Chapter II - A labyrinth made of our eyes.

Something strange woke Teodor - the feeling of sand. It slid under his worn gray shirt, scratching his skin as if trying to pull him out of lethargy. There was something unsettlingly real about it. The warm, salty sea breeze filled his lungs, bringing a fleeting sense of peace. He opened his eyes, but the scene didn't match what he expected. Instead of a ceiling, a bright blue sky stretched above him, scattered with faintly blurred white clouds. He closed his eyes again, focusing on his breath. Something was off. He opened them once more. 

- One...- he whispered, trying to organize his thoughts. - Two... 

His left hand landed on his face, gripping it as if trying to stifle a scream that was about to erupt. "Three," he thought, and his hand dropped limply onto his chest. 

- I'm here,- he muttered to himself, though he wasn't sure what it meant. A warm breeze caressed his face as he sat up, supporting himself on his hands. Before him stretched the sea-calm, clear, indistinguishable from the sky. The waves barely touched the shore, and the sun hung high above the horizon. "It must be past noon," crossed his mind, but he couldn't tell if it was a real thought or a drowsy illusion. 

He clenched his fingers in the dry sand, feeling its texture. Lifting his head, he squinted at the sun. Its warm rays struck his eyes painfully, but he didn't look away. The pain helped-it grounded him, letting him feel that this was real. Or was it? This was the same beach he had seen in his dreams for the past two years. The same celestial colors, so perfect they had to be false. 

Standing up, he inhaled the salty air and scanned the horizon, searching for something-anything to confirm his consciousness. The boundary between sea and sky blurred, disappearing. Colors faded too. The water reflected the light like a mirrored surface, and stars appeared in the sky, even though it was daytime. Teodor felt a tightness in his chest. This wasn't normal. 

He rubbed his head, trying to clear his thoughts when he suddenly felt a weight on his left shoulder. He turned abruptly, and his heart stopped for a fraction of a second. 

Behind him stood a figure dressed entirely in white. Long blue hair flowed in the wind, and her face... was blurred, as if seen through a pane of glass fogged with salty water. She was smaller than he expected-an entire head shorter. Something about her was inhuman, though at first glance, she seemed human. Her large eyes glimmered oddly, as if filled with tiny white fireflies. 

Teodor felt a rising panic-warmth spread through his chest, making his heart beat too fast, too hard. With each thump, he felt fragments of his self-awareness crumbling away. He took a step back, feeling something within him break. This small figure pulled him toward her like a magnetic pole, and though he tried to resist, he couldn't. He wanted to stay near her. 

He stepped back again, and she mirrored him-only closer. Her hand slid from his shoulder to his arm, gripping it gently as if she had complete control over him. Teodor didn't understand why, but he couldn't resist. 

- What do you want? - he asked softly, his voice trembling as he averted his gaze. The figure said nothing, stepping closer until he was forced to yank his arm away from her grasp. He buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed by shame and helplessness. It felt as though he was on the brink of doing something he couldn't comprehend. 

- Are you hurt? - he tried again, but the figure remained silent. 

When he finally lowered his hands, she was there, right in front of him again. Before he could react, she grabbed his hand. 

- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! - he shouted, trying to push her away, but her touch was too gentle. He felt his resistance dissolve, and though he didn't understand why, he clasped her hand in return. The figure smiled faintly and began pulling him toward an unfamiliar direction. 

- Where are we going?- he asked, but she didn't reply. They walked on, wordless, the only sounds being the whistling wind and the cries of seagulls overhead. 

- Are you... human? - Teodor tried again, but the silence surrounding them grew heavier, suffocating. 

When he asked his final question about the activist, the figure abruptly stopped. Too suddenly. He nearly stumbled into her back. 

She turned, and her face erupted into a blinding light. Everything around them began to fade-the beach, the sea, the sky-as if the entire world was unraveling in that single moment. Teodor shut his eyes, feeling himself being consumed by the whiteness. 

*** 

- TEO! - a loud male voice echoed in the semi-conscious boy's head. The flickering stars slowly faded into a white light. - TEODOR! - the voice didn't relent, tearing apart the last remnants of his azure dreams. Exhausted by the noise penetrating his mind, Teodor slowly, reluctantly opened his eyes, blinking heavily. 

- What...? - he jolted upright from the bed, cutting off the yelling of the red-haired man leaning over him. - I'm alive, - he muttered, seeing Ignacy's wide-open eyes. 

- Thank God. - Ignacy clutched his chest, collapsing onto the bed frame. - I thought... - he struggled to catch his breath, visibly shaken. - I've been calling you for four minutes, you idiot, - he finally added, his face a mix of anger and relief. He leaned over Teodor again, as if trying to ensure he was truly back in the land of the living. 

- And four minutes too many, - Teodor rolled his eyes. - Can you fix my bed? - he asked, slightly annoyed. - All I see is the white ceiling and your oddly glowing face. 

- Ah, - Ignacy sighed, stepping back before grabbing a remote from the nearby dresser. He pressed a red button, and Teodor's bed began to rise. - I used Nulla's cream, - he added with a slight smile. 

- Mhm, - Teodor just nodded, though he didn't really care. He only wanted to avoid awkward silence. - I can tell, - he admitted, though from his perspective it looked more like dripping sweat than anything else. - Where is she? 

