Chapter Text
Intern stretched warily, their limbs extending a little too long for the average animal. They sat in the “employees only room,” across from Dr Harlow. The environment was fairly dim, a light flickering annoyingly. It would've felt cozy, maybe, if everything wasn't so hospital-like. Perhaps it was because they were in a hospital…
“Is there something on your mind, Intern?”
Dr Harlow questioned, his mask slightly raised to drink the green tea. His gaze fixed on Intern, past the cup, as he continued to sip on the drink. Intern shifted nervously in their seat under his gaze.
‘ no, nothing's wrong…I mean, I'm just thinking about whatever. Perhaps I'm tired - well, if you can call it that. ‘
intern signs. They don't move their hands very fast, in fact, they move slowly; with caution and hesitation despite knowing sign language very well. They had to learn about sign language when their younger sister was born, who is deaf.
Dr Harlow chuckled, putting down the porcelain cup with a soft clink. He shook his head while readjusting the mask he always keeps on his face. Intern sighs, pushing their fluffy palms against the table they were sitting at to push themself away. Getting up, the intern brushes off their clothes and walks to the door. They turn back; give a small wave, a simple ‘bye,’ before pushing through the doors. Intern's eyes readjusted to the bright, sterile light that flooded their vision so suddenly. A small whimper escaped the anomaly’s unnerving mouth before they shook it off, their ears rising from their previous flat position. It was 8:00 P.M., a half hour before the night shift began. No one else but Dr Harlow remained in the small time between 8:00-8:30 P.M., so Intern was able to conveniently fake a “clock out” for day shift. Now, they clock in for the night shift.
Intern hummed, looking for a pen. They grabbed a brown pen, the one they had been given to use to clock in. Stamping the time, 8:01 P.M., and signing their name, they were officially on duty. Well, again. They decided to tidy up whatever messes happened to be left behind by the day shift's secretary and security, since they work in the same office space. Intern's tan, long bunny ears twitched nervously, like always, as they rearranged paper work and threw away empty - used?? - paper cups. They cleaned up spills from patients, that…irritating green goop they themselves were very, very familiar with. Just as the bunny finished, a patient, a lonely, old, grey cat, came to the front desk. Intern glanced back, rushing to help the woman.
‘ Hello, ma’am. Here for an appointment? ‘
Intern absentmindedly signs, knowing the answer was yes before the lady had even given her tentative nod. Intern took her photo, nodding, akin to how the patient did moments prior. They slid her the printed patient name card and sent her on her way. She paused, reading the numbers on each door before stepping down the right wing. The rooms labeled 1 through 5. Intern paused, staring holes into the cat's head as she walked away. Intern sometimes envied the patients in the fact that they all had names. Well, Intern had a name, a long time ago, but…they cannot seem to recall. Besides, everyone here addresses one another by their class or role so anomalies don't take their identities. Smart, but… intern shakes their head in agitation, a small frown wanting to form but not being able to.
“nhhhh..! Hey, intern.”
Head Nurse appeared, yawning as she walked in. Intern flinched, not even hearing her walk in.
‘ Hey, Head Nurse. Sorry, I didn't notice you…you're early, as usual, I see. ‘
Intern noted, watching as Head Nurse walked over to sign in on the paper next to them.
“Yep! I mean, I am the head nurse. I should be here earlier than most people, you know?”
Head Nurse spoke before starting the coffee machine. Intern agreed, giving a small thumbs as their ears gave a small twitch. Intern had noticed that only two people come in earlier than 8:30, Head Nurse and that… Pharmacist guy. He didn't look like a pharmacist to Intern; he was a tall black cat in a suit. Intern had overheard Dr. Harlow talking to the cat, and from what they've picked up, the cat is some kind of agent. It doesn't matter much to intern anyway, but they can't help but admit that the agent..pharmacist…? guy…was quite alluring. He was so mysterious! Head Nurse pulling Intern out of their thoughts as she left the office room, going to attend to the patient in room 4.
Intern waited at the desk for others to show up. Not many patients were showing up; hopefully this'd be a quick shift. They glanced over as Pharmacist walked in the door.
‘ Hey, pharmacist. How are you? ‘
Intern signed, sitting straighter in their seat. They looked up at the cat attentively.
“Im doing fine, Intern. It doesn't look like a very busy night, so, for that im glad.”
Secret agent answered quietly, adjusting his glove. Intern nods in agreement. The cat’s tail sways calmly behind him as he writes down his name and clock in time on the paper. Finishing, the agent stretches, his whiskers twitching and his cat-fangs bearing themselves as his mouth opens to accomany a yawn. Intern couldn't help but stare before they quickly caught themself and looked away abruptly. A faint blush crept onto their tan fur.
