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Post by Rupert Reynolds on Nov 16, 2015 20:59:00 GMT -8
November 15th, 2011
645 p.m.
Ben tapped his pencil on the desk. It was after hours back home at his actual office, he and Dorothy had closed up shop for the night and would go their separate ways. For Ben, closing time in London just meant that he needed to open up shop at Azkaban. Newly appointed to the position of psycho-analyst here was a change from the norm in the other realm, but he considered himself in a world where nothing was quite normal to begin with. He had to open his mind even further here, knowing that anything could happen at any given moment as it was a magical world. He chuckled to himself, thinking of magical properties and this realm that defied a lot of scientific studies in the muggle world, but exposure to this place made him a lot more susceptible to the dangers of it, but it was well worth the risk as he felt it made him a better psych.
The summons had read for him to be at this location at 7 p.m. to speak with a prisoner who may have some information that was pertinent to an ongoing investigation for the Regime. Fugitives. Many of them meek, innocent refugees who were just trying to survive, others were seen as traitors, enemies, powerful witches and wizards who had it out for the government. This was nothing new to Ben, as he'd seen both types of situations in both realms he lived in. The summons demanded his help and so there he was, sitting patiently at the oakwood desk, a couple of empty chairs across from him, a simple lamp hanging above the desk and other simple furnishings that made this look more like an office instead of an interrogation cell.
With a slight yawn, Ben reached out and opened the file on his desk and took a good look at the photo. EZRA WHYATT was written boldly on the tab of the folder, as well as his mug shot. Narrowing his eyes, Ben looked deep into the photographed eyes of this so-called criminal. They were familiar. PRISONER 317.
"Father: Adam Whyatt, deceased. Mother Carrie Whyatt, aged 60. Brother Daniel Whyatt, aged 29, Imperium G--" That's what Ben got for not reading things for this job to prepare. This guy was here in Azkaban and his brother was a guard? He must have done something terrible. Still, he greatly disliked getting caught by surprise before a session, but he took the information in and kept on reading. "Sister-in-law...nephew...former Auror."
Ezra Whyatt, he repeated to himself. "Age 31." That's what it was. Hogwarts. Ben and Ezra were classmates, he remembered this man. "Graduated Hogwarts in 1997, from Gryffindor house. Certificated Auror by the Ministry of magic...Incarcerated...documented and signed by Daniel Whyatt."
Intrigued? Yes. Ben raised a brow before his eyes skimmed the page again, as he was waiting patiently for one of the guards to bring Ezra to this room. Apparently the boy was an auror prior to the takeover of the current leader, Trevor Williams, and was sent in by his own brother? Ben had seen his share of juicy cases like this but what had his brothers knickers twisted enough to ship him to prison?
The objective was to get this man to talk. Benjamin knew it was going to be a bit of a challenge, and he was going to make it happen. Folding his hands together, Ben eyed the clock and simply waited.
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Post by Ezra Whyatt on Nov 16, 2015 20:59:31 GMT -8
Ezra had forgotten just how awful this place made you feel. It seemed to seep from the inside out, into every inch of the man's body. Sorrow, fear; every horrific memory, guilty memory... It all swum around his head at once.
The break at the ministry for questioning had almost some as a welcome break from the monsters - but now it was all to real again.
Azkaban. What sort of man sent his flesh and blood there?
They said in order to keep your mind in a hell such as this you needed an anchor to reality, some something that couldn't be sucked from you. Dementors took most things. Happy thoughts, every memory of smiles, but there were some things safe from their grasp.
Revenge, anger, they couldn't take that from the man, and Ezra clung to it like a drowning man to a raft. Those thoughts of his brother kept his head above water, although it twisted Ezra in ways he would have ever imagined. When all you could focus on was the anger you felt towards someone you had once called brother? It made a person bitter, a far cry from the happy teenager from school.
Ezra was pulled from his thoughts as the door to his cell as opened with a clanking of old metal. He looked up.
Again? Really? Questioning again?
The man stood and without protest allowed his hands to be shackled, before being lead down into an interrogation room.
The guard directed Ezra to sit down across from the man, and the moment he did the chains leapt to life and hooked through a loop on the shackles. Affectively he wasn't tied down, but the shackles and chains would keep him from moving do far out his seat. Not that he really planned to...
