"Theodore. . you're finally awake."
It was a young lady who I hadn't seen before. Long light blonde haired, with frail skin. She looked just like the lady in that room, but she instead looked tired.
" oh, uhm. . . Hey."
I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable by not answering. She looked at me with teary eyes, then to a suddenly angry expression. She suddenly lifted her hand and slapped me, she slapped me hard on my face.
I looked at her without changing my expression. But I just couldn't bring myself to say anything. Because it felt like if I started talking I would say something I didn't want to say.
"Why, why didn't you tell me? I thought you were doing ok. All this time. I came to see you so many times but. . . You've just ignored me."
I just sat quietly. There wasn't anything I could say, it's true if anything, I've been the one ignoring anyone who tried talking or coming near me for the past couple of months. I didn't know about her and whenever I saw her around I would just ignore her. I didn't have anything when I woke up so I didn't know I knew her.
"I-I. . I know you're still angry at me for calling off our engagement. But, I didn't feel the same way. You understand, you told me that it was ok."
". . ."
I looked at her "Then why are you here? You didn't have to come here." Whenever I looked at her I didn't feel anything, but an angry feeling. Every time I opened my mouth it felt like it wasn't me talking but someone else.
"Theodore! Please."
She grabbed my arm. I pushed her hand away and pulled all the wires out of me.
"Hey, wh-what are you doing you'll get hurt more." she tried grabbing me again.
"Dont touch me. You're dirty. "
Her face turned red, she looked embarrassed. She didn't say anything. I got up and walked out the door. It seemed like I didn't really have a good relationship with her. So I'm guessing that room was supposed to be something special until something happened. I could guess "an affair" while being together. I looked around seeing if Sylvester was anywhere near.
"Were could he be?"
I saw him earlier but it seems like he left. He is a hunter so I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a lot of free time. But why was he here?
A nurse came up to me.
"You're up, what a surprise. You were in a critical condition when you came here. You should go back and lay down sr."
"I'm ok. I feel way better, may I leave. I just don't feel comfortable staying in hospitals."
I looked at her with a low-spirited and uneasy expression. She looked at me pitifully.
" I'll talk to the doctor and see if you can, but you really do need to rest."
"Alright, can you also take the lady in my room out."
"Of cores"
As they both left I just layed down on the bed. I looked at the clock "it's been around 8- 9ish hours now." what to do with the 16 left. Well it shouldn't really matter, staying here makes it depressing. It is better to leave this place, who would ever want to stay in such a white place. I put on my shoes and pulled a random jacket from one of the coat hangers that was around the hospital and left.
As I walked out I took a deep breath. I made my way back to that nice spot where I saw the nice view of the city, though it seemed like this time it would take much longer than before to get there. On my way there I found Noha, I hadn't seen him for a while so I didn't know what he was up to. It seemed like Noha was just patrolling the city.
"Theodore!!"
His yelling brought me back, he came towards me excited.
"Theodore, I haven't seen you for a bit. How have you been? Anything new?"
Still having some space I yelled back "Same as always!"
He laughed and smiled. "It seems like nothing has changed in the past couple of months."
"Well, there isn't much time to change, don't you think?"
Noha was now in front of me.
"Well, . . . I suppose, but a lot could happen, things do happen as well. By the way, have you seen Sylvester? It seems like he keeps wandering around and not doing his work like he is supposed to do."
"Sylvester? Yeah I saw him at the hospital, but he left before I asked anything."
" Hospital? Why would he be there?"
"I'm not sure." That is something I was wondering as well.
" I'll ask him later when I see him then. He's not the type to go to hospitals, he hates them."
There was a loud beeping noise coming out of his phone. Noah looked down to it.
"It seems like a gate is opening up soon, I'll have to go, but I'll see you around. Be careful. Byee!!"
He ran off, it seems like it was an unexpected opening.
But before he was fully out of my sight he looked back and mouthed something. I tried to figure out what he said but I couldn't understand. So I just ignored it and went on with my walk, but maybe I should have tried to understand. What if he said something important.
as i made my way to the bench the hill seemed much, more steeper than how it was that first day I came back.
I felt amused. Amused by the fact that I was having trouble going up that hill that felt like nothing.
