Chapter Text
The constant hum of machinery and the distant muffled sounds outside the walls filled the silent room. Fluorescent lights cast a recognizable white sterile glow across the room it's light faintly lay on Ron's tired eyes as he stared upward.
His fingers drummed a slow rhythm against the surface of his black briefcase that was secured across his chest and arms. Waiting for a staff, anyone just suitable enough to enter and treat his daily routine.
The quietness was interrupted by a click of the door latch. One of Ron's ears twitched immediately before the door swung open.
A pink figure stepped into the sanitized room. At first they looked like a rabbit or a dog? Who knows. Their long droopy ears and rounded muzzle made it difficult to tell they were dressed in a ceil blue uniform, no doubt on how they appeared to be rushed, as if it was like they had been moving nonstop throughout their shift. They paused just inside the doorway,
"Good afternoon- please forgive us. We're currently under-staff for today."
They closed the door behind them before taking a moment to smooth down their wrinkled uniform.
Ron closed his eyes momentarily, "That's alright," He replied calmly "It's not surprising that this place is low on staff."
The nurse gave out a small appreciative nod before approaching closer, Ron noticed that they appeared nervous or somewhat scared. They must've seen it then, poor thing.
They inhaled deeply through their nose then straightened their posture, forcing their hands to be still. "May I get that for you sir?"
The nurse gestured towards the briefcase Ron was holding, the realization hit him like a brick when he still had his briefcase ontop of his chest, his eyes widen just faintly.
"Sorry. I'll put it aside." He fumbled with the clasps, his movements were a little stiff before carefully placing the briefcase on the floor beside the medical bed.
Without another word from the nurse, they pass the bed to the nearby counter. Their fingers reached for a sealed syringe package. The sound of plastic wrapping crackled softly as they peeled it open, disposing the packaging in a nearby bin.
Once everything was ready, they turn back toward Ron. "...Please stay still. This may sting a little."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Ron's mouth, glancing back up at the blank ceiling.
"Yeah, I know."
After all his visits to get treatments, to avoid becoming like them. Injections, examinations, and endless scheduled appointments, he had heard those exact words many times than he could count however the sting from the needle surely never stopped being uncomfortable.
The nurse carefully rolled up the sleeve of his arm. Their fingers pressed lightly against his skin as they searching for a suitable vein.
"Alright, this will only take a few seconds." the nurse murmured, Ron nodded in acknowledgment.
The needle slowly inches closer to his fur however even with after all these visits, his body instinctively tensed.
The sharpened tip pierced his skin with a quick, familiar sting before sliding carefully into the vein inside. Ron shortly felt a dull pressure.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
After a few seconds the nurse carefully withdrew the needle from Ron's arm. They placed a small cotton pad over the area before securing it with medical tape.
"There we go." They said, offering a warm smile.
Ron returned a small nod as the nurse moved towards the counter. They inserted the collected DNA sample into a machine positioned beside the monitor. The device immediately came to life, humming as it began processing the sample.
"So, are you a new hire?" Ron asked casually.
The question wasn't random. Over the past few months he'd noticed a pattern. Whenever an employee disappeared, a new face would appear shortly afterward. Security guards, interns, and nurses it didn't seem to matter. The vacancies were always filled surprisingly fast in a few weeks.
Seriously, where were they finding all these poor souls?
The nurse glanced over their shoulder. "That's right. I was hired recently."
Short but honest answer. Nothing unusual on its own, the nurse returned their attention to the machine as the progress meter fills up.
Ron didn't say anything but instead hummed.
If he was being honest with himself, most employees didn't last around long enough for him to bother sharing what little he knew. There was no point risking suspicion unless he was certain.
He released a quiet sigh and allowed his head to sink deeper into the pillow.
Only the beeping of medical equipment remained, blending in with the distant noises from outside.
The machine continued its analysis as Ron was about to close his eyes again-
BEEP.
Ron flinched awake, a deeper tone sounded as the process finished. The nurse examine the computer,
"Excuse me for a moment," They collected a clipboard from the counter before leaving to gather the treatments.
The door closed behind them with a soft click
While he waited he took the opportunity to glance over the computer toward the unattended monitor.
Low sugar, dried eyes, and dehydration.
Ron stared for a moment.
"Well that explains a lot." Reaching up, he slid his glasses onto his forehead and rubbed both eyes with his fingers.
The irritation had been getting worse recently. Some days it felt like pieces of sand had been poured beneath his eyelids and he could feel it with each blink. Of course he'd assumed it was simply exhaustion.
Considering where he worked, maybe assumptions wasn't the smartest thing to make.
Whatever.
