Day Three

I decided that I wouldn't go see Nathan today, since yesterday seemed to end off on a rough note. Today I'd focus on finishing my reports, finding him a book, and exploring this place a little more. I might even give my father a call.

I was currently in the bathroom finishing up my hair. I was using a defuser to help dry my hair faster after putting the products in. I planned to just use a few bobby pins to pin it out of my face for today.

It was currently 8 in the morning which gave me enough time to do all my tasks before giving my report. I was nervous about giving my report but I had worked on it last night and I would finalize it later this afternoon.

Once my hair was dry, I took the towel from around my neck and tossed it in the basket by a shelf of fresh towels. I kept the towel wrapped around my body as I made quick brushing my teeth and washing my face. Once I was done I left my bathroom and scurried to my bedroom.

I locked the door behind me before letting the towel pool to the floor. I shivered a bit before putting on my clothes for today. I had already picked them out and they waited for me on my bed.

I picked up my phone and saw it was a quarter to nine, which meant I was good on time. I slipped my phone into my pocket and quickly rubbed some chapstick on before leaving my room.

I grabbed my lab coat off one of the chairs in my office, checking to make sure my card was still attached. I didn't have time to be traveling through the building and then get stuck or stopped because I forgot my ID.

I locked my office door behind me and headed down the hall. I used my card to open the door and stepped into what felt like another world. It had been two days since I'd left my area and since my assistant was bringing me my food and drinks I didn't really have a need to leave.

I took my time walking around as I stared at different things around me. I was still amazed at everything with every twist and turn I took. This place could honestly be a playground for doctors/scientists. I didn't know if that was good or bad but the place was amazing.

It made me wonder how they had so much money to fund this place. It was practically like pulling tooth and nail to get funding for research labs like this.

I spotted a map on a far wall and walked up towards it. The map seemed to focus only on below Solidary Ridge and didn't show how to get back up above. It made me wonder if many of the other people around here were also living down here too as they worked.

"Lost?"

I turned to look at a female that stood a few inches shorter than me. I glanced at her name tag and read Scientist Erin.

"I'm just looking for the library," I explained, even if I did want to continue to peek around.

"Oh, just follow me!" She perked up like a sunflower getting light for the first time.

As I followed her I took note of her appearance more. She seemed to walk with a bounce in her step and carried herself like she didn't have a care in the world. She even hummed a tune as we walked.

As we reached an elevator, different from the one to get down here, I took notice of her hands as she pushed a button. She seemed to have scares littering on her hands, some faded and some looked only a few days old.

That's kind of weird. I didn't recall seeing any pets around here. I didn't even see any animals in tubes, containers, or cages.

"New here?" She turned to look at me with wide green eyes.

"Yeah, but only for a month." I made small talk.

"Oh, that's a bummer. We can still be friends though!" The hopeful way she was staring at me made me feel bad about thinking to say no.

I smiled, "Sure."

"Awesome!" She cheered and gave me a quick side hug, making me freeze for a moment. I didn't have a problem with contact, but sudden contact from peppy strangers I just met was a bit uncomfortable.

"And here we are," The elevator stopped and opened up to a floor dedicated to just a library. My jaw always dropped down to the floor looking at it.

I stepped out of the elevator and turned to look at her.

"See you later," She waved and I waved back as the doors closed.

I spun around to look at the library and actually let my jaw hit the floor. Judging by the lack of noise I was assuming I was the only one up here at the moment. It made me all the happier to start looking.

I actually liked to read but since being a doctor I read more non-fiction than fiction. Therefore it was a nice surprise to see a mix of the two here. They even had a sliding ladder that helped you reach the top shelves.

"This would be mom's dream," I said out loud as I thought of how many books my mother used to have in the basement. She had turned it into her own personal little zone with the help of my father.

I remember every night she would light the fire down there and have me pick out a book and read it to me. When I got old enough I would start reading to her. It was our little thing we did together before she passed away.

Thinking about my mom made me want to call my dad. I pulled out my phone but paused when I saw a book I thought Nathan would enjoy.

"Of Mice and Men." I had never read it but I remember my father saying it was a good read after my mother forced him to read it.

That thought alone solidified me in dialing my father's number. I waited and after the second ring, I thought it would go to voicemail because he always answered the phone right away. It kind of made me worry a bit.

"Kon'nichiwa, anata (hello, dear)." My worry went away and was replaced with a smile.

"Papa."

~

I knocked on the door of Dr. Camel's office with my assistant standing behind me. I had my report ready and I'm sure he would be pleased. After all, I had gotten something while they had tried and gotten nothing.

"Come in!"

I grabbed the handle, twisting it and opening the door. I entered and Ms. Jones followed behind me quietly.

"Dr. Camel, nice to see you." I sat down at one of the loveseats he had and Ms. Jones seemed to want to stay standing to the back of the room.

"Yes, the feeling is likewise. We should grab lunch sometime?" He offered.

I let out a light laugh, "Sure, you can tell me all about family." I looked at the family portraits he had on his wall behind him.

He looked at them and then smiled back at me. "I would love to. Honestly, you and my wife would probably get along."

Dr. Camel had come off as a bit uptight yesterday but I guess that was just so I took my work seriously, which I always did. Now I could see more of his friendly side.

"I'm sure we would," I sat my report down on his desk and he looked at it.

It was silent for a few moments as he read over everything I had typed up. I had no problems waiting and judging by his face he seemed to be okay with what he was reading.

About twelve minutes went by.

"Dr. Nakajima, may I ask how you know the sub- Patient 000 doesn't like food?" He looked at me in curiosity.

"He told me." It was simple really.

"He told you?"

"Yes. He told me." I stated more assertively so he knew I wasn't lying.

"Is that a problem?" I followed up.

"No, No, not at all!" He frantically said before taking off his glasses and looking at me.

"Patient 000 has never spoken to any of us before."

I stared at him, "None of you?"

That was hard to believe seeing as me and Nathan's conversation was pretty fluent. Although that would make sense as to why they had never gotten any information out of him before. If he didn't speak all they could do was poke and prod him.

That may be why he seemed upset. I let the idea sit in the back of my head for when I saw Nathan next.

"None of us. I think this shows that we made the right choice in hiring you." He folded his hands and smiled at me.

"I guess it does." I smiled back, excited that I was having more of an impact than I thought.

"I look forward to your next report and hopefully you can get a name out of him." Dr. Camel took my report and put it inside his draw.

I stood up to leave, "Until next time."

"Bye, ladies."

Me and Ms. Jones left the office and started the journey back to mine. I thought about how Dr. Camel wanted a name but I had a feeling to not put in the report that he asked to be called Nathan. I mean that might not even be his real name.

"Dr. Codwell-Nakajima," Ms. Jones spoke up.

"Yes?"

"You are an exceptional doctor." She praised me.

I grinned, "Thank you, Ms. Jones"

I am a damn good doctor.