" If there aren't any challenges there isn't anything worth working for."
"haha. . . "
I fell to my knees catching my breath, " I felt like shit looking at the floor, the grass seemed quite comfortable so I laid down under a tree that was by. It seemed this body was giving up much sooner. It must be close to the 24 hours I was told. I've forgotten how times worked here and there. Faster here? Or there? I looked down to my arm where I used to have my old watch. There was nothing.
"-tisk-"
"What a habit of mine". I covered my face, closing my eyes. "It's so tiring. . . " I pressed my hands down more.
Only when I'm alone like this, I felt like I was missing something, something that I couldn't explain. "How long have I felt so alone?" Did I feel like this with plunko as well? I think so. But why now? Did he also feel this way as well? I felt something warm on my palms
"Plunko. .. I want to go back home. . . I'm tired of this."
I looked at my side there was a timer
-
Time remaining:
14 hours
-
2 hours had passed alreadyI had forgotten how far the hospital was from this place. I just closed my eyes and fell asleep.
When I woke up it was already dark. I sat up and looked at the timer
-
Time remaining:
6 hours
-
"I slept for 7 hours?!?"
I scratch my head. I felt a sharp pain on my back. It felt like I was struck by a metal bat. I felt a hand grab my shoulder and pulled me back down, but this time my head wasn't on the floor but on someone's lap.
"Why are you moving like that? So carelessly. You're still sick, so your body should rest more. 7 hours isn't enough to feel better."
It was Sylvester, he put his hand on my face, closing my eyes.
"Go back to sleep. You'll feel better when you wake up."
I didn't say anything. But instead I felt disgusting "stop touching me. I'll break out with your dirty hands. If you're going to touch me, wash your hands."
His hand flinched, but he didn't move his hand. " I'll keep that in mind for next time then." I couldn't see anything because he didn't move his hand. I grabbed his arm trying to pull it away but I failed, he was way stronger than me. What a stupid body.
" Why do you let Harrison touch you but not me? I thought we were friends."
"What are you talking about? He only pats my back, nothing skin to skin."
"So, is it only skin contact?"
I didn't answer.
"I guess it is."
"You know, don't you."
He was quiet. I could feel his hand move slightly.
"Yeah, you're not really Theodore. That's why I found you so weird. I looked up "Theodore" or your information. You're completely different from him." He sounded serious.
"What are you talking about? I just don't like it when someone touches me."
I tried removing his hand but couldn't.
I was wondering if you knew about my body's state. Why wouldn't I be me? who else would I be if i wasn't me?"
"Oh that, no yeah I know you're pretty weak. Weaker than usual. You had a very bad fever when I found you passed out near the trees yesterday."
"So it was really you, the one who took me to the hospital. Don't you have work?"
"I do. But when I went back to see how you were doing, you were missing. Weird right."
I didn't say anything. Instead I tried getting up, but failed because my body was too weak. It's so humiliating, feeling this way.
"Stay put, won't you."
"Its just, i still want to go see the view"
"I'll take you up there then."
He finally moved his hand and carried me up. Another humiliating moment but at this point it shouldn't matter. I think I felt more embarrassed with him then other people. We made it to the top and we sat at the bench. We talked for quite a bit, in fact I didn't feel time pass that fast in a long time. Hours had already passed and the sun was coming up. That "nap" took half my day way. It was a nice talk until he got called for a gate opening, but before he left I thanked him.
"Sylvester, can you do me a favor when you see Harrie?"
"Harrie? Won't you see him tomorrow? Or later today?"
"I'm not sure, I still feel bad for not keeping a promise. If I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep it. . . I wouldn't have done it. So can you, can you tell him something for me?"
"I see, sure. What do you want me to tell him?"
" Tell him ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ "
He looked at me confused.
"What?"
He got another call, it seemed more urgent this time it was call after call. He kept declining it every time.
"You should get going, it seems like they need you."
"Yes but I didn't get what you said."
"Then come back after you're done and I'll tell you again."
"Alright, we can do that. I'll be right back then."
He waved and I waved back at him. He ran quite fast, faster than Noah.
