“What used to be the Prestige Hotel,” Joseph answered honestly, watching as the gentleman slowly began waking up. He sounded groggy – rightly so. Anyone would after getting knocked out by falling debris whilst navigating the unstable building; it was a risk staying in this hotel room, but the detective had to bring the scientist somewhere…relatively safe. At least, until he regained consciousness and was fit enough to continue. Joseph could hear the walls shifting, and the floor below creaking, letting them know that they needed to leave as soon as possible. It wasn’t just the hotel that was falling apart – the whole world around them was, and every step could end up being fatal. The nightmare they found themselves in was constantly changing, the environment less secure than the last, and there was no way to stop it; they had to adapt to and over-come the obstacles that were thrown their way.
“Do you remember what happened?” The detective continued, hoping that the accident hadn’t left his companion with major damage to his head. This place was confusing enough without the added memory loss. “Your name, perhaps – do you still know it?”
Carlos gingerly touched a sore spot in his head and quickly
drew his hand away with a hiss. That was going to smart for a little while.
Damn.
“I, uh…” No, Carlos didn’t know what happened – at least he
didn’t remember anything that made sense. He was more than a little confused.
He started with his name:
“Carlos Ramon. I… I think I was going to a hospital to look
at some new medical equipment for a study.” The school insisted that Carlos go
because he was the most qualified in understanding the technology. “But… that’s
all I remember.” What could have possibly happened? Why didn’t he just remember anything? Nothing came up when he thought about it. It was like it was blank – no pictures or feelings or anything.
“Why not you?” He tilted his head a little with a soft frown.
Was Mr Stark really asking that?
“I… uh, b-because you’re… I mean, I’m just me. And uh… I haven’t been on a date in ages – real or otherwise.”
Tony just shrugged a little and smiled softly to him. “Then I guess you’re over due and no one is just them.”
Carlos laughed nervously. “Compared to you, Mr Stark, I absolutely am ‘just me’.” Carlos still wasn’t convinced that Mr Stark was being serious – at least not about bringing him in on this scheme.
*yeah pretty much, we could probably just skip the waiting part if you want-*
*Carlos couldn’t stand doing nothing. He bundled up Max in his bloody coat (Making sure to cover his face) and carried him back to his mobile lab. He lay Max down and began to clean and bandage his wounds as best as he could. He wasn’t going to go to the hospital with a “dead” child – people would have questions*
*as Carlos cleaned the stab wounds, he noticed how many other cuts and scraps Max had, most of which were on his arms… a few minutes after Carlos finished patching him up, he awoke with a gasp, shaking and panting softly as he looked around*
*Carlos was startled and he dropped the first aid kit he was putting away. He looked at Max with wide eyes and quickly rushed to his side.* Oh thank God! I was worried – are you okay, Max? How are you feeling??
*he put a hand over one of the stab wounds, taking a moment to look over the bandages* i.. i-i’m alright i guess, for just coming back from the dead *he chuckles slightly, glancing around* .. where are we..?
Oh – we’re at my mobile lab. I… I didn’t wanna just leave you there, or wait out in the open so… I brought you here to patch you up. I… I hope that was okay, Max… Sorry, I wasn’t able to ask.
*he rubs the back of his neck, glancing away* i-it’s alright.. i don’t think i’ve ever been to your camp.. *he looks down at himself* th-thanks for patching me up while i was.. away
I… had no idea about what else to do. There… were a lot more wounds than I was expecting.
*he frowned softly* oh… wh-where’s my hoodie..?
Oh, it’s… it’s over with my labcoat. *Carlos pointed to a rubbish bag with what looked like blood smeared on the inside* I… I need to go get some Oxyclean or something to clean all that. *He looked at Max* I guess some new clothes for you wouldn’t be a bad idea too, until these get clean.
*he looked the drawing over before glancing away* where did you find it?
Like I said, someone threw it at me. I was at my camp site working on some samples I collected. It’s not from Angela – it’s not her drawing style.
well.. not that i really care cause it’s not mine, but what do you think about it?
*Looks at Anons with a ‘see what I meant?’ face* Well, I’m really flattered by it, honestly. I… I don’t get many drawings of myself. So… I’m happy that someone well enough of me to draw it.
*he holds back a smile, putting his hands in his pockets* well, i’m sure you’ll figure out who drew it sooner or later
I’m sure I will. They’re probably… rightin front of me.
*a look of ‘oh shyt’ crossed his face as he glanced away* uhh.. what ?
Metaphorically speaking. Or… maybe not so metaphorically? *Carlos smiles at him. Nothing but kindness in his expression*
i.. *he sighed* yeah okay, i drew it, but it flew out of my notebook before it was done, i wasn’t even sure if i wanted to show anyone..