- The witch? - Ignacy asked for confirmation. - She's on the fifth floor, - he answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. 

- Uh-huh. - Teodor furrowed his brows, not entirely understanding why Nulla couldn't come visit him. He didn't want to seem confused, though, so he just nodded. 

- The fifth floor has different rules, - Ignacy explained, noticing Teodor's confusion. - They learn differently than we do. The system doesn't care if they have a funeral, a wedding, or an injured brother. When it's study time, they have to be there. - Ignacy shrugged. - But I do have some good news. 

- Good news? - Teodor looked at him questioningly. - The last one was good? 

- You know... - Ignacy began, breaking the silence. - If the witch had come here, she'd have caused a scene like last time. 

- The witch? - Teodor looked at him, puzzled, but then realized who Ignacy was talking about. - That's my SISTER. 

- A sister you don't even remember, - Ignacy sighed heavily, as if trying to emphasize his point. Teodor felt something inside him snap - his brother's words pierced through his indifference like a needle. He looked at Ignacy, silently, his gaze expressing more than words. If he could, he would have punched him. - Never mind, - Ignacy looked away, sensing he'd gone too far. Rubbing his neck with his left hand, he tried to change the subject. The silence between them grew heavy, and Ignacy felt it was his fault. - Listen... - he began tentatively. 

- Maybe I don't remember her now, - Teodor interrupted, his voice calm but firm. - But that's only the present. In the past, I remembered her, I remembered you, and in the future, I'll remember you both again, whether my memories return or not. I can make new ones. - He looked at Ignacy, who stood frozen, completely caught off guard by this declaration. 

- You know... - Ignacy tried to restart the conversation, slightly flustered. - I... I kind of owe you an apology. 

- Sort of? - Teodor shot him a sideways glance. 

- Sometimes I say stupid things... I mean, sometimes I just don't think. 

- You think you don't think? - Teodor repeated his words with a hint of sarcasm. 

- Yes. - Ignacy nodded, trying to diffuse the situation. 

- Weren't you supposed to be as smart as me? - Teodor suddenly recalled a conversation from years ago. Memories of their earlier discussions about circles and the system's operations surfaced unexpectedly. - Do you have my notes? - he asked with curiosity, though there was a hint of tension in his voice. Teodor felt it might be his last chance, hoping they could help him remember something more. 

- I don't think that's necessary. - Ignacy replied, looking at his brother with concern. - The doctors say you're fine now, and... well, if you want, you could go home as soon as tonight. 

- What? - Teodor's eyes widened in surprise. - They're discharging me after one day? 

- One day? - Ignacy looked at him as though he couldn't believe the question himself. - You weren't here for just one day. - He corrected patiently. 

- Well, not counting the last two years. - Teodor retorted. 

- You don't get it. - Ignacy tried to keep his composure. - What I meant was that after you woke up, you slept for another seventy-four hours. 

- What? - Teodor furrowed his brow in surprise. He couldn't recall those three days. - Why don't I remember anything? 

Ignacy hesitated before answering, as though searching for the right words. 

- You know, the doctor... - He paused briefly, as if gathering strength to explain. - Apparently, after I left, you became extremely aggressive. You attacked the doctor, and he gave you a sedative injection. 

- EXCUSE ME?! - Teodor exploded. His shock quickly turned to rage. - How is that possible? 

Ignacy, sensing the situation slipping out of control, tried to calm him down. 

- Well, you know, after that, they kept you in an induced coma so your body could recover. 

- THAT'S NOT THE POINT! - Teodor began looking around the room, his anger mounting. - THAT... THAT... - He struggled to find the right words to express his frustration. - THAT SLICK-HAIRED DOCTOR INJECTED ME WITH THAT CRAP FOR NO REASON! - His fist trembled, and his entire body seemed ready to explode. He searched for something to unleash his frustration on and started hurling insults at the doctor. 

Ignacy sighed, realizing he needed to find a way to calm his brother down. 

- Okay, I get it. - The redhead nodded, his voice softer now. - But... could you lower your tone a little when you're insulting someone? - He tilted his head, trying to inject some humor into the situation, hoping it might diffuse Teodor's anger. - These walls have ears. Just tell me calmly what happened. 

- Tell you?! - Teodor looked at him incredulously, then twisted his mouth into a sarcastic smile. - Fine, I'll tell you. - His voice dripped with sarcasm, his anger still simmering. 

And so, Teodor began his monologue. Every word turned the situation into a melodrama, painting the doctor as an incompetent monster who cruelly mistreated an innocent patient. His recounting of the injection and the terrifying nurses was filled with exaggerated details. The story stretched into absurdity, culminating in such theatrics that Ignacy, trying hard to stay serious, struggled not to burst out laughing. Sitting on the adjacent bed, he kept turning toward the door to stifle his laughter. The flush on his face deepened to a dark red as Teodor's tale grew ever more ridiculous. 

- Are you even listening to me? - Teodor asked, irritated, noticing his brother struggling to keep a straight face. 

- Of course I am. - Ignacy turned back to him, covering his face with a hand, hoping his brother wouldn't notice the redness in his cheeks. 

- You're not taking me seriously. - Teodor concluded, frustrated with himself and Ignacy, who, in his view, wasn't treating him with respect. - I'm telling the truth! 