I turned to look at the view but this time there were flowers around. I picked one that was near me. I put it in my inventory. I'm curious to see if it would come with me.
As I closed my eyes I felt someone behind me, it was a familiar sensation.
"Plunko? Is that you?."
"Of course it's me master, it's time to head back. It took a bit longer than usual. Your health has also gone up."
" I see." I didn't look back at him
"Planko."
"Yes, master."
"When is this?"
" I believe, this one is future."
"How far gone?"
"9 years."
" 9 years. . . Uhm, got it . . "I waved him over. " Come sit here. Look how pretty."
Plunko made his way over and sat next to me. He looked like a young man around his early 20. I pointed at the city
"can we make a view like this but with a hill of flowers?"
"We can. That would be very nice, your father would have loved to see that."
I nodded.
"How would you like to go back? Master."
"I hadn't thought about it. . . how about." " sleeping."
"Sleeping, got it. This body must feel sore. I'll carry you, I think that you would feel more comfortable near the tree with flowers. You love flowers."
I looked over to it.
It did look lovely and peaceful, with some flowers around.
"Would you like to sleep there, master?"
Plunko smiled.
"Yeah, I think so." I extend my arms letting him carry me.
As he carried me, anyone could tell that "he" wasn't part of this place he looked out of place. He sat me near the tree, it was true it was much more comfortable here. It's like he knew everything.
"Now close your eyes, this won't hurt."
"Will they remember me?"
"Would you like me to erase their memory master?"
I guess I really did exist here. I was a person here. It made me smile thinking about it. "no, it's fine." I waved him off. Will I see you once I'm back there?"
" Yes, I'm just a mere bug here."
"Oh. . . "
I looked at him, Planko looked like a person just like me here, so i dont understand where he got that he looked like a "bug" came from.
"It's time to go back master. I'll see you soon."
As I closed my eyes I saw planko pull out a knife and stab me. What a gruesome thing to see. I didn't feel pain or anything at the moment. Planko seemed sad. I wonder how many times he had done this. As I closed my eyes I felt a warm fuzzy feeling, I felt tired. I wanted to just sleep. But it wasn't peaceful at all, I heard someone running, as dull as my senses got I could tell who it was. It was Sylvester. He was running over.
"He finished quicker than I thought."
"What? What are you talking about, master?" plunko just stood there confused," who finished quickly?"
It seemed like planko hadn't felt Sylvester until he was going up the hill. Sensing Sylvester he looked over to me. He looked pale but at the same time he looked somewhat anxious and angry, had I ever seen him that way?
"Master, how. . how did he find you so fast?"
"What, what are you talking about?"
"That guy, he's not supposed to be here. I made sure he wasn't here. So why is he here?"
"How would I know?" I felt a sharp pain on my chest.
He kept his eye on me but kept glancing over towards Sylvester way.
"Well it doesn't matter, we don't have time for this. I'll see you soon master."
As Sylvester made his way over he pulled out a sword. It was "sweet dreams".
I giggled "that won't do anything. He's one of his creations as well."
As the sword made its way to planko Sylvester grabbed plunko's hands, he locked plankos hands, but before Sylvester was able to do anything plunko was quicker grabbing the sword and pinning him down. Even within a normal looking body he was still stronger than him. They started yelling about something I couldn't understand what they were saying. Everything just sounded fuzzy. I closed my eyes and it felt like I was just sleeping.
After that everything turned dark. When I woke up I was laying around beautiful flowers, flowers I had never seen before. I looked around and it looked like we were in space. I could see the stars clearly, some galaxies, the colors and shapes I could see the universe around. It was truly beautiful.
when I walked around it looked like I was floating, the floor looked like clear transparent black water. Every step I took it looked like I was stepping on the water. I looked around. But I didn't see anyone else around. It was only me here. Every step I took felt surprisingly light. I felt like I was floating. My body didn't feel any pain like before. I kept looking around, i had my back wings back, my hair was back , my eyes. I've finally made it to the edge I looked down and stepped out. I was still floating my wings automatically moved so I didn't fall.
I ended up laying down, looking at the stars. It was very calming almost like If it was made for me.
