Inmate 39721: Cartwright, Griffin

[CAMP MEDIC]

Dr. Rasputin was an encyclopedia for medical knowledge, but never had he encountered such an opportunity for making medical history. He was being given the opportunity to examine a real angel—a man with wings. It was extraordinary and he could feel his brain spinning with all the possibilities there were for this man’s anatomy. There were so many tests and procedures—he just couldn’t wait to get started! He glanced at the chart, though it didn’t provide much information on his patient, just their name, a picture, and some general facts such as height and weight. Cartwright, Griffin. Age: 56. From that picture, he didn’t look 56—perhaps they got the pictures wrong? It didn’t matter because he would see for himself in a few minutes. He knew the order he would take the man in today, having ordered that he not receive any food but water until his tests were complete.

The room he stood in contained a very large machine and was one of several machines his patient would be run through today. Naturally, the first thing that would be done was his blood would be taken, but the nurses would take care of that. They had been instructed to do so and it gave him more time to consider the order of his tests. The first thing they had to do was get a full body bone scan, as Rasputin was truly interested in seeing if this man’s bones were structured like a birds. Next they would pop on over to the DEXA scan machine which would test his bone density. All in all, they were painless tests, but they did take some time. He hoped the guy wasn’t claustrophobic. The bone scanner was tight and it took several minutes for it to retrieve all of the images needed. It was the only tight machine the guy would be going into, though, so it wouldn’t be so bad. The DEXA was much less confining and took much less time than the bone scanner. No, most of what Griffin Cartwright would go through today was painless. But he would be sure to save the painful stuff for last.

When the patient was brought into the room, Dr. Rasputin gave the man a smile and was amazed that the man really was the young man from the picture. Perhaps they got the age wrong? “Please have a seat, Mr. Cartwright while I verify some information here.” Rasputin put on a friendly face, but really he saw people as little more than machines. This patient was a particularly fascinating machine, but he wasn’t interested in getting to know the man. He was a means to an end—curiosity satisfaction and medical renown. “First I’ll be taking a bone scan today. There’s no pain, but we do ask that you lay very still during the procedure. It can get claustrophobic in there and the machine will take several minutes, but just try to breathe evenly and remain calm. Before we commence the test, however, I would like to verify some information.” Rasputin’s eyes fell to the chart. “It says here that you’re 56, but I’m guessing that’s a mistake. What’s your age?” he inquired, prepared to write the correction in place of the 56 printed there.

[GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT]

Griffin was worn down from being in the camps already. He was depressed to begin with considering the darkness and the way it made him feel, but being thrust into this situation was taking a huge toll on him. He missed Claire, and though he got to see her for a short period every day it wasn't enough, and he couldn't touch her. Flynn was there to hold but he rarely saw her either. He felt so isolated and alone, and though he had never minded before, it was something that was wearing him out now.

His wings, once full of large, dense feathers was molting at an alarming rate. There were patches of wing showing in spots from the massive loss of feathers, and he was all around very distressed. He sullenly went about his business, keeping to himself and doing what was expected of him. He didn't have it in him to fight back, or do anything, really. He accepted his oppression and though he wanted his freedom he wasn't in the right state of mine to try and get it.

It didn't help that he was constantly worrying about Claire. She put on a brave face but he wasn't sure how real it was. He did the same when she was near. She truly was the only sunlight in his life and he cherished those moments during the day where he could freeze and simply hear her voice. It was the only time he smiled anymore, even if it was briefly.

When Griffin was denied food he didn't really fight that either. He didn't have much of an appetite these days and he picked at most of his meals anyway. He knew he'd lost weight and the jumpsuit he wore hung on him looser than it had when he'd received it only a few days prior.

Guards brought him to the infirmary and he feared maybe they would wonder why he was losing so many feathers. There were others who were as well, it wasn't just him! They took blood and then led him in to see a a many who was clearly a doctor. He shifted uneasily when he went into the exam room, eyeing the doctor cautiously. “Please have a seat, Mr. Cartwright while I verify some information here.”