- Of course you are. - Ignacy composed himself, lowering his hand. - But don't take this the wrong way-saying the doctor is a satanist and the nurses are his cultists is just... well, it's simply funny. 

- The guy was pale, had his hair slicked back, and looked like he'd had too much Botox. 

Ignacy was silent for a moment, trying to calm down, but he could feel his brother's anger starting to wear on him. 

- I understand, but... - the heterochromatic man began. 

- You always have a 'but'! - Teodor felt his fury rising again. - Why can't you just agree with me for once? 

- And pretend a lie is the truth? - Ignacy replied calmly, his tone full of patience, which Teodor couldn't appreciate. 

- If you don't want to believe me, then don't. - Teodor turned away from Ignacy completely, convinced he wouldn't understand him. - When can I leave? - he asked, trying to change the subject. He had the unshakable feeling that every conversation with Ignacy exhausted him twice as much as running laps in a flooded room. 

- The doctor had undergone multiple surgeries, - Ignacy replied calmly, trying to keep his emotions in check. - And the nurses? They're robots. That's why they don't have hair. Somewhere before GI System appeared, robots were banned from having it because their skin and build were so human-like that telling them apart from real people became nearly impossible. So, they made it a global rule. Though, as always, it's only half-followed. 

Teodor furrowed his brows, not entirely convinced by what he was hearing. 

- Multiple surgeries? - he repeated in disbelief. - The guy looked like a vampire and a Satan worshiper. - He turned his head, giving Ignacy a meaningful glance. - So how much does this all cost? How long has this Gaia been running the show? 

- The doc's probably a seventy-year-old trying to force himself to look younger. - Ignacy replied without hesitation, maintaining his composure. 

- How's it possible for someone to look so young yet so old and... - Teodor trailed off, lost in his thoughts. The world around him felt overwhelming, and the fear of the unknown gnawed at him. - He doesn't look seventy. - After a brief silence, he added, staring toward the window. 

Ignacy noticed his brother gazing blankly into space. There was something in Teodor's eyes that Ignacy couldn't quite name-fear, uncertainty, exhaustion. Regardless, he tried not to lose his own grip. 

- No one here looks old. - The redhead threw the comment at Teodor, as if to jolt him out of his stupor. - As for Gaia, I don't really know. - He paused for a moment, trying to frame an explanation for the chaos surrounding his brother. - It's been around so long that no one remembers exactly. It all started after Uranos. 

- Uranos? - Teodor repeated, the word unfamiliar yet oddly resonant. It sounded like a prophecy of the end of the world. Uranos, the Greek god who devoured his children until one was hidden by their mother, lingered in his mind. Teodor began wondering if this had anything to do with his strange dreams. He felt lost again, distrustful of everyone-even his supposed brother. Hesitantly, he glanced at Ignacy before quickly turning away. 

- You know, - Ignacy began, attempting to change the subject and redirect his brother's thoughts, - I'll help you pack. 

Teodor shot him a surprised look. 

- Pack? - he asked, not understanding. 

- What do you think you've been wearing this whole time? - Ignacy responded with slight irony. - The nurse changes your clothes every day. 

Teodor flushed with embarrassment and glanced at himself. Sure enough, his outfit was different. The shirt he wore was no longer gray but navy blue, and the pants matched, adorned with a plaid pattern in various shades of blue. His body felt clean; there was no unpleasant smell, even though he knew he hadn't properly bathed in a long time. He realized Ignacy was right but couldn't bring himself to admit it aloud. 

- I thought I was just wearing hospital clothes, you know, the kind that doesn't get in the way during procedures or something, - Teodor added, looking at Ignacy as if searching for understanding in his eyes. 

- That's what you wear during those procedures, - Ignacy replied, trying to keep the conversation calm. 

- I was just wondering something, - Teodor said, looking at his brother thoughtfully. 

- What is it? - Ignacy glanced at him over his shoulder. 

- This is a hospital, right? - Teodor asked, wanting to start a conversation. - So why am I the only one in this room? I don't see or hear any other patients around. 

- There was another patient next to you before, but they disconnected him, - Ignacy replied, still watching his brother as if waiting for a reaction. 

- Disconnected? - Teodor repeated, incredulous. 

- Yeah, disconnected, - Ignacy took a deep breath. - For a month after that, I came here every day, calling out to you. It just so happened that Nulla was here when you woke up. That was, in fact, possibly the last day when... - He paused, realizing he had already said too much. 

Teodor was silent, piecing things together. He felt he already knew what Ignacy was hinting at. The blond realized he had woken up at the very last possible moment. 

- Nonetheless, you woke up, and he didn't, - Ignacy continued more softly, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. - This place isn't an ordinary hospital. It's for patients in comas, like you were. That's why it's so quiet here. Before you woke up, when I was here every day, I felt like I was cutting myself off from reality. Trust me, once we leave, you'll miss the silence. 

Teodor, though unsettled, couldn't hold back a comment: 

- Sure. And when are we leaving? 

Ignacy looked at him with a hint of relief, sensing the tension had eased for a moment. 

- Today, I'm telling you, right after your tests. 

Teodor raised his eyebrows, feeling a sudden surge of frustration. 

