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asukamood · 2 months

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Transfer (BTH)

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Previous Part – Next Part

First part

This post is part of the Bad Things Happen series.

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I was planning to write this a little while later but since I’ve understood that many people were very fond of this series (especially on Tumblr) I’ve decided to prioritize that one instead.

If you have not yet seen the post entitled Target Syndrome, I advise you to go read it as it will enable you to understand some parts of this one-shot that could seem confusing otherwise.

Enjoy your reading once again!

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Warnings: Implied past self-harm (not specified which)

Synopsis: “It won’t be of any problem.” A pause. “I... apologize about not being able to prevent this.” If he was initially talking to Randy, he was now looking at Hacker. He had never taken the time to apologize before, even if he felt like it was needed.

They stayed like that for a few seconds, looking each other in the eyes.

“...” Hacker eventually turned away. “You are not at fault.”

***

When Finch pushed the door to Hacker’s room open, he was met with three pairs of eyes looking at him. The first had two hazy dark blue irises blinking at him, barely processing his presence while the other two, narrowed, bright red and alert, snapped toward him.

He tilted his head down to show he was here in peace, resulting in Bobby and Randy relaxing.

“Hello.” He eventually said, the greeting soon shot back to him. “I’m glad that everything seems to be going well, have you had the time to talk?”

“Hacks keeps zoning out.” Bobby admitted, glancing worryingly at said man before turning his attention back to Finch. “But yeah, we were pretty much done with the main topics.”

“You seem to have something on your mind, son. Is there something you want to tell us?” Randy interjected, startling Finch. Was it that obvious or did Randy just have a knack for that sort of thing? He did remember Hacker mentioning an ‘uncanny accuracy’ when it came to guessing whether he or Bobby had something to say to him.

“I just thought you would want to be informed of Hacker’s transfer.” As expected, that seemed to pique their interest. Even Hacker seemed to come back to focus, saying nothing but staring at Finch with an interested look, nonetheless. Finch brushed off the vague weird feeling he got as he realized he had never really heard the other being so silent.

“Where is he going to go? And when?” Randy asked immediately, Bobby adding that they better make sure nothing happens this time, a scary expression displayed on his face.

Hacker motioned for the two to calm down. “He didn’t even say anything yet, chill out.” Bobby turned to him, scratching his neck as he muttered an apology.

“It’s fine, I understand the concern.” Finch reassured, clearing his throat. “He should be moving as soon as he recovers to... erm...” As he was faced with the expectant look of the three others, Finch found himself thinking on how in the world he was supposed to say it without the whole dilemma sounding strange.

Finally giving up on it, he finally confessed that Hacker would be moved to his house.

Silence ensued, in which Bobby and Randy both turned to Hacker with the same pointed and warning look. Said man deadpanned at them.

“I can hardly make a normal conversation; do you think I have the capacity to start screwing around?” He hissed, irritated as he looked away. Finch was unsure whether he should see that as good news or unwelcome news.

“In our defense, you totally would.” Bobby retorted; his arms crossed around his chest.

“... Well, yeah I would but I am really not in the mood.” Randy just gave him pats him on the head, the younger man leaning into it.

“Could I trouble you to update us on Hacker’s condition once in a while?” Randy asked, choosing to ignore the conversation his two kids were having next to him. “I know you would be unlikely to do anything stupid, but I cannot help but worry still.”

“It won’t be of any problem.” A pause. “I... apologize about not being able to prevent this.” If he was initially talking to Randy, he was now looking at Hacker. He had never taken the time to apologize before, even if he felt like it was needed.

They stayed like that for a few seconds, looking each other in the eyes.

“...” Hacker eventually turned away. “You are not at fault.”

Finch was about to reply before Hacker started letting out painful noises, each one louder than the other. Bobby reached for his shoulder in concern, tapping it lightly as he asked him what the problem was. Randy soon joined him but neither of them received a response as Hacker just kept on cowering on himself.

Eventually though, he did manage to let out that it hurt, bad.

The rest of the conversation was lost as Finch had run out into the hallway, in search of an available doctor.

***

The medical team that had hurried into the room once they were informed of what was happening soon came out, whispering among themselves. Ignoring that part for now, Finch approached them.

“How is he now?” The doctor he was speaking to bowed to him once he recognized him before straightening back up.

“We have managed to stabilize him.” He answered, looking back into the room. “Although... He’s the prisoner who is due to be transferred soon, right?” Finch nodded, noting that Randy and Bobby had started listening to the conversation.

“We have discovered something that you would probably want to know.” Finch frowned, what did that look on their faces mean?

“Proceed.” He encouraged.

“Have you ever heard of the disease called ‘Target Syndrome’?” At these words, if Bobby tilted his head on the side with a confused look, Randy’s reaction was much more aggressive as he froze, horror on his facial features.

Not him too, please.

Finch’s frown deepened but he stayed calm as of now. “I have yes, are you sure about this information? A wrong diagnosis of a disease like that...”

