The sunlight filtering through the windows bathed the room in a warm, golden glow as Peter sat beside Syd, the uno cards crackling gently against each other as they shuffled them. The atmosphere was cozy and intimate, and Peter couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment as he played with his newfound friend.
"Your turn," Syd said, her fingers deftly flicking a card onto the pile, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Right," Peter murmured, scanning his hand for a suitable card. He was about to make his move when the sound of footsteps caught his attention. A man approached their table, his eyes carrying a haunted look that belied his seemingly casual demeanor.
"Hey," the man said, pulling up a chair and sitting across from Peter and Syd. "Mind if I join you?"
Peter glanced over at Syd and saw her annoyance flicker across her face before she quickly masked it. However, being the compassionate person he was, he didn't want to exclude someone who might just be looking for company. "Sure, no problem," Peter replied, handing the man seven cards from the deck. "We're just playing Uno."
"Thanks," the man muttered, accepting the cards and studying them intently.
As they continued playing, the air around the table grew tense, and Peter could feel Syd's lingering irritation. He knew he had to address the situation before it escalated any further.
"By the way, I'm Peter," he said, extending his hand towards the newcomer. "And this is Syd," he added, gesturing to her while carefully observing her reaction.
"Nice to meet you both. I'm David," the man responded, shaking Peter's hand before returning his attention to the game. His movements were swift yet slightly erratic, as though his thoughts were racing faster than his body could keep up.
Syd shifted in her seat, a frown creasing her brow as she silently played her turn. Peter's concern for her welled up inside him, his empathetic nature urging him to reach out and comfort her. However, he knew that now was not the time or place to do so.
"David," Peter began, trying to engage the man in conversation. "What brings you here today?"
"Ah, well," David hesitated, his eyes flicking between Peter and Syd. "It's complicated. Let's just say I'm seeking answers."
"Answers?" Peter echoed, curiosity piqued. He couldn't help but wonder.
"Maybe another time," David replied cryptically, playing his last card with a flourish. "Uno."
"Another time, then," Peter agreed, a small smile forming on his lips as Syd finally seemed to relax somewhat. They were all in this together, after all – each bearing their own burdens, seeking solace and understanding in one another's company. And perhaps, in time, they would also find the answers they were searching for.
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor signaled David's departure from the table, leaving Peter and Syd alone once more. Silence settled over them like a blanket, punctuated only by the soft rustling of uno cards in their hands. Peter couldn't help but notice the tension radiating from Syd, her annoyance palpable as she stared at her cards with furrowed brows.
"Hey," Peter said gently, reaching out to touch her arm. "Are you okay?"
Syd sighed, her eyes flicking towards him as she replied, "Yeah, I'm fine." The annoyed tone in her voice betrayed her true feelings, causing Peter's concern to deepen.
"Really, it's good to chat with other people and get to know them," he explained, his empathy and kindness shining through. "Besides, we're all in this place together."
Syd's expression softened as she considered Peter's words. "I guess I'm just a little annoyed at him for bumping in," she admitted. "I was enjoying hanging out with just the two of us."
Peter smiled, warmth spreading through his chest at her confession. "I was enjoying it too," he said, his voice sincere.
That seemed to be what Syd needed to hear, as she leaned in closer to Peter, their shoulders brushing against each other. A light blush dusted her cheeks, and Peter felt a strange flutter in his stomach. There was an undeniable connection between them, one that had been growing stronger with each passing day.
"Maybe we can hang out again later, just the two of us?" Syd suggested, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"Definitely," Peter agreed, unable to hide the happiness in his tone. "I'd really like that."
As they continued playing uno, the conversation flowed easily between them, their bond strengthening with each shared laugh and intimate moment. Little did they know how their lives would soon be irrevocably changed, as the world around them began to unravel in ways they could never have imagined. But for now, in this moment, Peter and Syd were content to enjoy each other's company, finding solace in the simple pleasure of their growing friendship.
