Noah felt a strange void in his chest. It wasn't necessarily a bad void but it felt strange as he felt the weight of Robyn hug him tightly. He tried to figure out just what it was. It had been such a strange collection of hours since he had been taken by the man with green eyes and to Noah's surprise, they hadn't asked him any questions and they had done just what they said they were going to do. He had been put on a gurney in some kind of high-tech facility with doctors in white coats looking over him. They numbed the horrible pain where his right eye used to be, cleaned it out, and dealt with the other bruises and contusions caused by Imogen Banks.
Having his right eye so brutally taken out felt like it hadn't quite sunk in, Noah couldn't help but think. He was warned of the effects it might have in the future not that Noah had envisioned a future outside of Hearthome. So far he hadn't noticed anything too strange other than a constant swivelling of his head to make up for his range of eyesight. His right eye was not the void he felt, though. It was a void that felt like maybe, with enough effort, it could be filled in, and then Noah realised what the void was.
This felt real. This moment with Robyn hugging him felt more real than anything he had felt for a very long time. Despite the devil on his shoulder, he felt no doubt on the validity of this moment. This was not a vision, this was not a made-up day, this was happening, this moment, right now. Once Noah realised this, he realised with a sudden start that everything up until his vision earlier in the week had been real. Everything after the vision had played out was real.
The void was the absence of doubt. Noah felt such a strong sense of certainty that it almost buckled his legs with the realisation.
Robyn finally pulled away and smiled up at Noah. "Sorry to be weird."
"Not weird." Noah shook his head. "Has everything been okay?"
"Define 'okay'? I mean, it's been kinda crazy. I think me and Conner are now friends, which is great, but Conner has now had to run away because people in masks are after him and they've somehow made the orderlies think of him as enemy number one. Oh yeah, the people in masks, they took Ollie and we think they took John and Banks but then we heard Banks was still around, so maybe they hadn't taken Banks but we still really, really want to get rid of Banks and—"
"Robyn," Noah chided lightly. "Too fast. Too much information. Did Sullivan get the warning?"
"Ah…" Robyn chewed on her bottom lip, looking down to the floor. "He… He didn't…"
Noah looked to the man with green eyes for a moment and then looked back at Robyn. "Did you have to see it?" Robyn nodded. "I'm sorry."
"As much as I understand how much it means for the two of you to see each other, I need you to follow me," the man with green eyes clapped both of them on the shoulder, motioned to his four mute black-clad followers, and started walking.
"Where are we going?" Robyn asked.
"Somewhere quiet."
"Why?"
"To explain as best I can some of the stuff that has been happening."
"Do you know about the people in masks?"
"You'll find out in a moment."
"Why can't you tell me now?"
"I don't want to repeat myself and there's a lot of ears to hear."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I've got something important to tell a number of people, including Noah and yourself."
"Which people?"
The man with green eyes stopped and turned but instead of a face of annoyance, that Noah had slightly expected - Robyn could be a bit much sometimes - he looked like he was enjoying himself. "I will answer any and all questions when we find somewhere private. The walls of Hearthome often have ears."
"Can you at least tell me your name? We saw you in a notebook but—"
"You've seen me in a notebook?" The enjoyment turned into a frown. "That seems highly doubtful."
"It was definitely you. You had stubble and your hair was messy and it looked like you hadn't slept in years but I recognise those eyes and that scar. How did you get your scar?"
"Hang on," The man reached up and pulled the headwear he was wearing off. His hair was short and bristled, his jaw was clean-shaven, his eyes looked somewhat more awake; he was definitely the same man that Robyn had seen. He pointed. "You saw me?"
"Yes," Robyn nodded earnestly. "You were in a notebook with a bunch of other faces."
"Where did you find this?"
"In John's room."
"John?"
"John Doe." Noah said quietly. "He's next door to me. Says he knows about the List."
"Knows about the List? Knows what I looked like seven years ago?" The man's frown deepened. "What did he look like?"
"Uh…" Noah faltered. "Tall guy. Thin. Lanky. Long hair and beard but stylised."
"Did you see his eyes? Or his face?"
"No, the hair covered it." Noah closed his eyes, remembering when he first met John when he had appeared out of the doorway like a demon. "He said the only visionary he ever knew was a 'selfish little bitch who refused to save anyone.'"
