Lindsay finds out what Linus really is, and what is he doing, while she learns about her new skills too. What will she do with the new information, and how will she cope with her internal changes? How did she got it in the first place? Heiter did something more to her, than the obvious, or it was something - Someone? - else? Then there's Jenny, who haven't woken up yet. Can she handle the new environment, and everything that's happened to her?
When she woke up, Lindsay felt a huge relief, as she thought about Jenny. Her friend was safe now, an it looked like the rest will be a lot easier. She had to occupy her thoughts with something to fight off the boredom, when she heard knocking on her door.
When she said, the visitor can come in, she saw Linus with two huge sports bags. The man almost dragged them trough the room, then he put them near the wall, and sighed. It certainly looked like those are for her, but she had no idea what's inside them.
If I do this a few more times, I can go body building, or weightlifting, you know. - Said the man, while moving his arms a bit, to relieve their numbness.
What's inside them? - Lindsay inquired. - They sure look like heavy.
Don't worry, It's not a bomb. - Linus retorted. - These are books. All kind of books, in fact. I thought you may get bored while you are here ... - He slowly turned away from Lindsay. - I certainly don't blame you for that one. I would be bored to death by myself, if I were you.
- I'm not bor ...!
- Sure you aren't! Anyway, I picked a lot of different topics, so you might find something interesting. If you are interested in a particular subject, we can print you a library's catalog about it, and pick the book for you, if it's currently available. And I suggest you find something for Miss Jennie too, as she will wake up in a few days, at most, and she will get bored quickly. Especially so, if you are around her. People can survive a blood poisoning, but I'm certain, that they can't survive you.
He delivers these insults like he is talking about the weather! - Contemplated the American woman.
As for the press, I am still working on a plan, don't worry. - The man continued. - You will have to be careful around those ones. If they want something from you, they will find you, and hunt you down, no matter where you are. While speaking, he imitated a handgun with his hands, he walked back to the door, and pretended he just got in. Then, he quickly checked the room, pointed at Lindsay with his index finger, while looking sideways, ran to the end of her bed, and took cover there. When Lindsay leaned forward to see what's he is doing there, he suddenly stood up, pointed his "gun" at Lindsay's face, and "shot her".
Lindsay tried not to laugh at his performance. - You never sleep? - She asked.
I can sleep more than enough in my grave. - Said the man, in a bored tone. - Just make sure I will get a nice headstone. Something like this: "Here lies Linus. Put into the ground by Miss Lindsay"s feather-brained ness."
Lindsay tried to say something, but she held it back. - No, this time, he won't do it, it won't work for him. - Do you have a few minutes?
Linus glanced at his watch. - A few, so make it quick! He sat into Lindsay's wheelchair, mid-sentence.
Hey! That's mine! - She exclaimed.
So what? - That mocking tone again. - It's not like you are currently using it, right? So I decided to ... borrow it from you. I hope you won't sue me over this. You, Americans would sue your own cat, just because it ate the meat you bought for yourself.
Lindsay decided to let the insult come and go. - Yesterday, you tried to make me angry, to distract my thoughts from Jenny. To make it easier for me. Right?
Yes. - He became very cautious.
Those emotions you are so strongly exhibiting ... - Continued the woman. - ... those aren't real ones! You are acting, so you can hide behind them!
I know that your kind is dangerous. - He began to move the wheelchair back and forth with his legs. So I have to use the ... appropriate defense.
My kind? - Lindsay was very curious about this. - You mean Americans?
- No, I mean the ones like you, specifically. The ones who can detect emotions, like you do! Sometimes thoughts too.
Lindsay stared at him, with her mouth wide open (she always did that, when she was shocked). - What? I can't detect ... - Lindsay exclaimed. - I mean, I wasn't able to do this thing before ...
Do you ... need something into your mouth, my lady? - The man asked, with amusement. - I can pay to a very handsome man, to visit you, and ...
What? - Lindsay sat up, as she was barely able to repress her anger. - He is changing the subject! Well, this won't work for you, pal! I have to calm down ... She took deep breaths, and tried to relax. When she was done, she asked again the previous question.
- As I know, this ... thing you are doing can't be learned, or "built into someone". You are either born with it, or you aren't. If you are, you will have it.
But I haven't got this, before that! - Lindsay was totally confused. - Are you sure this can't be given to someone?
If Heiter managed to ... outfit you with it, then it's a real shame that he died. - Linus said that more or less to himself.
What? - The woman felt her anger flaring up again. - I have to stay calm.
Just wondering. - The guy said. - But if you haven't got this before, then something must have happened to you in that house, that gave you this.
I have to find out what's this! - Lindsay's thoughts were racing. - Have you met others? Ones ... like me?
Yeah. - Linus's face became expressionless. - They were stronger than you, I think.