Griffin sat in the seat provided, his tall lean frame looking almost small with how he hunched. “First I’ll be taking a bone scan today. There’s no pain, but we do ask that you lay very still during the procedure. It can get claustrophobic in there and the machine will take several minutes, but just try to breathe evenly and remain calm." A bone scan? That didn't sound too bad. He didn't like small confined spaces but he wouldn't be locked into it so it wouldn't be terrible. How long could a bone scan last, anyway? "Before we commence the test, however, I would like to verify some information. It says here that you’re 56, but I’m guessing that’s a mistake. What’s your age?”

Griffin was quiet for a moment before finally opening his mouth. "56." He said softly. "I was born on June 11, 1955." Clearly the man didn't know about how he aged. "We don't age like you." He said in a soft voice, his green eyes sunken in slightly. "Our age progression is slower than yours. We appear to be half our age. Our life expectancy is twice yours." He explained not wanting any trouble. He would do as he was told, a weary look on his face, showing just how much this place was affecting him.

[CAMP MEDIC]

Dr. Rasputin waited patiently for Cartwright’s answer. He must have been under some duress if it took him that long to figure out his age. “56.” Rasputin looked up. “I was born on June 11, 1955. We don’t age like you. Our age progression is slower than yours. We appear to be half our age. Our life expectancy is twice yours.” The doctor’s eyes were wide with wonder, though his mouth was a thin line as he stared at Cartwright. His eyes were alight with curiosity and he would definitely have to send some of that blood for genetic testing. Perhaps they would need to get more…The secret to Cartwright’s youth had to be in his blood, though samples would need to be sent in from several other…what did they call them? Avisailles…yes, he would have to collect many more samples of Avisaille blood to have a fair study into their fountain of youth. “Fascinating…” he muttered allowed before looking back down at the chart. He pulled the pen away quickly, realizing he didn’t need to change a thing. “Well, thank you for that information Mr. Cartwright. I only have a few more questions related to your medical history.”

Rasputin covered Cartwright’s allergies and medical history before they continued on to the bone scan. The machine was large, white and loud inside, but nothing Cartwright couldn’t handle. A strapping young man…er…seemingly young man like him would do just fine. The doctor got to his feet and gave another cold smile that didn’t reach his eyes as he looked down at the Avisaille. “Alright, now time to start the bone scan. This will take about forty-five minutes to complete, and as I mentioned it would be best if you remained as still as possible. Some people like to take a nap while in there, which isn’t a bad idea if you’re tired, though you’ll hear me ask periodically if you’re okay. So please come over here with me.” Rasputin led the way to the machine a few feet off from where they sat. The table was pulled out and probably about as comfortable as what the inmates slept on in the bunkers, if not more so. There was a soft pillow and the thin mattress was reasonably padded and covered with a soft sheet. It helped ease some of the more anxious patients.

“I’ll explain this machine a bit. It’s similar to an MRI, but this gives us a much more detailed view of your bones. A camera will work its way around your body, though you won’t see it, and all of the individual images it captures will together make a complete three hundred and sixty degree view of your body’s bones. Inside it can be loud, but I assure you there will be no pain. There are speakers and a small camera so I can observe you during the procedure and I will make sure you are feeling alright throughout the process. So, all of that said, please lie down on the tray so we can get this started.” When Cartwright complied, Rasputin gave a smile and grabbed the end of the bed. “Remember, just take deep breaths and relax.” With that the doctor pushed him into the machine, nodding to the technician once Cartwright was secure to signal the beginning of the test.

