Key to the World

Hospitality of Theta-II

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The sound of high pitched beeping and mechanical whirs fill my ear, there's a weird sting in my arm. My eyes strain as I begrudgingly try to open them white light blinds me, I reflexively shut my eyes and turn my head before trying again.

Where is this? The walls are immaculate, unblemished and reflective white tiles. I don't know of any place that is even close to being this clean. What in the world am I hooked up to? I see a tubed needle stuck into my arm with a bag hung up on a rack next to the bed. I sigh, trying to pushing myself off the soft material I'm on to sit up. I groan in pain as the numb feeling of pins and needles shoot up my whole body, making me fall back on the mattress. "Argh! Guess I'm not getting up now."

"Good morning, Mr. Gearhead. It seems you've awoken."  An unknown voice says nearby. I look to the source of it and see a vixen in simple clothing holding a clipboard to her chest. "Who are you and where am I?" I ask cautiously. She responds by bringing the board a bit lower and flicking a small plastic plate pinned to her chest, giggling. "Well according to the tag my name is Sarah, I'm a nurse and you're at the hospital of Theta-II."

My head tilts to the side in confusion. "Theta-II!? How did I get here? It's miles between III and II. And also this place is pristine, I've never seen anything like it." The vulpine walks next to the bed, checking a machine and marking stuff down on her paper.

"You've been unconscious for 2 days, so let me put you up to speed. You see, the people had to go somewhere after the terrorist attack on Theta-III so the Guardian Association sent convoys to pick everyone up. Everyone was assigned a temporary living space while repairs are being done over there. You know, for someone who ran headfirst into an inferno, you seem surprisingly unharmed. Physically exhausted yes, but unscathed for the most part." She notes, flipping through her documents. "Also, cleanliness is the bare minimum for a place of patient care. I've heard rumours, but how bad was it in Theta-III?"

I scoff, still immobile. "Bad doesn't even begin to describe that hell hole." I draw deep breaths in and out, trying to get up one more time, but to no avail as I flop back onto the bed.

"Oh, let me help you out with that." She says, pressing a button, I hear a slight mechanical whir and feel vibrations on my back as the bed itself sits me up. "There, that should get your blood moving a bit again. We can work on shaking off the rest of that numbness later. You should be pretty hungry right now yes?" 

I nod. "Yeah, the food (if you could even call it that) in III is uhh... unappetizing to say the least. So if the difference between III and II are really that huge, then I'm actually looking forward to eating for once rather than just out of necessity."

Her chipper guise drops for a moment, hearing the living conditions in Theta-III. But she quickly puts a mask back up and pipes up. "Well in that case, give me a bit, I'll go get some food for you."

And with the soft tip taps of paws on the ground, she quickly left the room.

...

With that out of the way for now... "Argon?" I call out, not expecting much since I have no idea where he is. But to my surprise, I see a wisp of flames slink out from under the bed and dissipate before his voice rings in my head. "I am here, Jamie. Glad to see you've awoken. How are you feeling?" He asks tentatively.

"Sore, kinda hungry. But otherwise, alright I guess." I answer, taking soft breaths. "I apologize. While I was able to mostly protect you from bodily harm from the fire. I cannot affect your body, so any lack in physical strength will have to be trained." I sigh. "Yeah, that's understandable. Man, I'm hungry. Hope the food is good." "Indeed, we can work on your physical strength later. Rest up now for now. I think I hear her returning."

Surely enough, I can hear the light tapping of keratin claws on the floor. The door to the room once again slides open as the fox enters the room with a metal bowl in her hands. She pulls out a table attached to the side of the sickbed and places the tray down. "Since you just woke up, unfortunately, I can't get you anything more substantial than porridge for now. Eating takes energy after all. And we need to get your body used to food again. Please try to eat slowly even if you're very hungry."

I nod and sigh. Picking up the spoon provided, I have a taste of the grey slop. My eyes light up in surprise. It looks unappetising, but it's a nice and simple flavour with some sweetness. I reach to pick up the bowl, wanting to wolf down it's contents, but Sarah grips tightly onto my wrists with a stern smile on her face. "Sir. Please eat slowly. You'll upset your stomach and puke it back out otherwise. "Y- Yes Ma'am..." I mutter meekly. Calming myself down, I take it slow, spoonful by spoonful.

"Sorry, its just this is better than anything I've had back in Theta-III..." I say with a tear streaming down my face. Sarah gasps and covers her mouth when she hears that. "Oh god... I'm so sorry to hear that sir... Tell you what? When you get better, I'll treat you to a good meal!"

I chuckle, wiping my face with the back of my hand. "Thanks, and just call me Jamie, it's weird being referred to like that." I nervously wave my hands in front of me in a negatory manner. "Oh actually, has Dana come and visited me while I was out cold?" I ask.

"Oh, Officer Rust. Yes she has! She's been quite worried about you." She replies, I chuckle. "Oh typical Dana. Knowing her I'm guessing she has plans to visit me today."

Right as I say that, I hear the door as puma in question comes barrelling in. "I HEARD YOU'RE AWAKE!" A whole group of shushing can be heard from outside as the feline winces, turning around and bowing out to the hallway. "Sorry everyone..." The nurse giggles as she leads her in. "I understand you're excited to know your friend is awake, but do try to keep it down. This is a hospital and there are other patients trying to rest." Like a child being scolded for being naughty, all the large puma could do was nod and scratch the back of her neck.

The both of them come back to the side of the bed after a minute of gentle scolding. "How ya feeling Jam?" Dana tentatively asks. "I'm alright thanks, how are you feeling? Any serious injuries?" She raises an eyebrow at me with her mouth ajar. "You're asking me? You. The one that recklessly ran into a fire without direction. You. Who decided it was a good idea to confront a mysterious terrorist." While her tone is in worry, I can't help but feel this is also her scolding me. But she stopped with a sigh and a small smile on her face. "Haa... Well, ultimately as long as you're alright. But don't pull something like that again!" I raise a finger and open my mouth, briefly closing it back up to reconsider my words before replying. "I can't promise anything, but I'll try."

"Thanks for worrying Danasaur."

"Right back at ya buddy."