The sound of the lunch bell reverberated through the hallways, signaling a pause in the game they where playing. Peter and Syd exchanged glances before rising from their seats, their bodies moving in sync as they made their way to the cafeteria.
"Same table?" Syd asked, her voice soft, almost hopeful.
"Of course," Peter replied, with a smile.
Over the past week, their shared lunches had become a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the hospital. They sat at their usual spot by the window, the sunlight casting a warm glow on their faces as they conversed over sandwiches and salads. It was a simple, yet profound pleasure – one that both Peter and Syd cherished deeply.
As their lunch hour drew to a close, they reluctantly said their goodbyes to the sunshine and returned to the lounge. The familiar hum of fluorescent lights greeted them, along with the scattered remnants of their Uno game. Peter could sense Syd's lingering annoyance at the interruption, but there was also something else – a quiet yearning that echoed his own.
"Hey, Syd," Peter began, suddenly feeling a familiar urgency building within him. "I just need to use the restroom real quick. I'll be right back, alright?"
"Sure," she replied, offering him a small smile. "Hurry back."
Peter starts to walk down the hall he comes to an abrupt halt when he caught sight of a security guard menacingly waving his baton stick at a frightened patient. Anger surged within Peter.
"Hey!" he called out, his voice firm and steady. "What do you think you're doing?"
The guard turned to face him, a sneer plastered across his face. "What's it to you?" he spat, his grip on the baton tightening.
Peter clenched his fists, trying to keep his rising anger in check. "You don't need to treat him like that," he said, his voice struggling to remain calm. "He's just a patient."
Peter's heart raced as he stared down the guard, whose face contorted with rage. He could feel the tension in the air, thick and palpable, as their eyes locked.
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" The guard growled, stepping closer to Peter and waving his baton menacingly. "I can do whatever I want with you crazies!" With that, he lightly tapped Peter's chest with the baton, punctuating each word like a threat.
"Shut the fuck up," Peter snapped, his voice shaking with anger. "Stop being a punk ass bitch."
The guard's eyes widened with disbelief, clearly not expecting such a reaction from Peter. In response, Peter continued, his voice gaining confidence with every syllable.
"Let me guess, you were probably bullied a lot growing up, right? So now, you pick on people weaker than you, just so you can feel like a big man." Peter's words dripped with disdain, and he could see the fury building within the guard.
"Say something else," the guard seethed, his face inches from Peter's. "Go on, say it!"
Before Peter had time to react, the guard's fist slammed into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Gasping for breath, his thoughts raced. He knew he had provoked the guard, but he couldn't stand idly by while an innocent patient was tormented.
Pain clouded Peter's vision, making the harsh hospital lights seem unfocused and hazy. It was all he could do to keep from vomiting as he fell to his knees, trying to catch his breath after the brutal blow to his stomach. Even so, he couldn't hold back the surge of anger that welled up within him.
"You're a real piece of shit," he spat, glaring up at the looming figure of the guard who seemed to tower over him.
"Think you're tough now?" The guard sneered, raising his baton once more. "Let's see how you feel after this."
But as the baton swung down toward him, something inside Peter snapped. It was as if his body acted on instinct, tapping into a power that had been dormant until that very moment. In the next second, the guard was thrown all the way down the hall, his body colliding with the wall in a sickening crunch.
"Wh-what just happened?" Peter muttered, his voice trembling. He stared at the prone form of the guard, disbelief coursing through him. It was then that he remembered the woman in the alleyway, who had wielded the same unseen force against him, Was it possible that he had somehow absorbed her power? But there was no time to dwell on such thoughts
Suddenly, a pulse swept through the hospital, plunging everything into darkness. The red emergency lights flickered to life, casting eerie shadows across the walls and floor. At the same time, distant screams echoed throughout the building, sending shivers down Peter's spine.
"Syd!" he gasped, panic gripping his chest like a vise. "I have to find her. I need to make sure she's okay.".