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Post by Londyn Avery on Jun 21, 2016 18:08:23 GMT -7
How did people stand it in here? The nurses and doctors, the surgeons, even the other patients and their families? The constant whirring of machines, the beeps of an erratic heart rate. The knowledge that someone you love is laying there, still as death itself in a bleached white bed. No moving, no speaking, no sign they hear your or even know what's going on around them, like they're sleeping and their mind's in some far off dream.
Only it's not. After a few hours of the constant rush in the ER, Londyn's father was moved to the ICU, where she could finally see him.
The visit lasted all of maybe five minutes.
Now alone, she wandered out of the unit and into the main part of the hospital, her mind in a haze as she tried to process everything that happened. The attack, the strange man, and all the questions that went with it. Not to mention her mother, who was now with her husband. It didn't feel right for Londyn to be there. She needed to be able to breathe.
So, without a specific place in mind, she tries to find that place. She may also have gotten lost, since she didn't remember how to get back.
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Post by Nicole Thornston on Jun 21, 2016 19:14:12 GMT -7
In all of her long years being taken care of at the hospital, eventually exploring got a little old for Nicole. You could only traverse the same hallways so many times before you knew them by heart, and they began to lose any sort of creepy wonder seen through the eyes of a child. There was no more getting lost, or having to be lead back to her own private room. It was all the same, with an ever rotating cast of people outside the door. The halls were very sterile and clean, with the sort of floors it was nearly impossible for your shoes not to squeak against.
She didn't venture outside of her room nearly as much anymore, or at least not without her friends. When she was having a good day Nicole could even go out into the city for a bit, if she was careful to protect her health. But inside the hospital? There was nothing new. Even going to see the newest patients was never fun, only varying degrees of depressing.
Taking a moment to adjust her glasses, the young woman left her room with a goal in mind. She wasn't feeling particularly weak today, and staying cooped up in the same room was going to drive her mad. She'd pulled on a loose jacket and tucked a bit of cash that Mickey had left her into the pocket, before simply slipping out. There was a delicious Thai place down the road, and going out for lunch seemed like a wonderful idea. She couldn't always count on her friends to lean on for strength, and by this point sneaking out was just a formality. After all, she was legally an adult.
Nicole's steps slowed as she caught sight of a younger looking girl in the hall, clearly distraught. There were no shortage of sad people around here, and it wasn't her business to get involved.
Except she couldn't help it. Even after all this time, she wanted to help ease the pain where she could. "Are you lost?" Her voice was gentle, probably only barely heard as Nicole moved closer from across an empty hallway. "If you know the room number, or even just the ward, I can help lead you back to where you need to be."
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Post by Londyn Avery on Jun 21, 2016 19:41:01 GMT -7
The words were quiet, but the empty halls allowed for a certain amount of echo that helped it carry. Blinking, Londyn looks up, turning partially on her heel with grace as she looks for the speaker. Her gaze falls on a thin looking young woman, a little older than herself. Her general demeanor was meek, even a little mousy, but the quiet voice was a welcome one regardless.
"Sort of." A light blush tinges her cheeks from the shame of admitting it, hands clasping behind her back. "I'm actually out for some air right now, but I don't know how to get to the lobby or anything."
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Post by Nicole Thornston on Jun 22, 2016 12:41:32 GMT -7
"It's actually only a few halls over, so you didn't wander off too far." Her voice was soft, and maybe a little hoarse from disuse, becoming clearer as she came closer. It took a few more moments before Nicole was properly next to the younger girl, her steps slow and careful despite the long strides. Her fingers wrapped twisted around each other nervously, a habit she'd picked up a long time ago. "I was headed to the lobby myself, if you don't mind having the company. We could walk together."
Her smile was a bit awkward around the edges, but completely genuine all the same. It was obvious she didn't have much experience talking to others, especially someone younger, but was trying her best all the same. Maybe her parents were waiting in the lobby? Or maybe she was really just getting some air before heading back to whatever room she'd been visiting.
Honestly it didn't matter much either way. There weren't any important engagements for Nicole to attend, and she had plenty of free time from day to day. A sneaky lunch could be postponed for a little while, if it meant making sure someone else was safe and happy.
