xp_logs | Laurie and Golden Goose

Laurie's circumstances get worse...

Laurie came to in a much smaller, much darker room then the one she'd woken up in yesterday. It would seem she'd swapped out a soft bed, and windows for a small, uncomfortable cot and a 2 by 3 concrete room who's only window was high above and left her only a dim view of a blue sky beyond.

It wasn't much more then what she had expected after her botched escape attempt - her only regret was that she hadn't succeeded. She could only hope that her friends continued to search for them, even with what must be very little information.

If only she'd thought to go after a radio, or a phone rather then attempting to reach the helicopter. But she'd been so sure she had a chance, and if she'd managed to make it out, she could have led them all back here.

"Hello Laurie." The man was sitting on a small stool by the door, his arms crossed over his chest. He was older, with a heavy greying mustache and spectacles. His suit was well cut but conservative. He looked more like an accountant than someone associated with a kidnapping. "My name is Walsh, but my friends call me Goose. I do so hope we'll be friends."

"Mr Walsh, do you honestly believe I would ever make the insane mistake of considering a captor a friend?"

Laurie sat up, wincing at what had to be a variety of fresh bruising. The fight had not been easy, but she'd been knocked about before.

"There you're mistaken. I'm not your captor. My opinion on the matter is irrelevant. However, I am tasked with talking to you about my client's goals and how you could perhaps be a part of it. Believe me, I am a much more pleasant options than being in your actual captor's charge."

"And what are your client's goals exactly?"

She pushed herself back and placed her feet on the ground, shoeless for the moment but she had been unconscious. She looked around a little more fully, and realised there was not much to look at besides the man in the chair and so she studied him instead.

"We'll get to that in time." He got up and rapped on the door. After a moment, a slot opened and a tray was pushed through. He brought it over one handed and pulled off the top with the flourish of a waiter. "You must be famished. It's still early, so breakfast." The tray contained a plate with eggs, toast and a sausage; a European attempt at a traditional American breakfast.

He dusted off his hands as he passed over the tray. "Unfortunately, the facilities here are not what they should be." He indicated the bucket with the bedpan top that was obviously for her washroom needs. "But we will try and keep you comfortable."

"You're not what I was expecting."

Laurie had always been practical, some would say to a fault. Even at her most emotional, or suspicious, the idea that the food might be drugged, or poisoned would still not have stopped her from eating it. If it were drugged, or poisoned then they'd just find some other way to do it if she didn't eat. If it wasn't; then she would have been wasting perfectly good food. Besides, she didn't how long they would maintain this magnanimous position. If it were to lull her into a false sense of security, or somehow make her believe she had a friend in this place then she might as well play along.

"Things rarely are. Enjoy your meal. I have some duties to attend to. I'm afraid the facilities are a bit dull, but at least you'll be warm." Goose got up and walked out. he closed the door, leaving Laurie to eat in private. He walked around to the room next to hers, where a bank of screens showed her cell from multiple angles.

"How long for the sedatives in the food to take effect?" He said to the man at the monitor.

"About thirty minutes, sir. It will feel like normal fatigue."

"Good. Once she's asleep, dim the window to darkness. Have a tray prepared with some soup; light fare. I want to do at least three rotations of day and night today."

"Yes sir."

***

Laurie woke up, blinked at the night sky through the window and then groaned. She could have sworn it had just been daylight a moment ago.

How many days had it been? With only the small window above she couldn't be sure.

There was nothing for it but to endure. The X-men would find them eventually, she had faith.

"Good evening Laurie. I apologize for being so late. My duties don't help for a fixed schedule." Goose walked through the door and it was carefully locked behind him. He had a covered tray which he put down on the floor beside the bed before taking his seat on the only chair in the corner. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine."

Laurie sat up more fully in the cot, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She wasn't entirely sure what Goose's purpose was in coming to see her, they surely couldn't believe after her escape attempt that she would continue on with her previous help.

"What is it you want?"

"I'm curious about your school. What they teach? What the institutional philosophy is." He folded his hands on his lap, waiting patiently. From under the tray cover she could smell soup and was suddenly famished.

"My school teaches medicine, and I would expect that they have a philosophy the same as any medical school, to help people."

Laurie looked down at the tray for a minute before glancing back at him.

"Is it breakfast or lunch?"

"I'm afraid it is long past either. I was told you slept most of the day, so I brought you some soup." He waved at the tray. "And I'm sure you know that I'm not talking about your medical school, but rather your residence and alma mater."

"My medical school is the only one you'll hear anything about."

Laurie picked up the tray and placed it in her lap, taking the lid off to view what he'd brought her. Tomato soup, her least favourite but not like she was in a position to request anything else.

"I wasn't aware that Xavier's was so secretive. Still, as you wish. Perhaps you'll tell me later." He nodded to her and left her to eat. Without any clocks or way to tell time, it could have been minutes or hours before fatigue overtook her and she crawled into bed.