********
Sylvester POV
-Night Before-
As I laid down on the couch, I couldn't help but keep thinking about Theodore house. That house was way bigger than what it looked like on the outside . That is not a regular rich family home. And the paintings also looked expensive.
Before leaving Theodore house I took a picture of one of the paintings on the wall. It was the only one that caught my attention. It was one with the young boy with what seemed like his father before the side garden were made. They looked very alike; anyone could tell they were father and son. What I found interesting was that the young boy and young man looked just like the craftsman and his son. The wings and the hair were unique features that no one else had except that man. And the young lady in the side also looked just like the missing #1 S class hunter Ria.
"I should still have that phone from back then." The only problem was. . . That charger didn't exist anywhere.
I asked around and looked at old stock stores but I just couldn't find anything for it, "a charger like that doesn't exist" I was told that many times. It was really annoying. I got up and opened an old box I had in my dresser and pulled out the old phone.
I remember how someone gave it to me inside a gate. I was with a young girl as well. I believe he mistakenly gave it to me. I kept it safe of course. I even waited and still am, I want to return it but I haven't seen them again.
I've never seen someone with such features. They seem to be one of a kind. Although my eyesight wasn't good at that time I could tell how beautiful they're looks were.
I tried turning it on but it wouldn't turn on. It was smaller than other phones. and for something so old it looked expensive and fashionable. Like it's up to date.
I put it in my inventory
'Maybe Theodore knows something about it or could make a charger for it.'
It was already late. It was past 1 In The morning, taking a bit of a nap wouldn't be bad. I closed my eyes and tried sleeping for a bit.
Some hunters don't sleep. Due to the fact that their hearing was sensitive. So it was hard to sleep when you could hear the slightest noises around.
When I woke up it was already past 8, I hadn't had such a pleasant sleep since awaking. While doing my morning routine I thought about going to go see him but I was already late for work.
In the end I went over to see him. It was really more of 'I want' to see him then a need.
But when I got there he was passed out cold near the houses gait. It looked as
if he was dead. That's something I seen many times as a hunter. Although he looked dead he was still breathing he looked just like a corpse. I didn't waste time and took him straight to the hospital . It seemed like his condition got worse. I kept an eye on him because of how shady he was acting, but like Noah said 'spying on someone who hadn't done anything is not legal.'
"Yeah, until the guy you're looking after passes out dead in front of his house."
The doctor seemed very concerned, while looking at all the tests they did on him. The doctor looked at me and stated " It seems like for an awakened person it's rare for them to get this sick and to this high level, and for them to get this sick it must have been once they awakened their body must have rejected the awakening. He must have been very young when he first awakened. around . . . 9-10."
That was something unheard of, there was no record of someone awakening that young. Theodore on the other hand was around 20 when he awakened. There was no way they would have a reason to lie about his awakening. All of the sudden I heard a "DING"
"Uh??"
The doctor looked at me confused, "Hey you ok? are you alright Sylvester? "
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"That ding "
"No"
All of the sudden there was another one.
-Ding-
-DIng-
I opened my inventory. It was the phone. I pulled it out. It was on.
"What the? how? I thought it didn't have charge."
"Is something wrong Sylvester?"
"Uhm, no it seems like I got notified of something."
"I see , if it's urgent I'll send you Theodore's information. There's also a young lady waiting in the hall waiting to see him. Should we let her see him?"
The doctor looked at me.
"Let her in, it seems like they know each other."
It looked like it was more than they "knew each other." For someone to be that inpatient about someone. I looked over at her while still talking to the doctor. I kept glancing over in the room. It seemed like he wasn't waking up anytime soon.
" I'll be right back doc, there's something I have to do real quick. Let me know when he wakes up."
" Of course. I'll see you soon."
I walked out to the top of the hospital. And took out the phone from my pocket.
"That's strange, after everything I tried turning it on and failed in every way. So why is it turning on now?"
Did the hospital have something that was a lined with it? It just didn't make sense. The phone Dinged again. And it opened.
There were many messages,and missed calls from one person.
—
-This isn't funny anymore, why aren't you answering?
—
—
-Do you think this is funny? Bunny, why aren't you answering me? Did something happen? Get to me as soon as you can.
—
"Bunny? Is that his name or something?"
