[Kalli]

Jet’s lips pressed together in a thin line. Being this close to any medical personnel, even one who was being nice, didn’t make him any less apprehensive. Jet had his usual mask on, giving nothing away, and saying as little as possible to hide his concerns. He thought of Kal, worried that his friend might get caught, and hoping he would be ok. If only there was some way for doctors to heal Kal’s throat, but he wouldn’t let them near his friend anyway. They’d cart him off to the feuding government factions and he’d be forced to be a weapon. That thought made Jet shiver, which didn’t help his uneven walk. His leg was weaker than ever, and hurt like hell. Probably better to get this over with.

As Jet followed the nurse with great reluctance, he remembered the girl that Kal had brought here yesterday. Jet opened his mouth to ask about her, but remembered it would be bad if he was linked to her in any way. Who knew what she’d told them, if she was awake… Jet made a silent promise to at least check in on her while he was there, if he could do so without giving himself away.

The nurse led him to a small clinic room and had him lie down on the examination table. Jet was not at all pleased when a doctor came in and they began to cut his pants-leg open. It wasn’t like he had another pair, after all. Yet he kept his face and speech neutral, giving away nothing. The doctor’s questions as they treated his injury were probing, but Jet could lie quiet well and by the end had them convinced he’d just tripped and impaled himself on a rough piece of wood. Also that he was eighteen, which he almost was.

Since their records were incomplete because of the war, and he lived on the streets, they more or less had to take his word for it. The doctors and nurses in the area had become less adamant about locating legal guardians because it was just too large a job for such a small number of trained personnel. Too many kids roaming the streets with no one to care for them, and uncertain deliveries of medical supplies, not to mention spotty electrical and water issues. The city had devolved into third-world country conditions in a matter of a few years. They had enough to worry about just trying to keep the people in the city alive without tracking down the legal guardians of every injured kid who walked through their doors. Though thin and not entirely healthy, he looked like he could be eighteen. It was the age he put on the paperwork they’d given him, which he left mostly blank. As he refused to give any more information, and one stubborn young man was not worth calling the police over, the doctor and nurse basically gave up and finished treating him in silence.

Jet was glad of this; he’d been afraid that they would probe into who he was and why he was alone, and maybe try and call Social Services on him. Or Juvie. He’d had sense to hide his weapons in the alleyway, and hoped they would still be there when he came back. That would have been more than enough reason for them to call the overworked cops on him. Even the front doors of the clinic had guards, since people off teh streets loved trying to get to their old but sellable equipment and medications.

He’d had to leave his bundle with the guards, who were probably still checking through its contents, but there wasn’t much to interest. Jet had nothing of value besides his weapons, and what was in the bundle counted as junk unless you knew how to fix it and make it viable again. Hopefully the guards would see it that way and give his stuff back, but he wasn’t so sure. They would probably keep the canned food he’d salvaged, which meant nothing to eat until he could get something else, but he wasn’t about to make a fuss.

The doctor and nurse finished their job, somewhat surprised by his ability to deal with their touching teh wound to clean and mend it without so much as a peep. Jet had a high tolerance for pain, and a desire not to look weak in front of anyone, least of all strangers.

They gave him medicine and a stack of clean bandages, and a warning to keep the area clean as it would easily be infected. The doctor admonished him to return if the wound became worse, or for a checkup in a week. Jet just nodded, not ready to do either in any case. Every moment spent here made him more and more anxious. The smell of antiseptic was choking him, and he felt naked under the glaring lights. He was glad when they let him go, and he hobbled out under his own power defiantly, ready to get out of there as fast as he could. There was only one reason he would have stayed a bit longer, and that was to check on the girl, but he didn’t dare give away a connection by asking about her.

It was fortuitous, then, that he got the opportunity to at least see her. As he was led out by the nurse, another couple of medical workers happened to be wheeling a gurney toward them, heading down the hall for the x-ray room.

(Letting you describe if she’s awake or asleep, and sees him, or doesn’t.)

[Whatsyourface]

On the gurney the girl Jet saw earlier who seemed to bring about trouble in Jet’s life. She was laying down dressed in hospital clothes but awake and looked rather annoyed to be here. She glanced at Jet as she wheeled by seeing him briefly. That made her sit up, however a doctor pushed her back down and told her to take it easy. What was he doing here? Was he hurt? She had a few questions for him. But she couldn’t get up and she wasn’t even sure if it was him.

[Kalli]

Jet tried to act casual, like he didn’t know her, though his eyes followed the gurney as it passed down the hall. The fact that she was awake and sitting up put him a little more at ease, but he was still concerned. However, he had his mask on and didn’t intend to give away anything.

The nurse who had been leading him out of the clinic watched Jet, having seen the girl’s reaction to him. “Do you know that girl?” she asked, her eyes scanning his face.

Jet looked at the nurse blankly. “No…should I?”

“She seemed to know *you*.”

“The kid also looks like she got hit on the head.” Jet shrugged and started to limp away. “I probably look like someone she knows or something.”