While the doctor did observe the man throughout the test, he didn’t much care if Cartwright asked to be let out. Rasputin wanted to get these tests over with as soon as possible so he could move to the next patient to study. There was so much to do and each patient had a limit for what they could handle, so the quicker the process went, the better. As promised, Rasputin asked about every fifteen minutes if Cartwright was doing okay, and any time Cartwright expressed some discomfort, he assured him it would only be a few more minutes. Honestly, some of these beings needed to buck up. Always complaining about being cramped. Finally, after forty-five minutes, Rasputin reentered the main room and pulled the tray from the machine to reveal Cartwright with another thin smile. “Okay, Mr. Cartwright. The bone scan is complete which concludes the longest test you’ll be going through today. Next we’ll do the DEXA scan to test your bone density, but that’s only five minutes in length and much more comfortable. How do you feel?” It was habit to check how a patient was feeling though Rasputin honestly didn’t care in this case. He was here for research, not to make Cartwright feel comfortable.

[GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT]

Griffin answered all the questions, but when the doctor began to explain about the x-rays he became uncomfortable with it. He'd offered the information about his age willingly, but this was all supposed to be secret. The doctor wasn't supposed to know about him, but wasn't that Mordecai's dream? For the world to share their secret? To be free of this inability to show their true selves?

Griffin was reluctant to follow the doctor, but he did anyway not having the will to fight. Plus, he'd seen what happened to those who tried to fight and he didn't want to suffer the very same fate.

"So, all of that said, please lie down on the tray so we can get this started.” He did as he was told, anxious about the whole procedure, but the bed inside the machine was comfortable, and he was more than tired. He had a hard time sleeping in the room full of men. There were younger boys there who cried all night, and he wanted to care for them but he simply didn't have the energy to do so. He couldn't comfort himself let alone the children. “Remember, just take deep breaths and relax.” Griffin didn't say anything as the doctor slid him into the machine. He gulped, fidgeting anxiously. Would it hurt? He promised it wouldn't, but that didn't mean he was being honest.

The machine came to life and it made the man even more nervous. He didn't like the tight space. Being confined was not something Avisaille's liked at all. He took deep breaths, his eyes shut as he willed himself to relax, but when the doctor asked if he was okay, he mentioned the machine was a little confining. He was promised it would be over soon and he bit his lip and tried to continue relaxing. He wished he could fall asleep bu the noise was too loud, and he was too aware of the small space despite his eyes shutting.

After what seemed like an eternity he was free from the machine and relief instantly washed over him as he was released back into the open space of the room. “Okay, Mr. Cartwright. The bone scan is complete which concludes the longest test you’ll be going through today. Next we’ll do the DEXA scan to test your bone density, but that’s only five minutes in length and much more comfortable. How do you feel?”

That was a loaded question. He looked at the doctor with sad eyes and then at the ground. "Well enough to complete the bone density scan." He said softly, his voice ever kind and gentle. The scans could run on him all day and they would never find a mean bone in the mans body. He was pure down to the core.

Griffin followed the doctor to the DEXA scan and when the instructions were given he nodded. He laid down, ready for the testing to commence. The DEXA wasn't terrible and it had been far better than the bone scan. When they were finished he bit his lip looking at the doctor wearily. "My girlfriend is in the camp next door." He said softly. "I'll answer every question you have about my race and submit readily to every test.. but in return is there any way I can see her for a short time? Just.. just to hold her? Please.. She's so scared and I miss her terribly." He pleaded, not sure if this doctor had the ability to do anything about that or not. He waited with baited breath, wondering if maybe he might get a chance to see Claire and hold her, if only for a little while.

[CAMP MEDIC]

“Well enough to complete the bone density scan.” Rasputin smiled crookedly. “Good! Follow me please.” The pair walked to a room down the hall and once more, Rasputin ordered Cartwright to lie down on a table. This table wasn’t padded, but he would only be on it for a few minutes anyway. It wasn’t enclosed, and the camera was a hovering extension over the table that came to Cartwright’s midsection. As Rasputin had said, the test was short and painless and he made notes in the Avisaille’s chart as the machine took pictures of Cartwright’s pelvis and spine. No words were spoken between them, which the doctor preferred. He hated getting chatty with patients. It made things more awkward than a silence because he would likely never see these patients again. Once he ran his tests and gathered his information, he was done with them. The machine finished scanning and he turned back to Cartwright. “Okay, you can sit up now,” he instructed.

