Chapter 3

About half an hour later, I was drawn away from my extremely boring paperwork by the sound of shouting from the waiting room. Curious, I wheeled myself out of the office to take a look at what was going on. What I found was surprise, and I was starting to think that I should just expect surprises.

There were only two people in the waiting room, and I only recognized Jade Harley, the receptionist. She was usually bright and cheery, and I had seen her calm people down from hysterics with her optimistic outlook on everything. At that moment, however, she looked like she was angry enough to bite the other person's head off, which was a bit scary since he was at least four inches shorter than her. He looked like he was maybe Spanish, with dark skin and wild dark hair. I briefly wondered why he was wearing a sweater and jean shorts, partially because it was almost ninety degrees outside and partially because it was the middle of summer. His eyes, which looked black from where I was, were narrowed and his mouth was twisted into an angry snarl. However, I could tell that the reason behind the tension in his body and his clenched hands wasn't anger but anxiety. Even though his eyes flashed with fury, I could see the fear and what looked almost like guilt within them. If there was one thing I prided myself on, it was my ability to read people even if I didn't know them.

"For fuck's sake, just let me through! I need to see someone; it's more fucking important than whatever the hell protocol you're trying to inforce!" He yelled, and by his use of language, I figured it was Karkat.

"Well, I'm sorry, but I can't just let random people waltz into a rehab center! Now go away, I have work to do and all you're doing is disturbing the peace." Jade looked livid, and I was almost afraid to go up to them, but I did anyway.

"It's um, it's alright, Jade. I called him here." My voice was quiet, but maybe it only seemed that way because of how loudly they had been talking… well, screaming, really.

She looked at me incredulously, like she couldn't believe what I was saying. Karkat was watching me, confused, then his eyes widened. "Hey, you're the fuckass I talked to on the phone. Thank god! Take me to see Gamzee, now."

Jade huffed in annoyance and gestured at him angrily. "Really? You see this? Why on Earth would you let him visit one of your most unstable patients?"

That seemed to make Karkat angrier, and he turned to growl at Jade. "Gamzee is not unstable,"

Jade huffed and crossed her arms, glaring at the smaller man. "Oh, really? Then why was he brought in by and entire squad of police?"

I interrupted before they could return to their shouting match. "Jade, Gamzee asked specifically for him. It's fine. Now, um, Mr. Vantas, I'll take you to him if you want."

He crossed his arms and followed me as I rolled out of the room, letting Jade cool down before he came back out and made her mad again. I lead him to Gamzee's room and knocked softly, more out of politeness than anything.

"Gamzee? Karkat's here, if you'd like to see him."

It didn't even take five seconds for Gamzee to fling the door open. Karkat's entire form relaxed as he saw the tall man standing in the door, like he hadn't really believed me when I said that he was alright.

"Oh thank God," breathed Karkat, edging around me to get to Gamzee. "You idiot! You said it would just be a normal run! Then you don't come back and next thing I know, Kankri's answering the phone and it's a rehab center! What the hell, Gamz?"

It was almost comical to see Karkat yelling up at Gamzee, who was over a foot taller than him. By Gamzee's casual reaction, however, it seemed like it happened usually. He led the still-ranting Karkat to the bed and sat down, waiting for the other to run out of steam. I lingered by the doorway, wanting to give them privacy but not wanting to hear the hell I'd get from my boss, Meenah Piexes, if I left them alone.

Eventually Karkat calmed down and they talked in low, soft tones. I didn't hear much, but the few phrases I did catch both scared me and confused me. Karkat's tone was urgent, like he was afraid for himself or Gamzee. Worried me, she called, wants to make it up, don't trust her, remember the scars, didn't tell me anything. Gamzee just sounded pissed off as soon as "she" was mentioned. Bitch, not going back, I know what she did, never going to happen, she should give up.

I let them spend an hour together before I decided that I should step in and maybe get some more information from Karkat. I wheeled forward and cleared my throat softly.

"Um, I'm sorry, but Karkat needs to go now. You can come back tomorrow, though."

He sighed and stood up. "Alright, give me a second,"

He seemed much calmer than he had been. I went back to the doorway and waited as Karkat murmured one last thing to Gamzee and gave him a brief hug before walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.

As we got closer to the waiting room, Karkat cleared his throat. "Um, I have a question,"

I raised my eyebrows slightly. "Oh, um, okay. What is it?"

"Can I bring him his face paint? You can do whatever check on it you need to, to make sure it's not some sort of drug in disguise or whatever, but it would mean a lot to him."

His voice was quiet, like he was worried about my reaction. I thought for a moment, then nodded. It was face paint; what could happen? "Sure, you can give it to him next time you visit,"

He let out a soft sigh and nodded. "Thanks,"

With that, he walked out and left, ignoring the glare Jade gave him on his way out.