[Whatsyourface]

“You should take it easy on that leg.” The doctor said. “You walk on it more and more and it will only get worse. All that weight you put on it is going to mean and more and more muscle torn. We do have crutches.” He says. He won’t make Jet go out there with them. But he gave him that option.

As she got wheeled out of view, she laid down. She had didn’t know if that man she saw was the same man whom she saw before who’s house she broke into. But she wanted to find out. Would mean she wouldn’t have to go back to see if he was alive. She was wondering what that thing was and if it hurt him.

[Kalli]

“No.” Jet said quickly, a little too quickly. He cleared his throat. “No thanks. I’ll just take it easy.” Having crutches out there in the city would be like walking around with a bullseye on his back. Street thugs lived to use anyone weaker than themselves for target practice, and if it got out that Jet was incapacitated in any way… Well, doctors weren’t meant to understand. They still managed to survive on the stipends the fractured government gave them to run clinics for the homeless.

Jet continued to limp on stubbornly, his mind shifting back to the girl on the gurney. He wondered what she’d told the doctors and nurses about Kal, and if they believed her. He was banking on them thinking she was insane or hallucinating, since any drug tests would probably come out negative. She certainly hadn’t been on anything when she snuck into his apartment. He was still upset by that, and by the fact that he now had nowhere to live again. To his credit, however, Jet didn’t wish for any retribution, just to get out of there and to Kal. He hoped his friend wold be alright…

[Whatsyourface]

The girl laid down in her room and listened. She remembered that voice

“They’re going to notice that limp.” The Doctor said, wanting Jet to pause. Jet would not be the first person to deny crutches. Indeed that is why he had them.”You can stay here. If you want for a few days at least.” The doctor insists, showing concern for Jet.

“At least stay for a bit. A few hours at least. Are you in a hurry? Do you have…pressing matters to attend to?” He asked.

[Kalli]

<p class=”p1″>”I’m not staying.” he answered coldly.  It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate the concern, he just felt edgier the longer he stayed here.  Clinics and hospitals had always given him the spooks.  However, since she didn’t seem to want to drop the subject, he finally relented about the crutches just to get the nurse off his back.</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
<p class=”p1″>Seemingly relieved, she went to get him a pair, making him promise to stay where he was or she’d hunt him down.  As he knew very well he couldn’t outrun her in his condition he stayed in the hallway, leaning against the wall.</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
 
<p class=”p1″>Jet hoped Kal was alright and where he had gone, if he was still on the roof or elsewhere.  Jet wished there was some medicine here he could steal to help Kal’s throat, but knew that wasn’t possible.  He’d seen sparking wires and grey…stuff…and where was the medicine for that?</p>

[Whatsyourface]

The girl was left alone and told to rest. A nurse left her in her room. Off to tend to others. The girl gets up out of her bed and climbs out one foot touching the cold clinics tile. She grunted as she stood on two feet clenching her side. There was a wheel chair in the corner but she opted to leave it behind. She went to the door, slowly and quietly turning the knob, then pushing the door open. She peeped out and it was clear.

She quietly navigated the hallways. Not really making a sound. She heard a nurse coming and was gone from sight by the time she turned a corner. As she passes the girl stood up from behind a trashcan and continued.

Jet felt someone tap him. “….Its you again” She says quietly. For no one to hear. She is watching for the nurse to return and would be gone when she does return.  “You look like hammered shit.” She says with subtle smile. “Hold that thought.” As she heard the nurse coming back she went back down the hall to quietly and almost gracefully, then open the door to another room with an urgent coolness as she slips into the room of a sleeping patient without a sound and shuts the door behind her with  a barely noticable sound.

[Kalli]

<p class=”p1″>Jet leaped back almost comically, just avoiding an automatic blow to the girl’s neck as he whipped around, his eyes alight.  She’d snuck up on him, and he didn’t like that at all, but at least his trained response to the unknown hadn’t ended with her and a busted esophagus.</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
<p class=”p1″>”Idiot- what are you doing out here?” he hissed, ignoring her observation.  He pretty much knew what he looked like and didn’t care.  She looked far worse.  If teh nurse hadn’t come back at that moment, he would have grabbed the girl and dragged her (gently) back to her gurney, strapping her down if he had to.  The fact that he was so angry at her for moving at all showed he actually cared what happened to her.</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
<p class=”p1″>His eyes followed her, even after the nurse came back, carrying his crutches.  They were pretty beat up but still good enough for the present.  He wasn’t planning on using them anyway.</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
 
<p class=”p1″>As Jet took the crutches, he me the nurse’s gaze, then jerked his head toward the room where the girl had gone.  “I think one of your patients escaped.  Might wanna keep a closer eye on her.”</p>

[Whatsyourface]

“Asshole…” She muttered to herself while she was buy the door. She walked up to the door and opened it before the nurse did and walked past her back to her room. “I’m going I’m going.” She says walking back to her room. The nurse gave her a look like she was crazy and disliked her rudeness. “Sarah…”

The nurse went behind her and picked her up. She was very light. Light enough for her to carry. Sarah, the girl who the nurse picked up, groaned. “I can make it to my room.” “You know you shouldn’t be walking right now. You have several rib fractures and your lucky your spine took whatever fall to experienced so well. We thought you would need a wheelchair.” She said as she walked off with Sarah. Going back to her room and keeping her in bed. “I will strap you in if I have to.” The nurse said. Sarah replied with a long drawn out “Okaaay ” As she laid back in her bed. The nurse nodded and left her in the room.

