So, Now You Care

Final volume

"You good, Jester?"

I turn my head to look at Elvis who was leaning against a few boxes.

"Where's the money..."

Instead of handing me bills, he hands me a card.

It was a special card made of carbon steel and jet-black in color. It's heavy.

"As promised, 50/50."

"80K?"

He silently nods.

"Alright."

I tuck it in one of the pockets and slowly get up, the stinging sensation of pain radiating from almost every corner of my body.

"What're you gonna do with the money?"

He asks, taking out the lolipop in his mouth.

"I thought we agreed on no questions."

I narrow my eyes and glare at him, causing him to concede.

"Alright, alright."

Placing both of his hands up, he smiles while crushing the lolipop with his teeth, which he had put back in.

I walk out of the club and go back towards the hospital, where I could see Lia again.

As soon as I enter, a nurse in purple blatantly stares at me and shouts very, very loudly.

"HE'S BACK!"

In an instant, nurses and whatnot rushes out to assist me.

They hurriedly carry me to a room as I'm put under anesthesia.

The next time I woke up was in a room not mine.

"...? Where am I..."

My eyes still half closed, I watch the silhouette of a slim person sitting up.

"You're awake!"

The familiar voice hugs me, sending jolts of pain throughout my body.

"AUGH-"

Realising her mistake, she lets go of me and cringes at what she did.

"Sorry..."

"It's fine."

I try to wave my hand to reassure her, but I couldn't do even that.

"More importantly, are you allowed to be here...?"

My voice comes out weaker than I intended, causing the blurry form that is Lia to worry.

"Are you okay?"

She dodges my question completely and asks me one.

"I can't say I've felt worse, but I have felt better."

She manages to let out a chuckle as she moves hair out of her face and tucks it behind her ear.

"You're viral, you know."

I manage to open my eyes and take in the room, wincing at the pristine white color.

"Oh, yeah... There were people recording and whatnot. How... How long was I out for...?"

It was hard to tell since my body hadn't healed the tiniest bit, but you never know.

"You've been out for 3 days. The doctors said you hit your head really hard..."

A strange sensation spreads throughout me. It's difficult to explain, but it's like my consciousness taking a step back, and everything becoming surreal.