The check-ups never took more than half an hour, they knew this because soon after he had moved in with 037 they had been gifted with the great pleasure of a clock. That meant 038 was quite worried when an hour had passed since 037 had been taken and he still hadn't returned. This worry only got worse when 038 was given his midday meal without 037.

037 had been gone for over two and a half hours before the door opened again. As 038 watched a crying boy was carelessly tossed to the floor and the door was slammed shut. 038 rushed over to his only friend to see blood stained on his jumpsuit leg. He pushed the jumpsuit up to reveal a hole in his friends leg that was gushing blood. At the sight of it the boy let out a sob. 038 pulled him in close and didn't let go until hours later when the crying stopped and 037 fell into a restless sleep. 038 carefully carried him to his bed and pulled the blanket over him. The next day 037 didn't try to leave his bed.

The day was mostly silent apart from one conversation.

"What could go so terribly wrong with a check-up?" 038 asked

"It wasn't a checkup." 037 replied.

"What do you mean"

"They did this to me on purpose, and they're going to hurt you too! Don't trust them! If they try to take you away, resist!"

037 didn't say a single word after that for the rest of the day.

Despite the warning, days went on and nothing seemed to change, they were given meals as normal, they had check ups once a week, life went on. The only thing that changed was 037. He had been so constantly, insufferably cheery, but now he just seemed so scared. In ways it helped them become closer, 037 would never sleep in his own bed anymore. They had been given notebooks which at least gave them something else to do apart from stare at walls all day. They drew what was on their mind, 038 was worried about 037, he wanted him to be able to be happy again, so his book was mostly filled with drawings of his friend. 037, however, only drew guns and wounds and straps and all sorts of devices of torture.

Every night 037 would thrash and scream in his sleep and when it got bad 038 would wake him and hold him and he would cry, and 038 would hold him for as long as it took.