I quickly went to put on my lab coat and grabbed the staff card that my father gave me to explore the institution. I then went back to the correction chamber, swiping the card through the door. The door lifted upwards revealing two guards.
"Miss Kovid, you are not permitted in this area," one guard explained stepping in front of me.
I cleared my throat, "didn't my father tell you?"
The guards looked at each other confused.
"My father instructed me to take over today," I tapped my foot against the floor impatiently.
The guards looked reluctant to let me pass.
"Don't make me wait all day!" I boomed, and they skittered out of my way like frightened dogs.
I glided past them and tried to survey my surroundings professionally. The correction chamber had two large transparent pods in one part of the room. Both of them were connected by a long metallic wire hooked up to a machine. I have heard from my father's lessons that those pods were used to do the experiments. On my right was multiple torture devices and in front of me was the large glass cage.
Froddy was inside the cage, bruised and burned; it seemed like they targeted his back because long burn marks were stretching across his faded scars. It took all the courage in me to not look away as I slowly made my way towards him. Froddy was whispering incoherently as I lowered myself to his height.
"Hello, number 23," I greeted cooly. Froddy instantly jolted upwards and faced towards me. It took him a second to realise who I was.
"Darcy? How did you get here?" He asked me cautiously.
"I'm here to take care of you," I said, and made sure to wink at him when the guards' backs were turned. Something in Froddy's blood-shot eyes changed for a second before they went emotionless again.
"Again? What else could you possibly do?" Froddy asked, playing along.
"We're taking you back to your cell; professor Kovid has decided to extend your exercise mentally,"
"Fantastic," he scoffed and stood up.
I mentally congratulated myself and whipped around to face the guards.
"What are you waiting for? Open his cell and bring him to me!"
The guards scrambled to open the cage and to contain Froddy. I gripped the card nervously as I exited the correction chamber. All I had to do now was avoid detection from my father.
The halls seemed to stretch on forever as the guards followed me back to Froddy's cell. I told the guards to quicken their pace, and they listened to me willingly, so we were at least making it there quickly. As I turned the corner, I felt the blood drain from my face as I saw my father walking in the direction of where we were going. Froddy shot me a nervous look, and his eyes pleaded for me to think of something.
"Ah!" I stopped, and nearly made the guard behind me topple over me, "I almost forgot this section is blocked for maintenance."
I turned on my heel to walk in the opposite direction, "follow me; there's a shortcut."
I walked down a different hallway, which led to the cafeteria, and we successfully made our way upstairs without detection. As we reached Froddy's cell, I turned around to signal for the guards to release him.
"I don't think that's a good idea, miss."
"Do not question me! I know what I'm doing, let him into the cell, and I will continue the session."
The guards un-cuffed Froddy pushed him into his cell.
"Are you sure you will be ok?"
"I know how to do my job," I answered sharply.
The guards shuffled back to their posts. I exhaled deeply as they left, letting go of my angry persona. Froddy clung to the bars in confusion. He looked pained and sore, I wanted to do more to help. I feel so useless when it comes to these situations. What more could I do?
"Why did you do that?" He finally asked.
"Let you out?"
He nodded slowly.
"They were torturing you," I responded, exasperated, "you did nothing wrong!"
Froddy sat there perplexed.
"You should try telling them that," Froddy said half-jokingly.
I smiled sadly.
"I will leave you, there's nothing more I can do."
And with that, I left Froddy sitting there in his cell. But as I made my way down the stairs, I turned into a tall slender figure.
My father.