"I don't believe it…" The man turned away, almost speaking to himself now. "It can't be. They couldn't find his body but we presumed… How would he have survived the List? He was still on it. Going by all accounts that man had no-one that he loved so…" The green eyes snapped back to Noah. "Lead me to him. Now."
John sat on his bed in only his boxers, glaring in front of him. He was ignoring the fourth person who was hesitantly cleaning the wounds on his shoulder, chest, and leg. Every so often, Rebecca, she had been called, glanced fearfully up at him before looking away again.
Warden Hearthome stood in front of him impatiently, arms crossed over his suited chest. To his right stood another orderly he had introduced as Paul, a man with a lop-sided face and a long ponytail. Yet it was neither of these two people John was particularly interested in, despite the rarity of Theodore Hearthome himself visiting a patient in their rooms. It was the woman to the warden's left. Imogen Banks. She was looking somewhat nervous, standing a step behind the warden. John was looking particularly at her.
"You can't just say it, can you?" Lily stood next to Imogen, arms crossed over her chest. "It's too risky. Is she working with the men in the masks now? Are one of these people with them? Is the Warden with them? Just answer their questions, John, and be rid of them."
"I am answering their questions." John replied out loud, not caring what his visitors thought of him. He still didn't take his gaze from Imogen.
"Try not to look so crazy," Lily shook her head.
"I am crazy, what does it matter?" John replied and twitched his head towards the warden as Theodore clicked his fingers to get his attention.
"John." Theodore said. "I need you to focus on me. We don't use that word, do you understand? You are simply unwell."
"I got a couple of stab wounds in me. I'm a little more than unwell, don't you think?"
"I need you to answer my question."
"I already told you. I don't know where Conner Shepherd is. I don't care where Conner Shepherd is. Conner Shepherd did not do this to me."
"Then who did do this to you?" Theodore asked. "We only want to help, John."
"Nah, you don't. You only want to capture Conner and you're not looking at the real problem."
"What is the real problem?"
"Look," John stood up his full height which easily put his shoulder out of Rebecca's reach. "I just want to stay nice and cosy in my room with my voices. I got no interest in Conner Shepherd. I got no interest in you, I'm sorry to say, Warden. You want to help your residents? I get help by staying alone."
"What about talking to Noah Barker? Why did you talk to him?" Imogen darted in with the question. John could almost taste the nervousness and fear on her words. What game was she playing?
"Is a neighbour not allowed to ask another neighbour for some loo roll?" John grinned. "Unless you're gonna torture me, Theodore, then I got nothing to say to you or any of your orderlies. Other than to buy me a new lock."
"Subtle." Lily rolled her eyes.
"John. I allowed you to stay in Hearthome hospital because when you arrived at my doors I could see that you needed it," the warden said smartly. "The amount of trust it takes for me to do that for you is immense. You did not go through proper procedures. I extended my hand and you took it. I gave you this room. I gave you this community. I gave you help, John. I expect you to be truthful with me. Who broke your lock? Who gave you those injuries? Why are you hiding information?"
John took a step forward and leaned down so he was staring into Warden Hearthome's unflinching eyes. John had to respect that. Most people, like this Rebecca, the sweating Paul, and even Imogen, were scared of him. "I accidentally locked myself out of my room."
"You cannot lock the locks from outside, John. Tell me the truth."
"Yeah sure, tell him about the masked men and the torture. Tell him how Imogen here was crying her eyes out like a little kid. I wonder what he'll think about the word 'crazy' then."
"What are you gonna do, kick me out?"
Theodore sighed. "No, John, no. My desire to help will not go away just because you are being difficult. I will schedule some appointments with some of my best doctors, however. You have avoided sessions for far too long."
"Ooh, what a threat, he's gonna throw you in with a quack. Real scary." Lily sauntered in front of the warden, throwing a casual finger at him. "I don't like this dude. Oh hey, someone else is coming in. It's a party."
Just as Lily said those words, the door opened. The two orderlies, the nurse, and the Warden all turned to find the man with green eyes standing in the doorway, flanked by his four men and behind them Noah and Robyn, the latter looking a little out of breath.
"What is the meaning of this?" Theodore asked.
