Edward was waiting at his usual spot and waved me over excitedly. He seemed to be in better spirits and whatever had caused his fit was clearly forgotten.

Making my way over to where he sat I did my best not to come into contact with any of the others. I didn't want to deal with anyone currently, my thoughts were a million miles away.

"Hello. I already set up the pieces for you." Edward said gesturing to the chess board clearly proud of himself.

"Thank you that's very kind Edward." He nodded and stood pulling out the seat for me. "I could have done hat myself."

"I know but you're my guest." Edward smiled and sat back down in his own seat. Adjusting his glasses he clasped his hands in front of him studying the game. "You can have the first move."

"Thank you." After a bit of consideration I selected which pawn I'd move first and to where. Edward was already anticipating my move and soon we were locked in a fight. He was extremely good at the game, his foresight of what would happen was impeccable. Then again it helped hat I was highly distracted.

"Your thoughts seem to be elsewhere." Edward glanced up from the game having won one of my knights.

"My apologies I can't help it." Shaking my head I went to move one of my pieces when Edward brushed my hand aside.

"We can pause the game. What's troubling you?" He asked his tone soft and curious. Once again I was reminded of the fact that Edward was too much of a gentleman to be here, to polite and kind.

"It regards personal information I'm not allowed to share-" Edward fixed a look on me that I wasn't used to from him. He had raised an eyebrow and his mouth was turned down at the corners.

"Do you honestly believe I would harm you in any way with this information of yours?" I shook my head as an answer. "Then share what you will I'm a good listener."

"Alright." Sighing I took a moment to collect my thoughts. I really shouldn't be telling him anything but how could I not? Here he was, nothing more than a patient to me, another person stuck in the system, but he wanted to help. Maybe it was just common human decency yet at the same time his concern sounded genuine. "A long time ago, about two years, my brother disappeared. I never really knew what happened to him. My parents didn't mind it much they just figured it was one less problem to worry about. But I couldn't just ignore it. He was troubled. Loud noises would terrify him, you couldn't sneak up behind him or he'd get scared. No one knew why he'd just always been that way. My parents talked about putting him in an institution but they just didn't understand him. Not like I did."

"You cared about him." Edward nodded.

"More than anything. More than school even. I had wanted a sibling for so long and at last I had one. Just because he wasn't like everyone else didn't mean I would ignore him. In reality I think I was more of his mother than my own mother was." Sighing I shook my head. "I found out that he was taken here. That he knew one of my patients a little girl who doesn't talk much-"

"Linnea? Small girl, about this tall, red hair?" Edward asked holding his hand out to the side at a specific height.

"Yes." I nodded.

"She comes to the yard sometimes. Sweet little girl. She likes flowers. Her grand parents were Slavic. Her name means 'name of a flower'." Edward smiled brightly. "Not sure how she got here. Took me ages to coax the information out of her but I managed."

I sat there for a moment studying him. "How did you manage to get her to talk?"

"Well I believe certain things make her scared, closed off or uncertain. Typically anything that resembles...well that resembles Henry." Edward sniffed and adjusted his glasses. "Such as holding clipboards, or constantly holding report papers, running your hand through your hair, a certain way of walking or talking."

"And you know all of this for certain?" I asked feeling more confused now than I had ever before.

"Of course I do. It's common human behavior to study others." Edward shrugged indifferently.

"But Edward you've never been trained to study humans." I laughed shaking my head. "Why Henry though? He's a charming man, personable, and intelligent."

"How should I know? She never told me. I simply noticed." He admitted. It occurred to me that as soon as I'd set my report papers down, hadn't sat in the same spot as always, no longer talked like a normal doctor would, the girl seemed to be less uncertain and afraid.

It was a strange theory but I was sure now more than ever before that the girl hadn't always been quiet. What she didn't say also had meaning. She was very selective with what she said. "Edward did she ever talk about a boy named Ben? His nick name was Benny."

"Yes all the time. I never met him." Edward said when idea seemed to occur to him. "That was your brother wasn't it?"

"Yes." I nodded. Edward shook his head in disbelief.

"Small world it is isn't it? Do you know what happened to him? Is he still here?" Edward questioned getting a bit excited then thought best and lowered his tone.

"Linnea, the girl, my patient, she said he was here for a while, but he was taken somewhere." I frowned a thought beginning to form in my head. "Edward I'm sorry to cut our game short but I need to find Henry."

