Chapter Text
The new intern walked through the hospital doors, excited to start his first day.
He wanted to introduce himself, but every time he tried to get someone's attention, they simply walked past him.
They ignored him.
You see... the intern couldn't speak.
Without a voice, he couldn't tell anyone his name, so everyone simply called him Intern. He never got a proper name tag. All the staff knew was that the quiet little rabbit loved helping every patient that came through the doors.
I walked into the lobby to start my shift.
The black cat was already sitting behind the front desk.
She didn't talk much either. No one seemed to know her real name, but unlike me... everyone listened when she spoke.
I wonder if she's like me, too...
I waved like I always did.
This time...
She looked up.
"Hello, Intern," the cat said. "What's your assignment today?"
I quickly pointed to my clipboard.
New Intern – Front Desk Duty
I smiled as brightly as I could.
She didn't smile back.
"Ah... My name's Neko, by the way. I'll be down the hall if you need anything."
She walked away before I could wave again.
She's so cool...
...Wait.
Doesn't "Neko" just mean "cat"?
That can't actually be her real name... right?
The front doors slid open.
A patient walked inside.
I greeted them with a small nod, careful not to frighten them.
Then...
Something felt wrong.
Their eyes...
They were almost completely black.
Just like mine used to be.
I can help...
Please... let me help you...
I reached toward them.
SMACK!
Pain shot through my hand as Neko slapped it away.
Before I could react—
BANG!
She drew a pistol and fired.
The patient shrieked.
Its jaw split open into a massive, tooth-filled maw as dark corruption spread across its face.
With an ear-piercing scream, the creature bolted through the front doors and disappeared into the city.
Silence filled the hospital.
Neko spun toward me, furious.
"Are you okay?!"
I froze.
"What were you thinking?" she shouted. "We do not touch anomalies! That's how you get yourself killed!"
I lowered my head.
She's right...
I didn't mean to...
Then she stopped.
Her eyes narrowed.
"HEY!"
She stepped closer.
"I'M TALKING TO YOU!"
Her voice grew louder.
"Speak! What just happened?!"
I wanted to answer.
I really did.
But...
I know I'm not supposed to.
"You know what?" she snapped.
"You're fi—"
"I-I'm sorry... N-Neko..."
The words escaped before I could stop them.
Quiet.
Broken.
Crackling through my damaged voice like an old synthesizer struggling to function.
The entire lobby fell silent.
Neko stared at me.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
I'm definitely fired now...
After a long pause, she sighed.
"...That's fine."
She holstered her weapon, walked back behind the front desk, and called the next patient forward as if nothing had happened.
I blinked.
...Wait.
I'm... not fired?