- So, they're going to knock me out again, and you're just going to leave, huh? - The question was laced with irony, and the look he gave his brother was tense. 

Ignacy answered shortly, without hesitation: 

- No. Not today. I'm not leaving you. I don't want you attacking anyone else. 

Teodor, almost on cue, felt his anger start bubbling up again. 

- I TOLD YOU! - He raised his voice, ready for another confrontation. A fresh argument was forming in his mind, ready to be unleashed. He was about to speak when Ignacy interrupted him again. 

- If you can't behave around anyone but me, then let me keep an eye on you, - Ignacy raised a hand, a faint smile on his face aimed at diffusing the tension. - You're like an oblivious little kid. - He reached out and patted Teodor on the head with his right hand, a gesture that only added fuel to Teodor's frustration. 

Teodor was boiling with anger now, unable to contain the frustration ignited by his brother's teasing. 

- Get lost! - Teodor snapped at Ignacy, swatting his hand aside. - Are you crazy, or are you just messing with me? 

Ignacy felt a flicker of irritation but responded with amusement instead. 

- Sorry, - he said with a slight smile. - But that's your fault. 

Teodor felt the blood boiling in his veins. He wanted to punch Ignacy. The redhead seemed utterly carefree, oblivious to the gravity of the situation. From the first day after waking up, Teodor had sensed Ignacy's nonchalance, and it drove him crazy. He didn't understand why, but he knew something in their dynamic irritated him deeply. "I'll figure it out when I get closer to him," he thought, though the thought brought no comfort. 

- Don't look at me like that, - Ignacy said, stepping back after noticing Teodor's tense glare. - Maybe I'll just go pack your stuff, huh? - he added, scratching his head as if debating whether it was a good idea. Without waiting for a response, he strode to one of the white metal lockers and began pulling out clothes piled inside. 

- What are you going to pack that into? - Teodor asked, watching his brother rummage through his belongings, pulling out a mix of clothes and underwear. There was a lot, and Teodor wondered how Ignacy would manage it all. He noticed the redhead wasn't paying attention to him, still focused on digging through the locker as if this was entirely normal. 

- I didn't think there'd be this much, - Ignacy admitted, still absorbed in packing. - You know, I used to come by every week, take some of it home, swap it for new stuff, but for the past month, I haven't had the time. So, I just kept adding new ones. 

- You didn't have to buy new ones, - Teodor said gruffly. - You could've just washed the old ones. 

Ignacy glanced at him sideways, slightly annoyed. 

- Relax, I can still afford it. For my little brother, I can even get a job, - Ignacy teased, trying to provoke Teodor again. - But seriously, it would've felt weird to buy clothes for myself and not for you. 

Teodor felt the tension rising again but decided not to give Ignacy the satisfaction. 

- Are you a shopaholic? - he asked with a touch of sarcasm. 

- No, - Ignacy replied curtly. The simple word struck Teodor with unexpected force, leaving him momentarily lost in thought. His mind raced with questions, but he didn't want to voice them now. 

- Listen, - Ignacy repeated, sensing the need to keep the conversation alive. 

- I'm tired, - Teodor interrupted suddenly, lying down on the bed and staring straight at the white ceiling. He felt drained by everything happening around him and lacked the energy to continue the conversation. 

- Sure, - Ignacy replied softly, his voice full of understanding, though Teodor didn't hear it. He was too consumed by his thoughts to engage any further. The silence enveloped him as he retreated inward. 

Staring at the white light, Teodor sank into his thoughts. Once again, the beach appeared before his eyes - the sun, the clear blue sky merging with the horizon in endless beauty. His memories took the form of the sea's shimmering hues, and suddenly, as if summoned, he saw long, blue hair swaying gently in the warm wind carrying the ocean breeze. The vision of a woman turning toward him, her blurred face adorned with a serene smile, filled him with sadness, regret, and even fury. 

Teodor clenched a piece of the blanket in his hands as if it were golden sand. He felt his heart racing, as though trying to break free from his chest. He didn't know where it was running to, but he was certain every path led to that blue-haired woman. A chilling sense of helplessness gripped him - he hadn't gone to her when he could, and now it was too late. He was wasting time, and if he could only turn it back, he'd spend a hundred years with her, waiting for the moment they'd meet again. 

Lost in his musings, Teodor didn't notice two nurses entering the room - short, bald women in white uniforms. It wasn't until Ignacy's laughter broke the trance that Teodor snapped back to reality. 

- He's always like this, - Ignacy chuckled, trying to lighten the mood as he looked at the nurses. - See, ladies? He's already doing better. 

Teodor was now sitting upright, as if he had suddenly snapped back to reality. He stared at the three people in the room, but his mind was still not entirely present. 

- Are you feeling all right? - one of the nurses asked, her face devoid of any emotion. Yet Teodor felt her eyes scrutinizing his every breath. 

- I... uh... yeah, - he stammered, trying to collect his thoughts. 

- That's just how he is, - Ignacy interjected confidently, as though he'd become accustomed to situations like this. - You know how hard it is to wake up after two years in a coma. Mentally, he's still just a kid. 

Ignacy stepped closer to Teodor, leaning down slightly. 

- What were you doing? - he whispered, as if the question couldn't wait. 

Teodor squinted at him suspiciously. 