Edward stood hurriedly and pulled my chair out for me. "Allow me to come with you."

"I would but you must remain in the yard. Sometimes I think you forget you're a patient too." His smile dropped a bit. Resting a gentle hand on his shoulder I thanked him for the game and for being such a gentleman. "You've made significant progress from the first time I met you. I'm sure that in no time you'll be out of here. Then you and I could go anywhere we pleased."

"May I ask you a question before you go?" Edward asked a bit nervously.

"Yes of course." I nodded though I was really just anxious to go find Henry.

"Are we friends?" He studied the ground as if he were afraid of my answer.

"I'd like to think so. I don't have many friends here and everyone needs a friend." Smiling he bid me fare well and sat back down to his game and began playing by himself as he would normally do.

Sighing I shook my head trying to sort out my thoughts as best as I could. Find Henry, that was my first objective. Straightening my coat I set off out of the yard at as quick of a pace as I could without running. Needless to say I got a few odd looks. It was always strange to be looked at like you were the one being abnormal in a place like this.

Making my way to the front desk I attempted to catch my breath before asking my question. "Helen has Henry left for lunch yet?"

"He left just a moment ago. If you hurry I'm sure you can catch him. What's the matter Miss? You look out of sorts. You didn't have an accident did you?" But I ignored Helen's words and didn't bother switching clothes. Opening the door in a hurry I glanced left and right catching Henry's frame disappear in the afternoon crowd of pedestrians.

"Excuse me." I breathed trying to push past the stream of people who were working against me. Grunting an elbow connected painfully with my side but I pushed on. I had so many questions and the only person who could answer them was Henry. I needed to know now for my own sake.

Linnea was clearly afraid of him, she had said my brother was taken, all I could conclude was that Henry had something to do with it. For better or for worse.

"Please move I'm in a hurry." I pleaded only to be scolded by an elderly man. At last I broke free from the crowd and ran as fast as possible to where I saw Henry disappear into a diner.

I rushed past Mr. Thomas who smiled expectantly at me. "I'm sorry Mr. Thomas no paper for me today. I'm in a terrible hurry."

Not bothering to listen to his reply I ducked into the diner and glanced about the tables to where I saw Henry just now taking his seat at a booth. Trying to collect myself I made my way over.

"Anna. My what a surprise." He glanced up his eyes widening. "Are you alright you seem distressed? Please sit down sit down."

"I'm alright sir, Henry I mean, I just have some questions for you." He nodded but insisted that I sit in front of him, knowing the conversation wouldn't go anywhere I sat down at last. "Did you ever have a patient named Ben?"

He pondered the question for a moment. "Not that I can recall. What was his last name?"

"It's mine sir. Henry! Gosh I'm a mess." Henry chuckled and leaned forward giving me a polite look.

"Calm down I'm not going anywhere. I am eating lunch after all. Unless I can scarf down a whole meal in three seconds we have time to talk." Nodding I took a minute to compose myself for his sake more than mine.

"The boy's name is Ben Irving." I said at last my voice finally steady.

"Irving. Is he in relation to-"

"Me. Yes. My little brother. He had some problems but one day he vanished my parents didn't tell me anything. I-" I was about to tell him that Linnea ,the girl, had informed me he'd stayed at the same institution I currently worked at but thought better of it.

"The name is familiar now that I think about it. You have a strong likeness to him. I wasn't familiar with him much other than the occasional check up. You have the same hair and eyes. Auburn and blue a beautiful combination if you ask me." He smiled. I was about to respond when the waiter walked over.

"Henry I'm assuming you'll have they usual?" Came the waiter's question.

"Yes as always. Do you want anything? It's on me." Henry smiled giving me an expectant look.

"Just water I suppose." I was eager to just get on with the conversation.

"She'll have the same as me." Henry said.

"No it's alright!" I insisted.

"Anna I insist you quite literally ran to catch up to me." The waiter left us to argue. "Now what were you saying?"

"How did he get to the institution?" I asked.

"I believe your parents dropped him off." Henry frowned in thought clearly trying to recall the details. "I suppose that means they never told you."

I should have seen it coming. It was something they would definitely do. How I hadn't noticed I didn't know but I knew now. It only made me more unhappy with them. I'd moved out as soon as possible. I hardly missed them.