—
-I found something about your dad, it seems like he found Ria as well.
—
"Ria? The hunter? When was this sent?" I kept scrolling trying to figure out when the last message was sent to this guy. The last message was sent at 11:43 pm.
—
-Uncle, I'm thinking about doing one more gate and taking a break after. I'm thinking about staying at my parents home for the time being. My house isn't fully finished yet.
-Oh by the way can you do me a favor and keep an eye on the thing I told you about. It seems like the crack was bigger than I thought. I don't have the time to fix it right now, with dad gone I'll have to take care of it by myself. Thank you.
—
—
-Got it, don't worry about it. I will keep an eye on it if it gets worse. I'll try to take care of it as well, and have a safe trip.
^^
-I'll go visit you once's im done with the overseas meeting. So around two months. Don't miss me too much bunny ^u^.
—
A pop up came up in the front screen all of the sudden
*You have been logged out*
Facial scan has failed
_
You are not authorized to continue this chat please put it the name, password, key to log in,
Name :___________
Password :___________
Key word:____________
__
'Uh? Did it just kick me out?'
Well i guess it's normal it has been years since the last time it was opened.
What else is in here? I opened up some of the applications on it and they looked like they were all reports on the dungeons he was in, there were hundreds of them, they were all organized.
"He must have been involved a lot. But he must have started at 18, but if that was the case there would have been less reports as well. You're only allowed 2-3 gates per week, unless it's an emergency. I kept scrolling until I saw the last one was 1192- jungle
==
Report 1192_ jungle A-0092 Class: A-S
Plant like creatures, with what seemed to have humane like bodies. 10-15 feet tall.
Fighting type: vines, poisons, roots with thorns that tangle around the body like rope.
Report: send 3-4 A class hunters of fighting types or 2 S class fighting types. To take care of the gate.
L-B report 07935. -End report-
===
Was this the last one? I scrolled around and it seemed like it was the last one, but then there was a draft left unfinished.
=
Report 20051_ forest E-1536 Class B-A
Wolf type monster and possesses flowers careful with the hallucination made by the amount of time in Dungeon, physical damage is not enough. It seems like this one was rearranged once entering B-A to a S class gate, look more into it.
"unknown specimens code 1"
"The gate is trying to collapse on itself."
"Reason unknown "
"2 kids found siblings maybe?"
"Just take them out before it closes. We don't want more trouble with the people."
"Got it"
"We have about an hour left I think it's enough time"
" Is that ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️?? "
"Hey kid, I know you're awake do me a favor and ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ ok.
=
The report ended there, there was nothing more. Did they record themselves talking and then write down the information?
Well I'm not sure when the next time the "phone" will open, might as well start saving some files. I pulled out a hard drive and started downloading, it seemed like it would take about 16 hours to save everything. Than all of the sudden i got the a urgent message from the doctor
_
"Theodore has gone missing. Can you track him down? He is not in the right conditions to be going out. Or to even be walking freely. If he has a bad fall he could literally die. Please find him and bring him back as soon as possible.
_
Hearing that I ran back down to his room. That young lady wasn't there as well. From the looks of it he had also pulled out the wires, seeing the amount of blood that was spilled around. He couldn't have gone that far. By the time I found him around 10 hours had passed and he seemed to be sleeping as well.
Did he not notice how much blood he lost? You could see it through the clothes, the brown and red stains. I walked up to him, he was in a deep sleep. I sat next to him. I had missed a whole day of work looking for this guy.
"Unbelievable, how did you even get this far without anyone questioning your condition?"
And as expected he woke up an hour later, although I was supposed to take him back to the hospital it seemed like he was more comfortable here. It is amazing how much energy he had to move around this much. He was clumsy, and hot tempered after waking up. You could tell he wasn't happy to see me.
And pushing people away so they couldn't touch him was also rude, I didn't see him doing that with Harison. But he just doesn't like skin contact. Well that is what he claimed might as well start bothering him as well.
There was always something about him that felt off, I knew "Theodore" since I came here. That day the gate opened, I came out. I was in a different country and couldn't go back home because the gate destroyed it so he was the first person that helped me adjust here. He left for around 3 years, and came back acting like he didn't know me. I always wondered if this was the "Theodore" I knew.
