To fall short. {~open~} [PLOT]

[Maku]

Maku was plauged with distress. He had no idea what was inside of him, causing him to tear at the seams. A rash had developed on his body. It made his muscles sore and he was terribly itchy. Maku had thought that Freakopolis was a place that was quite sterile when it came to disease. But he was wrong. All of his symptoms started a few days ago. He woke up and- Bam! He wasn't as hungry as he used to be, his head wasn't screwed on tight, and he didn't leave his cell. Maku felt terrible, like when he had the flu at home. He didn't go the infirmary because he didn't have the energy, but today he was feeling desperate for help.

The boy wore a red jacket that was wrinkled and a black shirt underneath. It was chilly and running a fever didn't help him feel any warmer. His blue faded jeans were just a wrinkled, if not more. He had lied in bed for three days with the same clothes on. He was just lucky to not have done any work on his body to make him perspire. But he really needed a shower. The courtesy he did was at least put on some deoderent he found. Maku didn't stink. He was content with that. His hair was messy and he dragged his feet in the dirt as he walked.

Exhaustion barely got him out of the cell blocks. Maku was no more that a few yards from the infirmary, but his body couldn't support anymore. He tried to push, but the lack of food and energy made his body say no more. Maku was too dizzy to see straight and he felt like he was going to throw up. The boy collapsed in a patch of grass, panting strenuously. Everything was going black in his eyes. A voice in his head smirked and mocked him "Why not take a nap?" He sighed out a final breath, closing his eyes. Maybe he could try to get to the infirmary later?.. Just maybe.

[Demetrio]

Well. Sometimes even he was surprised by his own bad luck. Demetrio had woken this morning in his cell feeling ill. He'd been fine the past few days since he had left the infirmary the first time. But now, two days later, he ached all over and felt a dizzy spell every several minutes. He couldn't remember the last time he had eaten something, perhaps more than a day before. Demetrio frowned and glanced down at his right hand. The beginnings of a rash had started to show within the last couple hours. He scratched at it. Definitely not poison ivy, oak, or anything similar. Since arriving in Freakopolis he had heard a lot about the disease spreading throughout the area. Apparently Demetrio had caught it.

He was making his way back to the infirmary for the second time this week. That many visits within the same week almost never boded well. It was probably a good thing he was heading to the infirmary. He was starting to hear voices. Not the interesting kind of voices, either, but ones from his past he rather would leave him alone.

"Hope you're okay, Gramps," he muttered. Demetrio stopped as the infirmary building came into sight. A person had collapsed and was on the ground. The shape looked male, but it was hard to tell from this distance. He advanced on the figure and determined the person was indeed a guy. A knee bent and he knelt there beside the person. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be barely breathing. Perhaps he was in a later stage of the disease than himself? Demetrio reached out and gave the man a few gentle slaps on the cheek to try and wake him. "Hey, guy. What's your name?" He tried another gentle tap, purposefully being careful. Demetrio's power was that of Negation. He didn't know what this stranger could do, and while the guy's power wouldn't be as strong while they were this close, he would rather err on the side of caution. Never know when there is a possibility of having your eyebrows singed off or something.

[Maku]

So far so good. This sleep was going well for Maku. He was having a fever dream, but one of the good, psychedelic ones. The colors in his mind melded and meshed as he walked through the lucid dream. His mind was in a flurry of blended colors, and yet, lying on the ground was not really his intention. After collapsing to the ground, he had curled up in a ball to keep warm. His bulky clothing hadn't done too well to keep him warm. The brisk winds would easily pierce the fabric. And a shiver would course through him.

But he was abruptly awoken by a series of quick slaps to the face. They weren't aggressive but more of jostle to see if Maku was really alive. He peeked open an eye to look at the man crouching in front of him. Maku was soon addressed by a baritone voice. "Hey, guy. What's your name?" Maku laughed slightly. He wasn't sure whether or not he was still dreaming. He still was a bit dizzy, even from lying on the ground. Aggression was the last thing on his mind. Maku just rolled over, away from the man. He was then prostrate on his back, staring at the artificial sky and clouds. "You're not just another figment of my dream, right?..." Either he had a screw loose, or he was too down the road of illness to even focus anymore.