- What did I do? - he replied quietly, pretending the nurses couldn't overhear them. 

- You were thrashing around on the bed like you were being exorcised, - Ignacy muttered, trying to explain what had just happened. 

- You know... it's just the shock of coming out of a long coma, - Teodor echoed Ignacy's earlier words, suppressing the anger he felt at the thought of how strange and incomprehensible his reactions must seem. 

Ignacy looked at him with slight disapproval but didn't let it show too much. He could see how lost Teodor was, though he couldn't help but think how awkward his brother must feel seeing himself like this. Teodor, still disoriented, tried to maintain his composure, but Ignacy knew it was only a matter of time before his brother fully regained his awareness. 

Their silent exchange was broken when one of the nurses' voices cut through the room. 

- Are you two finished? - she asked, her tone stern. Ignacy and Teodor exchanged a knowing glance. 

- Of course, we are, - Ignacy replied, maintaining his confident demeanor. - Where are you taking him? 

One of the nurses opened her mouth to answer, but Teodor beat her to it, raising his voice. 

- Where are you taking me? - he repeated, his gaze fixed on Ignacy, who stood by his bedside with one hand resting on the frame. 

- For now, sir, to room 395, - the nurse finally said, though her response did nothing to ease Teodor's anxiety. 

- And you?! - Teodor snapped, turning to Ignacy, who was leaning against the bed's railing. 

- Me? This is about your tests, - Ignacy replied plainly, without the slightest hesitation. - I'll finish packing your things, - he added, noticing the furrowed brow on Teodor's face. 

- I thought you were coming with me. You said you wouldn't leave me anymore, - Teodor said quietly, but the sadness in his voice was unmistakable as he looked at his brother, who was starting to move away. 

At the same time, the nurses unfolded a wheelchair and approached Teodor's bed. 

- Relax, I'm here, - Ignacy reassured him, though his tone was calmer than usual. - If I hear you've bitten someone, I'll come running. For now, I'll finish packing your stuff. 

- Sure, - the blond man replied as he was seated in the wheelchair, looking up at his taller brother. - From this angle, you do look taller, but I think with every extra inch, your IQ drops. - He threw the comment carelessly, unfazed by any potential consequences. 

- Excuse me?! - Ignacy reacted, staring at his brother with evident surprise. His eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement, though irritation lingered faintly beneath the surface. 

- You really are tall, sir, - the nurse pushing the wheelchair said, glancing at Teodor, whose expression now held a slight impatience. 

- About six foot three? - added the other nurse, trying to break the awkward silence. 

- Actually, it's six foot four, - Ignacy corrected, a bit sheepishly, realizing his comment sounded less confident than he'd intended but wanting to clarify the fact. 

- Then you shouldn't take offense. He simply stated the truth; he didn't lie to you, - the nurse remarked while opening the doors to the room they were heading toward. 

Ignacy, still taken aback, looked at his brother, who now wore a fleeting smirk. But the moment didn't last long, as the white doors closed behind them, leaving Ignacy alone in the room. 

As the trio left, Ignacy glanced around the space. He first approached the bed closest to the door, grabbed two navy-blue bags, and soon settled into the chair by the nightstand, packing Teodor's clothes and underwear. When he was done, he stood up and stretched, feeling the stiffness in his legs. 

- Ugh... - he sighed, eyeing Teodor's crumpled, unmade bed. - What a mess... - he muttered, setting about tidying up. 

He grabbed the remote from the bedside table and neatly folded the bedding, then removed the covers, the comforter, and the white pillow. Behind the curtain, he found a white laundry basket and tossed in the soiled linens. In just a few minutes, the room was transformed. 

The 21-year-old even straightened the gray rug on the floor and carefully repositioned the beige armchair by the window. For a moment, he stood there, admiring the results of his effort. 

- Let's bring in some more light... - he murmured to himself, pulling up the dark gray Roman shades and letting a soft glow of sunlight fill the room. 

The view outside the window was terrifying. Futuristic buildings stretched beyond the horizon, overlapping one another, creating an unsettling sense of chaos. All of them were massive, resembling towering spires, each seemingly competing to surpass the next in height, reaching toward the sky. Their shapes varied-from simple rectangular blocks to twisted prisms. Despite the differences, a cohesive color scheme tied them together, lending a semblance of aesthetic order. Three dominant colors prevailed: green, symbolizing a connection to nature; white, evoking purity; and black, the timeless symbol of classicism. Together, they formed a cold harmony. 

Surrounding the structures were expanses of glass, artificial plants, digital lawns, and white sidewalks that appeared untouched by rain. The hospital was situated at the heart of this futuristic reality. In the distance, Ignacy noticed a holographic tower resembling a reconstructed Eiffel Tower-once a symbol of freedom, now recreated by the system in a distorted form. Transparent tracks encircled the buildings, with trains speeding along them. The machines bore little resemblance to the trains of the past; they were sleek and aerodynamic, designed to cut through air and defy low speeds. Their primary color was white, continuing the dominant theme. 

Ignacy caught sight of several communication screens below, which people passed through without a second thought, as if they didn't exist. Life in this artificial world seemed to flow smoothly. The inhabitants smiled, yet it was as though they were unaware of living in a simulation crafted by the system itself. Parts of the city and its residents, increasingly indistinguishable from machines, carried out their daily tasks. A man in a green jumpsuit trimmed digital trees, while an observer examined a dark-haired woman. 