So what now? How different could this interrogation session be? Hopefully painless, though Ezra wasn't going to get too hopeful. The man across from him seemed to just be reading the file in his hands.
Wonder what that says...
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Post by Rupert Reynolds on Nov 16, 2015 21:00:05 GMT -8
The boys hands were secured to the chain that was bound to the floor. Ben didn't bat an eye at this motion, he just kept reading. It was merely standard protocol, to secure the prisoner so he wouldn't break free, and should he break free, not cause harm to the interrogator or the guards. Though he seemed harmless, void of much emotion, Ben wasn't going to let his guard down. The boy was an auror, after all. Boy, Benjamin chuckled inside, he kept referring to prisoner as a boy, even though they shared the same class in school. There were so many prisoners of war, so many prisoners his age.
Ben didn't even look at his client as he flipped through the last of pages in the rather extensive file. He never seemed to make parole, and rightfully so. Ben could almost guess what this young man was capable of, and with a history like this, he could guarantee what he would do with his freedom. The psych looked to the side and gave the motion for the guard to stand back, also letting the guard know that it was his time, and the proper way to get someone to talk was to make them feel comfortable. Whether or not this tactic would work on Ezra Whyatt, had yet to be seen.
"Been a long time, Ezra. Though I must say, I didn't expect to see you in a place like this." Ben finally looked up, folding his hands together again. He secured that gaze, locked eyes with his client, intent on getting that information out of him. The best icebreaker was one of familiarity. The two were not best friends in the least. In fact, the two had gotten into it over some childish issue on more than one occasion at school. It was either the wrong way or a perfect way to get some sort of ground with Ezra. Ben kept his tone neutral and warm, not to be condescending in the least. He really never though any of his generation would see a status like "Prisoner of War" or "Fugitive", but as he learned not to discount anything from life. Anything could happen.
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Post by Ezra Whyatt on Nov 16, 2015 21:00:31 GMT -8
"Been a long time, Ezra. Though I must say, I didn't expect to see you in a place like this."
Ezra looked up and his breath came out in a low whistle. Benny Reynolds (he'd always loathed Ezra calling him that). Altercations between the two head strong boys hadn't exactly been common, but more often than many others. Quidditch team rivalry had been a bone of contention if Ezra remembered rightly, back when Ezra had finally made his house team in fourth year.
Perhaps the pair had been childish, but they were grown adults now. Now the issues dividing them were far more important than petty fowls during games and who beat who on which test. No, Ezra and the other man were separated by something far greater than a simple metal table.
"Same to you, Benny..." Ezra cracked a smirk, though it didn't reach his eyes. Now that the dementors had retreated a little Ezra could feel his mind clearing somewhat.
"I wish I'd known you were coming, I'd have tidied up..." The humour was forced, and didn't even reach his voice let alone his expressions.
This was a turn of events Ezra hadn't expected, a break from the mundane hell of this place though.
[[Hope this is okay, if you don't like any of the back story I can edit. Also I'd be up for Ezra knowing some of your ex-aurors if you want]][/size] |
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Post by Rupert Reynolds on Nov 16, 2015 21:00:51 GMT -8
Ben grinned smugly, and shook his head as Ezra called him by his nickname. It was all coming back to him now, especially after his clever little quip. The vulgar and downright rude chatter on the Quidditch field, the scuffles in the hall, and once in a while the random shared comments with one another about 'that one girl' in their class. Those were just faint memories now, memories of boys who went into Hogwarts and left seasons veterans of a war that tore the magical world apart. They once had fought on the same side of the field, and now there they were, on opposite sides of the table, one doctor, one client, and a long list of things to discuss. Whether or not Ezra would talk would be up to him, as Ben refused to use the disgusting tools of physical torture to pull any memory or knowledge out from behind the rock of repression or rather, anyone unwilling.
"Still have your wits about you, even after everything that's happened." Ben couldn't help but chuckle, tapping his finger on the file that sat before him. He knew that most of the prisoners told him that keeping the humor, wit and or cynicism handy helped keep light in this dark place. "Quite an interesting scenario we have here. But please, I'm not going to try any of those awful tricks I'm sure you've endured with my predecessors..." He eyed the guard in disgust. It wasn't a direct insult or anything, just a subtle glance to let them know he wasn't agreeing with a lot of their old fashioned ways.