He was about to explain the next set of tests when Cartwright spoke. “My girlfriend is in the camp next door. I’ll answer every question you have about my race and submit readily to every test…but in return is there any way I can see her for a short time? Just…just to hold her? Please…she’s so scared and I miss her terribly.” The Avisaille’s words almost made Rasputin groan. He didn’t deal with the emotional stuff with patients; period. That was a nurse’s job, not his. Besides, did this guy think this was summer camp? The species were separated for a reason. But even Rasputin couldn’t help but feel bad for the guy, seeing how weary the man looked as he spoke about his girlfriend. A Therian and an Avisaille…that was one messed up union. “I can see if I can speak to the higher-ups, but I’m not entirely sure if that would be possible. But…I’ll do what I can.” He was putting the guy through a lot…the least he could do was get him five minutes with his girlfriend. If he could get the guy five minutes with his girlfriend…

With that, he motioned for the Avisaille to follow him from the room, leading the way into another room and setting him up before an X-rays machine. “Okay, Mr. Cartwright, we’re going to take a couple chest x-rays. We’re going to place a lead cover over your front to protect you from the radiation and I’ll just need you to stay as still as possible for this test as well. It’ll only take about ten minutes to complete.” There was a technician in the room to position the lead cover and set him up before the X-ray machine while the doctor took his place behind the partition with the technician. Once the X-rays were complete, he walked back out to help Cartwright with the lead apron. “Alright, you tired of all these machines yet? The next couple of tests I have still deal with machines, but these focus on breathing.” He led Cartwright into the hallway once more, walking a good distance this time into another area without the big machines that could look inside a person.

In a plain room, there was a more comfortable examination chair set up, next to which was a small machine with a hose and sterile mouthpiece hooked up to it. Another even smaller device was sitting on a counter that had marker lines and color coded ranges indicated on it. He grabbed the device and motioned for Cartwright to sit down once more. “The first test deals with this little device right here. This is called a spirometer and it measures your lung capacity. What I want you to do is take the deepest breath you can and blow as hard as you can into the tube here at the end. These ranges indicate good, okay, and poor lung capacity.” He handed the device to Cartwright and sat back a moment. “Okay. Now, take a deep, deep breath and blow into the end there as hard as you can.” He waited for the Avisaille to do so, wondering if he had the same increased lung capacity of a bird or if it would be within normal human range.

[GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT]

“I can see if I can speak to the higher-ups, but I’m not entirely sure if that would be possible. But…I’ll do what I can.” Griffin's shoulders dropped a little as he slouched, forcing a soft, small smile. The man clearly didn't have a lot of authority, and he didn't even both asking for Claire's name which meant he might not ask on Griffin's behalf. He gave it a 5% chance of actually happening, deciding the man simply wanted him to cooperate and would say anything to get that cooperation. Griffin thought maybe it was for the best anyway. If he got to hold Claire he might not let go, and when they got out of there he was sure he never would. If they got out of there..

He pushed the thought from his mind as the man urged him on towards the x-ray machine. He followed with a heavy heart, sliding the lead vest on. He did exactly as he was told and took the vest off when they were finished. “Alright, you tired of all these machines yet?" Griffin wasn't sure if the man was being funny or not, but he gave a halfhearted shrug in response. He was, but they weren't painful and he told himself it was all for science. It was Mordecai's vision. He wouldn't let the mans death be in vain. "The next couple of tests I have still deal with machines, but these focus on breathing.”