"Yeah, you're not really Theodore. That's why I found you so weird. I looked up "Theodore" or 'your' information. You're completely different from him."
He still acted indifferent after I told him that.
And even while sitting next to him, he was never the type to look at views. It was more like he hated them.
So when he asked me to do him a favor to tell Harrison something I was confused. Because he was acting as if he wasn't going to see him again.
"Sylvester, can you do me a favor when you see Harrie?"
"Harrie? Won't you see him tomorrow? Or later today?"
"I'm not sure, I still feel bad for not keeping a promise. If I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep it. . . I wouldn't have done it. So can you, can you tell him something for me?"
"I see, sure. What do you want me to tell him?"
" Tell him.. . . . . . . "
"What?"
It was as if his speech wasn't human, I couldn't understand him at all. It was such a weird feeling as well. I also noticed this from a bit ago as well. His speech was completely different, talking formally and respectfully to everyone he was always so crude no one liked him. He wasn't himself at all, when I was about to ask about what he said I got a bunch of calls.
Even when I kept ending them they kept calling. It must be a gate opening again. Shit.
"You should get going, it seems like they need you."
"Yes but I didn't get what you said."
"Then come back after you're done and I'll tell you again."
I checked my phone and it was an unknown caller and it also looks like all the files were downloaded as well.
"Alright, we can do that. I'll be right back then."
While leaving I had such a weird feeling, and as I made my way down the hill I saw a young man walking up the hill as well. I couldn't see his face or anything at that moment but I could tell he wasn't any regular person. The amount of pressure I felt by just walking past him was insane. A new S class hunter? I felt like throwing up. He felt like a monster more than human.
I called noha once I got down the hill, it only took 2 rings for him to answer.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL DAY!! I COULDN'T EVEN CONTACT YOU!!!! DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT DAM OLD PHONE OF YOURS!!!
"Man you must have had quite a day to be yelling at me like that, did a gate open or something. I was getting a bunch of calls. I was starting to wonder if you changed your phone number or something. Haha.
What no, nothing has happened, by the way tell me where you've been you have a lot of paper work to do. So you better get here soon. Or i'll mak--
I hung up, barely thinking, and looked up the hill. An idea lingered in me, if someone had been trying to get Theodore alone, if those calls were meant to pull me away so they could reach him… it might have been a coincidence, but it didn't sit right.
I started to walk back up, i wasn't really thinking i just kept walking up. That same feeling I felt earlier with that person also came up a flight or fight response I started running up to hear.
"Will they remember me?"
"Would you like me to erase their memory master?"
Master? Who's that talking? I kept running up this time after. Could it be that other guy.
"Master, how. . how did he find you so fast?"
"What, what are you talking about?"
"That guy, he's not supposed to be here. I made sure he wasn't here. So why is he here?"
"How would I know?"
What are they talking about? I pulled out my sword. I felt a sudden glare. I noticed that Theodore was bleeding much more but it was from his chest. He just smiled at me.
"that won't do anything. He's one of his creations as well."
I aimed my sword towards that guy but he was way faster than I was. He grabbed the blade of the sword, pulling it away from me and pinning me down.
"HEY!! LET ME GO!! HE'S BLEEDING TO MUCH, LET GO!!!!"
".. . ."
"I started kicking him. "I SAID LET GO!!"
He still didn't let go, instead he just tightened his grip.
"How did you get here?"
"What are you talking about? Let go he'll die if he doesn't go to the hospital."
"That wouldn't do anything, he doesn't have any more time here anymore."
"What? No time? What are you talking about?"
"You're wasting my time, answer my question."
"NO!!, LET ME GO!!'
"Fine, then I'll find out for myself. And where did you get it from?"
"I'm not telling you that" as i catched my breath and made my way to Theodore he grabbed my collar. This time he was less aggressive.
" I've never seen you hunter this low, you must be a S hunter at most, not even my maker was this low and he wasn't even a hunter. He was a "craftsman". It's pathetic to see. Even my master isn't this low even in a regular human body."
"What? What are you saying?"
Before I was able to look at him he knocked me out and i woke up in the hospital 3 weeks later.
*******