The door swung open, Ron barely looked up at first, assuming the nurse had returned with the treatment and a IV fluid bag however they had barely stepped back into the room before another figure appeared just outside the room behind them.
"Excuse me."
The nurse paused midway to the doorframe, they looked over behind them.
"O-oh, Doctor Harlow!" The moment he heard that name he finally decided to glance over.
Standing behind the nurse was the one and only, Dr. Harlow.
His white coat and black stethoscope hung neatly over his shoulders, not a single wrinkle visible. His deer horns overtowering, forming shadows under it like it knew he was important alongside a medical scrubs resting on his head.
Even when he wore that mask, Ron heavily doubts he doesn't have a pleasant smile imprinted on him right now. One that's more faker then Barney's hiding skills
"Doctor Harlow, I was just about to begin Sir Ron his treatment."
Harlow took a glimpse at the tray, then at the "accountant" and back to the nurse.
"That's quite alright," Harlow said charmingly, he gestured his hand to his chest, pointing to himself. "I'll be handling this patient personally."
"Oh.." The nurse blinked. Their ears lowered slightly,
"I can still-"
"You've done a good job, today has been a busy day for you. How about I give you a bonus and let you have a break?" The interruption was polite, far too polite for Ron's taste that he had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes.
The pink-furred employee hesitated for a moment before they handed over the supplies and within seconds the nurse excused themselves from the room, leaving the two alone.
Ron remained to be reclined against his pillow, his eyes tiredly glazing upon the ceiling while Harlow calmly arranged the treatment equipment ontop the counter, carefully checking labels and measurements.
"Low blood sugar, dehydration, and dry eyes." Harlow gently grabbed the bag of IV fluid as he stares into the TV under the patient.
"You really should take better care of yourself, Ron from... Accounting." He cooed, his voice suspiciously dropping to a patronizingly honey sweet tone as he says his nametag out loud.
Ron frowned, turning his head away from the doctor.
"How about do your job properly instead.." He muttered under his breath, the doctor approached the bedside, hanging the IV bag onto the stand beside Ron's bed.
"What was that?" Harlow tilted his head. He looked at him flatly his sharp eyes glaring at Ron directly.
"Nothing."
There was a few moments of silence until Dr Harlow spoke again, "You know," He adjusted the bag. Making sure that the tube isn't tangled or will form any headaches later. "You should be more careful, Ron."
Ron finally turn his head to look at him, for some reason he felt unease just by that. What does he mean by that Is he threatening him? A warning?
The doctor inserted the IV needle on the already exposed arm that was surprisingly gently that Ron could barely feel it.
Once the line was secured, Harlow adjusted the flow before looking back at him. "You work as a accountant, am I right?"
"I am-"
"Are you?" His response was immediate that made Ron froze in spot, for a long time after being numb inside of the hospital following the same routine this was definitely new to him.
New information.
"I've always found your position rather fascinating," Harlow continued in a smooth tone. His gaze drifted toward the black briefcase beside the bed.
"Because most accountants don't go snooping around half of the facility, telling my employees rumours."
Ron felt his stomach drop. "...Right."
The silence that followed after was deafening, silence was often found comforting by him but now? It felt suffocating when his here.
He didn't suspect nor guess, he KNEW what he was pulling.
The doctor calmly walk over infront, Harlow rested his hand on the bed rail as if this is some normal conversation between friends.
"I must admit, however, I've enjoyed watching." The rabbit tilted his head to continue staring at the doctor. He swore he saw Harlow's eyes wrinkled, is he now smiling?
Ron felt himself shrink against the mattress if Harlow intended to do something. Now would be the perfect opportunity. He was hooked up to an IV, alone in a room and nowhere near capable of defending himself if something went wrong. How could he have been so stupid?
"Watching?" Ron asked.
"Oh yes!" Harlow clasped his hands together. His voice remained warm, like your averaged friendly doctor. "You've been investigating, your not very good on hiding it however."
A soft chuckle escaped him. "Though I suppose that's part of the charm."
Ron felt his stomach tighten. He stared at Dr Harlow then at the ceiling, remaining silent.
The cameras. Of course he had access to it somewhere that isn't on the front desk.
When Harlow noticed Ron wasn't responding he continued, the doctor folded his hands behind his back and tilted his head slightly.
"That's enough of me, let's proceed with what your treatment." He began walking back at the counter, the maple syrup and eyedrops patiently waiting to be used.
The IV pump continued its steady clicking, Ron felt a uncomfortable lump in his throat. His eyes settled on Harlow again.
He had spent all this time investigating the hospital, being aware of its anomalies that lurks in the facility and it's way on how to avoid it.
Meanwhile, Harlow had been studying him.