Chapter 1
It had been some time since Wood set foot into that hospital.
It was a dreary place for him, a place he was not fond of, but a place he was obligated to visit.
Wood's parents were intent on having him intern in a hospital nearby, so that he could stockpile more things that would look good on his resume, for future purposes.
Often times, however, Wood would disagree with his parents, unhappy with the suggestions they'd given him.
But ultimately, they would urge him to carry out the task that had been pushed on him, and one way or another, he'd do it.
Asking around here and there, the male put little to no effort in finding out where he could go to sign up for what.
He didn't care, nor did he think he would care in the near future.
Wood was unhappy with where he was, unhappy with what it was that he was doing.
He was wasting time, asking for something that he did not want in the least.
Pointing a finger down the hall, a small assistant nurse directed Wood to a different desk, one where he would be able to find more information on the subject.
Blatantly, he thanked her, and continued on his way, passing by several rooms as he did so.
His eyes where set forward.
He didn't look into any of the rooms.
He didn't want to.
It would hurt if he did.
Wood closed his eyes and sighed, swaying absentmindedly in his step, opening his eyes just in time to swiftly avoid colliding with someone.
A doctor- no- just another person.
He circled around the male, apologizing flatly before he continued on.
An 'It's alright,' could be heard from behind him, but it soon faded as Wood continued forward.
Do I really want to do this?
His eyes stared forward, uninterested in the information desk several meters from him.
No, I really don't.
Standing still, Wood remained in place for quite some time, his legs refusing to carry him further.
People walked by him, around him, up and down the halls, to and fro, but no one seemed to notice him.
He stood there, hesitant, uninterested, indifferent.
Unfeeling.
He remained in place silently.
No one was bothered by him, so there he stood.
He brought a hand up to push through his black hair, and slowly, his head fell forward.
Wood stared at his shoes.
What am I doing?
The thought rattled his mind.
Why am I even here?
Another person walked by at a gradual pace at first, then slowed progressively as they drew near.
Their walking then slowed to a halt, and it was then that Wood had become aware of the new individual who'd invaded his personal space.
From his peripheral, Wood could see their hand reaching out to him.
He withdrew and looked up.
"Oh- you can move." He smiled in Wood's direction, bright yellow eyes catching his own.
It had been the same guy he'd almost bumped into...
Perhaps he'd remained in the hall and watched as Wood had gone from a brisk walk to a sudden stop.
He understood how that would be alarming to some people.
"Is there something wrong with me standing here?" Wood asked sincerely.
"No, I don't think so." He brought his hand down to his side.
"Why did you stop so suddenly?
Are you alright?"
"I'm fine.
I was just thinking." Wood blinked slowly.
"Of what?"
A question asker.
How thrilling.
"Of this hospital.
I've realized that I don't want to come here anymore."
The male who stood across from Wood shifted his weight to one leg.
"Were you sick?
Are you checking out?"
Wood stared through the stranger.
"No.
I'm not sick, but this place makes me feel like I am." His answer was cold, but it did not seem to cut through the other's pleasant mood.
"I feel the same about this place, honestly." He paused.
"So you must be leaving soon, then."
"Yeah." Wood shifted, leaning in the direction of where he'd come from.
He had no interest in staying where he was.
His only intention was leaving.
He figured he would tell his parents that the people in the hospital were too occupied with everything else to tend to him.
He started on his way without so much as a second glance in the other's direction.
"Goodbye."
"Hey, hey!"
Wood turned his head.
"What?"
"What's your name?"
Why did he want to know his name?
When would he ever use it again?
The stranger could have been a patient at the hospital for all Wood knew, and the last thing he needed was a sickly acquaintance to add to his already short list of friends.
"You don't need to know."
The male across from him did well in hiding the look of offense that almost surfaced upon his face.
"I understand.
But for what it's worth, my name is Shaffer."
Wood cast a weary look in Shaffer's direction, gave a nod, and continued on his way until he was out of the building.
* * *
Two weeks had passed since Wood's last visit, and to his dismay, he found himself on the
same
aimless path back to the
same
dreaded hospital.
He couldn't stand his parents' persistent natures, but he was somewhat relieved to be out of the house, to say the least.
Here we go again.
Wood entered the building and greeted the woman at the front desk, as always.
He wasted no time ascending the steps needed to get to the part of the hospital where he'd almost reached all that time ago.
In minutes, the information desk was in his sights, and for the first time in forever, he'd actually gone to it.
He spoke with a small woman there, and after several minutes had passed, Wood backed away from the desk, some sheets of paper in hand.
He started down the hall, sighing heavily, intent on rushing home.
"Hey!
Hey- it's you!"
The familiar voice made Wood's throat tighten.
Another sigh was forced out, even heavier this time.
He turned around.
"Shaffer."
"Cold Guy." He grinned from ear to ear.
"Don't call me that." Wood stuffed the sheets into his bag.
"I thought you said you weren't ever going to set foot in here again." There was something strange about the excitement in his tone.
"I didn't say exactly that..."
"But it was implied!"
Wood squinted.
"Yes, it was implied."
Shaffer's smile never left his face, and his tired eyelids contradicted his facial expression.
Why must I always run into the strange ones?
"So what brings you here again?"
"I could ask you the same thing..." Wood's lips screwed to the side.
Thick, white eyebrows raised above yellow hues.
"I'm supposed to be here, actually."
Wood yawned.
"Intern?"
"No, patient." His smile was unnerving.
Silently, the dark haired male frowned.
"I've been insensitive..."
A laugh bubbled out from Shaffer.
"No you haven't.
Don't worry about it."
Though he'd been dressed in normal, casual clothing, upon further examination, there was indeed something sickly about him.
He was paler than the others who walked along in the halls, and soft, dark circles sat under his eyes.
Wood made sure not to stare.
"I know you aren't going to ask, so I'll just let you know.
From what I've heard, the doctors say that whatever I have is called...
FFI?" Shaffer folded his arms.
He held an air around him as if he were having a normal conversation about the weather.
"Fatal Familial Insomnia?
If I remember correctly."
A cold shiver curled up Wood's spine.
He'd never heard of that disease before.
It worried him enough to get some words out of him.
"I don't think I want to ask about the symptoms of this illness."
"Well, even if you wanted to, I wouldn't have an answer for you." Another laugh.
"All I can say is that sleeping doesn't come as easily as it used to." What normally would have pained someone to say, he delivered with ease, and with that same grin to boot.
Wood couldn't help but almost smile back, his lips barely twitching.
He stared in Shaffer's direction, at him this time.
"Are you here every day?"
"Of course!
Been here for about...
Four weeks now." He blinked sluggishly.
"I see..." Wood nodded once.
No words were exchanged for a moment, and soon, the short amount of silence had become awkward.
"Well, I'll be going now."
Shut him out, don't let him in. He's sick.
"Ah-uh, one second-."
Wood's jaw clenched.
"I have to go, Shaffer." He started on his way.
Please don't persist.
"If you would please listen." His hands at his sides, Shaffer bowed.
"Please, it will only take a second."
Wood was straightforward, but he wasn't heartless.
He huffed out a breath and turned around.
"What is it?
I really have to go."