He raised a hand, almost to dismiss that last comment and sighed out, "I'm Maku. Not Guy. And you, Mister Whosiwhatsit?" A screw loose. Definitely. Maku was too tired to even move and food deprived. His stomach growled softly and he just really wanted to get to the infirmary. At least then he'd be warm. And maybe, he could get some aspirin. Or even something to snack on. Whatever he could get his hands onto. He could just get this man to help him there, if he'd be willing too. The man seemed good enough, considering he woke him up without smashing his face in. That was always a plus.

[Demetrio]

"You're not just another figment of my dream, right?..."

Demetrio laughed, a loud guffaw rising from his throat. He would definitely need to help this guy out if he thought he was seeing things. Admittedly, the thought of playing off that point occurred to Demetrio, but that would have been cruel to an ill man. The stranger introduced himself as Maku. Interesting name. Demetrio grasped the hand Maku had used to dismiss his earlier words, and shook it.

"Demetrio. No, I'm not a figment of your imagination. I'm quite real." He chuckled. Perhaps a little playing wouldn't hurt too much. "At least I think I am. We all have our own version of what we think reality is, anyway. I'll just intrude upon yours for a while." A grin curled his lips and exposed white teeth. "How about we get you to the infirmary and cleaned up? Food?" His grip tightened on Maku's hand as he tried to lift the man to his feet. Demetrio made the process slow, as he felt his own body losing strength; and silently kept hope Maku would catch on and help him by trying to help himself.

[Maku]

The laugh that ruptured through the man made Maku uncomfortable. But not because he was laughing, but because it was loud. Maku had a slight headache from his lack of energy, and the man's loudness made him cringe slightly. Not to mention that after he raised his hand, the man took in and shook it rather forcibly. Maku didn't even register it as a hand shake, not giving much of a squeeze back. He didn't like being sick, let alone being so weak that he couldn't even properly give someone a handshake.

The man identified himself as Demetrio. It was a peculiar name to Maku, but he didn't dwell on it. He just half listened to Demetrio talk, noticing that he was trying to confuse Maku with his feverish uncertainty of reality. But then the man said something that made Maku happy. "How about we get you to the infirmary and cleaned up? Food?" Maku grinned. Food was what got him. Maku was so hungry, and all he wanted was warm, delicious food. He quickly replied, "Yes. Food, please. I'm quite starving." And in no time at all, he was pulled to his feet by Demetrio. Maku could support himself, if he was just standing, but walking was a different story. He used Demetrio as a support to walk. At least at this rate he would get to the infirmary.

OOC: This is still open to other people

[Mara Ackart]

"Blasted illness."

Mara bemoaned her current state as she dragged her weakened body towards the infirmary. She'd realized it shortly after the encounter between Claude and Sulley. The inordinate amount of weakness she felt had to be an illness. Judging by what was happening to everyone else and the whispers she heard she had probably caught whatever it was that was killing the mutants. She couldn't afford to die yet. There were too many people that needed to die before her.

That was why Mara was working her way to the building, step by step. Her head was hung low, not from emotion but lack of strength. Thus she didn't notice the pair of men until she was almost upon. They looked in nearly the same shape as she. More victims on their way to the infirmary. On closer examination she noticed that one of them was Maku. Mara frowned as she came level with them. Last she had seen he hadn't even known his mutation. To die like that was not fair. It would be just another in an ever lengthening list of reasons for her to survive this and kill the people that had instituted this place.

[Demetrio]

Demetrio grunted from the effort it took to keep both himself and Maku on their feet. The closer the two of them got to the infirmary it seemed the faster his strength was deserting him. From the mention of food earlier, he realized his own stomach was making itself known for the first time in the past couple days. His appetite had returned for the time being. That was something, at least. The goal for the next several minutes was to keep themselves moving at a slow walk and to not exhaust themselves further with unnecessary movements.

"Keep up the good work, kid."