Ignacy stepped away from the window, no longer wanting to watch people mindlessly surrender to a trap of their own making. Despite hating this city and its reality, Ignacy knew he had to comply with the rules of this twisted game. Refusal to conform meant expulsion. He thought about how much he despised himself and this entire situation until his watch lit up on his wrist. 

- Notification, - he muttered to himself, his gaze settling on the glowing watch face as a 5D message appeared, notifying him of today's circuit scan. 

Ignacy's expression grew more clouded, as though he still couldn't believe the reality he lived in. After a moment, he turned from the window and focused on the screen, feeling the weight of life in this place pressing down on him. 

- You have until six p.m., - repeated the miniature plasma figure protruding from the watch. 

- I know, I know, - Ignacy replied, already weary of the repetitive reminders. 

- You'd better do it right away, - the voice grew sharper, almost irritatingly insistent. 

Irritated, Ignacy raised his arm, showing four circular patterns on his wrist. He rotated the watch to align its face with the mark displayed on the screen. The plasma figure vanished, replaced by a semi-transparent blue light, glowing like veins under his skin. The beam aimed at the center of the circles, emitting a strange sound, akin to a ringing in the ears. Ignacy felt something stir inside him, and after a moment, the light extinguished. The plasma figure was gone, leaving only the dimmed watch face. 

Frustrated, Ignacy removed the watch and tossed it onto the bed beside the navy-blue bags of clothing. 

- I'll deal with it later, - he muttered, sitting on the edge of the bed. He leaned on his hands, staring into the void for a moment before anger began to simmer inside him again. 

He stood and moved toward the nightstand. Opening the bottom drawer, he pulled out a yellow folder. Running his fingers over its surface, he let out a quiet, weary sigh. 

- I still need to go to the reception,- he muttered to himself, picking up the folder from the desk. The feeling of being overwhelmed was beginning to consume him. He took a deep breath and headed toward the door. 

He grasped the silver handle, turning it slowly, as if every action required more energy than usual. The door creaked softly as it opened. Ignacy stepped out without looking back, trying not to think about what awaited him. 

*** 

The corridor seemed endless. White walls, ceiling, floor - everything was almost identical, and even the doors and lighting blended into this impersonal, sterile landscape. Ignacy felt as if he had found himself in some kind of insane asylum, with no way out. He had walked this path hundreds of times, but with each visit, he became more and more convinced that if anyone ended up here, even for just one day, they would lose their mind. Teodor must have been really tough to have survived a night here. Ignacy was beginning to believe the version of events in which a mad patient attacks a doctor, so overwhelming was the dead, dull, colorless corridor. Ahead of him were more rooms, but he stopped counting. He reached the "four hundred and fifty-eighth" and decided it was pointless. Each step deepened the feeling that he was lost. 

- I must have taken the wrong corridor. - he muttered to himself, confused. He helplessly pulled out his phone, which looked like an old model from the '90s, with a flip cover, folding like a small container. After opening it, the screen turned into a touch-sensitive 3D monitor. Ignacy tried to find a map of the hospital, but before he could do that, a new message notification popped up. Instinctively, he glanced at it. 

- Kavinsky. - he sighed, recognizing the name. - I have to do his job again. 

He slammed the phone shut in irritation and then rolled his eyes. 

- I'll manage without it. - he muttered with certainty, though his voice betrayed a hint of exhaustion. He put the phone back in his pocket and continued his walk, no longer knowing where he was actually heading. He stuffed the phone back into the pocket of his cream-colored pants and headed toward the end of the corridor. After a few minutes of walking, with each step more convinced he had made a mistake, he tried not to rely on the phone. He didn't want to keep looking for help in technology. He had to reach the reception, and now he felt almost lost, as if he were wandering in a labyrinth of identical hospital rooms. His thoughts were scattered, but just as he was about to lose himself completely, a light appeared - a button to open the door. Ignacy approached, tapping the small screen, and the silver gates immediately opened, letting him inside. The interior was almost identical to everything around - sterile, cold, completely devoid of any personality. The only distinctive feature was a small monitor where you had to enter a number to indicate the floor you wanted to go to. Ignacy closed his eyes, trying to collect his thoughts. 

- Ground floor. - he muttered in his mind, tapping the screen. - Damn! - he cursed when he accidentally entered the level number "minus one." He tried to delete the mistake, but with each attempt, the screen became less and less responsive. - Oh well, let's go all the way down. - he said to himself, now with no emotion, as if resigned to further attempts. 