You mean this ... ability was stronger in them? - Questioned the American.
- Yes. One of them, in particular was exceptionally ... bad news. She used it in a campaign, to predict how the masses would react to something. What the people would like to hear, and what they absolutely refuse. She was able to anticipate my moves, by watching some of my interviews. She always knew where to hit. But I digressed ...
So this ... disdain you feel for me ... It comes from this? - Lindsay thought she found something there.
Yes! It's because I know your kind! - Linus stood up from the wheelchair, and began pacing in the room. - I know what they are capable of! I know what they can do to us! How they manipulate us!
- They do that sort of thing?
- Most of them don't. - Linus looked around the room, like he was making sure there wasn't any listening devices around. - But a few do! And one of them is enough to cause a disaster, if he or she wants to.
So, you aren't like me? - Lindsay was processing what she had heard, but she was eager to learn more about this.
- No, I'm not!
- But, as I said earlier, you can hide your emotions. How can you do that, if you don't have this ... ability?
- Masking is a completely different skill. That can be learned by anyone, with enough dedication, and practice. The thing is: I have it, because I learned how to do it, but I can't do what you are doing. You can't hide yourself, but you can learn it, if you want to, just like anyone else. That gives you an ... advantage.
He is telling the truth. - Lindsay thought. Suddenly she became very sleepy, which almost resulted in a yawn, but she was able to stop it in time. She got used to this, as opening her mouth too wide would pull on her scars.
There it is! - The man recognized it, apparently. - You people always do this! It seems you get bored by yourselves.
Lindsay was too tired to care about the insult. She just wanted some sleep. - Excuse me! I think I could use some sleep ...
I understand. And you need it too. - The man showed concern for her. - If you need something, you can contact me. Just tell someone you would like to speak to me, and they will handle it. Now, if there is nothing else ...
Lindsay sat up. - Linus! You do care about me, and Jenny!
- No, I don't!
- You are a liar.
- It took you this long to figure that out? - He smirked.
After a brief sleep, Lindsay began to peek into the books she received. Some of them were about different countries, adventure books, and the like. She put them away for Jenny, as she knew she likes these kind of things. One of them, on the other hand was about psychology, which caught her attention. After a thorough search, she found what she was looking for. Or so she thought. The entry was about sensitivity. This prompted her to think about her "new self", drawing comparisons to the statements of the book.
She always liked animals, that was true. This made her to remember that Jenny was totally different, as she never got along too well, with them. Strangely it was kind of one sided though. They liked Jenny too, but she never felt any connection to them. Sometimes she had feelings about people, yes. But it was rare, and sometimes she was wrong too. Jenny wasn't like that, though. She always was the "let's just have some fun, guys!" type. Perhaps this last thing made her that easy going. Lindsay always considered every step, if she had time for it, and she hated it, when she had to make quick decisions, while Jenny liked to just go with the flow.
Then, there was their taste in men. Jenny was always relatively quick to get into action, wile she always did it slowly, and carefully. She had to form an emotional connection with them, and needed a loving, supporting relationship, while Jenny was more interested in the physical side of things. That never meant that she just wanted to get laid, of course, just she wasn't against it, if there wasn't any reason not to do it.
Then she thought about their different stiles. Lindsay liked to wear mildly attractive clothes, so people would take her seriously, while Jenny preferred revealing outfits. (That's why she was in a short skirt, when they found the house.) She also liked it, when guys were chasing her around, while Lindsay was more annoyed by that. If she wanted to get a boyfriend, she meant it, and she found it tiresome to reject advances which were clearly for a "one night adventure". Jenny though, she loved it when men approached her, and sometimes she was willing to give in to them. Especially after breakups.
Lindsay gone over their fights about these, too. She always thought that Jenny just degrades herself with her behavior. And she causes needless suffering to the man, if he gets to feel more for her, or she changes her mind. Jenny always came up with the counter argument that Lindsay would like to get married to a man, before she is willing to even kiss him. Of course that wasn't true, but she had to know who she is dealing with, before anything happens. And she wanted only one, lasting relationship, not some short ones.
Then, there was their friendship. They had so different personalities, yet they genuinely liked each other. It was kind of strange though, that Lindsay always got the lead, even emotionally. Jenny just kind of reacted to whatever she did, that was the main reason, their arguments went as far, as Lindsay allowed it. She was able to control her best friend, even though she never thought about this, but now she realized that she can't deny it. She just knew the right buttons, which made Jenny do the exact thing she wanted her to do. That got them into Heiter's house, in the first place. - Lindsay got a bit angry at herself at this point.