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Post by Londyn Avery on Jun 22, 2016 21:09:35 GMT -7
Relief washes over her expression as the other girl assures Londyn that she wasn't as bad off as she thought. For all she knew, she could have been going in the opposite direction, not aware of the signs that were scattered throughout while coasting on auto-pilot. That same state nearly had her missing the cues the other girl's discomfort provided, the way her hands clasped and clung to each other and the uncertain smile.
"Sure. I wouldn't mind the company." Her own smile warms, no longer strictly polite, but reassuring. She wasn't sure if the other girl thought she was being a bother, so there was no need to enforce the idea if that were the case.
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Post by Nicole Thornston on Jun 23, 2016 19:47:26 GMT -7
There was a sigh of relief with those words, so tiny that you'd have to be looking to catch it at all. Good, this wasn't going to be a big trouble. Nicole didn't really know how to deal with kids, and even less so when it came to young teenagers. They were slightly shorter people, but often even more angry for whatever reason. Part of her had been afraid this would turn into a confrontation, seeing as people tended to be even more emotional in hospitals, but this was alright.
She offered her own smile in return, gesturing down the hallway before she started to walk again. Honestly it was silly to be scared, seeing as she had been that young herself only a few years ago. Her little actions could still help out others, even if it was on a small scale. That was a nice thought.
"Right this way," she offered, glancing back to be sure that she was being followed. "I know all of these halls can be confusing if you aren't used to it. Most of them look exactly the same."
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Post by Londyn Avery on Jun 24, 2016 13:30:12 GMT -7
Londyn looks around as they walk, and Nicole's words were painfully accurate. Just white walls, white tile floors, and room numbers. It made her skin crawl. At least the other girl wasn't lording her knowledge of the place over her, or the trip to the lobby might take longer with her on her own.
"Yeah." Oh no. Silently praying this girl isn't the sort to treat her like a baby, she catches the last part of her words with interest, looking Nicole over once again with a more critical eye.
"You're used to them?" Despite the formality, it's not a question.
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Post by Nicole Thornston on Jun 24, 2016 17:11:40 GMT -7
"Oh. Uh, yes. I've had an extended stay here for a long while now, so that my family can be sure that I have what I need. Sometimes my health can take a sudden downward turn, and it's good to have doctors around for when that happens." Nicole went quiet for a moment, trying to count the time in her head. It was summer now, and she was twenty years old. When had she first started to show the worst signs?
She hummed, one index finger tapped thoughtfully against her chin. "It must be nearly eight years now," she settled on, turning the corner out of their current ward. "They've moved my room from time to time, but I know the layout pretty well by now."
There wasn't really sadness in her words, or any sort of obvious longing. She was just stating a fact.
"You aren't a patient, are you? I didn't see any bracelet or anything, but I suppose it doesn't hurt for me to check."
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Post by Londyn Avery on Jun 24, 2016 19:20:07 GMT -7
Londyn wasn't paying attention to the direction they were headed or the twists and turns. She was staring in horror at Nicole, as though the other girl had told her hair was falling out or maybe even bright purple. Maybe falling out ]i]because[/i] bright purple.
"Eight years?" The other questions Nicole had were on back burner as Londyn tried to wrap her head around the notion of being stuck in a hospital like that for so long. It was maddening.
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Post by Nicole Thornston on Jun 25, 2016 4:59:11 GMT -7
Was it really that bad? Nicole's cheeks started to get warm from her embarrassment, her head ducking down as if to hide her face. "Yes, eight years sounds about right for when I was first admitted. Of course, it's not as if I don't still go out plenty. As long as I'm careful and can recognize when I'm having my worse days, there's still times I can go out or have fun with my friends." She shrugged, able to spy the lobby waiting at the end of the hall.
"I'm hardly locked here under quarantine, even if I've been here that long. It's just safer for me in general to be in close quarters with the things I may need." At this point she sounded a bit like she was convincing herself, fingers twisting around each other once again. It was easier for everyone else if she were here, out of the way.