Ignoring the warden, the man with green eyes stepped forward to look at John, leaving Noah and the others behind in the corridor. "Who are you?" The man asked firmly.
"The question is who the fuck is this guy?" Lily asked.
"And why do I recognise you," the man asked, looking directly at Lily. "Where have I seen you before?"
John's eyes widened. Lily's mouth dropped.
"You can see her?" John asked, actually shocked.
"You can see me?" Lily asked, equally shocked.
"What's going on?" Theodore asked, looking at the man. He looked bewildered, his mouth twitching above his goatee.
"Everyone out. Right now." The man started ushering with his hands. "All of you. Yes, warden, even you. Right now." He spoke with such authority that even Warden Hearthome left the room, even if it was with an air of indignation.
The door closed behind the man and John, leaving a very peculiar combination of people in the corridor, Noah thought. There was Robyn right next to him, of course, quivering slightly. Warden Hearthome, who Noah had only met the once, stood next to the orderly named Paul. The nurse named Rebecca was looking particularly nervous while the four companions of the man stood side-by-side at the wall like suits of armour. And then there she was. Noah stared at Imogen and Imogen at least had the decency to look away. Noah wasn't certain what he felt about Imogen. Strangely, he didn't feel much hate. In fact, he almost felt sorry for her. She had kicked him and gouged out his eye yet she was the one who looked as if she was carrying some kind of massive weight. The quivering Robyn however had no uncertainties about what she felt.
Before anyone could stop her, Robyn took one step forward and hit Imogen right in the side of the face. If Imogen had expected a slap, she certainly was surprised at the fist that caught her in the cheek. Imogen stumbled, shocked, while Paul immediately darted forward, grabbing Robyn around the arm.
"How dare you! How dare you do that to Noah! How dare you get away with it! You look at us like we're animals and yet you are the worst animal of all! How can you live with yourself doing the things you do to the most vulnerable of people!? We're here to receive help and yet you constantly take advantage! There is no kindness within that withered heart inside your chest, no humanity! You're a demon walking around in human form!" Robyn's shoulders heaved. It was extremely rare for such an outburst. Despite having a hold of her, Paul wasn't attempting to drag her away.
Warden Hearthome looked from Imogen who was holding her cheek to Robyn. "Why is there so much chaos in my Hospital all of a sudden? Paul, unhand her at once. Come with me. Rebecca, Imogen, you as well. It is clear John does not intend to talk with us. I would find out if anyone has found Conner. Let us go." Warden Hearthome started walking away with Rebecca at his heels. Paul took a moment but let go of Robyn.
"But… Warden… she just hit me… hit me!" Imogen's face had turned ugly with anger. "She should be thrown in the cells! A resident shouldn't harm an orderly! It is against the rules."
"Imogen." Warden Hearthome said sharply. "Enough. If you think I don't know what you did to Noah Barker here then you are sorely mistaken. Conner Shepherd is our priority as a hospital right now but be certain that we will be investigating into just what happened between yourself and Noah."
"What?" Imogen sputtered. "What do you—"
The door to John's room opened and the man with green eyes stood there, looking somewhat exhausted. He stepped in front of the group and pointed at Imogen. "In fact, Warden Hearthome, she will be coming with me right now. I will be taking Noah, Robyn, and John here as well. I assume this is okay?" From behind the man John stood in the doorway looking strangely, Noah thought, like he was pouting underneath the beard.
"I… Yes, of course," Warden Hearthome said, his authority immediately diminished. "Yes, I understand. Please update me on what you learn of Imogen."
"Of course. As always, we will inform you of all that we investigate."
"I'm not going anywhere!" Imogen nearly shouted, her eyes wide with anger. "Warden Hearthome, I demand – Get your hands off me!" Two of the black-garbed guards grabbed Imogen's arms.
"You can demand nothing, Ms. Banks." The man with green eyes said sharply. "This can go one of two ways. You can come with us willingly or I will have my men take you. Either way, you are coming with me. Is this understood?" Imogen looked ready to erupt, her pale skin flushed. Finally she dropped her head. "Thank you. Warden Hearthome, I will visit later. I hope your search for Conner goes well. After my business is concluded here, I will of course provide my services to aid in the search. Now, let us go before we make too much of a nuisance for the residents of this floor."