The doctor waved his worry away with the back of his hand. “I am aware but there is no doubt about that, we have made a soul screening earlier and these results do not lie. Nothing but the Target Syndrome would cause a soul to look this way.”

“At which stage is he?” Randy suddenly interrupted, the doctor blinking as his widened eyes stared up at the man. How he managed to not see the giant named Randy was an enigma.

“I presume you are close to the patient?” After the confirmation, he seemed to think about it a bit more. “I should not tell you that information but since the situation is this peculiar, I’ll make an exception today. He’s somewhere between Stage 2 and Stage 3, though he is closer to Stage 3 than he is Stage 2.”

Finch and Randy both paled at that, turning Bobby’s confusion into even more concern.

His question answered, the medic turned back to Finch. “We have some leads as to the dosage of medications needed to be prescribed but since we still have our doubts about this method of recovery, we would like to favor the more... ‘casual method’ of recovery if possible. I am unaware of your opinion on this prisoner, nor do I care about what crimes have led him to be put in a cell, I am simply asking you to make sure he would at least be comfortable in this new location.”

He then glanced at Bobby and Randy; the former latched on to the latter’s arm as he continuously asked what that really meant about Hacker. “This does imply to make sure these three will be able to talk as often as possible. I am aware that some restrictions should be put in place but in order to revert to an earlier stage, contact with loved ones is mandatory.” A pause.

“If you are unwilling to do it for his health, do keep in mind that what you will be doing would be another milestone reaching toward the full comprehension of this awful disease that has led many to die in horrific conditions.” Finch nodded, not interrupting in fear of missing out on some information. After witnessing it firsthand, it was hard not to think of how horrible dying from this disease was.

He still wished he could have done something, anything, to help him.

“Is there anything else I should be wary of?” If he was going to do it, he wanted to make sure he would do it well. Maybe this time, he would be able to prevent the death of another friend.

“... You should keep anything that could be harmful to him out of reach, especially when he already has a history regarding such incidents.”

Finch’s eyes narrowed. “Understood.”

The doctor, after some more recommendations, finally left.

***

“Strangely, I’m not too surprised about your living room looking so... bland.” Finch frowned as he let his pupils travel the room. He had no idea what Hacker was talking about, his living room looked fine to him.

“Can we focus on more important matters?” He sighed as Hacker went to sit on one of his couches. Even if there was a slight limp in his footsteps, it was still relieving to see that he regained his ability to support himself enough to walk around. “How are you feeling?”

Hacker scoffed at the question. “What happened to the whole ‘I don’t talk to criminals’ attitude? Don’t tell me you are growing soft on me now of all times.”

That was something else Finch noted: his change of behavior. He sounded so much more bitter now.

“I am not. Is it that strange for me to inquire about your well-being?” The other glanced at him as he asked that, in search of any sign of mockery in Finch’s eyes. When he didn’t see any, he simply turned away from him.

“... I don’t know.” He shook his head, why was he acting like that now?

“Anyway,” Finch changed the subject, pointing at the staircase behind him. “Those stairs lead to the bedrooms. The first door on the right is a bathroom but the rest is free to use. You can pick any room you like; it doesn’t really matter to me.”

Hacker raised an eyebrow. “What about your bedroom?” Finch shrugged.

“I mostly just crash on the couch when I’m tired, so I don’t really have an assigned room.” The other gave him a skeptical look but did not comment further. “And over there--” He pointed toward a corridor. “--You can find the kitchen and another bigger bathroom. You are free to use anything in the kitchen as you would like and if you think you may be lacking in something, you can ask for it anytime.”

He nodded again, before pointing toward a computer left in the corner of the room. “What about this thing?”

“I was about to mention it. You can use it.” If Hacker looked numb before, the look of pure shock replaced it immediately.

“What? You’re not joking, are you?” Finch raised an eyebrow.

“When am I ever joking?” He retorted.

“Good point.” He looked happier than he did a few seconds ago, that was surely a good sign. He walked over to the other and handed him a little package.

Confused, Hacker took it and shot him a questioning glance. Finch’s only response was to tell him to open it. He did, not without shooting him a wary glance before his eyes lit up at the contents of said package.

“Is that...?”

“Your phone, yes.” Finch confirmed. “You are free to call Randy, Bobby and Blue as you please, though do keep in mind that I would be able to hear your conversation. I’ve also saved my number on your device, don’t hesitate to call me if you ever need it.”

“... That sounds too good to be true.” Hacker stated. “Are you sure there’s no catch? Like, I’m not going to be beheaded next week, right?” The combination of his voice cracking and the fear in his eyes earned him a horrified look from the officer.

“Of course not!” He exclaimed. “Nothing is going to happen to you, okay? You’re safe here.”

“...”

“I swear.” He quickly added, earning a sigh of relief.

“Okay... I trust you.” He slumped over the couch, his eyes beginning to droop. “Do you mind if I go take a nap? This whole transfer thing had my head spinning.”

“Not at all, go ahead.”

As Hacker closed his eyes, he vaguely remembered being wrapped in a blanket.

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