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Yancy is chilling in the kitchen. Whistling some tune to himself.
Bim is at the stove making his famous burgers.
Bim looks over at him, “Hey, Yancy. What are you having for dinner? I didn’t see you with the others today.”
Yancy shrugs, “Don’t know yet. I’m waitings for Illinois to come back to go out. But you know him, once he smells adventure, he keeps going.” He chuckles, “Don’t mind waiting though, I know he comes back with some amazing stories.”
“Why don’t you take one of my burgers? I’m always happy to share them. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“Are youses sure?”
Bim nods excitedly, “Very sure. I’ll serve you one up.”
“That’s very kind. You know, they never had burgers back in prison.” He looks down, “Though I’m not certain I want to spoil my appetite. I do,”
“I know, I know,” Bim interrupts him, “you want to go out with Illinois. But once he comes back, he can have one as well. He likes burgers, right?”
Yancy laughs, “I think everyone in this house loves meat. I’m sure Illinois would like it, too.”
“That’s great. I’ll make one for him as well. I’m certain he is hungry after an adventure.”
“You betsa.”
Bim finishes his burgers and puts them on a plate, serving one up to Yancy with a big smile.
“Thanks, Bim.”
“You’re welcome, Yancy.”
Yancy takes a bite, savoring the flavor, “This is good, Bim. Real good.”
Bim’s smile widens, taking a bite of his own, “I’m happy you like it, Yancy. It’s always nice when someone appreciates your cooking.”
“You know, I don’t understand why youses never make dinner. This is truly delicious. I’m sure the others would like this as well.” He takes another bite.
“Oh, well, they did. I always make them for myself. Not just burgers, of course. But always something with,” he stops taking another bite and smiles to himself, “meat.”
Yancy takes another bite, swallowing it, “So, if theys liked it. Why don’t you ever cook it for them anymore?”
Bim shrugs, “Some got sick from it a long time ago. Never happened to me, but after that they never wanted again.”
“Well, I don’t think I have to worry about that. Whatever they served in prison, I always kept down.” He says with pride.
Bim eats more, “Good. I’m always willing to share my food with you. And Illinois, of course.”
Yancy nods, “That’s awesome. I hope he comes back soon; he really should try this, too.”
“On what adventure did he go this time?”
Yancy shrugs, “Said he was going for a walk. But,” he punches his gut, “he always follows his instinct, it’s how he went on the other adventures. So, I’m guessing he got sidetracked from his walk. I really wonder what he is up to now. But I’m sure we'll hear all about it when he comes back.”
“You know what, you should keep him on a leash before he gets lost.”
Yancy chuckles at the thought, “I wouldn’t be able to if I tried. He would just pull me along.”
Bim laughs, “I would love to see that.”
He gives him a cheeky smile, “I’m sure you would.”
They enjoy the burgers.
Not long after, they hear footsteps approaching and King emerges from the back door, “Hey, Bim.” He pushes up his glasses, “Good to see you, I was with my squirrels and,” his eyes focus on Yancy, who is still eating the burger.
His eyes narrow on Bim, “You’ve been sharing burgers again, Bim?”
He smiles, “Sure have. And Yancy here hadn’t had food yet, waiting for Illinois and all, so I gave him one.”
Yancy nods, “I’m glad he did. It’s really good, you should try some.”
King runs off, “Dr. Iplier!”
Yancy follows him with his eyes, raising an eyebrow, and turns back to Bim, “What’s up with him?”
Bim shakes his head, “He’s gonna tell Dr. Iplier I gave you one of my burgers. He’s concerned you might get sick.”
Yancy waves him off, “Sick? Me? Nah, they don’t need to worry.”
Bim’s face overcomes with worry, “I know, but I know Dr. Iplier. He’s gonna yell at me again.” Bim keeps eating.
“I’ll tell him I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
They hear Dr. Iplier and King down the hallway.
“Did anyone else eat them?”
