortable. "I know you have been through a lot, but all of that is behind us now. You don't have to remember what happened, you do not have to remember who did it. Just know that we care, I care. Here at Overwatch we are diverse and kind. Anybody who joins our ranks is a part of our family, and we fiercely protect each other. No one falls behind, not even the weakest man or woman. All of us are not warriors, either. Some of us are doctors or scientists, just like me and a very friendly ape you ought to meet. Genji, when you need me I will be here. If memories haunt you, taunt you, torture you, talk to me. You have no need to suffer alone. Now, how about some food?"

Tears welled up in the young man's eyes, but they were more of happiness than sadness. Surely, these people were better. He nodded his head at the mention of food, and Angela stood up, giving him a light pat on the head and returning to pushing the wheelchair.

There was an unspoken agreement between the two that silence did no good, so Dr. Ziegler began to tell some humorous stories about her life in Overwatch

"...And so while we were trying to remove it, Winston kept sneaking the peanut butter out and eating it. Then, when he had finished the jar, he decided it was a good idea and take off the peanut butter we were using on his hair. So by the end we were left with a sticky gorilla and nothing to take the gum out with. Gabriel and Jesse are brilliant at pulling pranks, and Winston accidentally joined in."

Angela let out a sweet laugh at the end of her story, and in perfect timing they arrived at the cafeteria. It was very open, the walls surrounding the area were almost purely made of glass.

When he passed the doors, Genji realized that no one else was here except for a couple of people who were intently tapping away on laptops. Angela parked him next to a table and told him to wait while she grabbed the food.

Genji, now knowing he would finally be able to take the mask off, decided to use his left hand to try and find some sort of releasing mechanism again. He dared not bring his arm too far back in fear of opening his wounds or harming himself on accident.

His hand glided across a sort of vent on the back of his head where it felt like air was being drawn in. That was probably how he was breathing right now, even if it didn't really feel like he was. His hand then moved towards the area behind his ear, that was probably where the opening mechanism was. A small indent caught his attention near the lower jaw, and he found next to it a little lever. He checked the other side and found the same indent, but not a lever. At that time Dr. Ziegler came back with a cup and steaming bowl of soup. Genji quickly dropped his hand to the table as the doctor gave him a questioning look, but she didn't press him about it. Instead, she put her hands on the mask and instructed him on what he needed to do.

"Alright, I will disengage the mask piece, and when I do, take deep breaths. Start taking them now to get a rhythm, because when I remove it it may feel like you're choking. A rhythm will help you keep a steady breathing pattern. Okay, ready?"

Genji nodded, making sure his entire body was relaxed. Don't think of anything.

"Three… Two… One."

Dr. Ziegler's hands pressed in the same area he had been touching before, causing the mask to silently pop off. Air rushed in to fill the empty space, and Genji certainly felt the choking sensation the doctor spoke of. He dared not open his mouth and simply breathed through his nose, nostrils stinging from the sudden cold air. His hand clamped over his nose as he felt the urge to sneeze, and the movement alarmed the doctor, making her think he couldn't breathe. He let go as soon as she came to help, and they had an awkwardly silent moment as each tried to figure out what the other was doing. Genji tried to speak, but only experienced pain as a little squeak came out.

This time Angela didn't have to wonder. "I wouldn't suggest speaking, Mr. Shimada. Your neck wound is still recovering, and your jaw is… well, in bad condition."

Genji gently brushed his hand under his mouth. A smooth metal plate coated the bottom and he felt a long scar running under his chin. He gave Angela a questioning glance, he never remembered gaining that.

"We had to replace and support part of the bone, a scar is the only real side effect," she gently explained. "If you're done, however, perhaps you'd like to eat? I only suggest you don't be hasty, and don't over extend your jaw."

Genji nodded his understanding. He finally noticed that he also seemed to be breathing normally and that the artificial breathing system seemed to lower the amount of airflow so that he felt more comfortable. Skimming the soup into his spoon, Genji gently opened his mouth so that the gap was big enough to only let the liquid slide in. The new warmth made him relax from his tense and weary stature, and the discovery that swallowing only felt a little bit awkward, led him to eat-or rather drink-his food vigorously. His stomach gave a grateful growl as he continued, and when he finished he felt heavy, but satisfied. He let out a low sigh of happiness and sat back in the chair, wrapping himself in the blanket the doctor had given him. Now he had the time to look through the giant window before him and enjoy the beauty of Switzerland. Looking beyond the sidewalks and various buildings there were miles on end of snowcapped mountains and rolling hills of golds and greens. Tall, skinny trees that looked almost like bushes occasionally dotted the area, and to the supposed east there were countless pine trees creating a forest that shone of the sun's light.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Genji's head snapped to the side. He hadn't noticed Angela sit in the chair and watch the rising sun with him. However, he easily sat back and looked through the window again, nodding.

"I feel very lucky to have been born here. All throughout this area it is the most beautiful of Europe, but Switzerland has the best chocolate. You should try it sometime," She turned her head to him and cleaned up his empty dishes. "Unfortunately, we must leave the scenery for later. I'd like you to meet someone today."

Genji, with a content stomach, gave the mask a questioning glance. Would he have to continue wearing it? Angela gave him a little sigh of pity and nodded.

"I know it's not the nicest thing to wear, but so that you remain stable we must keep it on as much as possible." The doctor reached for the mask and gently held Genji's head to put it back in place. He didn't move or reject it, but his face still showed dislike. Once it was back in place, he felt the choking sensation again as air was automatically transferred to him and he didn't have the ability to actually breathe in most of the air. Trying to get used to it, he sat back in the wheelchair and relaxed himself.

It apparently worked because he found Dr. Ziegler shaking his shoulder for the second time this morning. He lazily opened his eyes, trying to pry them open and wake himself up. Did he manage to doze off? Peeling himself off the back of the chair, he removed the blanket from his shoulders. Before looking at his surroundings with still lazy eyes, he went to stretch his back, but cringed when his wounds felt like they were being stretched open. With pain to wake him up fully, he looked ahead at their next destination.

The plaque read 'Observation Deck' and had a rather large pair of double doors which would easily swing open upon pressure.

Dr. Ziegler, satisfied that Genji was now awake, opened one door and pushed him through. It was a rather interesting room. The observation part was obvious, they were clearly in an overhanging room with windows to look down on some sort of presumed testing room. However, the rest was a bit confusing. On his left were several screens showing the physical health of the members of Overwatch? Maybe. There was a man there dressed similarly to Dr. Ziegler, and on the right was-

Oh shit. What the fuck is that?