"I'm here to talk." And that, he was. Ben was hired to speak with Ezra about his past, more focused on the Aurors. He had been informed that Ezra was a closed book, an impossible endeavor. But as a well-traveled psych, Ben learned to open up the door with a nice warm welcome, no matter how cold the surroundings were, and Azkaban was pretty much as cold as it could get.
{{That's fine, hon! Agreed that if we're uncomfortable introducing certain elements of the past or implications made we'll let each other know lol. Feel free to use any history/my Auror info ^_^}}
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Post by Ezra Whyatt on Nov 16, 2015 21:01:26 GMT -8
Oh, you didn't want to get into a game of wits with Ezra. He had always been quick with a line, a come back, most anything to amuse those around him and often cut down the person it was directed at.
"Still have your wits about you, even after everything that's happened."
Ezra's eye brow quirked upwards, though it was an effort to look so care free even with the wait of the dementors weighing down on his shoulders.
"We have to keep our sense of humour, Benny. Else how would I me any different from those who guard me..." There was and icy, serious edge to the end of Ezra's statement, as their often was when the topic of the dementors came up.
Even with Ezra's coping mecognism, the effect the monsters had on his was still great. Sure right now, with them a safe distance away it was easier, but often Ezra could sink into moods so dark the only emotion he had left to cling to was blind anger and revenge.
"...But please, I'm not going to try any of those awful tricks I'm sure you've endured with my predecessors..."]
Darkness clouded Ezra's eyes and his jaw set in a hard line. Memories of some of those sessions were not welcome. The most ridiculas part of the whole thing was Ezra simply didn't have the answers they wanted. They wanted were abouts of ex-Aurors in hiding, but that was not information Ezra had. The reason he'd let them believe it for so long was, well as long as they thought they could glean informational from him then he'd stay alive.
Staying alive, that was the goal after all.
"Feel free, Benny. Everyone else has had a crack..."
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Post by Rupert Reynolds on Nov 16, 2015 21:01:49 GMT -8
There was a ferocity in Ezra's facial expression, a ferocity that Ben couldn't describe with much else except how fierce it was. His gaze was cold, his words matter-of-fact and his mannerisms were restrained so he didn't move much, express himself as much with his hands as he spoke, mostly because he couldn't. By the looks of it, he succumbed to this persona, this life as a prisoner and gave in to the fact that he didn't have much to live for, when in fact in these walls, this was very true.
Benny. As if they were best friends. Ben just smiled and looked him dead in the eye before he spoke up. "Ezra, I suppose I'll cut out the nice candy coating for you since I'm sure that's what you're expecting. You know me, I know you but the you I knew from school isn't the same from who sits before me now. I can't just pretend like we're old buddies sitting at a tavern sharing stories over a nice mug of ale, now can I?"
It might have felt like a tavern in Azkaban, with the sweat, piss and nonsensical chatter echoing the halls, creating a false feeling of company. It sure as hell was not good company. Ben now opened the extensive file to Ezra's history, one that extended for a few pages, but there are pieces missing, sounding like they were almost tampered with, between graduation and his incarceration. There was no malice between Ben and his client, regardless of whether or not Ezra still held on to their schoolyard rilvalry. Ben had a handler, that handler wanted answers, answers that Ezra wasn't giving up, at least not without a fight.
"It's simple. The whereabouts of your friends. Aurors. Says you became an auror right out of school and in a certain amount of time, I'm sure you grew to know many important names." Ben raised an eyebrow at the gentleman sitting across from him, hoping he would take the hint to speak up now. Hopefully, he'd spit out words worth something. But something made Ben feel like it wasn't going to be that easy.
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Post by Ezra Whyatt on Nov 16, 2015 21:01:59 GMT -8
Oh Wasn't it nice of old Benny to "cut out the candy coating". Honestly he doubted this old "friend" had anything new to threaten him with. How many men had attempted to get out of him what he didn't actually know?
To many... Some with words and some with wands but non had gotten anything out of him, purely because he didn't know.
Of course he couldn't say that though, that would most likely spell execution for him. Or a dementors kiss... Whichever the government felt like on a particular day.