They moved to a plainer room with smaller machines and equipment. When the doctor motioned to the seat, Griffin sat down, reaching up and rubbing his eyes wearily. He wanted to be done with this, but he knew they were just going to set him to work. He was so tired.. “The first test deals with this little device right here. This is called a spirometer and it measures your lung capacity. What I want you to do is take the deepest breath you can and blow as hard as you can into the tube here at the end. These ranges indicate good, okay, and poor lung capacity.” Griffin knew what the machine was before the explanation. There was very little Griffin didn't know in terms of what was going on. He was educated and more than aware of what each device did. Griffin took the device to blow into and sighed. “Okay. Now, take a deep, deep breath and blow into the end there as hard as you can.” Griffin took a deep breath and did as he was instructed, watching the machine come to life with his results. Green eyes came to meet the doctor, kind and patient as ever, if not a little tired. "Are we almost finished?" He asked softly, more out of curiosity than impatience.

[CAMP MEDIC]

Cartwright blew into the machine as instructed and Dr. Rasputin was shocked to see the results. He had fantastic lung capacity! The measurement was almost to the top of the spirometer, which confirmed Rasputin’s theory that Avisailles would have a high lung capacity due to the amount of calories they burned during flight. He was smiling in amazement at the results when Cartwright spoke next. “Are we almost finished?” If he was going to keep asking that, Rasputin was going to get very unpleasant. For the moment, however, he simply smiled. “We have about an hour left, then we’ll bring you something to eat before you go.” The Avisaille didn’t seem excited at this prospect, but Rasputin hardly cared. He was more focused on getting results. “Now, this next test is going to measure the rate of your metabolism. I want you to just breathe normally into this mouthpiece for about ten minutes, okay?” He handed Cartwright a mouthpiece connected to a long, clear tube that fed into a sleek and small machine. “Lay back. Okay, now breathe.” The good thing about Avisailles was he had yet to meet one that caused him trouble.

The test was quiet and Rasputin took the time to make notes and collect his thoughts. He knew many of the doctors were opposed to being here period and wanted nothing to do with these tests, but honestly it wasn’t all bad. They weren’t torturing the creatures! Well, at least he wasn’t, and that was good enough for his conscience. There was nothing painful about the bone scan or DEXA or the breathing tests. Honestly, the most painful things were the blood drawing and what would come once they left this room. But it was nothing the virile man couldn’t bounce back from. When the test was over and the results popped up, Rasputin made note. Again, as he suspected, all of the Avisailles whose metabolic rates had been measured were very high, much like birds themselves. It was so fascinating to see people so well infused with birds. Where did they come from?

“Excellent! There are only two more tests, one of which is a physical. If you will remove your jumpsuit, please. I will give you a gown to put on, which you will also need for the last test as well.” With that Rasputin went to a cupboard and pulled out a soft hospital gown for Cartwright but he didn’t hand it to him yet. What he had an interest in was the man’s pectoral muscles. He placed a hand on the muscles just below his breasts and covering his ribs to feel the development of the muscle. “Birds have fantastically strong pectoral muscles due to their wings and the amount of work their wings do. It seems that’s true in your case as well.” He inspected the rest of Cartwright’s body, prepared to take notes on his physique. “And please remove your undergarments.” When Cartwright did so, he inspected the man’s reproductive organs, finding them to be completely normal. That was one place where the bird genes did not affect his body, it seemed. He handed the gown to Cartwright and then moved to make notes while the man dressed.

When he was finished making his notes, he closed the folder and faced Cartwright again with a sigh. “Okay, Mr. Cartwright. We’re now going to move on to our final test. Please follow me and bring your clothes with you.” Rasputin waited until the man had his belongings, and then they walked out into the hallway. There was one room that was completely sterile, which they moved into and a guard stood at the entrance to the room. A nurse was there to assist and she had several tools ready for this last test. The nurse instructed Cartwright to lie on the table with a bright light shining on him and Rasputin moved to scrub up. He put on a pair of gloves and a surgical mask before moving back to the table Cartwright was lying on. “This last test is a bone marrow biopsy. We’ll make it as comfortable as possible, but it will be painful. You must remain as still as possible throughout the procedure and we can provide you with something to hold onto for the duration if it might help ease the pain. Should the nurse get you something?” He waited to see the panic appear on Cartwright’s gentle face, but wondered if perhaps it wouldn’t come.

[GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT]

“We have about an hour left, then we’ll bring you something to eat before you go.” He nodded deciding an hour of this wasn't so bad. He would probably get to see Claire afterwards which was nice. He just wanted to see her.. He listened as the doctor explained the next test. He laid back and breathed into the apparatus as instructed, wanting to just get this all done and over with. It wouldn't be much longer, and it wasn't like it hurt. It was for science, and Griffin was an advocate for science.

“Excellent!" The doctor seemed pleased and Griffin offered a small forced smile in return. "There are only two more tests, one of which is a physical. If you will remove your jumpsuit, please. I will give you a gown to put on, which you will also need for the last test as well.” He watched the man go get a gown for him as he stood and stripped his jumpsuit off, careful as it went over his wings.

Griffin watched as the man studied his chest. His eyes glossed over his own torso seeing the lean muscle he had built there. “Birds have fantastically strong pectoral muscles due to their wings and the amount of work their wings do. It seems that’s true in your case as well.” Griffin furrowed his brows a little. He knew all about the anatomy of birds, and he wasn't a bird. "I exercise regularly." He explained softly, knowing the wings had little to do with the muscle he'd gained. It wasn't like he could go flying everyday or anything.

“And please remove your undergarments.” Griffin had no problem with nudity, but he wasn't comfortable stripping for this man. His private areas weren't to be gawked at, just as the rest of him shouldn't be, but he couldn't help but feel mildly violated. Not because this man saw him naked, but because this man was studying him so thoroughly. He did so anyway, standing there in the buff for this man to look at.

“Okay, Mr. Cartwright. We’re now going to move on to our final test. Please follow me and bring your clothes with you.” Griffin sighed and grabbed his clothes, grateful that he was going to be finishing up soon. He walked into the other room and looked around. There was a nurse there with tools and a table with a light. He immediately felt cautious and anxious. It almost looked like they were prepping for surgery or some other procedure. His movements were slow and he eyed the guard at the door suspiciously. Why was he guarding it so closely? Were they afraid Griffin would run? He hadn't yet.. he'd shown no signs of escape.

The nurse gestured at the table and he went nervously, watching as the doctor began to scrub his hands. It was the first time he actually felt a little scared. Were they going to do something to his wings? When the doctor slid on a surgical mask Griffin went into full out panic mode. His guard went up and his muscles all tensed. “This last test is a bone marrow biopsy. We’ll make it as comfortable as possible, but it will be painful." He was already shaking his head. No, he hadn't agreed to this! Measure his lung capacity and bone density, fine, but sampling his marrow? "You must remain as still as possible throughout the procedure and we can provide you with something to hold onto for the duration if it might help ease the pain. Should the nurse get you something?”

"I'm not doing this." He said firmly, his voice shaking a little, his brows lowering over his green eyes which stormed slightly as they looked at each face in the room like he was a terrified animal, which in a sense he was. "I never agreed to this." He said firmly his brows furrowing as he began to truly panic. He wasn't even promised he would get to hold Claire, which was probably the only thing that would get him to do this willingly.

[CAMP MEDIC]

“I’m not doing this.” Cartwright’s eyes were wide with fear and Rasputin had to hold in a sigh. He had been so compliant until now. “I never agreed to this.” Of course he hadn’t agreed to it! That wasn’t the point! This was the last test and it was simple enough. Two weeks and he would be perfectly fine! If he struggled, though, it would make the test impossible. He was now grateful he requested the tranquilizer. His eyes met the nurse’s and she moved to retrieve a syringe from the counter nearby. Before the Avisaille could put up too much of a struggle, Rasputin nodded to the guard. Quickly, the burly man took hold of the Avisaille, wrapping his thick arms under Cartwright’s shoulders. The wings were flapping frantically and the guard was grunting in the struggle to hold on. Rasputin hurried over to the pair with the syringe the nurse had prepared and he pushed Cartwright’s head aside to expose his neck. The doctor injected the sedative quickly and it didn’t take long for Cartwright’s struggling to cease.