He was too busy with the situation of Maku and himself that a woman came up to them without him even noticing. So much for being an observant individual. Secretly, he had prided himself on the fact he could usually detect others before he could see them. Blast. Demetrio kept the duo moving, leaving the woman to do what she would. Paying her any mind now without being hailed by said woman would only be a waste of precious energy that could otherwise be put to use reaching the infirmary.

[Mara Ackart]

The man supporting Maku stayed blissfully silent as she trudged along beside them aside from a comment meant to bouy Maku's spirit. Talking wasn't high on Mara's list of things to do right now anyway. With the sheer exhaustion she felt moving was as much as she could manage anyway. For someone whose mutation involved movement such a slow down was killer. Mara was used to viewing the world at 200 mph. Now she could barely manage a footstep a minute.

"Ugh."

The sound escaped Mara involuntarily as a reaction to the situation. Just wanting to get this long trek overwith Mara summoned up what energy she could to speed herself up. She didn't have the focus at the moment to just do herself so the result would be that she'd speed up the two beside her as well. As she exerted her will she noticed quite a drop in effectiveness. All she got for her trouble was something short of a normal gait.

[Maku]

It was funny to consider. Maku was just a teen who enjoyed sleeping, and at this time, that was all he wanted to do. But the enticing thought of food for a few days made it so much harder to think about sleeping. Not to mention Demetrio supporting him to the infirmary. Maku could help but wonder if he was even pulling his own weight, or if it was Demetrio doing all the work. But the feeling of bearing his own weight was getting to him, and he didn't want to rely too much on Demetrio to get to the infirmary. But despite his lack of strength, the man gave Maku a bit of praise.

"Keep up the good work, kid."

Maku kept his laugh within himself. 'What work? I'm too sick to even move...' Demetrio didn't let on that he, himself, was sick, so Maku believed Demetrio had no idea what he was going through. But Maku continued to walk with him. The fuzzy vision impaired him in direction, and a burning sensation, Maku wanted to pick at, began to erupt on his back. He was feeling in the greatest of uncomfortability, and his single mission at the time was to get to the infirmary. He felt Demetrio knew where he was going, so he just closed his eyes and walked.

Maku had yet to notice Mara until she groaned in disdain. He really wanted to stop and say hi, or a few words, but the sick feeling made that reality impossible. Even speaking took energy, meaning precious words needed to be spared. Luckily, they could spend some time conversing later, considering that they were approaching the infirmary, and were no more distant than a few yards. What a relief. But the slow crawl of their movements made this walk last forever. And Maku didn't have forever.

[Mara Ackart]

They were almost there. Mara could threaten the nurses into giving her something, pass out for a bit, and then get moving again. There was no way in heaven, hell, or earth that she was going to let a little thing like an illness stop her. The men at her side provided nothing, except a little mental support to keep her going. After all they were men, the supposedly stronger sex. That she could keep going on her own where they were left supporting each other. Once she was better she'd probably smirk at that.

[Demetrio]

Demetrio trudged along with the other two in relative silence between them all. All of them were sick with the recent disease, even though Maku seemed to have the worst case. He startled slightly when he next looked up in the direction of the infirmary and stopped momentarily. The last time he'd taken a look at the infirmary, the building had still been several yards away. The group had been making painfully slow progress. And yet, there it was now, right in front of them. The last leg of the journey had gone extremely quicker than the rest of it.

The infirmary stood before them in all its sterile glory. There were doubtless others here that had also contracted the disease. Indeed, mutants could be seen entering the place at that moment. Demetrio followed them inside, creating a caravan of illness as they all tried to crowd in. The small assemblage cleared as people found their own rooms and free beds. This he mimicked, walking down several rows until an unoccupied bed came into view. Maku was slowly set down upon it and Demetrio tried to make the kid as comfortable as he could. It would be up to the nurses and doctors of this place to care for him now.

Demetrio turned to the woman that had come with him and Maku. All he wanted was a mattress and a decent pillow under his head for some rest. The last thing he wanted to do was have a long conversation, so he intended this to be brief. He suspected their sped up pace was due, in part, to her. "May I ask your name?"

