Epics of Noche 1, Anchor

EON CH 10

HOSPITALIZED.

1774, JULY 20th.

Noche slowly became conscious to the buzz of fluorescent lights. The anesthetic filled her nose as her vision became less and less blurry. There was a muffled chatting from what sounded like a tv.

"Poor thing. I can't even imagine what she's been through," A man said. "She's so skinny... Those desert worn bandages make her look like a mummy."

Fresh air stung Noche's arms as her bandages were undone. There was a sharp pain as some tube entered her arm.

"She's lost a vast majority of her muscle mass. Honestly she's basically a skeleton," he said. "If she was any thinner they'd hang her up at a halloween store... Or anatomy class."

Noche faded to unconsciousness.

The next time she opened her eyes, a young man stood nearby. 

"Oh hey, you're awake. You've been unconscious for a week. I'm Cherries, your nurse." He said, "I'm a part-time CNA, full-time student, life-time tailor. Pleasure to meet you."

This boy named Cherries had a thin, yet sturdy, build; having the appearance of a dexterous barrel worker. He wore a bright orange shirt with the sleeves rolled up, brown pants with yellow suspenders, taped up fingers, and a variety of sewing needles lined his suspender straps. On his right hip was measuring tape that went around his waist loosely three times; like a large belt leaning on the left leg. Finally, he wore a brown newspaper cap and brown leather dress shoes.

Cherries walked over to the nearby clipboard and picked it up.

"You may be a bit confused. Right now, you're at the Cross military hospital. Looking at the chart," he looked up at her, "and well... The state of your body. Odds are you've been motionless for about a year or two. The most likely reason is you've probably been in a coma."

He pointed to a small blinking microchip, embedded in a piece of cut out fabric, that was laying on a tray nearby.

"If it wasn't for this S.O.S. beacon sewn into your gown, President Medusa and General Dreg would have walked right past you on their trip back from MoveCity."

Noche could see all this out the corner of her eye. However, she didn't move her gaze. All she could do was stare at the same spot she saw the moment she opened her eyes. Cherries leaned over, clicked his flashlight pen, and inspected her eyes.

"Seems to be dilating properly." He muttered.

Her eyes flickered to him as he put the pen-light away.

"Hey. It'll be alright. Take your time to recover," Cherries said. "Press this call light button if you need anything." 

Noche's eyes rolled back to their original spot. Cherries left and she stayed motionless all day. He checked up on her multiple times throughout the day. Brought her lunch and dinner. Yet Noche did not move. She didn't avert her gaze. Noche stayed still. Night came quickly.

The next morning, Cherries brought Noche breakfast and kept her company. Pangs of hunger stung her belly, yet she had no desire to eat. She had no desire to live. It was when Cherries picked up the now cold tray of food did she speak.

"... I want to die." Noche whispered.

Cherries turned around with high raised eyebrow, wide eyes, and an open mouth. He closed his mouth, opened it again, then closed it as his eyes went to the side.

"Just like when I lived in Thimbleton." He muttered.

Cherries face then lit up.

"What if... It was impossible to die?" Cherries said, "What do you want then?"