Not long after Secret Agent got settled did the rest of the employees come. First was Secretary, their pinkish-purplish fluff always stood out to Intern - in a good way of course! Following, Surgeon, and Nurse came in together. The three seemed to be good friends. Surgeon was also pretty close to Dr. Harlow. Dr. Harlow didn't have many friends, but Surgeon was an exception. After them came Secretary and Security. They were close too. Lastly, Physiologist and Doctor. Hopefully they didn't have to see the Paramedic or the Fire fighter today, though, never say never. Everyone quickly got settled, as usual. Head Nurse returned to nab the coffee she had prepared when first arriving.
Intern truthfully wasn't close to many of their co-workers. The people they could call themselves close to would have to be Head Nurse and..and maybe Secretary? I mean, of course they had closer friends, but they were Intern's closest friends. They also would like to become friends with the feline, Pharmacist. But…the pharmacist was very distant.
“Intern! Come help me, won't you?”
The surgeon calls from a few feet away. He stands in front of the supply room door. The supply room was small and secluded, and it was used to go back and restock the vending machines. No one knew where the shipments came from, though.. It was odd.
Intern quickly gets up, fiddling with their hoodie strings, and goes to assist the moose. Pushing open the door, they hold it open for Surgeon to pass through. The door shuts silently behind them.
“Here, come take these boxes. Easy does it..”
Intern takes the heavy box from the bigger man, letting out a small grunt as they take it. Gee.. It was so heavy! They'd complain or something but their hands were full. The rabbit's ears lower slightly as they focus.
“Go ahead and take it up to the vending machines in the left wing. Go refill ‘er will you?”
Surgeon asks as he takes two big boxes with a huff of effort, sweat forming between his furrowed brows. Intern nods and hurries off to the hallway.
Once in the hallway, they set down the box with a plop. Dusting their clothes off, they unbox the items. Nothing unusual..just IV bags, bandages..
They pause as they reach an odd item. It was smooth and metal. It was cold, too. A gun? Why would that be here? They nervously grabbed it. It had a label: “only to be used against anomalies within the building.” Intern winced for a moment. They decided to just leave the weapon there. The bunny's hand rests on it for a fleeting moment of insecurity before they instead grab some IV bags and begin to restock the vending machines.
They quietly hum, trying to keep their humming tone quiet so no one could hear. It wasn't as hard for Intern to keep their identity hidden as it was for other anomalies. Intern was always better at staying under wraps. Not like those teeth-baring, green-gloop-drooling idiots that pulled up to the hospital more times a day or night than they could count. The thought made their stomach churn. Being an anomaly and so obvious.. There would be no way to last more than like 20 minutes outside before you're shot. Its stupid. They're stupid… hmph.
Someone's hand gripped Intern's shoulder, making them let out a small gasp and turn around.
“Intern, what are you doing?”
The feline asked, glancing down at them as his tail lashed behind his triangular build.
‘ Nothing…you scared me, goodness. Nothing, nothing. ‘
Intern responds nerously, closing the box.
‘ I'm restocking the vending machine. ‘
Intern sat up straighter, their fingers coming to fiddle with the drawstrings of the hoodie. Secret Agent, or rather, Pharmacist, stared attentatively.
“Sure... Just…don't cause a scene. The patients are staring.”
The black cat crouches down, whispering into intern's ear as he reaches for the box, opening it. He gripped the gun.
“You're gonna scare the patients if they see you fondling a gun while lost in thought. Get it together.”
Intern gulped, their face flushing. They nodded again, showing they understood.
‘ Sorry, Pharmacist. ‘
Intern apologized quickly. Secret agent stood up and then slipped the gun into a gun holster he had on his belt. Intern's ears cocked up in curiosity. Why would someone keep such a thing in a hospital? Does he have other guns? Well, realistically, they guess it's used against dangerous patients. Intern looked away, their brows scrunching as they began to think again.
“It's okay, because you're still an intern. I can let it slide. Just keep this encounter in mind.”
And with that, the odd cat slipped away down the hallway. Intern couldn't help but find themselves staring, feeling their shoulder burn where the man had touched them. They were really drawn to the cat, for some reason. Intern shook their head, their bunny ears flopping about as they did so. They had a job to do, so they should get back to it, aye? They continued stocking the vending machine until the large, brown box was an empty box. Standing up, they felt their vision black out for a moment. Intern stumbled before catching themself on the wall.