[Mara Ackart]

Once inside the infirmary Mara finally relaxed as she accompanied the man to a bed. She watched him put Maku down and do his best to make him comfortable. Mara herself was exhausted but she couldn't help but be puzzled by the concern this guy had showed for someone that appeared to be a complete stranger to him. That sort of concern was foreign to Mara. True she helped strangers sometimes but that was generally when she felt it would serve a purpose.

"Mara."

She didn't say anything more. The woman didn't have the strength to and didn't care enough to force herself. With a nod at the man she dragged her depleted frame to an empty cot and collapsed on it. As sweet oblivion overtook her she briefly wondered if she'd exposed Sulley to this. If so she hoped he was ok. The man couldn't die before she figured him out. That would just be cruel.

[Demetrio]

"Call me Demetrio."

Mara. Interesting name. It rolled off the tongue nicely.

Demetrio watched and followed behind her until she fell from exhaustion onto a cot. It would not have been a surprise if she had been asleep even before her head hit the pillow. There was one more thing to take care of before he could do likewise. He had promised Maku food. Skipping out on that promise wasn't something he could just let go. Not when it was to a young boy. He searched the infirmary until he found a small cafeteria area and coaxed the cook on duty to get off his rump and prepare some grub. The cook did so and handed over a glass of water and a plate piled with various fruits and some sort of sandwich that he couldn't identify. Demetrio snuck an apple slice from the plate, eating it to make his own stomach shut up for a while until he could rest.

As he passed by Maku's bed he set the plate down where the kid could get to it whenever he wished. With a wave he went on his own quest to wander and find a cot of his own. He yawned and stumbled when he tried to move his feet, nearly falling onto the sleeping Mara. He had the impression that would have been a bad thing to make her angry. And a sleepy anger, no less.

After gaining his footing and a stable standing pose, he moved on and found another unoccupied cot. He weakly dropped onto it, his strength suddenly vanishing from his body. That wasn't good. Demetrio cursed as heaviness came to his eyelids and they began to close. He wasn't one to pray, but he truly hoped that this was only exhaustion catching up with him and not eternal sleep. He swore if he died like this, he would haunt whoever created this place and those that put him here.

[Maku]

In no time at all, or rather, what felt like a tired eternity, they had entered the infirmary. Immediately, Maku was placed in a cot by the help of Demetrio, and rolled up comfortably. The room was considerably warmer than it was outside, and he could now address Mara and Demetrio with a lack of care for energy spent. A slight exchange of words were passed by Mara and Demetrio before it became silent. Demetrio had left, and the breathing rhythm of the room was just between him, Mara, and others who wandered aimlessly around. Maku stared at the ceiling. It's dingy and pale colors reflected the stereotypical infirmary. He couldn't make heads or tails if it was a good or bad thing. 'It's sterile, but really depressing...' He thought to himself.

Maku then rolled onto his side, facing Mara. She looked just as exhausted as he was. He wondered if she had the same sickness. It was possible... He took a deep breath, before smiling to her. "I learned a little about my mutation, Mara..." He immediately rolled back over, staring at the ceiling once more. He said it more just to let her know that he was now coming to terms with his mutation. He couldn't help that he was still fearing the unknown, but it was a gradually diminishing fear.

Demetrio soon returned, the sound of his footsteps slow and dragged, like he was just as tired. Another sound proceeded as a ceramic clink settled down on a bed side table. Maku turned his head at the plate to see... food! A grin crossed his face, as he looked over to Demetrio. "Thanks Demetrio." Maku's hand reached for the plate, and yet, it was just out of reach. He rolled toward the plate, now on his stomach, and started by picking up a sandwich from his hand. He dug his teeth into the bread, and chewed slowly. He swallowed roughly, the food not entirely processed. Maku sighed, set the sandwich back down, and rolled on his back. His heavy eyes closed, and opened once more, the lull of sleep cascading him. With a final stretch and yawn, Maku curled up in his jacket, falling asleep.