^^this drawing is by the character known as Zuri Gardener^^

It looks around the bathroom, jerking its tail every once and a while.

"If you don't mind letting go of me, that'd be good. I have a job to get to." I am tempted to lock it here. If I can trap it with my grip, then surely something else can as well? But, Anxiety is what keeps most people from doing stupid things as well as giving them anxiety attacks.

Good and bad.

Lord, why does this have to be so complicated?

I tighten my grip and it yelps. I say grimly,

"If I see you pushing someone into something they don't want to do, or shouldn't be doing, you won't float away unharmed. Understood?" It swallows hard- I can hear it -and nods,

"Understood ma'am." As soon as I release it, it vanishes. I look down at the hand that was holding and I'm surprised.

My hand has a glowing golden light wrapping off it in strings with little golden orbs floating around those strings.

If I hadn't just talked to a creature known as Anxiety, I would be much more freaked out about this. And yet, I have a feeling this isn't about me being too shocked already to be more.

No.

This feels calming, relaxing, and safe. As if this is something good.

Could he have been right? But more importantly, was my question right? Are there more of those things like him running around?

As I close the door behind me I place the seed safely back into my pocket and stare at the floor in thought.

Another question, when will we be let out of the hospital?

I walk into the room and I'm greeted by a hushed chatter between Zuri and Iris. I can only catch the end of what Zuri is saying,

"... been weird ever since the accident, hasn't she?" I peek the door open to see them sitting on the floor in front of the window. Iris is nodding,

"I wonder if she's trying to avoid us or something. She's definitely more distant than before." I grit my teeth and take a deep breath.

Calm down, they're just being your friends and being worried for you. Include them in something? Maybe that'll help.

I open the door all the way before Zuri can reply. They look up in surprise and I smile,

"The bathroom sucks. Don't use it." They stand from their spots on the floor as if jumping from a fire. Then Iris says,

"Hey Em! We were just about to go looking for you!" I frown and look around for a clock,

"I wasn't gone that long was I?" Zuri shrugs,

"We don't know. But it felt like forever. Then again, we probably just have cabin fever." I nod as I peek out the door,

"You know whenever we get out of here?" There is still nobody here. Not one doctor or nurse or patient walking down the hall.

And it's silent.

"No. But we could always ask one of the Doctors." Iris suggests. I look back into the room,

"And how will we do that?" They exchange glances and Zuri walks to the door. I step aside so she can go into the hallway and as soon as she touches the door handle...

...there are noises outside the door. And when she opens it....

....there are people.