They were starving. They'd been starving for weeks. But.. The bunny can't bring themself to feed on anyone. The guilt would eat them alive. Gritting their teeth, they decided to take their lunch break early. First and foremost, they should put that box back.
The bunny returns the box to the storage room and looks around. Perhaps they should get another. They nod to themselves and grab another box, groaning softly as they do so. Damn these are heavy!! They push the door open with their broad shoulders, struggling a bit but pushing through. Once through the door, they make their way back down the other hallway, and begin to restock the supplies. Restocking was a menial task that Intern didn't mind. It kept them busy, kept them not thinking about..anything else. Well, now that they were thinking about not thinking about other things, they were fixed on the nausea that came alongside their hunger. It was sickening. Every patient they saw, a small voice in the back of their head made them want to sink their fangs in. They wouldn't ever act upon these intrusive thoughts, but they were definitely there. Also, definitely intrusive and unwanted. Intern hated these thoughts. They made them feel so…so..anomaly-like. Which they are, but they hate admitting it. Their ears went flat against their head. Hm.
Before they knew it, they were done. Intern figured they should continue, but they felt a headache begin to form. They needed a break, ugh.
Intern makes their way to the office.
‘ I'm going to take my lunch break, so if you hear the back door open, it's just me. ‘
Intern warns, and the grey cat nods. They walk out the back door, itching to relieve the hunger. It was always there, but today it was awfully persistent.
They pull a pack of cigarettes out of their pocket - bringing one to their lips and flicking open their lighter; lighting the end. They shove the pack and lighter back into the hoodie pocket before taking a long inhale. The smoking helped somewhat to distract them. Intern exhaled quietly, their sharp teeth becoming slightly visible as their lips parted to make way for the smoke. Intern leaned against the rail, drained from just..whatever. They couldn't put their finger on it.
Their mind drifted back to Pharmacist. The cat was certainly endearing. A small sigh left the anomaly, smoke following.
Someone creeped in through the door that was behind Intern, making their ear perk up.
“You know, those'll kill you one day.”
The black cat, of course.
‘ We all die someday, anyways. What does it matter to you? ‘
Intern responds, signing while keeping the cig in their mouth.
‘ Want to try one? ‘
The cat hesitates before shaking his head.
“It doesn't matter to me. Never mind. I don't care. I just came to see what you were up to.”
He pauses,
“So, I guess I care enough to check. But it's my job, too. As.. As your coworker, I mean.”
Intern shrugs, a small smirk on their face - as best as a smirk could appear on the anomaly’s face, anyway.
‘ Okay, suit yourself. ‘
Intern stared at the forest that was behind the hospital. The trees alluded to some dark secrets in the way they stood. They looked mean and imposing. The branches were thick and twisted in odd directions. It was beautiful sight, but maybe more beautiful to see during daylight. Intern takes a long drag, exhaling softly. The cat seems to grimace at the sight, but doesn't make any further comments.
“Are you on your lunch break? Why aren't you eating?”
Intern pauses, thinking on how to answer the question.
‘ I don't get hungry very easily. Besides, being around the patients and seeing the gruesome things we see spoil my appetite. ‘
“Can't argue with that, I suppose.”
The two stay quiet for a while. The cat's slender, yellow, watching-eyes fix on the bunny's lips. That odd smile they kept plastered onto their face. He couldn't help but admit that he was a bit wary of the bunny. But, they haven't done anything particularly odd so far. Still, he can't seem to trust them one-hundred percent yet. Intern glanced at Secret Agent.
‘ Do I have something on my face? ‘
Intern asks nervously, tilting their head softly.
“No.. No. Sorry. I'll leave you be. I ought to head back in.”
Secret Agent states, making an excuse to leave quickly. The door shuts behind the cat, leaving Intern to stare at the door momentarily. For a moment, they didn't really feel hungry. Perhaps they were just distracted between that odd pharmacist and the cigarette which was now almost burned to the butt.
It was a quiet night, save for the chirping sounds of crickets or the bellowing of toads. It should've been comforting, but the intern preferred anything but stillness or quiet.
Intern took one last inhale before looking around. They paused before rolling up one of their sleeves and eyeing the fur there. There were already a couple circular burn marks. Intern hesitates before putting the cigarette bud out on their arm, letting it drop after. A quick intake of breath, a wince, escaped their mouth before they pulled the sleeve back down. In a way, it was comforting. It made them feel normal again. Feeling pain was normal..not.. Like an anomaly.
They ought to go back in.