Rasputin assisted the guard in carried Cartwright to the table, laying him on his back and working quickly to strap the man in. The nurse assisted him, binding his ankles to the table as the doctor bound his wrists and both of them secured the straps over Cartwright’s chest, stomach and thighs. It was best if he was kept from moving at all during the procedure, and the sedative wouldn’t keep him asleep for more than fifteen minutes. That would give him enough time to prep Cartwright and begin the procedure. He revealed a small patch of skin at Cartwright’s hip and spread an iodine solution to sterilize the area. Then he injected a local anesthetic to numb the skin and he waited for it to settle in, which was about five minutes it gave him time to prepare the very large syringe he would be inserting into Cartwright’s hip to collect his sample. Just as he prepared to insert the needle, Cartwright began to stir. He wouldn’t feel it puncture the skin with how numb his skin would be, but he would probably feel the pressure inside his hip bone when the needle broke through.

Carefully, the doctor applied steadily more pressure against the bone until he felt a very slight shudder through the needle that indicated he had broken through it. He pulled on the top of the syringe, extracting marrow mixed with blood and he got enough of a sample to complete his tests. It was obvious from Cartwright’s noises and face that he was very uncomfortable, and Rasputin had what he needed. He carefully pulled the needle from Cartwright’s hip and then ordered the nurse to put pressure on the wound to staunch the bleeding. One look at the guard told him the guy was about to lose his breakfast. “You may step outside if you need to,” Rasputin informed the guard. He didn’t need the guy puking all over his operating room. The guard gladly left and Rasputin went to place his sample in a sterile container labeled with Cartwright’s name and inmate number. Once the bleeding was stopped and a bandage was placed over the site of Cartwright’s wound, he looked down at the Avisaille. “Stay here until you feel awake enough to walk, okay? You’ll be required to come back to the infirmary for pain medication and bandage changing daily. Do you have any questions for me at this time, Mr. Cartwright?” It was definitely unfortunate that he had to force his test this way, but what other choice did he have?

[GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT]

Griffin didn't have much time to react. Before he knew what was going on the guard had his arms around him and he struggled hard against the mans grasp. Despite his lean frame, Griffin was ripped and when he struggled, he did it hard. He could feel the guard having a difficult time holding onto him, but he was stronger than the Avisaille and Griffin was inevitably taken. "Please!" He growled as he tried to flail still, but he felt a sharp pinch in his neck and almost immediately his flailing began to slow. "Please don't do this to me.." He begged as his heart began to slow, his breathing still rapid but becoming more shallow. Soon he ceased struggling all together, muttering an incoherent plea for them to stop, but his pleas went unheard.

Griffin's head felt like a lead weight as he tried moving it. There were sounds in the room but he couldn't tell what they were or where he was. He tried moving his hands but he couldn't. Same with his feet. Why couldn't he move? What was going on? He groaned, his head moving a little from left to right, but not much due to his restraints. His eyes flickered open but he immediately squinted them shut, keeping them closed tightly away from the harsh light.

He felt the pressure almost immediately and groaned again, blinking his eyes open. "No.." He whimpered softly, shutting his eyes. How cruel of them to force this procedure on him! Did they need to do this? What had he ever done? Griffin would never force something like this on someone! He felt the tears well in his eyes at the sheer unfairness of it. He was angry, truly angry for the first time since he'd been there, and he struggled against the restraints, which only sent a surge of pain through him. "Ow!" He whimpered and swallowed back the tears. He took deep breaths feeling the pressure and suddenly a sharp pain shooting down to his toes. "Stop! Please.. please, please..." He begged as tears streaked from the corners of his eyes, his fists clenching and every muscle seeming to tense as he tried to grit his teeth through the severe pain in his leg and hip. The pain only lasted thirty seconds before it began to ease once more, and he knew the doctor was pulling the needle out.