It… flew out? Ah… so I’m assuming the Grey-faces stole it from you. Okay. Did… did you want it back?
*he shrugs softly* i don’t really care, so you can keep it if you want..
*Carlos smiled at Max* Thanks, buddy. I’ll make sure to put it someplace safe when I get back to my camp.
*he smiles back* thanks..!
Thank you. Hey… do you wanna sign it real quickly for me?
*he glances away* i dunno.. i could probably grab a crayon
*Carlos smiles wider.* I’d like it if you would.
*he smiles back, quickly stepping into the tent for a moment before coming back out with a crayon*
*he looked the drawing over before glancing away* where did you find it?
Like I said, someone threw it at me. I was at my camp site working on some samples I collected. It’s not from Angela – it’s not her drawing style.
well.. not that i really care cause it’s not mine, but what do you think about it?
*Looks at Anons with a ‘see what I meant?’ face* Well, I’m really flattered by it, honestly. I… I don’t get many drawings of myself. So… I’m happy that someone well enough of me to draw it.
*he holds back a smile, putting his hands in his pockets* well, i’m sure you’ll figure out who drew it sooner or later
I’m sure I will. They’re probably… rightin front of me.
*a look of ‘oh shyt’ crossed his face as he glanced away* uhh.. what ?
Metaphorically speaking. Or… maybe not so metaphorically? *Carlos smiles at him. Nothing but kindness in his expression*
i.. *he sighed* yeah okay, i drew it, but it flew out of my notebook before it was done, i wasn’t even sure if i wanted to show anyone..
It… flew out? Ah… so I’m assuming the Grey-faces stole it from you. Okay. Did… did you want it back?
*he shrugs softly* i don’t really care, so you can keep it if you want..
*Carlos smiled at Max* Thanks, buddy. I’ll make sure to put it someplace safe when I get back to my camp.
*he smiles back* thanks..!
Thank you. Hey… do you wanna sign it real quickly for me?
*he glances away* i dunno.. i could probably grab a crayon
*yeah pretty much, we could probably just skip the waiting part if you want-*
*Carlos couldn’t stand doing nothing. He bundled up Max in his bloody coat (Making sure to cover his face) and carried him back to his mobile lab. He lay Max down and began to clean and bandage his wounds as best as he could. He wasn’t going to go to the hospital with a “dead” child – people would have questions*
*as Carlos cleaned the stab wounds, he noticed how many other cuts and scraps Max had, most of which were on his arms… a few minutes after Carlos finished patching him up, he awoke with a gasp, shaking and panting softly as he looked around*
*Carlos was startled and he dropped the first aid kit he was putting away. He looked at Max with wide eyes and quickly rushed to his side.* Oh thank God! I was worried – are you okay, Max? How are you feeling??
*he put a hand over one of the stab wounds, taking a moment to look over the bandages* i.. i-i’m alright i guess, for just coming back from the dead *he chuckles slightly, glancing around* .. where are we..?
Oh – we’re at my mobile lab. I… I didn’t wanna just leave you there, or wait out in the open so… I brought you here to patch you up. I… I hope that was okay, Max… Sorry, I wasn’t able to ask.
*he looked the drawing over before glancing away* where did you find it?
Like I said, someone threw it at me. I was at my camp site working on some samples I collected. It’s not from Angela – it’s not her drawing style.
well.. not that i really care cause it’s not mine, but what do you think about it?
*Looks at Anons with a ‘see what I meant?’ face* Well, I’m really flattered by it, honestly. I… I don’t get many drawings of myself. So… I’m happy that someone well enough of me to draw it.
*he holds back a smile, putting his hands in his pockets* well, i’m sure you’ll figure out who drew it sooner or later
I’m sure I will. They’re probably… rightin front of me.
*a look of ‘oh shyt’ crossed his face as he glanced away* uhh.. what ?
Metaphorically speaking. Or… maybe not so metaphorically? *Carlos smiles at him. Nothing but kindness in his expression*
i.. *he sighed* yeah okay, i drew it, but it flew out of my notebook before it was done, i wasn’t even sure if i wanted to show anyone..
It… flew out? Ah… so I’m assuming the Grey-faces stole it from you. Okay. Did… did you want it back?
*he shrugs softly* i don’t really care, so you can keep it if you want..
*Carlos smiled at Max* Thanks, buddy. I’ll make sure to put it someplace safe when I get back to my camp.
*he smiles back* thanks..!
Thank you. Hey… do you wanna sign it real quickly for me?
The Perfect Scientist 