Many safehouses created by P.A.S.E were often set up in disused places, if only to discourage the curious and prevent Synth attention; one would simply mistake them as abandoned, and not spare a second glance at their dull appearance. The consequence of housing Emotion users was ghastly, and the very soul who did so would no longer see daybreak -- hence why P.A.S.E chose their safe-house locations with the utmost care. No word was spoken to non-members about how to get there, and those who recovered were sworn to secrecy, making their work as secure as possible.
Inside was a completely different atmosphere, with the activists doing their best to accommodate Emotion abusers under the mindful guidance of Elsner; it was nothing dissimilar to a hospital ward, as there was always full fold-away beds lining any space available. It all depended on the safe-house, but the current location of an old bunker, set deep underground like a labyrinth, permitted multiple “patients”; passageways connecting to and fro allowed for more beds, more sleeping spaces, and more private rooms for those who were especially badly affected by the drugs. Elsner certainly ran a tight ship, but he did it for the people -- for the country who accepted him when he had nowhere to go.
Eli was one such activist, supporting the idea of preventing Synthetic Emotions from destroying lives by gradually breaking down the trade. It was a slow process, and they’d encountered many difficult situations, but the end result was worth it to see users being saved. His work for today was complete, and he spent the next few minutes dimming the portable lights for those asleep, before navigating the passageway with the full intention of returning home. It wasn’t until he passed by an alcove that he spotted the young boy, curled up in the dark and looking awfully out-of-place.
“Are you trying to hide, young sir?” The synthetic spoke quietly, making his way over to the young boy and seating himself furthest away from him, dipping his head to save a nasty bump against the top of the alcove. It was a little cramped, but a suitable hide-away for the boy. “This place isn’t particularly inviting for a game of hide-and-seek, but I compliment your choice of hiding place! I daresay that I almost missed you, sitting here in the dark. Tell me, now -- how did you find your way down here?”