The guy didn't feel angry or irritated. Quite the opposite, there was something ruthlessly indifferent about him, as if the whole situation had simply overwhelmed him. It was that feeling you get when you feel disconnected from reality, as if time had stopped. He looked at the screen, which slowly stopped responding, and elevator music began playing from the speakers, becoming nothing more than an annoying background. After a moment, the elevator finally stopped at the sixteenth floor. Before the doors opened, Ignacy, not wanting to continue the journey, decided to exit. To his surprise, when the doors opened, he saw no one who should have stopped the elevator. Confused, he stepped out into the corridor, but before he could do anything, the elevator doors slammed shut behind him. He paused for a moment, staring at the empty corridors, feeling something strange beginning to overtake him. Before he could figure it out, he stumbled. He lost his balance and fell to the ground right next to an unfamiliar person lying on the floor, surrounded by a pool of blood. His heart nearly stopped, and fear shot through him like a cold shiver. The guy took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation on his shoulders. A muffled groan of terror escaped his throat. He felt as if time had slowed down as he tried to approach the boy lying there. He bent over carefully, wanting to check his condition, but the sight of blood spreading around him paralyzed him. He knew this pain, even though he had never had to experience it himself. He swallowed hard and gently brushed the dark brown, blood-soaked hair from the stranger's face. His fingers grazed the cold skin, and then a beautiful, young face appeared - smooth, with dark eyebrows and long lashes, as if someone had captured all the youthful energy in it. Ignacy felt a strange sensation, as if he were looking at a picture of the future. His hand trembled as he stroked the ragged, bloodied hair, and in that moment, something strange happened. The stranger's eyes opened, and their gazes met in one instant. Ignacy felt as though everything around him froze, as if time had stopped at that one crucial moment. His heart raced as the boy looked straight into his eyes. The stranger's eyes were chocolate brown, nearly black, and in them, Ignacy could see his own reflection - his pale, thin face, his reddish hair. The boy felt as though his entire reality had collapsed onto the ground in that one glance. The stranger's hand, barely moving, touched his thigh, and Ignacy felt as if that hand had crossed some boundary. He knew this was no accident. 

They stopped for a moment, staring at each other in silence. Finally, Ignacy broke the silence: 

- Who are you? - he asked softly, his voice trembling with emotions he was trying to hide. 

Barely a moment after asking the question, the unfamiliar boy suddenly transformed into a sprinter in one lightning-fast move. Starting from Ignacy, he pushed off his thigh with all his might, almost losing his balance in the process. Ignacy, dazed, watched in disbelief as the barely-standing teenager began limping, attempting to escape. His thoughts were racing-he couldn't understand what was happening. He felt paralyzed, as if everything around him had become unreal. Then, just beside him, completely unexpectedly, he heard rapid footsteps-someone was approaching them in a hurry. Ignacy felt the ground beneath his feet start to tremble. The boy had no time to think. Instinctively, he pushed off the ground, moving in the opposite direction of the stranger, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. 

*** 

He ran. His legs seemed to carry him forward on their own. It was all happening too fast-he didn't know if he was passing anyone or not. He didn't stop. He wanted to be as far away from this chaotic situation as possible. A million thoughts raced through his mind, and fear paralyzed him more and more with every passing second; each moment felt like an eternity. Ignacy's eyes constantly scanned the space around him, checking every little crack, searching for danger. He felt that something inevitable was lurking around the corner. Finally, he reached the stairs. After a few moments, he leaned against the wall, struggling to catch his breath, his body trembling with adrenaline. Sweat covered him as he pulled off his beige shirt with brown, copper stripes. He decided he had to tie it around his waist to cover the bloodstains on his hand from the stranger. It was an attempt to hide what he couldn't understand. Maybe it was all just his imagination, a dream that had affected his mind too much. He lost himself in thoughts. When he started down the stairs, he felt everything around him become uncertain. The hallways, the cameras, the possible traces he had left. Fear crept inside him, growing with every second. He wondered if any of the cameras had caught his face. What if they did? What if the stranger had a past that Ignacy didn't want to be part of? Unfathomable and too dangerous. Ignacy ran, finally feeling a bit safer, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. As he neared the hallway, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand and tried to straighten up. This whole situation didn't make sense. It had to be just his imagination. But the longer he thought about it, the more he felt that it was all real. That his fate had become tangled in something he couldn't predict. Then, suddenly, during another attempt to escape, he felt his legs falter. He stopped for a moment before falling, landing on the cold, hard tiles. He propped himself up on his thighs, trying to catch his breath, and then he heard a word-spoken with full emotion. 

- TOOD!- he shouted, his voice filled with desperation as he collided with his brother. 

He immediately threw himself into Teodor's arms, unable to comprehend what was happening. Everything that had just happened seemed to blend together, and Ignacy felt himself slowly returning to a reality he couldn't understand. 

- Idiot!- Teodor growled, not hiding his anger, his voice sounding like an explosion in the silence of the hallway. - Do you hear me? Idiot!- he repeated, his face full of frustration and exhaustion. 

Ignacy, still overwhelmed by everything, had nothing in his mind that could calm Teodor. So, he responded with a single sentence that came out of his mouth like a barely audible whisper. 

- You know what I've been through...- he said softly, looking up at his brother, who had already pulled himself off the ground and was slowly standing. 

- And do you know what I've been through?- Teodor replied, not waiting for an answer, pushing his redheaded brother off his legs. - I just came from the last test.- His voice was surprisingly calm, though there was still a hint of irritation in it. 

Ignacy stared at him for a moment, unable to understand how Teodor could go through all of this with such indifference. 

- That quickly?- he asked, feeling as if he wanted to change the subject, not wanting to return to what had just happened. 

- Yes.- Teodor nodded. - I refused to inject unknown substances, and it turned out I only had one test left.- He said this with pride, as if he were proud of the decision. - And I'm just coming back from it.- His words sounded like an explanation, but Ignacy felt even more lost. 

