Unusual Fun

"Goooood morniiiiing!"

Jeht's exuberant greeting echoed through the cell as he stepped inside with renewed energy. He had slept surprisingly well, and the morning light streamed through the glassless windows, filling the room with a soft glow. However, the miner remained in the same position, seemingly unmoved by Jeht's enthusiastic entrance.

"How are you today?" Jeht asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. He knew that the miner couldn't respond, but he couldn't help but talk to him as if he was listening.

"I slept like a baby. Maybe thanks to your charm."

He chuckled to himself, partly as a way to hide his own uncertainty. Truth be told, he had no idea how to reach the miner or if he would ever talk again. But he had made up his mind to try, regardless of the odds.

As Jeht observed the miner in the daylight, he noticed more details about their appearance. The orange prisoner suit they wore looked faded and worn, a stark reminder of their past struggles. The miner's pale skin contrasted with the dark shadows under their eyes, evidence of sleepless nights and untold hardships.

"I brought you something to eat,"

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a protein bar once again. He knew it wasn't much, but it was the best he could do for now.

He gently placed the bar on the ground in front of the miner. "I hope you like it."

The miner remained motionless, and Jeht sighed softly. He knew he couldn't force him to eat or speak, but he was determined to find a way to connect with him. He sat down beside the miner and leaned against the cold stone wall, deep in thought.

"If only there was a way to understand what you're going through,"

Actually, he could have asked Olga where they had found him, but that had never crossed his mind. As a military unit, they brought people they found from each point and used them to extract uranium. All those brought here had caused trouble in the first place, some were unwilling to compromise, some had attempted to flee, and some had even made silly nonsense like attacking soldiers. However, none of them were able to avoid becoming miners in the end. Although Jeht could swear that they were very happy right now because contrary to the default, the miners were being very well taken care of. That's exactly what Olga meant when she talked about making a good impression on them.

Their location, Orion, was a country known for its uranium mines. When this uranium was extracted, it was used in the fusion reactor by going through various processes, and the energy obtained from the fusion reactor was distributed to the last few countries in the world. It could also be defined as the energy provider of the new world. Being in such a high position made the miners working there as well as the mines important. Since the slightest mishap in the mines risked the end of both the country and humanity, they were very well taking care of the miners they rescued and took under their protection. They were in a kind of mutual interest relationship.

The bond between the miners and the country of Orion was indeed unique. The miners were aware of the vital role they played in providing the world with energy, and in return, the country ensured their well-being and safety. But despite this, the miner in front of Jeht had experienced something that left him shattered and silent.

Jeht stared at the miner, lost in thought. He knew that understanding what he had been through might be the key to helping them open up and communicate. But how could he possibly reach into the depths of his experiences? The walls of silence seemed impenetrable.

As he sat there, he recalled the stories he had heard about an old psychology doctor who used to work with the military unit. Dr. Zara was known for her expertise in trauma and communication disorders. Although she had retired many years ago, some said she had an uncanny ability to connect with people and help them heal, even in the darkest of circumstances.

A glimmer of hope sparked in Jeht's heart. Maybe Dr. Zara would have some insights or suggestions on how to reach the miner. He decided to give it a try, even if it meant breaking protocol and seeking help from someone outside the unit.

The next day, after his usual visit to the miner, Jeht mustered the courage to approach Olga with his request. He found him in the control room, monitoring the daily operations.

"Olga, I need a favor,”

He was trying to sound as composed as possible.

Olga raised an eyebrow but remained focused on the screens in front of him.

"What is it?"

"I need to talk to Dr. Zara," Jeht replied.

Olga turned to face him with an unreadable expression.

"Dr. Zara? What do you need her for?"

"About the new miner,"

He sighed.

"I think Dr. Zara might have insights that could help us communicate with him. Please, it's important."

“Are you being desperate already?”

"Didn't you take me there knowing that this was going to happen?"

"I didn't expect it to happen so quickly, though."

Jeht let out a hysterical laugh.

“Why do I have to go through all this when no one but me has ever faced such a problem? I can't even get him to eat properly, let alone talk."

“What if you fed with your mouth like mother birds do?”

What Olga said put Jeht in silence for a moment.

“Actually, that would have been possible. Why didn't I think of it before…?"

Immediately afterward, he shook his head and sent those thoughts away.

“But that's not the point! Even if I get the food done somehow, isn't communication the most important thing? How will I communicate?”

After a moment of consideration, Olga finally nodded. "Alright, I'll arrange a meeting with her. But remember, we need results, Jeht."

Jeht nodded gratefully, relieved that Olga was willing to help. He knew that the military unit valued efficiency and results above all else, and he hoped that Dr. Zara's expertise would make a difference.

A few days later, Jeht found himself sitting in a small, dimly lit room, waiting for Dr. Zara to arrive. The room was filled with shelves of old books and papers, a testament to the doctor's long and illustrious career.

When the door creaked open, Jeht turned to see an elderly woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. Dr. Zara's presence exuded a sense of calm and understanding.

"Hello, Jeht. Olga told me about your request. How can I help you?" she said with a gentle voice.

"I... I need to find a way to communicate with the new miner."

Jeht began, feeling a mix of nervousness and hope. "He's been silent since he arrived, and I can't help but feel there's more to him than meets the eye."

Dr. Zara listened attentively, her eyes never leaving his face. She seemed to be examining him, as if trying to gauge his sincerity and determination.

"You have a good heart, Jeht." she said finally. "To truly connect with someone, you must first be willing to listen without judgment and to understand without imposing your own expectations. Trust is essential."

Judging from her speech, Dr. Zara seemed like a very knowledgeable person, but she was definitely wrong about one thing. Jeht doesn't have a good heart. He was absolutely certain that the only reason he felt this way, and acted so persistently, was actually the curiosity in him that was bugging him. It was the first time he was faced with such a situation. He was bored and needed to distract himself, so he wanted to continue this doctor game as much as possible. He was ready to do whatever he could for it.

"I want to earn his trust, but I don't know how to start."

"Start with patience," Dr. Zara advised. "Spend time with him, be consistent in your visits, and show him that you genuinely care. Sometimes, it takes time for wounds to heal and for trust to be built."

"I'll do whatever it takes." Jeht replied earnestly, as he said to himself just before.

Dr. Zara smiled warmly. "Then you're already on the right path. The key is to be present and attentive. Let him know that you're there for him, no matter what."

Jeht left the meeting with Dr. Zara feeling hopeful. He was ready to devote himself to understanding the miner and helping him heal, even if it took time. That was the only thing he could do to enjoy himself.