[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure] Standstill Bonds

Chapter 30 ~ The Promise

Polnareff paced restlessly, his wheelchair moving in short bursts in the hallway as he relayed the details of Josephine's condition to the Speedwagon Foundation. His voice was desperately urgent as he sought their immediate assistance. Doctors were en route, and their arrival couldn't come soon enough.

In the spare room, Josephine lay still, cold, and empty. Holly sat beside her, attempting to bring some warmth and comfort to the young girl. Her hands moved gently, brushing through Josephine's hair and wrapping her in heated blankets, though they did little to chase away the cold. Jotaro stood nearby, leaning against the wall, his face marred by a deep sadness. Arms that had once stood ready to protect now hung useless by his sides, and his gaze was distant, lost in the fog of his guilt and anger. His failure bore down on him, each breath a reminder that he had not been able to save Josephine from Pucci's grasp.

A sharp, urgent knock startled them all and Holly rushed to the door, her heart racing as she opened it to reveal the doctors from the Speedwagon Foundation. They filed into the house and Holly quickly guided them to the bedroom, once they reached her they wasted no time as they assessed Josephine's condition. Jotaro watched as they began hooking her up to machines that blinked and beeped in an unsettling rhythm. Wires, tubes, and drips now bridged the gap between life and death, keeping her stable for now. But Jotaro knew it could only last so long, that the doctors could keep her body alive, but without her Stand, her soul remained lost in some unreachable place.

Sensing the distressing scene, Holly guided Jotaro away from the room, her gentle hand on his arm pulling him back toward the living room. They, along with Polnareff, waited in silence as the medical team continued their work. The minutes stretched on, each one more agonizing than the last. Eventually, a doctor emerged from the room, his face somber but professional. He offered a respectful bow before speaking, his voice soft but clear. "Mr. Jotaro, Mrs. Kujo, Monsieur Polnareff, thank you for your patience. We've done what we can for now. Josephine's condition is stable, but it's critical. Without her Stand, the stability we've managed is only temporary. I'd estimate she has about a month, at best."

Holly's grip on Jotaro's hand tightened, her concern evident as she looked from the doctor to her son. Jotaro remained silent as absorbed the information like a sponge.

The doctor continued, offering a shred of hope in the bleak prognosis. "It may help to talk to her. We can't know if in her circumstances it's even possible, but in some coma cases, we've seen that patients retain some level of auditory awareness. Even though she can't respond, and may not be able to understand, voices might provide her some comfort, it's worth trying." He paused, then added delicately, "We took the liberty of checking on her family, her father is safe and well. Her parents have been given an alibi, and as far as they know, Josephine is on a school trip. Her father doesn't remember anything about his attack."

Holly nodded in gratitude and thanked the doctor. As he left, Holly looked at her son and the pain deep within his eyes. She knew what this was doing to him, how the pain of yet another possible loss was eroding his already fragile emotional state.

"Go to her, dear" Holly urged gently. "Talk to her. I'll join you shortly."

-

Jotaro's heart and soul were heavy as he stepped inside the room. The once familiar, comforting space within his home now felt foreign, filled with the hum of machines and the cold, clinical scent of medicine. Kneeling beside her, Jotaro hesitated for a long moment before his large hand reached out and gently brushed her hair away from her face. She looked so peaceful, despite the wires and tubes that kept her tethered to life.

"Kid," he muttered, his voice low and strained. "You really know how to get yourself into trouble, don't you?" He forced a smile, but it quickly faded. "You're such a pain in the ass."