That would be enough to normally send a shiver down a normal person's back - but it wasn't the first time Ezra had had those thoughts. It was just a normal possible future now. If he lived in fear of that, then that was all he would feel. Ever. He had to accept the possibility of that fate in order to move past it and he'd done that.
"I'll give you one name," Ezra leaned forward as if he was was about to impart some huge secret. He attempted to move his hand onto the desk to rest them, but the chain was just to short so quickly gave up.
"Michael Owen. Location six feet under." Ezra's eyes narrowed at his own mention of his ex partner.
"Not all orders were taken into custody. I was junior enough not to be a thread. Michael wasn't lucky enough. They cursed him dead on sight. Wonderful government don't you think?"
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Post by Rupert Reynolds on Nov 16, 2015 21:02:50 GMT -8
Owen. Ben recalled seeing that in his file. "Ah yes. Michael Owen," he repeated. "If memory serves, I read something about you and Mr. Owen." Flipping through the pages, Ben finally reached the section of Ezra's serving as an Auror. "Your partner, right? Says here he committed the act of treason by acting against the new regime by fighting the officers that eventually led to your escape, correct?"
As he spoke, the Doc looked at his client dead in the eye and watched for any reaction, any minute twitch, heavy breathing, perspiration, anything. He never liked this part, making someone relive a painful moment of their life, but it was very vital to his investigation. Ben tried to reenact the events of the situation in his head, and could see Ezra with his partner fleeing from the newly appointed Guard. He might not have much respect for the way of the regime, but in his neutrality, Ben had it in his head to go with the flow, as was the necessity to survive.
Ben had no answer for his final question. Ben had many reservations about Williams and the "new way of life" but with the guard present, he was smart not to say a damn thing. He just grinned at Ezra's sarcasm. "Other names, Ezra." One by one, photographs were being revealed. "Any faces look familiar?" Ben asked as he kept dropping photographs on the table, laying them out in a spread, in hopes to get an answer. So many faces, either dead or alive, but it was up to Ezra to answer.
"Here. Alexandra Winter. One of the most talented women of her generation, an auror. Lover of Sirius Black, mother to this young woman, Kara O'Donnell." Ben paused. He recognized this girl, a few years his senior at Hogwarts, and another prisoner here. Perhaps they were trying to throw in her name to see if it triggered anything with Ezra? She had climbed the ranks quickly, and was a notorious fugitive, and criminal. Tsk tsk, he looked at her photo, what a waste. "Mrs. O'Donnell is--was of the Aurors and has ties to the former Minister Darque who is now at large. She is also good friends with this man, who is a prime target."
It was Casey Winslow, though he refrained from saying his name. Maybe Ezra would recognize him, maybe Ezra would give a tell about knowing him, that change of heartbeat, shifting in his chair, rapid blinking. Casey was the main name he was told to drop, but for now Ben waited to see if he would say anything at all. "These are the Aurors of your time. Surely you recognize someone."
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Post by Ezra Whyatt on Nov 16, 2015 21:03:13 GMT -8
 xx
An act of treson... That was laughible. Micheal Owen was one of the loyal people Ezra had ever known and was the best mentor he could have asked for. The fact was, Owen had died because he wouldn't have ever backed down. Out of all those Aurors from so long ago, Owen would have never flipped sides, so in the minds of the new guard, he was a liability. Ezra wasn't sure what would of happened to him if he had stayed side by side with his mentor to fight, though in the end he'd followed Owen's order and had run. The man had promised to be right behind him, but now Ezra could see that had been the man's plan all along. Owen's had given up his life for his partner to escape, and what had Ezra done? Walked straight into a trap and practically handed himself over.
Rooky mistake.
Ezra's eyes tightened and his jaw set as Old Benny recounted the circumstances of his mentor's death.
"Treason? Oh Benny, if you really believe that then ravenclaw's standards are really slipping"
The photos which were spread out on the table set the convicts lips into a thin line. Of course he knew those faces, every face. They'd been his acquaintances, his co-workers. Back in the day where the ministry had welcomes them into the auror's office before they were sent of on assignment.
"These are the Aurors of your time. Surely you recognize someone."
Winslow... Now that was a new face. He hadn't been questioned over his ware-abouts before... The man's eyebrow raised, before looking from the pictures up to the old classmate.