“I don’t think so. I hope not. Bim always does this with the new ones.”
“We really should think about warning the others before this happens again.”
They arrive in the kitchen, and Yancy has finished the burger.
“Hey, doc.”
“Yancy, I need you to come with me.”
“I’m fine, Dr. Iplier. Really, you won’t need to worry about me getting some food poisoning from a burger, or something, really.”
“You won’t feel it yet, Yancy. But you will if you don’t come with me. Now, let’s go.”
Dr. Iplier looks serious and furious, Yancy wiggles nervously from it, reminding him of a guard, and reluctantly follows him to his office.
“Sit down.”
Yancy does, looking down.
Dr. Iplier rummages around on his desk and walks over to Yancy, shining a light in his eyes and looking him over.
Yancy wants to look away, but the doctor stops him from doing so.
“Your pupils still look normal, lie down.”
Yancy blinks rapidly, “I’m fine, Dr. Iplier. You really won’t need to-”
“Lie down.”
Yancy lays down, “Okay, okay. Just saying I’m fine.”
Dr. Iplier grabs something and walks back over to him, “This might sting a bit.”
He plunges the needle in Yancy, Yancy yelps, and soon passes out.
A few hours later, he wakes up, slowly opening his eyes, quickly closing them from the blinding white lights.
“Doctor?” He mutters weakly.
Dr. Iplier rushes over to him, holding a clipboard, “Ah, good, you’re up. How are you feeling?”
He blinks his eyes, adjusting to the lights, “Uhm, Dizzy. A bit lightheaded.”
“Okay.” He scribbles it down, “That should go away soon.” He shakes his head, “I really should have warned you about Bim.”
“What’s,” he pauses, closing his eyes, “What’s wrong with a fucking burger?”
“Nothing per se. But that was no normal meat on there.”
He squints his eyes at him, “What you mean?”
“That was,” Dr. Iplier sighs, turning his head down, “it was human meat.”
Yancy’s eyes widen, “Human meat?”
Dr. Iplier nods, “Yep. He… Needs it to survive, it’s what he was created as. We should have told you and the others. We told him not to share, but he always tries to. I’m sorry about that.”
Yancy closes his eyes again, and through gritted teeth, he asks, “Where’s Bim?!”
“Getting chewed out by Dark. Once he heard about it, he dragged him back to his office. Bim sure did look sorry.”
Yancy smiles through the pain, “Good. I’ll have a little chat with him later as well.”
“I’m sure Dark scares him enough. But as long as you don’t hurt him, do as you wish.” He turns back around, pointing the pen at him, “I don’t want to see him in here. God knows I’ve got enough to deal with from all the others and their reckless behavior.”
Yancy smiles at him, “Got it. I’ll just make sure he won’t pull such a stunt again, that’s all.”
“Good.” He sits back down on his desk and starts handling paperwork while Yancy lies back down.
Not long after, Illinois barges into the clinic, shaking dirt off his hat, much to the annoyance of Dr. Iplier, if his scowl is anything to go by.
Once he spots Yancy, he rushes over to him, taking a seat beside him, “Hey, I just heard what happened. How are you feeling, jailbird?”
Yancy gives a small smile upon seeing him, “Good, just a little dizzy. Nothing I can’t deal with.”
Illinois lets out a sigh of relief and holds his hand reassuringly, “You know, he almost pulled the same stunt on me. Luckily, King warned me about it.”
“Wish he had warned me beforehand. I almost can’t believe I actually ate it.” He looks down, fumbling with his shirt, “if I had known what it was,” he trails off, closing his eyes.
Illinois kisses his hand, “It was Bim’s fault. No one could have known what it was. To be honest, if it wasn’t for King warning me, I would have eaten it, too.”
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t, at least you were saved by youse adventure. Where did you go anyway?”
“I’ll tell you all about it later, dear. For now, rest. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
Yancy nods and passes out almost instantly.