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Post by Londyn Avery on Jun 25, 2016 10:12:13 GMT -7
"Oh." The young teen settles somewhat, growing quiet as they walk. While not unaware of Nicole's embarrassment, she's not quite sure how to shift the subject away from the other girl. Why admit to the length of time if you were still worried about people's reactions.
"Well, that's good at least." She nods, looking ahead as she thinks, then glances at the other teen. "I guess it makes sense. Home care gets kind of expensive, right? And you'd still have to wait for people to come out ot you if you needed help." That's what she meant, right? Biting the inside of her cheek, Londyn wills herself to step ahead and turn partially to face Nicole, both leading and following.
"Well, either way, I'm not a patient. My dad's in here is all."
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Post by Nicole Thornston on Jun 25, 2016 17:26:21 GMT -7
It wasn't as if she were embarrassed of her time spent in the hospital, or ashamed of it somehow. It wasn't as if she could help her poor health, after all. Nicole just didn't interact with others much outside of her rather tightly knit group of associates, and could often forget what did and didn't seem normal to others. That she'd been here for so long was just a simple fact of life for her, and one that anyone even vaguely familiar with her had accepted.
Being faced with how odd it was could be a jarring reminder of the world outside of her bubble, leaving her even more self-conscious than usual. She knew that it shouldn't really be a bother, but it was hard to shake off even the most irrational of insecurities.
"The lobby is right up here," Nicole pointed out, resisting the urge to question a bit further. Curiosity was always there, but a hospital was hardly the place to be prying. It could be something minor and boring, or anything far more devastating. "Is there anyone waiting for you there?"
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Post by Londyn Avery on Jun 25, 2016 21:04:45 GMT -7
Londyn was content to walk in relative silence after her comment about her father, and equally grateful that Nicole didn't ask any painfully awkward questions. As it was, the girl wasn't sure if she'd clam out or if everything would come out like a dam that had burst. But she knew what it twas like at this hospital, right? Sounded like she pretty much lived here, so if that was the case, then it couldn't be as horrible as it felt to Londyn right now. Right?
"Nah, I just wanted to get out and get some air." She answers honestly, the words flowing easily after a moment of hesitation as they near the lobby. She wanted to do more than just get some air. She didn't want to come back.
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Post by Nicole Thornston on Jun 26, 2016 17:46:01 GMT -7
Nicole hummed in understanding as they entered the lobby, a few heads turning their way for just a second. Everyone went back to their own business quickly, leaving them to theirs as well. "I'm Nicole, by the way," she introduced herself, catching a glimpse of the look on the girl's face. She looked trapped, which was a feeling easy to understand after eight years of the same restrictive building.
Part of her wanted to offer they go to lunch together, but she was hardly going to wander off with a teenager without even speaking to their parents. That would certainly be illegal, and more than a little creepy. Pausing for a moment, she pulled a marker and pamphlet from the front desk and unfolded it out into a map of the hospital.
"I don't know how long your father is going be here, but I don't tend to get out much," she admitted, circling an unmarked room on the map in thick black ink. "My room is right here. If you need someone to talk to, or maybe just somewhere nearby to escape to, feel free to stop by. I'm not terribly engaging in conversation, but my room has a few comfy chairs for visitors and a TV. I know sometimes having somewhere else to go can be all the difference in the world."
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Post by Londyn Avery on Jun 27, 2016 10:57:23 GMT -7
Appalled at herself by her lack of manners, the young teen turns her head at the introduction to face Nicole, giving a gracious nod.
"I'm Londyn. Nice to meet you." The young teen looks around the lobby, shifting her weight as she takes in the various people that look up at them when they first entered. While used to drawing attention, this wasn't how it usually happened. The thought of lunch didn't even enter her mind; the very idea of food made her stomach turn. But the sight of sunlight pouring through the windows was welcome, countered by the inevitable hush that fell over hospitals.
Pausing at the desk, she looked at the pamphlet with mild interest, believing at first that Nicole was merely marking the way back to intensive care. Instead, it was an unmarked room for her. She wished she could answer how long she'd been stopping by to visit, but how long her father would be admitted was a question no one could answer with confidence.
"Thanks." She offers a weak but genuine smile, not feeling the need for her usual polish as she takes the pamphlet with another small nod. "I'll stop by in a couple days, then."
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