Chapter Text
The private investigator had gotten captured around 5 days ago, if his timing was right. He was sat in a cell, maskless and quite honestly scared. He'd been in the foundation before just not… forcefully taken. Bran was silent. Under every other single circumstance, this would have brought Simon some semblance of relief. But not this time. Not even when they interrogated him, Bran was still stupidly and uselessly silent. Simon was brooding in his cell, trying to form a coherent plan. It wasn’t really working at the moment. It felt like someone had thrown a rock at his brain stem. That was the usual kind of feeling, but he was thrown off by the buzzing cold lights that they kept on for much too long. If his headaches weren’t bad usually, they were definitely horrible by now. Simon got up from the empty bed, fixing to stretch his legs. He'd managed to negotiate out with some brunette doctor for some books. They still refused to give him back his mask though. He assumed it was because 1, he technically stole it from them and 2, the little freaks wanted to study it. He thumbed through the stack of books so graciously gifted to him just yesterday. Lord of The Flies, a Harry Potter installment, a random book on bird classifications and To Kill a Mockingbird along with a couple taunting cookbooks were his options. Where on Earth did they find these? The closet of some poor slaughtered MTF agent? Simon grabbed the bird book in an attempt to hopefully entertain himself. He was hopelessly reminded of his own budgie as he flipped through the pages. Page 32 had a tear in it. Page 104 had leakage from something disgusting plastered over the eating habits of ducks. He tossed the book back over towards the lackluster pile and re-stretched himself on the mattress. Oh, how he missed Leila. And maybe Dumpling. When he wasn’t trying to take baths in his water glasses. Soon enough, the lights dimmed and he snuck back off to sleep.
They'd found him because as he was human, he'd need to eat. It was late one night and he was out of really everything edible in his rented room. Nothing frozen, the fruit had gone bad, he finished all the bread yesterday and besides, it was around 11. What kind of weirdo wanted to feed themselves at 11 pm? Definitely not Simon. He had better things to do, like internetstalk fellow YouTubers and research the best tea companies. So, as any rational fellow would do, he hopped in his car and went to McDonalds. How embarrassing it was, to be found in a McDonalds of all places. If the Keter classes wouldn't take him out, the pure shame would. At least the Keter class would kill him as he was attempting an escape. More valiant than crying himself to sleep. And in that McDonalds he stood, having the debate of whether to order the chicken nuggets or a burger. It was a very important debate. Simon was so caught up in his exhaustion and thoughts that he failed to notice the man behind him who very well could have been having the same exact debate. Bran’s attempt at warning Simon (A miniscule flicker upon the menu screens), went unnoticed. Simon was still pissed at him and closed him off weeks ago. The man behind him happened to be an SCP agent. How positively delightful. Backup was quickly called without Simon's knowledge, and now here he sat in a cold cell alone. He didn't even get to eat that McDonalds.
The uncomfortably bright lights were turned on at the usual time. Somewhere between 3 AM and 4 PM. Simon was undoubtedly clockless.
He spent hours swapping between pacing and flipping through the random pile of books.
The door was carefully opened sometime in what must have been the afternoon. Simon's back had been to the door, and he turned too slowly to see the offender. He was nearly pleased to discover they'd left him (assumedly) breakfast. It was different from yesterday. Today it was something that couldn't be bothered to figure out if it wanted to be chili or chicken soup. The investigator sat cross legged in front of it, mindlessly fidgeting with the plastic spoon. It wasn't drugged, right? If they wanted him knocked out, they'd probably come in during the night or just stick him with a syringe. Probably. Maybe. He carefully stuck a spoon into the soup bowl and lifted it to his lips. It had the distinct taste of way too much salt. Maybe the carrots beside it would be an improvement.
After a slight taste test, Simon concluded that the carrots were actually not an improvement. He stood and quickly slid the Styrofoam tray to the side with his foot. Maybe he'd just starve, y’know?
Two hours later, in approximation, someone came to visit. The visitor was some tiny lady flanked by two MTF agents. She was 4 foot something and Simon felt like he was freakishly tall. He wasn't. She snuck a glance at his barely touched food sitting sadly in the corner. Her eyes shot back to him and took in all 6 feet of him. She must've decided he was of acceptable weight, and simply did not mention the tray.
“We're going to have a talk, Mr. Smith.”
Another interrogation. Simon held his tongue. Speaking out would land him in even hotter water. He simply stood as still as he could without it being incredibly creepy. One of the agents nervously tried to meet the other's eyes. They must've been new. That was good for him. The newbies were always very nervous, and with being nervous came stupid decisions. He could easily body this doctor, and as long as the MTFs weren't as skilled like the usual, he could make a break for it. The doctor stepped closer and Simon tensed instinctively. She grabbed his wrist, and started to unclip handcuffs from only GOD knew where. He looked up as one wrist was cuffed. The agents weren't even looking in his direction anymore. Against his better judgement, he slammed a shoulder into the small woman and made a valiant attempt to make it out of the cell.
He'd failed to see the taser, though, but he definitely felt it when he fell to the floor tensing painfully in places he hadn't felt tensed ever before.
The two agents and doctor swiftly left, and Simon was left alone to get up and preferably, go back to bed. It took him even less time to fall asleep this time around.