[Read the start to this para on Justine's blog FIRST, please. Thanks.]
Tyde was seated a few feet behind Dr. Rousseau, legs crossed and a cup of tea perched in his hands. Occasionally, as the patients filed in, he would shoot them a smile and take a sip. His eyebrows would arch, as if recalling something amusing, before he would return to the brewed beverage.
He listened, a bored expression on his face as Justine spoke. He stood up as she cued for him to begin speaking and he walked, standing next to his companion Doctor.
“Well, I think you mostly covered the boring, important parts.” He sent her a small look, unreadable, yet amused.
“However, I do have something to add.” He turned to look at the patients, eyes scanning through the faces. He let a breath of air out before forcing a grand smile.
“Remember to enjoy yourself here. We're here to take care of you, you see. You'll learn to love it here. We promise.”
As he lifted his cup of tea to take a sip, a sudden distant bang could be heard – almost like the sound of metal hitting metal – and the room was swallowed into blackness. Seconds passed, orchestrated by the occasional sound of confused whimpers and a few laughs until...
The emergency lights flickered to life, bathing the room in a red, eerie glow.
The front of the room was empty – cup of tea seated on the chair Tyde had been sitting.