Insangel

Chapter 10

     "You want more?" Doctor Forfax asks one day when I politely request more anaesthetic after a dose of my medication.

      "It is easing me towards sleep," I half-lie.

      "Well, it is certainly making you more lethargic. However, your physical health is suffering."

      "Oh dear, that is not good," I admit before quickly steering the conversation back in the direction I want, "But would more anaesthetic not numb the discomfort and pain that might bring?"

      "I am going to nip this issue in the bud and tightly regulate how much anaesthetic you receive from now on," Doctor Forfax declares sternly. "Perhaps it was wrong to administer anaesthetic to you in the first place."

      "I will behave, I will behave," I reply hastily. The thought alone of injections without anaesthetic makes me shiver.

      "See that you do. I will try to reduce the lingering side-effects, but if you dare become addicted to anaesthetics, I will lock them up and you will have to make do with none," he says slowly and clearly, pointing a threatening finger at me.

Without another word, just a disapproving glare, he indicates for me to follow.

As we reach the door, Doctor Forfax half pulling me as I lazily drag my feet, the sound of metal against metal snaps my brain, and eventually my body, into gear.

It really does sound like someone's anguished cries, more intense than last time, even if it actually is just machinery It feels like a sound of pain. Of anger. It might even have been a curse, based on my limited experience of such 'uncouth' things, as Nanny would put it. Just as the echo begins to fade it resurfaces but is cut short.

      "Funny how your mind can play tricks on you," Doctor Forfax remarks, "I have an urgent matter I must assist my nurse with, so promise to behave and I will lock you in here and return as soon as possible."

Interesting... So, it is coming from a living thing then? And also, 'nurse'? Who is that?

     "I promise I will behave."

      "Let us hope that you are as good as your word. Or there will be Hell to pay."

Perching myself on the end of the table in the centre, I try to make myself look as submissive as possible. It appears to work as Doctor Forfax gives me a satisfied nod before hurrying out of the room.

Obediently, I remain seated, back straight and head raised, just like Nanny taught me. In an attempt to clear my thoughts, I find a nondescript part of a cupboard opposite me to stare at.

How does he keep it so perfectly polished and free of offending scratches? It is like a mirror to another dimension! To the Me In The Mirror...

Unable to pull my eyes away, I stare deep into the eyes of my twin. What are they thinking? Is their life better or worse than mine? If they can fly to their heart's content, then how do I join them?

Thoughts of what could have been force me to look away and distract myself a different way. However, the rules associated with 'behaving' limit my options.

It must have been so long since Doctor Forfax left to deal with his other patient. Is he ever going to return?

If... I wipe things down after touching them... then maybe that is okay...?

With that interpretation in mind, I excitedly, though with an air of caution, approach the drawers.

Slowly opening the nearest, I immediately shut it the second I see its contents. Why did it have to be where he stores his syringes?

The second drawer I try is more successful and I spend several long minutes simply gazing in wonder at the organised lines of carefully arranged tools, ranging from miniscule and fragile to heavy chunks of metal.

     'So many different shapes as well! What could this possibly be used for?' I wonder silently for the benefit of no one but myself, as I carefully pick up a very strange tool that resembles a silver flower, its petals polished to a shine that could almost rival the cupboard door's.

Most important of all, the polished surfaces make the tools wonderful to touch and to hold. If I had the time, I would ensure that everything had the attention it deserved.

A metal cube, approximately the size of an unusually shaped apple benefits most from possessing smooth faces identical in size. If this was not Doctor Forfax's, it would be destined for my shelves.

Turning the perfect cube over and over in my hands, I focus on committing as much of its essence to memory as possible.

Eventually, however, I have to bid farewell to it and return it to its place exactly as I found it, because Doctor Forfax must surely be about to return.

Maybe there is something else I can touch. Something that is nailed down, so that I am not tempted to take it with me.

After scanning the room thoroughly, I notice something that I had not before; there are two doors!

Ignoring what I recognise as the entrance, I turn my attention to the mysterious other door.

There is a window, but all I can see inside is an impenetrable black void. As I stare, a horrible feeling of dread sends shivers through my very being. A rhythmic knocking thankfully draws my attention away.

Footsteps! And they are coming this way!

...Doctor Forfax!