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It's a funny thing when you are locked away; time no longer appear fleeting. Time, once dictating Alan Strauss's days, had now simply ceased to exist. And he had felt lost, helpless, even. Days had come and went. Or was it hours? Who could say.
Had he only accepted the watch, which his captor kindly had offered earlier. The stubborness, and morality-- what morality? They were just items, now. It was always things, no matter to whom they belonged. Things, that could have been useful to him. He needed this thing. Or anything. The more he was alone and starved of all interactions from the outside world, the more he would lose what little rationality he had left. He needed something. Someone. To be there with him.
Sam.
''I need to get better... Isn't that what you ...enjoy.. doing?''
Not like this.
Not like this.
Alan closed his eyes as the memory made him feel shame. A great deal of shame. Alan had been so sure he could help this man that he had suspected nothing. It struck him that the man had been... Different. The walls grew closer and he felt like suffocating again. The way out was right in front of him. How cruel. It must have been deliberate. Alan wiped away his tears before they had a chance to fall, his hand ran down to his not-so-trimmed-anymore beard. He stared thoughtfully outside.
He had to reach in to Gene-- he held his breath. Sam.
Liar.
Alan, too occupied with his own thoughts, didn't notice the figure beside him before it moved closer. His heart had jumped and at the same time his body paralyzed, it was a strange response. Sam didn't say anything, eyes piercing.
Alan exhaled, hand on his own chest, then he broke the silence, ''I didn't hear you come in.''
''I've been standing here for a while,'' Sam responded. Alan couldn't read his tone which made him worry even more, though he straightened his posture. He didn't want to look weak.
''Dreaming of running around outside, Dr. Strauss?'' Sam said with a bitter smile. Alan hadn't noticed it before now that he held a bag of takeaway. He could go for some food right now, despite it was the only food he got, he thought.
''Not exactly...'' he trailed off. ''The watch, can I still have it?''
Sam's interested look returned as he put the food down on the table, not breaking eye contact once, Alan noted. ''You already declined, but I guess, since you've been so cooperative, I can fetch it for you.'' It made Alan smile, genuinely at that. ''Yes, I reconsidered, thanks.''
Sam eyed him with a slight suspicion, still, though did leave to get it. Meanwhile Alan shakily grabbed onto the chair to sit. What came over him? All these physical reactions, he didn't control it well. From a psychological point of view, it was very obvious, but he couldn't think right now. Not about that. This situation. Everything. Dr. Strauss simply sat down by the table, waiting patiently, listening to the man in the other room moving things. It wasn't like he had any other choice than to be exactly that, patient.
When Sam returned, it was with the black watch. Alan swallowed nervously. Everything suddenly felt very real again. Sam approached him and held out the watch. ''Here you go, good as new.''
Alan calmly reached to grab it when Sam grabbed his wrist. Alan looked at him wide eyed, contemplating saying something, but what could be said? Was Sam really that unstable?
''I'll help you,'' the younger man simply said, loosening his grip on Alan's wrist, though his touch lingered strangely long.
Sam looked at Alan and then back at the watch, proceeding to put it on him. Hooking the watch on, with a added surprisingly tender gesture, he stroked his skin unnecessarily. The therapist simply stared. Yes, he was going crazy, this wasn't happening. It couldn't be. Sam smiled and leaned back, letting him go in the process. Alan returned the smile, uncertain as it was, though a smile nonetheless.
''I knew I made the right decision about you. You're different, Alan,'' the man said, a soft expression on his face. Before Alan could reply, however, Sam had taken a seat and already putting out the different boxes, about to explain what they were about to eat, as was standard. Alan would question this later, definitely.