[Kalli]

<p class=”p1″>Sarah….  For some reason Jet thought it best to remember that name.  Though he scowled at her obstinacy in the face of the nurse, he couldn’t help also finding a kindred spirit all the same.  The girl seemed just as mulish as himself when it came to hospitals and nosy nurses and all that shit.  Hearing the nurse mention strapping her in, he both grinned and shuddered, which was an odd combination.  When there was further mention of the girl coming close to being paralyzed he had no inward smiles left.  That…had been a close one for all of them, it seemed.  Jet would have taken the blame for that because Kal didn’t know better.</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
<p class=”p1″>With a shake of the head, Jet leaned on his crutches, planning to use them long enough to get out of there, at least.  They were cumbersome and slow,  but it was a good break to have the weight off his leg.  Maybe he’d keep them a little longer…</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
<p class=”p1″>He was glad to pass the secretary out front, and the doors, and to make his way to the alley again.  Luckily there wasn’t anyone there, and his weapons and bag of belongings were still there.  He wouldn’t have much time, though, before some vagrant or drunkard came by.  Alleys around here tended to not be empty for long.</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
 
<p class=”p1″>Looking up at the rooftops, he said in a stage whisper, “Kal!”  It wasn’t the best pickup place, but he wasn’t sure how far he’d get in that neighborhood on crutches.   Hopefully they could get out of there quick before anyone came by.</p>

[Whatsyourface]

Jet feels sees Kal’s tail lowered in front of him. Soon it grabs around under his shoulder and retracts as it hoists him up towards the rooftop, slowly. Then he is brought face level to Kal. Who then walks further towards the center of the roof to evade being seen and places him on the ground in front of him.

Kal looks at him. “Could they not fully recuperate  you?” It asks Jet.

[Kalli]

<p class=”p1″>Having not seen just how far Kal’s tail could stretch, Jet was both surprised and intrigued at its ability to pull him three stories up.  His eyes were still on the tail, watching it slowly retract to its usual length when Kal spoke.  Looking at him with some surprise, the boy shook his head.</p>
<p class=”p1″>”Nah, they just cleaned me up and gave me some medicine for it.  Humans don’t get better that quick.  I have to wait for it to heal on its own.”  Suddenly, he realized something, and his eyes immediately brightened.  “Not like you!  Hey, when did your voice come back?  Is your throat back to normal?”</p>
<p class=”p1”>Amazed, even though Kal had told him about his quick ability to heal, Jet leaned toward him with a curious smile, as though trying to see down his throat.  Honestly, the boy was starting to smile a lot more often than he used to.</p>

[Whatsyourface]

Jet had a brief moment to see Kal’s throat as it spoke to him. Seeing as how when it’s mouth stayed open and simply emitted the sound. Having no need for a tongue or to move it’s mouth. “It had come recently. A few minutes before your arrival.” Inside it was dark of course but the grey could be barely seen. The movement of Kal’s throat didnt seem to have much to do with it either.

“You are not yet fully recovered. What will you eat? Do you not think it may be best to rest here?” Kal looked at Jet. “You seem to show disdain for the place. As do others. Why?” It asked Jet.

[Kalli]

<p class=”p1″>”At least one of us is in one piece again.”  Jet chuckled, choosing to lean on the very crutches he’d at first eschewed.  Kal’s suggestion of rest was a welcome one, but he still wouldn’t connect it with the clinic.</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
<p class=”p1″>”I’ll see if I can scrounge enough money for a burger or something.” he said dismissively, not because food wasn’t dreadfully important, but because he was used to starving.  Probably not a good attitude to have after that much blood-loss.  To Kal’s other question, he gave a short sigh and a frown.  “The clinic’s funded by what used to be the government, which is responsible for all the bombings and shit that’s been going on around here.  Sometimes the docs and nurses are really trying to help, but…”  He shrugged a bit, shoulders rising above the armrests of the crutches for a moment.  “Too many people have disappeared after going to these government clinics.  Once they find out you’re homeless, or have no family, they’re likely to ship you off to government camps for ‘re-education’.  Meaning they brainwash you into fighting their wars for them.”  It would have sounded like conspiracy theories, even to his own jaded ears, had he not witnessed some things first-hand.</p>
<p class=”p2″></p>
 
<p class=”p1″>”Problem is, the government keeps splitting and getting back together, so you never know what’s gonna go down at any given time.  It’s kinda like an abusive relationship, like the meth-head and his girlfriend who used to live below me.  One minute they’d be all over each other, then next he’s got a gun to her head and she’s got a knife to his throat.  So anything the government touches gets messed up, including the ‘free clinics’.  I wouldn’t have sent that girl to this one except she probably woulda died otherwise.”  Jet sincerely hoped she’d get out before anything happened.</p>