[reverse darkest timeline AU: cellthread #2]

[stilljustandrew]

[Previously: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

What's worried Baby the most, over the past few days --

Well. What's upset her the most is Andrew's consistent refusal to speak to her mind-to-mind, or out loud beyond the few necessary words she might exchange with any other inmate, such as requests for food, fresh clothes, an extra blanket.

But what's worried her is that he hasn't asked for anything to pass the time. No tablet with games or videos on it, no pencil and paper, no baseball to bounce off the opposite wall.

No books.



In the cell, Andrew finishes his breakfast (cornflakes, with sliced banana), sets aside the bowl, and settles down leaning against the wall.

Comments

[stilljustandrew]

"He has a room upstairs," Baby offers. "Many of his personal belongings may still be there."

[hadyougoing]

"Does he have a security blanket?"

[stilljustandrew]

A brief, perplexed pause.

"Define, please?"

[hadyougoing]

"Oh, uh--"

Fine, if we're being earnest about it.

"Something that used to make him feel happy? Or safe."

[stilljustandrew]

"There are his books," Baby says, a little doubtfully. "And videos. And his journal. But he has not requested any of them."

[gothamsheiress]

"He might think he wouldn't be given them, if he did. Or he might think he doesn't deserve them. I've seen patrons who stopped eating, in their melancholy, because nothing sounded pleasing -- but they still needed food."

Brix shakes her head.

"Andrew may be eating, but he's not feeding his heart, or his mind. If books have nourished him before, I can see little harm in bringing him a few whether he requests them or not."

[hadyougoing]

Ava's lips twitch.

"Yeah. What she said."

[stilljustandrew]

"I can use the mobile unit to guide you to his room," Baby offers. "I believe that Bar would provide a spare key, under the circumstances."

[hadyougoing]

Ava nods slowly.

"I might consult another member of my team? Nita," she adds, for Baby's benefit. "She might have better book recommendations than I would."

[stilljustandrew]

A faint, considering hum. "Nita Callahan does have extensive knowledge of the subject. I believe her input would be valuable."

[gothamsheiress]

"Well enough."

Brix manages half a smile over her mug. "It's a start."

[hadyougoing]

Ava nods, taking one last sip of her tea.

"So I'll go do that." She sets the mug down. "But first I should probably let Andrew know what I've decided."

[gothamsheiress]

Brix's smile fades, but she nods.

"I think that'd be best."

[hadyougoing]

Ava nods again.

And rises.

"I'll be right back."

Back down the hall we go.

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew's lying on his side on the mattress, but sits up when he hears feet approaching.

He looks up at Ava, and starts to get to his feet.

[hadyougoing]

"Hi, Andrew," Ava says. "How was meeting with Brix?"

[stilljustandrew]

Wary, and uncertain: "It was, uh. She was nice."

He takes a tentative step closer to the transparent wall.

[hadyougoing]

She nods.

"She mentioned you asked to sleep somewhere else again."

[stilljustandrew]

His turn to nod, quick and jerky.

[hadyougoing]

And, blowing out a breath: "I'm saying no."

[stilljustandrew]

"But -- "

His face cracks into desperation.

"Is it, do you think I'm gonna try to escape? Because I won't, I swear I won't --"

[hadyougoing]

"I think something worse."

She frowns.

"Andrew, I'm not letting him talk to you."

[stilljustandrew]

He freezes.

There's no point in trying to deny it: the crashing of his hope is visible in his face.




"Please."

[hadyougoing]

"Baby says your sleep is fine. There's no risk to your health, so we'll be keeping you here."

Ava tucks a strand of hair behind one ear.

"Brix will be back to talk with you later."

[stilljustandrew]

"Ava, please -- if, if you're not gonna let me go back, please just let me talk to Him once, just one time, let me tell Him why --"

He flattens one hand against the translucent barrier.

"-- can't we please just call it my one phone call?"