Red nodded, but didn't speak. He had an odd expression, as if he was struggling with something. Trying to hold something back. Was he going to start shouting? Pushing back? Was he going to hit the mountainous man?

Caspian tried to push again to no effect. I could see him becoming angrier. He was going to seriously lose his temper in a moment if Red didn't comply. I wanted to tell my fellow resident he would be better to do as he was told. Step down and just let it go. I didn't, however. It seemed my desire to see what carnage might happen was stronger than the urge to protect another patient. That was so unlike me. Usually, the wellbeing of my peers was uppermost in my mind, particularly when it came to them being pitted against the staff.

What prevented me from intervening? I couldn't place it, but there was something. A feeling. I'd come to trust my feelings – at least that sort.

I stepped back, closer to the wall. Wey, who'd come to stand at my side, glanced at me and I indicated he should do the same. He frowned, but followed my lead.

Caspian stood once more. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, as if he was wondering what to do next. His decision was swift and, it turned out, foolish.

He balled his fist, pulled his arm back and slammed his fist into Red's face.

Or tried to.

The crunch of bones breaking could be heard around the room, only it wasn't Red crying out in agony. It was Caspian.

The now disorderly cradle his damaged hand in his other. Tears wet his cheeks and he swore profusely. He limped about, as if the pain was shooting down his legs.

"You..." He was panting and trying to speak through his sobs. "You bastard!"

In his defence, Red had done nothing other than try to help Philly. He hadn't retaliated when provoked. He hadn't flinched when struck. He'd simply stood and took it. Yet, how could he not be injured? There wasn't a mark on him. He'd seemingly turned to stone and been glued to the floor.

Except, he hadn't. He was still flesh and blood. A person, and people bled. Bones broke. Eyes blackened and reddened. Bodies moved.

He'd done none of those.

A couple of other orderlies helped Caspian away, no doubt to the hospital's hospital. Red was still standing in the same spot. He was looking up to where his opponent's eyes were no longer. Was he frozen? Petrified? In shock?

I stepped forward to check on him, but Wey grabbed my wrist. When I looked around, he was staring at the door. I followed his gaze.

Connors.

The asylum's lord and master was walking through the doorway, past the two staff members holding the doors open. He acknowledged neither of them, his eyes solely on Red.

Connors wasn't a tall man, but his ego was. His aura radiated authority that increased his stature by invisible but perceptible measures. Given most in the hospital were taller than him, you felt you were looking up at, or to, him while you looked down. Though I despised the 'good' doctor, I had to admire his effortless bravado.

He stopped in front of Red. I realised he'd not blinked since Caspian had been led away, and I couldn't remember if I'd seen him do so before that. I could be mistaken, but it emphasised the effect of him being ossified. He could have been an exhibit in the Natural History Museum, with hordes of tourists wondering which part of history he was from and how they managed to get him so lifelike.

Connors was smiling, as much as he ever did. The corners of his mouth were turned upwards slightly and his eyes had narrowed. It was a sign of him being amused.

"Mr. Richards... ahem. Red. What a lovely little demonstration of selfless heroics."

There was no response. Red hadn't moved so had yet to acknowledge the doctor's presence.

"I do hope you're not hurt, Phillipa?"

He extended a hand to her and she took it gingerly. He pulled her to her feet, but didn't turn from his errant patient.

"Why don't you go and have a nice cup of tea in the restaurant?"

"It... It's not time, Doctor," she said nervously.

"If I say it's time, then it is. Don't worry, just tell them I said it was OK."

"I'd like to stay, please Dr. Connors."

Connors did look at her then.

"Actually, I don't think you would, do you?"

Philly was flustered for a moment before understanding of Connors' meaning had her hurrying out of the door. The doctor pointed at one of his doormen and then at the fragments of Caspian's mug. No words were needed. The orderly exited the room and returned with a dustpan and brush. He made short work of cleaning the ceramic pieces up, using some kitchen roll to wipe up the splashed coffee. Once he was gone, Connors resumed his scrutiny of Red.

The room was silent. Staff and residents had joined together in controlling their breathing to keep it quiet and to not say a word. We were all waiting for Connors to...?

After an eternal few minutes, Connors' semi-smile faded and he leaned forward, bringing his mouth close to Red's ear. He spoke one word.

"Relax."

The change was instantaneous. Red did exactly as instructed and slumped back into himself. He was no longer frozen in place or a solid mass. He was just a man.

He noticed Connors.

"I'm sorry Doctor," he said, his eyes downcast. "I know you said..."

"Don't worry about what I said. You know what you can and cannot do, and I expect you to do or not do exactly that. But no harm was done."

