The Mutation Wave

Chapter 15: A New Ally

Her eyes flew open.

Blinding lights, curtains all around... The smell of disinfectant.

... And a throbbing headache.

She squinted as she fought the dizziness, gripping the bandages around her head. Her feet treaded the ground gingerly while she held on a nearby cabinet for support-

Footsteps.

Her ears pricked as she scanned the area for a possible weapon to defend herself, but found none. She could fist-fight her way out of this one, but with a dizzy spell like that, she might just end up punching herself instead. Nevertheless... If she was going down, she's not gonna go down without a fight-

"Oh you're awake! Please stay in your bed, dearie. You haven't quite recovered yet."

The Red Clover turned around wide-eyed.

... An old lady?

The old lady ushered her back to the bed firmly as she placed her hand on her forehead. "No fever, that's great. What's your name, dearie?" The old lady's voice carried an air of coaxing gentleness bolstered by authoritativeness that could only come with age.

"Yuxia," The Red Clover blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Oh ho ho! You're Chinese, just like me! Zi ji ren!" The old lady chuckled heartily as she pulled up a chair. Yuxia stared at her blankly, still trying to process what was going on.

"You were hit in the head quite badly, dear. I'm just going to make sure you didn't suffer any lasting brain damage," the old doctor said. "Can you remember anything?"

Yuxia furrowed her eyebrows in concentration as she tried to recall what happened- Oh no.

A single tear rolled down her face as the memories began flooding back to her. "D-dad..." she whispered. Yuxia tensed up as the old lady moved forward, but let her arms fall to her sides as she sobbed silently in the embrace of the doctor. It felt warm and comforting, despite the cold metallic armour she was wearing.

"Oh, poor girl. Lost someone, did you?" the doctor's gentle lulling voice whispered in her ear. Emotions overwhelmed her sense of rationality like water gushing through a broken dam as she hugged the stranger tightly.

"I don't mean to intrude on the moment..."

Yuxia flinched, quickly letting go of the doctor. She stared apprehensively at the three people standing in front of her.

"Do go easy on her, will you? She just lost someone dear," the old lady told Victor as she got up and left the room.

The door closed.

"I know you," Yuxia said coldly, looking straight at Masako.

"And we know this isn't your first time here." Victor folded his arms. "Nice to finally meet you face to face, Red Clover."

Yuxia looked away silently.

"Hey..." Masako said. "I understand that you're still grieving, and I'm sorry about your father. But-"

"You don't get to talk about my father!"

Masako flinched as the Red Clover stood up suddenly. "You could've done something! You were my only hope at turning him back! And if it wasn't for the damn transmitter, he... he wouldn't have..." Yuxia slumped back onto her bed gripping her head as tears streamed down her face.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help. Please don't overexert yourself; you're not completely recovered yet." Masako walked towards Yuxia despite her hostile stares.