"Where did he go? He's not there anymore is he?" Henry shook his head.

"He left maybe a week before you were placed on the staff. I remember taking him I think. To one of the deportation trucks. He was to be moved to a better institution where specific treatment could be used on him, ones targeted to his needs." Henry replied running a hand through his hair.

"Is there anyway I could look at his file?"

Henry sighed and tapped his foot." Technically no. However since he's your brother I'll see if I can get ahold of it."

"Oh thank you that means a lot. I just-I want to know what happened. If he's okay and safe. You know in the papers sometimes they talk about those-those-" Henry took my hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I know what you're talking about. Those kinds of treatments shouldn't be allowed in any institution. I might be able to get ahold of a contact of mine. See if we can find him." Henry paused for a moment. "But I must warn you there is a good chance he isn't alive. You know as well as I do ,if you read the papers, that bad things can happen to patients. The public despises them."

"I know." Sighing I hardly looked up as the waiter set a plate in front of me and rested a glass of water next to it. "I just ache for closure. When he vanished I was so lost and confused. He got into a fight with my parents. Tossed their belongings in the fireplace out of frustration. I was sure my father would have his head, but it's my fault he got so mad."

"How so?" Henry asked neglecting his food to talk.

"Well merely an hour or two before I brought a friend home. A boy. He seemed rather kind but he didn't understand my brother even after I explained to him you couldn't do certain things because it scared him. My brother got scared and lashed out at him. He went straight to the authorities threatening to press charges." Henry sighed and nodded in understanding. "Needless to say my parents weren't happy about it at all. After that they got into a terrible argument with Ben and well, you know the rest."

"I'm sorry to hear that and I'm sorry that happened." His eyes held genuine sympathy. "How old were you when it happened?"

"Well I'm twenty one now so about...three years ago." Staring at the sandwich in front of me I decided it was at least courtesy to eat it despite my loss of appetite.

"Sounds about right. He was there for a long time. About two years give or take some months." Henry took a sip of his own beverage and pursed his lips. "Tell you what, I'll get you his file and get in touch with my contact by tonight."

"There's no need to rush I don't want to  cause any inconvenience to you." Henry waved aside my comment as if it were unimportant.

"You're a friend of mine it's the least I could do. Especially after throwing you to the wolves with your promotion. Tonight will be worse than yesterday. Victor and Walsh will be checked on first and then on to two more." Henry took another bite of his identical sandwich. "Now enough about work and sad family history. Let's just chat shall we?"

"I wouldn't mind." In truth I was eager to set aside my nerves and thoughts regarding my brother and wondering what work would entail.

"Despite seeing you around the workplace,and our occasional interactions, I don't know much about you. I'm curious now." Henry smiled causing me to laugh.

"What would you like to know?" I wondered.

"What is your favorite color?" He smirked slightly and took a sip from his glass.

"Most people find it odd but I like the color brown. Not an ugly brown but a warm light brown. Sort of like chocolate, and hot chocolate, or maybe a woolen blanket, perhaps damp soil in the summertime." Henry smiled brightly and leaned back setting his napkin on his plate finished with his meal. "And you?"

"Blue. Like clear summer skies and crystal clear waves on the beach." He admitted. "Cats or dogs?"

"Dogs."

"Agreed." The two of us laughed and he went on to ask simple questions which we'd answer. It was getting fairly late and I found that I didn't mind his company at all. It was almost as easy as talking to Edward.

"I must insist that you come to a party of mine later this week." He said standing and offering me his hand. I politely declined and stood on my own.

"Who will be there?" I questioned.

"Why everyone from work. I've been told that the only person you associate with is Helen." Henry chuckled.

"Well it's not to be rude. I just haven't met any of them we are all so busy with work." I shook my head following him to the door.

"We have weekly lunch here. Every Friday. I can't believe you've never been invited." Henry held it open for me and followed me out onto the street.

"Well I guess I'm not as popular as you make it sound." Henry chuckled and shook his head.

"Never mind it. It's this Thursday. I'll pick you up if you'd like." He offered.

"I wont mind it if you did. What should I wear?" I questioned.

"What you desire to. I'm sure you'd look fine in anything." Henry smiled reassuringly. "Anyways I'll provide further details as of tomorrow."

"Right. Time to be professional." I jokingly mocked the way he walked and he gave me a teasing smile.

"So it seems." With that we made our way back to the institution.