[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200716/92651deaffe07116d0c6b9c8a452d1fe.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/t8RsUyR.jpg[/img]
[sub][color=slategray]With a special guest appearance by [b]Jericho Colby[/b]
Location: Arts Building[/color][/sub][/center]
[hr][hr]

[indent]The Art Building was empty after the scavenger hunt, as Bradley had expected. After a day filled with people, Bradley felt like slipping off. The refreshing, air conditioned breeze that accompanied his arrival was a relief after running around under the New Mexico sun.

The tall boy walked into his favorite room, crossing the empty space in the center to take a seat at his usual spot. The automatic lights flicked on, bathing the room in a soft, yellow light. He was halfway through setting up his canvas, and paints when a low, smooth voice rang out from near the door. [color=slategray][b]“How did I know that you’d be here?”[/b][/color]

[color=66cc66][b]“Maybe it’s because this is the only place I ever am?”[/b][/color] Bradley replied, turning around to see the tall, slender form of [url=https://theundefeated.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/gettyimages-453875380.jpg?w=1500]Mr. Jericho Colby[/url]. 

Colby was the art instructor at San Agustin, approachable, supportive and warm, the kind of teacher every introvert dreams of. Since Bradley had arrived at school, Mr. Colby had been an ever present helping hand, a mentor that he might have been afraid to admit he needed. Most of the teachers in Bradley’s life had passed over him, in favor of people like Erica, but Jericho was able to see Brad’s talent for himself.

[color=66cc66][b]“I’m guessing they sent you to interrogate me?”[/b][/color] Bradley said, turning back around to face his unfinished painting, while Colby took a seat at the easel next to him. His face morphed, a blinding grin cutting across his sharp features. 

[color=slategray][b]“‘Interrogation’ is quite a big word for it. You know we like to check up on you guys, and this is just a chance to do that. How’d you like your team? Second place isn’t too bad, y’know?”[/b][/color]

Bradley smirked. Mr. Colby had a way of padding his questions with compliments, something he learned in whatever course he’d taken before he’d been allowed to teach students. Brad had caught on to it pretty quickly, called him out on it even, but he still went along with it. He liked Colby enough that he was willing to share, at least a little bit. [color=66cc66][b]“They weren’t bad. Wish we could’ve picked our teams though,”[/b][/color] Bradley said.

[color=slategray][b]“Yeah, you and every other kid on campus,”[/b][/color] Colby said, chuckling. [color=slategray][b]“Let me guess, you would’ve preferred Mr. Slater and Mr. Pierce?”[/b][/color]

[color=66cc66][b]“I would’ve.”[/b][/color] Mr. Colby was quiet for a moment. He was used to conversations with Bradley, the short and straightforward answers, offering no more information than he needed to.

[color=slategray][b]“Are you sleeping any better?”[/b][/color]

[color=66cc66][b]“I slept last night, if that’s what you’re asking,”[/b][/color] Bradley replied. The piece in front of him had begun to take on more shape since his session with Hana on Monday. The cityscape was much clearer now, a window to a place that was just out of reach. [color=66cc66][b]“I asked the nurse for some sleeping pills, but she said something about ‘the damage it could do to my developing brain.’”[/b][/color]

[color=slategray][b]“Well, she’s not wrong. It’s important that you learn to be present and mindful of your thoughts, before you start pumping your brain full of chemicals. Did you try the meditation track I sent you?”[/b][/color]

Bradley shook his head, but didn’t meet Mr. Colby’s face. [color=66cc66][b]“I tried, but I got bored. Haven’t tried again,”[/b][/color] he said.

[color=slategray][b]“Well, maybe give it another go. It can’t hurt, y’know?”[/b][/color] Mr. Colby sat silently again, watching while Bradley made the brightest of greens appear against the canvas, delicately poking and prodding with his paintbrush. It was truly something to watch him work.

[color=66cc66][b]“Has my family sent anything yet? My brother?”[/b][/color] Bradley faced Mr. Colby this time watching as his face maintained that soft, comforting smile. 

[color=slategray][b]“Not that I know of. But I’ll check the mail tonight,”[/b][/color] the mentor said, just before standing up and clapping a hand down on Bradley’s shoulder. [color=slategray][b]“Don’t get into too much trouble,”[/b][/color] he said, though his grin didn’t make the warning seem too serious. 

[hr]

Jericho Colby strolled into the elevator, inserted his master key into a lock by the buttons for each floor, and waited patiently as he moved down, down, down below the surface of San Agustin. His interview with Subject #31 had gone better than he’d hoped. Some days, it was impossible to get the boy to talk, despite the rapport he was building. 

He’d need to have a letter written, one that he can say is from his family. Clearly, he’d been thinking about the implanted memories for a bit too long. Hopefully the forgery would do the trick, and get him on track. They didn’t need another problem like they’d had with Subject #50.

It might be worth it as well, to get the subject some sleeping pills. He knew that Wayman wanted to see the effects that Subject #50’s nocturnalism would have on the brain, but providing the medication would win his trust in a big way. Something to consider. The elevator came to a stop, and Jericho walked out into a stark, cold hallway, lined with metal and fluorescent lights. He smiled.  Everything was going according to plan.[/indent]