"What about Caspian's hand, sir?" Red asked. I could see he was afraid of potential repercussions. I would be too.

"I know my orderlies can get a little carried away in their duties sometimes," the doctor said, in the same way I could imagine him saying Everest was a big hill. "However, I don't expect that sort of behaviour from them. Perhaps, now, he might behave himself a little better."

Some of the residents gasped. Connors was never so forgiving. He turned to address the room.

"Nothing happened here tonight," he said calmly. "If I discover anyone has been discussion any other version of events, I will ensure they feel how Caspian's hand feels right now." He looked around to check his words were understood, then turned and left.

No one spoke. They didn't dare. You did not cross Connors.

Wey and I moved to stand by Red. Someone had to break the spell and release the words everyone was bottling up.

"Thanks for helping Philly," I said to him.

Connors had stricken the incident from the day's record, rendering it as officially, if not actually, not happening. Under other circumstances, such as when we were alone or when speaking to Jeremy, I might discuss what happened, but I was certain Connors' ears were still flapping, if not his eyes too. I'd talk about anything else in order to make sure Red was fine.

His sudden membership of the Fantastic Four, slipping into the persona of The Thing, was something for another day, if the occasion allowed it.

Red flinched, obviously expecting a different comment.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "No problem."

He looked around as if unsure of his whereabouts.

"What... I mean... Is she OK?"

"I think so," said Wey. "She seemed it when she left."

"Good."

There was an awkward silence, the elephant in the room taking up so much space, there was no space for any words.

"I'd best go."

Red walked off without waiting for an acknowledgement from us. The residents he passed shrank away from him, unsure of what he might do or what he could do. I wondered too, particularly with his comment to Connors about a conversation they'd already had. That meant, surely, both knew about Red's... talent? Power? Ability?

It was something along those lines. It wasn't normal for a big man like Caspian to punch someone, or even just push them, and he be the one coming off worst. The doctor had made it so we couldn't talk about it, at least openly. Conversations would still go on, they'd just be subdued. Cautious.

I needed to find out something. I'd, no doubt, be fielding questions from the other residents. For that, answers would be useful. Even without any forthcoming questions, I wanted to know.

Jeremy.

It was a few days before I could speak to my friend. During that time, the incident had become simultaneously the stuff of legend and nonsense. Red now had laser eyes. His skin had turned to stone. His hair had been afire. He'd growled, revealing long fangs tipped with blood. Or poison. Or serrated needles.

He hadn't stood unmoving. He'd leapt on Caspian, fighting off a dozen orderlies, and ripped his arms off. Three had died. Or four. Or the dozen. Most knew the stories were false and many applied their own twist as they passed them on. Red avoided them all and didn't comment when asked directly. Connors' blanket ban was ignored after the first day, but any talk was still held in hushed tones, just in case there were any repercussions from it being overheard. Only the staff were exempt from the chattering.

Jeremy was reticent, at first. Connors had spoken to the orderlies individually to lay down the law. His law. The matter was not one for discussion, so Jezzer made efforts to not speak about it with me. I didn't push him, at least not too much. I certainly didn't want to make him uncomfortable or get him into trouble. I just gave the occasional nudge.

Then, he had no choice but to tell me.

"Red!"

It was Philly. Once she'd come back to the Recreation Room from the canteen Connors had exiled her to, she'd not really spoken to anyone for a couple of days. The other residents felt the same way and didn't try to speak to her either. I had the impression they thought she might be somehow responsible for what Red had done. Philly had frozen him. Philly had glued his feet to the floor. Philly had broken Caspian's hand. She'd then blamed it on Red.

I didn't believe any of that rubbish. I was there. Philly had no involvement other than pissing off an orderly. Accidentally at that. Those that questioned it were also the sort who doubted the world was a sphere and revolved around the sun. If they walked far enough, they'd drop off the edge, making it possible purely by their faith. Though they were few, the many unfortunately took their lead in avoiding the poor woman.

It only lasted for the two or three days that she didn't talk, but I still felt for her. I ignored the rest and made my own efforts to converse. They were rebuffed with a turned away head or silence, and I took the hint, but at least she knew not everyone blamed her. Then, as if a curtain had been drawn back to reveal the personality hiding behind, she was back. With it were the other residents, back to speaking to her as normally as they ever had.

Red was sitting alone. He wasn't keeping himself away from everyone, as he'd been interacting with various others throughout the day. It just so happened that, at that particular moment, there was no one with him. Philly's appearance was sudden and I saw him jump as she yanked him back from his daydream.