Work Smarter Not Harder (001 x Reader)

There you are

I watch as each of the four kids, whose numbers I found out to be 002, 003, 004, and 005, are slowly dragging out of the room, one by one. Their numbers are easy enough to remember. I have a feeling this won't be that last I see of them, the look they gave me as they were being dragged out made me sure of that.

Great. Now I'll be known as the snitch. As if I didn't have enough on my plate.

Dr. Brenner looks at me as the last kid is dragged away.

Brenner:"Thank you for telling me 017, I'll make sure the rules are once again clear to them. Crystal clear."

He gives a nod to the guard and disappears beyond the corridors.

That same sickening feeling grows in the pit of my stomach again. So much has happened within the last 24 hours. This place is already driving me crazy. I think about Peter again, wondering if he's in a bed somewhere, barely able to move like I was. I sigh and wheel my way over to two younger kids. As I approach, I notice that they're using their abilities to spin tops. As I get closer they look up at me, breaking whatever concentration they had as the tops hit the surface of the table. They look almost scared of me. The whole chip thing must have freaked them out.

"Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you". I say giving them a slight smile.

They look at each other then back at me.

Child:"You hurt 002"

Other child: "And now you're hurting the others".

My smile drops as I get flashbacks of Peter getting tased. His screams, the pain in his voice. I look down and let out a shakey breath. I wheel my way over to an empty desk with paper and crayons.

I think about Will and how much he loves to draw. I wish I could draw as well as him. He said he was going to teach me this summer, but I guess that won't be happening anytime soon. Then I think back to all the time he spent stuck in the upsidedown, fearing and running for his life for weeks. If Will can survive that place, then I can surely survive this. I hear the doors open. Great Brenner's back.

I hear footsteps coming towards me. Shit. what does he want now? Did the others try and rat me out again?

"Someone's a sleepyhead, what are you day dreaming about?"

I pause.
That voice...

I quickly turn around and I'm met with a very familiar smiling face.

I jump out of my wheelchair and practically leap on top of him as tears stream down my face.

Peter: "Woah, slow down there, you're going to hurt yourself".

I keep my face barred in his chest.

He smells good, like some kind of fresh laundry detergent.

He softly grabs my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

Peter: "Why do you cry 017, hm?"

I smile up at him as another tear rolls down my face.

"I'm just glad you're ok".

His eyes go soft and he smiles that same smile that brings me so much happiness.

He moves a strand of hair out of my face and leans down.

Peter: "People are staring". He whispers

I quickly jolt up and look around. He's right, everyone is staring at us, including the guards.

I let out an awkward cough as I slowly adjust myself. I must have looked insane jumping on top of him like that. I noticed that the guards seem to relax a little. They must have thought I was going to do something to him.