The children swiftly finished their meals in less than 30 minutes, except for Luca, who took a brief break before returning for a third helping of food. Meanwhile, Zack pushed his tray aside and rested his head on the table, taking a brief nap for the remainder of the breakfast period.
To Ian, those 30 minutes felt like an eternity. A heavy silence hung in the air, as if no one had the inclination to break it. Normally, Saffi would take the lead in initiating conversations, but today she appeared disinterested, following Zack's lead and placing her head on the table as well.
Ian scanned the expanse of the dining hall, his eyes drawn towards the staff area. He observed the distinct attire worn by different staff members, each signaling their respective roles within the facility. Some staff members, dressed in regular clothes, appeared to be responsible for supervising the educational sessions. Others, adorned in white lab coats, resembled doctors or medical personnel. Notably, Ian couldn't help but notice that the maintenance crew, distinguished by their jumpsuits, consisted entirely of males who diligently carried out various tasks, including cleaning and other essential services throughout the dining hall. Their presence indicated that they also served as janitors, responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility.
As his eyes scanned the area further, Ian's attention turned to the guards stationed throughout the hall. Their presence was not solely dedicated to monitoring the children but extended to overseeing the activities of the other staff members as well. I wonder why these guards are keeping watch on the staff too? And mostly watching the maintenance guys.
Engrossed in his surroundings, Ian maintained a watchful eye, carefully observing every detail unfolding within the dining hall as the remaining minutes of breakfast time ticked away.
Suddenly, a loud slam on the table caught everyone's attention. Startled, Zack and Saffi jolted upright from their impromptu nap. It was the bald man with a knife tattoo on his neck, accompanied by an old African woman. Ian's eyes lit up as he recognized her. It was the nurse from the ward, the same woman who had shown him kindness in contrast to the other adults in this place, apart from Dr. Cain. A wave of relief washed over Ian as he recalled her genuine care.
"Mornin’, children. I'll be callin' y'all by your letters in your IDs, just like we always do. You'll be followin' these gentlemen here," she gestured toward the doctors standing behind her. "Now, pay attention and listen real close, alright?"
The lady, holding a blue cardboard file, began to read aloud, her voice carrying across the dining hall. "Starting with group one, AG, ZJ, and IA, please follow this doctor," she said, motioning towards one of the stoic middle age male doctors standing behind her.
Adam, Zack, and Ian promptly stood up upon hearing their designated letters. So, again I’m with Adam and Zack.
They followed the assigned doctor, who made no effort to introduce himself or display any friendliness, much like the other adults in the facility. As they walked alongside the doctor, towards the elevator and going up to the second floor, Ian had a better opportunity to observe their surroundings.
Initially, it had a distinct hospital ambiance, but upon closer inspection, it resembled more of a research facility than a traditional medical ward. Many of the staff members were clad in lab coats, suggesting a scientific purpose. Unlike the third and first floors, where guards were plentiful, the number of guards here seemed noticeably fewer.
The boys obediently trailed behind the male doctor into a small closed, sterile waiting room. It had white walls and couches lining the sides, creating a cold and empty atmosphere. A table with refreshments sat at the far end, untouched.
"Change into these," the male doctor instructed, gesturing towards the gowns neatly placed on the couches. Just as he was about to leave, a guard emerged from behind, catching their attention.
The guard approached the male doctor and delivered a stern message, his voice deep and commanding. “He is asking for Amber,” he stated firmly.
In response, the doctor turned his attention to the boys. “Amber, go with him,” he instructed, pointing to the guard. “And you two, change your clothes. We will begin once Dr. Cain arrives.”
Ian's heart skipped a beat, confusion etched across his face as he looked at Adam. However, it was Adam and Zack who wore expressions of shock and worry, their concern for Ian outweighing his own.
The guard's voice boomed once more, “Hurry up, kid!” The sharpness in his tone made Ian flinch involuntarily.
As Ian followed the guard down the hallway, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. The cold, sterile atmosphere seemed to seep into his bones. Where is he taking me?
Along the way, he caught a glimpse of another group of four kids being led by a female doctor into a room with a similar atmosphere to the waiting area his own group had been in. His eyes were drawn to the rooms lining the corridor. Through the transparent glass walls, he caught glimpses of a myriad of machines and equipment, meticulously arranged within each room.
In one room, he spotted a large scanning machine with a wide opening. Nearby, a row of monitors displayed graphs and waveforms, their flickering lights a reflection of data being analyzed. Further down the hallway, he saw another room with shelves filled with vials and test tubes. Next to them, a set of microscopes stood ready for meticulous examination where scientists in white lab coats moved with purpose, engrossed in their work. The hallway stretched on, lined with doors leading to various rooms, each adorned with signs and symbols that hinted at their purpose.
Ian's heart pounded in his chest as his footsteps echoed down the corridor. The sterile environment seemed to amplify his fears, the unfamiliar sights and sounds heightening his sense of trepidation. Every step he took and with each passing moment, his nervousness grew.
Until finally, they reached a door. The guard swung it open and gestured with a jerk of his head for Ian to enter. Hesitant, Ian paused for a moment before cautiously stepping inside. And before he could fully enter, the guard forcefully pushed him in a rush of impatience.
“Ugh!” Startled, Ian stumbled and nearly lost his footing. He shot a disapproving frown at the guard, but the guard remained unfazed, simply locking the door behind Ian without any reaction or acknowledgement.
As Ian scanned the small, enclosed room, an air of confinement enveloped him. His gaze was drawn to the one-way mirror positioned on one side, looming large and reflecting a distorted image of his own apprehensive expression. In the center, two chairs faced each other. Positioned in the top corners of the room were two cameras, strategically placed opposite each other.
Why am I here? This room is giving me the creeps. And that mirror is so uncomfortable.
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