"Of course I recognise them. I'm not an idiot Benny. But I've been stuck in a cell since my deer brother put me here after the take over. What makes you think I know where they are? And more to the point? What makes you think I'd tell you?" Of course, the reality was Ezra had no idea. Sure he'd known inklings of where Aurors would go into hiding once apon a time but now? they were probably long disused or discovered. Ezra had no idea really, though he'd never admit it. Admitting it would just sign his execution warrent.
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Post by Rupert Reynolds on Nov 16, 2015 21:03:38 GMT -8
If Ben was good at anything, it was listening, and that's how and why he landed this gig in the first place. He listened to Ezra's witty remarks, answers to his questions--though they were answers that Ben already knew. The doc was aware that Ezra knew half of these people since they were all alumni of the magic school, Hogwarts. Others were prominent figures in the Potter days of Lord Voldemort now convicted criminals, fugitives and what have you.
Unfortunately, he wasn't visiting Ezra to just horse around. Ben slammed the palm of his hand on the metal table and the loud thud rang throughout the stone room. "Whyatt, we are not in school any longer. Ravenclaw's standards, if you recall, base their statements and views from facts and logic. Logically, you're here because you're seen as a criminal. A dangerous person, a killer. Regardless of what you've done that would speak otherwise, it is what is the current circumstance. The Court has been willing to look at your case, Ezra. See if you'll say what they want to hear, and that's why I'm here. To re-evaluate your situation. If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm trying to help you."
A beat of silence.
"They just want to know who these people are. Names, location, if you have any recollection of their whereabouts or dealings with other people. Refrain from doing so, and you're stuck here. Now it's unfortunate that your own blood turned against you in such away that has twisted your view on us outsiders, but we need this information if you even dream of breathing fresh air. Face it, Ezra. I'm your ticket out of here. That's why you would tell me."
He also hoped that Whyatt set aside any grievances from their childhood to realize that he truly was trying to help him. Upon reading his file, Ben noted that he could be of use to the new regime and he would be damned if any of the other blokes took him in and damaged him even more. His acquaintance had potential, and Ben wanted to help him.
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Post by Ezra Whyatt on Nov 16, 2015 21:04:04 GMT -8
xx
Oooh, he'd made Benny angry! Woops. The slam of a flat palm on the metal table didn't so much as cause a flinch from Ezra. This wasn't the first time... Not by a long shot. Allot of people, mostly death eaters had had their crack at Whyatt, some with words like Ben but most had used their wands.
Instead of cowering or apologizing like no doubt Ben wanted Ezra just held his gaze, a cold stare which held none of the laughter Ezra the Gryffindor had been known for.
Fresh air... How long had it been? There had been that transfer to the ministry cellar cells for questioning some months ago. Sure it had been different air, but just as cold, dank. To feel the the breeze on his face, the sun shine against his skin... Damn it... It was tempting.
"The Court has been willing to look at your case, Ezra."... "If you even dream of breathing fresh air"... "I'm your ticket out of here."
This was a new angle. Anger, countless times, fear too... But a promise of freedom? Damn it... Ezra's eyes fluttered closed, and the chains clanked and strained as he stained to pull his hands up to pull at his hair. Not a chance, damn it.
"I am no criminal." The words were low, quiet, but stood between them. "I may be in this place, but I am no criminal. I am not and will not be the one us who is supporting the Government who's having adults and children thrown into hells like this for their blood line."
Damn it... What Ben was offering. A second trial. A chance at the life he'd lost what felt so long ago. Ezra's eyes opened staring at the man. They'd been so similar, such potential filled young men. And now this...
" Daniel sold himself to the devil for power and put his own brother in here. If you wanted to help me, you wouldn't be asking me to do the same." Ezra's jaw set as he looked at the man he once called his equal.
" I'm sorry, Ben. Whatever I was accused of to land me in here wouldn't be as bad as what I would be doing to get out."
" If you even dream of breathing fresh air..." One day... If he didn't die in here that was.
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Post by Rupert Reynolds on Nov 16, 2015 21:04:31 GMT -8
"A moment, please?" Most doctor's in Ben's position may have kept the guards inside the interrogation cell for the duration of this volatile situation. He wasn't like most, though. Nodded at the two guards standing inside here and dismissed them from their posts, to show Ezra that he needed to give Ben a little more trust than he was actually giving him now...which of course meant any at all.
