Chapter Text
Playing with the pen on the desk, I wait for Simon to exit the bathroom. We've agreed to talk after he has been cleaned and dressed. I have been trying to figure out the right words to say, how to explain to him what has happened to me. My foot taps rapidly against the floor as I think, and think, and think. I could bring him to the Hail Mary. I can show him his sub as well, the radiation should be worn by now for us to visit it. Though maybe he doesn't want to. The amount of trauma he had endured, the shocking lack of personal safety preventions in there. Like a one way trip...
"Grace?" Simon calls.
I look up to him dressed in the clothes I have provided him. Grey joggers, white socks, and a black T-shirt. 'I Had Potentional' shirt, now that I'm looking at it, I feel stupid for bringing that corny thing to him, "Um, the shirt is the only thing that'll fit you at the moment," Standing up to face him, he sits on the bed.
"The Eridians will make some more clothes and I think I can find some shoes for you. You'll get your clothes back, once they're been decontaminated. For now, uh," I clap my hands together trying to control my nervousness. Another human. For so long, "How are you feeling?"
Simon stares at me, his eyes searching my face then to the floor. I nod my head. This is something that I need to be patient with. Don't overwhelm him, Ryland. He has been through something. Something much worse than you did. Similar to mine.
"You don't have to tell me everything. But it isn't so bad to let it all out when you're ready that is," I chuckle before pulling the plastic chair out, positioning it a few feet away from Simon, "But i would like to at least know who I'm talking to?"
"You already know my name."
"Yes, but," I sigh out, not liking the direction this is going in, "Simon, you have been through something bad. Traumatic even. I just want to help you."
"Okay," He scoffs, "But why?"
I am a taken back, "Because, because that's what you do. You help each other out when one needs it. It's basic human decency."
"No," He shake his head, standing up. My eyes now looking up at him, "You don't just help one another without some bad intention behind it. You want something in return. People are like that."
I stare at him for a moment, then I state my next words bluntly "I want you to get better. That is all." Simon's face falls. Confusion spreading. I close my eyes before I reach up to remove my glasses but I forgot the hazard suit was still on. I sigh out again before trying once again, "I think i should just let you get some rest. I have class in the morning."
I proceed to get up and leave. Pulling the chair back to the desk, I hear Simon speak, "I was forced in that shit hole."
I stop in my tracks before turning around to face him. His head hangs low as he collaspes on the bed. Moving quickly, I reposition the chair to face Simon. He averts his eyes from me, probably easier to speak his mind. I sit down, leaning forward to try and signal him that I'm listening. He looks up at me for a moment before clearing his throat.
"I was in prison on a space station. I wa- I am a convict. There was a station called the Filament Station. My brothers and I were going to set an example. Ju-just to try and make them see. Take us seriously. To listen to us," He drops his voice, rubbing his face as he lays it all out. Though I know he won't tell me everything. Not now.
Simon looks up to the ceiling, his eyes glassy with unshed tears, "It wasn't part of the plan. That explosion. We-they didn't mean to destroy it. I-" He drops his head to his arm to shield his face, "I'm sorry. I just-"
"Hey, it's okay. You don't have to go on. You're safe. We're gonna take care of you. Whatever you done, whatever happened in the past. I'm not gonna hold it against you. Think of it as a clean slate," I ramble off, trying to comfort him.
"I'm not a good person," He shakes his head.
"A bad person wouldn't feel guilty and pain for their mistakes. Regret for it happening or being a part of it," I mention.
He lifts his head up, fresh tears trail down his cheeks, "That doesn't make me good either."
That makes both if us, bud. "I don't think everyone is entirely good. Sometimes one makes hard decisions because they think it's what best for the future or humanity. To others, it may seem like a cruel thing, but in the end it could be the best thing for the cause."
Simon looks at me in awe. Mixed emotions floating around on his face, "Does that mean that you're not a good person either?"
I sadly smile at him, "Yeah, in a way, I think. I did some things selfishly, I think it's more what I didn't do," I look up and see him relax a bit, some trust has been built. A slow one. But a building one, "I do have to go, but," I stand up and make my way to the desk, grabbing the notepad and pen from the desk, "if you want to write out some things, you can. I won't look. This is for you only. Better than you bottling up the emotions and then exploding."
Simon nods, "Thank you, Grace."
"I'll check up on you in the morning. Get some rest," I lay the notepad back on the desk before stepping towards the door, "Good night, Simon."
I step through the door as Simon says good night and I am standing in the hallway. Shaky breaths leave my mouth as I panic a bit. A convict? A criminal? Stop, no, you accepted him, Ryland. But he blew up a space station? I groan out the frustration before walking away from Simon's room. Wanting to take off this suit and get to my biodome. Over thinking as I make my way through the medical bay, my mind races with multiple questions. Can he really he trusted? Was he sent there as a punishment? Yes, he was, but was it just? He was crying over it. That is guilt if I ever seen it. Did Sratt feel that when she put me on that ship? Does she live with it after all these years? My head is starting to hurt.
I make a sharp left to the decontamination room. Barreling in, I hear the machine sync up and perform its' work as I try to regulate my mini panic attack. I had to stand up straight for it to register me. I close my eyes and took in deep breathes before releasing them. Once I hear that small beep, the process was finished. Stumbling out of the small room, I shed the gloves off, next the helmet, the top portion of the suit, and finally, my glasses. Leaning over a near by table, my hands spread on the cool metal to ground me. I take more deep breaths and took in my surroundings. Counting things, naming off colors, taking in the different smells until I managing to set back to my normal mindset. I run my hands through my hair before turning around to the door opening; in comes Rocky.
Heard irregular heart palpitations. Is Grace okay, question?
I nod my head, "I'm good now, buddy. Did you make any progress with the computer in the sub?"
Yes, yes, yes. Electronic scanning is complete. Eridian scientist was able to make it work. Statement.
"We need to look into that computer, now," I step away from the table as Rocky leads me out to the other lab.
Is Simon okay? Question? Did new human friend like room? Question?
"Huh? Yeah, rock. He's doing... better."
Rocky stops his walking before looking up at me, What is wrong, Grace? Question?
I sigh out before letting Rocky know of the situation we may have have, "We might a dangerous person here. But we need to know what for? Why he was sent there? Why is he so hesitant on talking about what happend to him? Where he came from? We need to get into that computer."