- Uh...- Ignacy scratched his head, trying to say something sensible, but his mind was a whirlwind. - I was just bringing papers to the reception,- he said casually, not wanting to make the misunderstanding worse. 

- I get it,- Teodor muttered, but his gaze shifted to the nurses who had just approached them, looking at them curiously. 

- We're sorry, but could you please move? We need to take the patient back to his room,- one of the nurses asked, and Ignacy felt himself starting to get nervous. The two women were almost identical-slender, with worn faces that could belong to any nurse in the hospital. 

- He can wait,- Teodor grumbled, waving his hand. - This is my brother.- He seemed to try to resolve the situation, but the nurses weren't interested in talking. 

- Unfortunately, we can't,- one of them replied firmly. - We need to take him back to his room after the examination,- the other added, not giving Ignacy a chance to respond. 

- Alright, we're going,- Ignacy finally said, feeling exhausted. - Teodor, let's just let them do their thing, okay?- he asked, trying to change the subject to avoid further tension. 

Teodor, his expression shifting to one of mild surprise, looked at his brother. His gaze moved to Ignacy, who seemed more distracted than usual. 

- Did something happen?- he asked with interest. - You look...- He trailed off, as if searching for the right words, but his eyes were drawn to the details Ignacy couldn't hide. Sweaty hair, an unbuttoned and wrinkled shirt, as though someone had fallen down the stairs, dirty and stained. Teodor stared at him, as if trying to understand what had happened. 

- I'm fine,- Ignacy quickly replied, trying to avoid the question. - I just got lost earlier.- His gaze moved toward the nurses, who were still watching them with curiosity. - The hospital is big,- he added uncertainly, gripping his shirt to cover the bloodstains on his hand. He felt as if everyone was watching him, like he was under a spotlight. Fear was building up inside him, but he tried to stay calm. He looked at his brother, seeking any help. 

Teodor, clearly tired, yawned loudly. 

- Sorry, I'm tired,- his voice sounded sluggish, as though he was about to fall asleep. - Can we go now?- he suggested, then yawned again, ignoring his brother's anxiety. 

- I'll push the wheelchair,- Ignacy said, wanting to take control of the situation. He stepped forward to take the wheelchair from one of the nurses, but she immediately removed his hand from it. 

- Sorry, I'll do it,- one of the nurses replied, while the other pushed Ignacy's hands away, not giving him a chance to intervene. 

- Please follow us,- they gestured for him to go behind them. Their tone was cold, and Ignacy felt the atmosphere growing more claustrophobic. 

At that moment, trying to hide his nervousness, Ignacy started talking to Teodor to change the subject somehow. 

- You know, Teo...- he began uncertainly. 

- What's up?- Teodor asked, trying to help his brother, though he still didn't understand the situation. - Did something happen?- he asked again, noticing Ignacy's silence. 

- Oh, you know...- Ignacy started, a bit embarrassed, trying to find an excuse to keep the conversation going, but in his eyes, the image of the young man struggling to deal with the situation was still there. 

- How are we getting home?- Teodor asked, noticing that Ignacy seemed lost in thought. - That was my last test, so...- Teodor began, but as soon as he said those words, Ignacy, as if awakened from a trance, returned to reality. His mind, which had been drifting just moments ago, collided with gravity. Ignacy looked at his brother, trying to gather his thoughts. 

- YES,- he said decisively. - I was supposed to take the papers to the reception, but now it doesn't make sense.- He added, trying to act as if he didn't notice the nurses standing behind them, watching them with curiosity. 

- Ah, I see,- Teodor nodded, as if understanding. He also tried to pretend he didn't notice the women's presence. - So now we both go back to the room, then grab our things and leave?- He asked, wanting to make sure, but he felt that the question had a deeper meaning. He knew that if they didn't settle everything now, the white hospital corridors would swallow them forever. 

- Yes, and we'll also drop off your papers at the reception,- Ignacy waved a yellow folder in front of Teodor's eyes, as if trying to give the conversation some kind of logical form. -We'll take the train home. 

- Train?- Teodor asked, furrowing his brow. He felt lost, as if he couldn't remember what a train was, as if it was just a jumble of fragmented memories. - I don't remember what it looks like,- he added with hesitation and irritation, feeling that the crucial details were missing. 

- Yes,- Ignacy answered shortly, then fell silent for a moment. - You don't have a problem with that, do you?- he asked after a minute of silence, feeling the conversation growing more tense. 

- Not really,- Teodor shrugged, though his answer was evasive. - I don't even know what it looks like. I don't remember, after all,- he added, as if resigned to what had happened. 

- Right,- Ignacy scratched his head with his left hand, thinking that he had no idea what to say next. 

Their conversation continued down the hospital corridor, leading them to the room. They exchanged meaningless monologues, trying to maintain some form of interaction to avoid being overwhelmed by silence. When they reached the room, neither of them remembered what they had been talking about the entire time. But there was one thing that stuck in their minds. Both men, though trying not to pay attention to the details, remembered one thing: their relationship with the healthcare system had left a permanent mark in their minds. Teodor never wanted to go through that again, and Ignacy, looking at everything from a distance, decided that from now on, he would rely on more "homegrown" methods of healing.