The Cure To A Broken Mind

Chapter 2 ~ Rain

         9...

        Relief and excitement rushed over my body in waves, surging my body forward much quicker. I found my feet carrying me at a running pace alongside 049 by this point, looking forward as I spotted the end of the forest.

        Viridescent leaves became barren and golden light struck my form, bringing me to the end of the trees wide circle. My feet hit the end of the vegetation in a skidding halt, staring toward the large buildings in amazement.

        I could hear people talking, music playing, dogs barking... It went on and on, more noise than I'd ever thought was possible to hear. There was so much that it was almost overwhelming. A feeling of exhilaration built up in my chest, welling up and bursting suddenly, drawing me right into the doctor. I hugged tightly around his neck and kissed him hard, holding my lips tightly to his.

        It felt like I could have stayed there for hours, but after a couple seconds I pulled away and smiled up at him nervously, moving hair out of my face. He just smiled in return.

        Slowly, I looked away from him, resting my palms gently over his shoulders now as I watched the bustling movement in the distance. I yearned to join that world...

        Something in me pulled me from the Doctor, turning to step from hiding and into the garish light of day. Light grazed my face and brought warmth to my form, slipping from the vegetation.

        A hand looped around my wrist, preventing me from drifting any further. I looked back to him abruptly, silently phasing back next to him.

        "Doctor." I nearly whispered. It was the only word I could make out at the moment. I just stared at him silently, carefully circling my arms back around him. I could almost feel tears welling up in my eyes with just how enraptured I'd felt.

        He didn't speak, he just returned a crooked simper. He seemed more alive at that moment than I'd ever seen him before, full of confidence and reassurance. His sharpened teeth flashed encouragement from a mile away.

        "We'll have to remain at a distance until tonight.." he murmured, "it's not secure to go just yet." slowly, he looked back to the buildings with me. He seemed to be in just as much astonishment as I had felt. "I just don't want to risk it," he concluded.

        I nodded quietly in agreement.

        "What'll we do until then? It's only mid-day.." I whispered to him quietly, my eyes drifting back to his messily formal self.

        "It is preferred that we set up close for the evening. We'll arrange a shelter to settle in order to endure the nightfall," he spoke a bit slowly, looking back toward the nearly endless timbers.

        A gentle sigh escaped my lips as I nodded once more.

        "Alright.." he muttered under his breath before his voice lifted back up, "First and foremost, we need to accumulate a large group of branches and consolidate them. The larger the limb, the better, dearie." and with that, he turned right back around and wandered into the underbrush. I followed him closely in silence.

        As we walked, he began to gather together as many sticks as he could carry. He folded large branches up under his armpits, twisted contorted limbs around his arms and had twigs positioned strategically between each and every finger. He insisted that I do the same.

        Gradually, he began to group all of the offshoots in a ten-foot radius to a small clearing in the trees. Leaves coveted the grassy forest floor from the suns harsh rays, leaving stray leaves across the ground. He brushed the dead leaves away from the lush environment decisively as he set the sticks up in a diplomatic order. I glanced around the scene before me silently, dropping my handful of twigs near his pile.

        There was a newfound edge to the dense forestry; an irking feeling of slight discomfort resonating within the typically calming atmosphere, but I brushed it off quickly, finding comfort in the closeness of society.

        Silently I found myself looking back to the neverending horizon of buildings; their peaks ripping into the skyline and gouging into the clouds. They were much like seraphic pillars; the hazey structures bouncing light off them, making them appear just as heavenly as the sky itself.

        Just as quickly as I'd become lost in my thoughts, though, the doctor called my attention.

        "(Y/n), be a dear and help me stabilize these limbs..." he spoke thoughtfully, working things out in his mind as he held a group of large twigs in place. Pausing, I turned from the view and moved closer to assist him.

-

        It only took him about an hour to complete the shelter. It was extravagant for what it was; it looked like it had come straight from the hands of a professional survivalist. It was large, about 5 feet in both length and width. The roof angled upward in a slight dome-like structure; the barren twigs upholding the structure covered by leaves and large segments of fern.

        I sat inside with him quietly, rubbing my hand absently against the dirt.

        Something was odd about this place. It wasn't the same paradise I'd recognized for the last three months. Here, it was gloomy and damp, lacking the lush vegetation all of our sites had featured so copiously. It was almost cold and barren in this new area, though it had been unbearably hot only moments before...

        Gradually I found myself leaning into the doctor's side, listening for the birds, realizing now that there weren't any. It was nothing but silence. Perhaps, the soft rustle of the leaves against the wind brought ambiance to me instead.

        "I don't know that I like this place, doctor," I whispered under my breath, looking around the small hut cautiously.

        "I know," he responded, "It'll get better though. You hold my promise."

        And with that, I considered a question. Just how does somebody go from rags to riches?

        Suddenly, a noise disrupted the unnerving silence. It was a small noise, like the light tap of a frog against a leaf. The doctor lifted his chin slightly in response, listening carefully now. Another drop followed. Then another. And another. Rain.

        I sighed, looking upward quietly as I rested the side of my face against the doctor's shoulder. He turned his head and raised a hand, turning my cheek and kissing my forehead.

        A new solemn feeling pressed into my chest, welling up against my form anxiously.

        "Take a nap, darling...I'll wake you when it's time to get moving, alright?" he hummed near silently to me.

        I simply nodded in return, pressing my face tighter to his clothes. I pulled an arm around him loosely, closing my eyes and falling back into the dark, endless abyss of sleep.