Griffin tried to calm himself, taking those deep steady breaths. He felt the overwhelming dread wash over him once more, like he didn't even matter. He had so much to offer the world, so much knowledge and kindness to spread, and here these people saw him as a lab experiment. Didn't they know they would readily submit to science if treated fairly? Griffin would and he knew Flynn likely would as well. Heck, he was sure with enough coaxing Claire would as well, but to force it upon them all? It was simply cruel and inhumane.

“Stay here until you feel awake enough to walk, okay? You’ll be required to come back to the infirmary for pain medication and bandage changing daily. Do you have any questions for me at this time, Mr. Cartwright?”

Griffin wouldn't look at him, or say anything. This excuse of a doctor didn't deserve his attention. Griffin owed him nothing other than the cold shoulder he was offering. He was hurt and angry and violated. Besides, what good would asking questions do? They would be ignored or he would simply be placated, and Griffin didn't care to be talked down to. "You should be ashamed of yourself." He said softly, still refusing to look at him. "Forcing something like this upon someone. It's cruel and inhumane. You may not see me as human, but that's a poor excuse for what you've done and what you plan to continue doing." He let his icy glare move to the doctor. "How would you feel if someone treated your wife this way or your children? Your mother? You?" He asked before turning away. "You should be deeply ashamed." He repeated, his eyes shutting as he tried to ignore the dull ache in his side.

[CAMP MEDIC]

For a long moment, it appeared Cartwright was going to refuse to speak to him. Rasputin could live with that. He had other patients to see and he would be required to see Cartwright in a week anyway to check up on him. The doctor simply couldn’t care whether the Avisaille was upset with him or not. If he cared that every patient of his got upset, then he wouldn’t be a doctor still, particularly not one who conducted research. He nodded and moved towards the door. “Well, I’ll see you in a week for a check-up. In the meantime, the nurse will stay with you until you leave. Good day, Mr. Cartwright.” He turned away, Cartwright’s file in hand, and he prepared for the next Avisaille he was lined up to see and run tests on. Cartwright’s voice stopped him cold.

“You should be ashamed of yourself.” Rasputin turned to look behind him at the Avisaille still lying with his eyes closed. “Forcing something like this upon someone.” His mouth tightened and his brow lowered, his eyes intent on Cartwright. “It’s cruel and inhumane. You may not see me as human, but that’s a poor excuse for what you’ve done and what you plan to continue doing.” A man as soft spoken and cooperative as Cartwright took one by surprise when they glared at others as Cartwright was glaring at Rasputin now. The doctor felt a chill under the glare, but he didn’t show it. Instead, he glared back, more affected by the man’s words than he let on or cared to admit. “How would you feel if someone treated your wife this way or your children? Your mother? You?” This time the doctor’s mouth twitched. For just a moment he pictured his ex-wife, his son, his daughter, his mother strapped to that table. He pictured himself strapped to that table. He imagined all of them screaming with pain as a stranger cut deep into their bone for a test into his inner workings. Just for a moment, he felt sick. “You should be deeply ashamed.” And he was…just for a moment, he was.

That shame faded as quickly as he’d felt it. This was in the name of science. How were they ever going to understand these strange beings without some painful tests? These people were aliens! If theorists were right and these people emerged from the tree in the middle of town which everyone in Scriptor Bay had heard the legend of, then they must be from another planet or place than humans. They didn’t belong in the city, just as the legend said. They took on human form, but that’s not what they looked like in their own world. These outsiders were dangerous and they needed to be understood in case they ever tried to use their powers for evil. He could have argued this to Cartwright, could have tried to explain, but he decided it was best to ignore this man. Any further discussion with him would disable Rasputin from finishing his job. “Good day, Mr. Cartwright. I’ll see you in a week.” His farewell was cold and terse, like Rasputin himself, and he turned away with a hard look in his eyes. Perhaps he would cancel his final appointment and stay only long enough to examine Cartwright’s test results.