The room was dead quiet now, and Ben's cold-as-steel eyes rested on his former classmate with deep intent. He allowed the prisoner to speak freely and listened to his words carfefully. I am no criminal, Of course, this is what most criminals said, especially the crazy ones. But Ben was giving Ezra the benefit of the doubt. All those charges, all of the crimes listed in his file were simply because of his stance, not because he was a maniac. "...adults and children into hells like this for their bloodline..."
Ben nodded. Ezra had a point, but Ben didn't want his classmate to become a martyr, a mere pawn in this grand scheme. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a magical quill and took a slight risk as he wrote onto a parchment laid out on the table. He was sure Ezra recognized the quill as a pen they used in class, often to write notes to each other they didn't want others to see. The ink would only be displayed if wet, something that he was sure Ezra had access too in his cell, much easier to access than flame.
Eyes and ears were everywhere so he began to write as he spoke, keeping his eyes forward and the message brief. "I understand your wishes, I understand your loyalty to your family. I am willing to help you where others wish to hurt you for answers you know you are not going to give up. All we're looking for is a few names and whereabouts. The ranks of the Aurors are all very honorable, upheld but a code to stick together no matter the cost. This having been said, my bosses are sure that you may know who these people are and where they might be. Very important information, important information that may benefit you, Ezra. I am trying to help you become a free man."
Folding up the parchment, Ben began to pack up his files into his briefcase and he stood up as if he was to take off. He placed the parchment in his hand beneath his business card, which concealed it with ease. "Now, if you may wish to reconsider or if you need to speak with me at all, have the Guards contact me and I shall return." He reached down and shook Ezra's hand, placing the items in it and releasing it after a moment of looking into his eyes. Ben hoped he would come into contact soon.
"Guard!" Ben looked over at the door, then to Ezra to give a final nod. He secretly wished that the conversation may have gone in a different direction, but as many patients he'd seen like this, here in the prison -- he felt a little bit of progress was actually made.
"Doctor?" The Guard entered to his post beside the doorframe and looked over to the Ben.
"I'm done here." The doctor buttoned up his suit jacket and smoothed out the cloth before retrieving the briefcase and he gave Ezra one last acknowledgement before departing. "See you soon, Ezra."
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Post by Ezra Whyatt on Nov 16, 2015 21:05:04 GMT -8
xx
"A moment, please?"
It wasn't the first time all spectators had been removed from the room - though that was normally so there were no witnesses to what happened to Ezra. Once an interrogator had left his wand altogether and had gone all "muggle". Ezra had been chained in the same manor as he'd been today and had been beaten for around half an hour for information. The most the ex auror was able to do was try to lunge away, but he couldn't cover his face, nor retaliate.
Somehow, Ezra doubted that was what Old Benny had in store though... He didn't seem the sort to resort to brute force.
Whatever Ezra had expected from his former class mate... Well it hadn't been this...
Ezra swallowed, listening to the offer. The damn tempting offer. This place changed a man, it made you yearn for a different world, any different life and now it was being offered to him on a silver platter.
The chains clinked as Ezra raised his hands, wishing to pinch the bridge of his nose although was thwarted by the iron work.
"I will not betray my colluges, Ben I cannot give you what you wish. This place sucks ever peice of humanity from you, but this. And I will not allow you to take it from me either..."
And now it was over. Time was up. Apparently Ben was going to waste no more time on the likes of Ezra. He allowed his hand to be shaken and returned the nod before Ben left... back to freedom. There was something in his hand. Ezra's hand itched to open but came to his senses as the guards voice filled the room.
"Prisoner 317, Whyatt. Prepare for transport."
It wasn't the first time, Ezra followed prosedure. He offered his clenched fists up and was cuffed a second time before the first were released and he was lead away.
It was only once he was alone in his cell Ezra dared open his hand and discover the contense.
The first peice was of paper was a buisness card, with ways of reaching the man Ezra had spent the best part of an hour with. The second though? That was interesting. Hand written. It was small, messy writing (typical Doctors) and difficult to read in the dim light of the cell. Ezra squinted close to the page and slowly began to desirer the words.
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