She just knew that she never wanted to control her, or anyone else for that matter, but then the memories of their escape attempt came up from the dark recesses of her mind. There, she basically took the lead, as far as she was able. And where did that got them? Jap' died, Jenny almost died too, and it was just blind luck that I escaped mostly intact. Intact ... Well, Heiter could have killed me, us, with that scalpel if he wanted to. I don't even know Jap's name! - Her thoughts started to drift out of control.
She remembered her fight with Jenny, back in the States. She was the one, who got the leading role, even there. She remembered how they yelled at each other, then she lost control for a moment, and punched Jenny in the face. She never attempted physical confrontation until that point, and that punch was the one that pushed her over the edge. That was their only real fight. Lindsay remembered that the pain allowed her to regain control of herself, so she held back, while they were rolling around, struggling with each other. Jenny didn't, though. She gave into it everything she had. Lindsay were trying her best to avoid hurting her best friend, but also tried to defend herself, so she was really glad, when Amy pulled them apart.
Then she recalled the events after that, when she made plans to apologize to Jenny. She thought about nice gifts, wrote great speeches for herself, which she discarded as "not good enough", all for nothing, as Jenny just approached her, asked for an apology, and they hugged each other, crying. Well, the shortest route between "point A" and "point B" is a straight line, I guess. - She sighed.
She realized that she won't find out anything more this way. - I have to find someone who can help. But who can help me with this?
Her contemplations were disturbed by Dr. Eckart, who approached her, and called her by name.
Miss Lindsay! Miss Jennie is ready. - Said Dr. Eckart, with a smile.
Ready? Ready for what? - Lindsay immediately became concerned.
For waking up. - The doctor was thinking about something. - We thought it will be best, if you will be there to greet her.
Thank you, Doctor. - Said the brunette. - I certainly would like to be there, when she wakes up!
I meant it will be just you. - He was trying to find the right words to tell something.
Why? - Lindsay's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Considering what happened with you, I thought it would be best, if she can't see any of us, for the first time. - He scratched his head. - So you can bring her up to speed.
Right. I'm sorry about that. - Lindsay felt she is blushing.
- It was understandable, you reacted the way, you did.
- Thank you. Then, I think, I'm ready to do this!
Then we will take you over to her. I will be right back. - Then he left somewhere.
I will be at the door. - Said Dr. Eckart, while escorting Lindsay in her wheelchair. - You can call me in, when she is ready. Or immediately if there is an emergency.
- I understand.
She saw Jenny on her bed, when they entered her room. She was still sleeping, like the last time, but now she had different skin color. It was mostly normal. Lindsay called her friend by name, who started moving, and moaning, as she was waking up.
By the door. - Said Eckart in a muffled voice, then he hurried out from the room.
Lindsay watched Jenny as she fully came back. She tried to open her eyes, clearly searching for her friend.
I'm here Jenny. It's okay. - Said Lindsay, while trying real hard not to cry. We are safe now.
Jenny finally opened her eyes, and looked at her. - Where is here?
We are in a hospital, and they will help us. - She said in a reassuring tone.
Are you sure? - Jenny was still very confused.
- They helped me so far, and they say, they can fix our bodies to normal functionality.
If you are so sure ... - It seemed Jenny accepted her friends explanation.
I will call in Dr. Eckart. - Said Lindsay, with a smile. - He saved your life.
Saved? Why ...? - Jenny tried to remember something.
You nearly died. - Lindsay informed her, before calling in the doctor.
Hi doctor! - Jenny tried to smile. - I'm sorry I ... Just ... Sleep ...
It's okay, Miss Jenny. - Said Eckart. - You need to rest. You are still weak after all that's happened.
Okay. - Jenny turned towards her best friend. - Where ... You ...?
In the next room. - Said Lindsay, while holding back her tears. - Just tell someone you would like to speak to me, and they will take me here.
I will ... - A smile appeared on Jenny's face. - I just ... I think ... Sleep ...
She fell asleep. - Noted Eckart. - We should allow her to rest. She really needs it.
Thank you, doctor! - Lindsay felt really grateful on her way back to her room.
You should say thank you to Miss Jenny, not me. - Answered Eckart. - She did the whole thing.
- Maybe, but your support was invaluable too.
- Thank you, Miss Lindsay. - The German "parked her" in her room. - Now, you should go back to your bed and sleep. You need it too. I will get someone to help us out here ...
- Thanks doctor! I really need some sleep after all this. - Lindsay happily sighed, when she realized for the first time, that Jenny is alive, and well.
In the next chapter, the two survivors can actually talk about the events, for the first time. How will it go? Both of them suffered tremendous abuse, but can they sympathize with each other's suffering, or both of them selfishly wants the other one's support? Can they deal with the changes that happened to them, and get to know each other again? On the other hand, Lindsay finds new information about her "condition". Can she use it to rein in her ability, which starts to get out of control? Or it will dominate her for the rest of her life?