Tomorrow's Gone (#Wattys2015)

Chapter 24: Reconciliation

*Zoe*

I slowly came to, my eyelids droopy as I forced them open. At first, I couldn't see anything; my vision was blurry. But gradually, very gradually, my vision cleared. I did a double take. I was in a bright room whizzing with energy. A curtain partially obscured my view of the technologically-advanced room. I sat up sluggishly, and only then did I realize I had a needle secured by some sort of bracelet to my forearm. Golden liquid dripped into my veins. My eyes widened when I saw the blood in my veins was perceptibly golden. Golden.

Queasy, I tugged at the white bracelet securing the needle into my skin, my nails digging at my skin. My breaths came out in small pants. I had never liked needles.

I heard a clatter somewhere in the large room, and suddenly a violet-haired woman appeared, parting the curtains, her wide, pink eyes on me. She hurried over, her hands forming vises around my wrists.

"Ducramito," the lady breathed, and her eyes tinted golden, glowing.

I suddenly felt calm, relaxed. I stopped clawing at the IV needle and sagged against the bed, in a daze.

"Rest. This medicine will help you recover." The lady stood beside my bed. "You will be able to leave soon. I have sent someone to inform your family and friends that you have arrived. You will see them soon," she reassured me, her eyes fading from golden to a bright, eerie magenta color.

I sighed, no longer distraught. "I want to see them."

"You will, I assure you. Rest. You will leave sooner if you do so," she insisted.

"Who are you?" I mused.

"I am Pandora, the general practitioner of this ship."

"Pleased to meet you," I held out my hand.

She stared at it strangely, bemused.

"You're supposed to shake it," I chuckled.

Doctor Pandora's brow creased into a frown. After a moment, though, she clasped my hand in hers and shook in in a trembling manner. I laughed weakly, choosing not to correct her.

"How did I get here?" I said hoarsely, clearing my throat.

"Well, I do believe doctor Mercury found your escape ship. Then Phoenix carried you in here," she explained, offhandedly pulling out a square of what appeared to be a sheet of glass. After a moment, though, she swiped her finger across its surface, and it glowed a golden color. She typed in a few things, and then stepped closer to me. She hovered the glass over my head, and a light suddenly shot out, sweeping from my head to my toes, like a scanner. "Ah. You are nearly fully recovered. I do not see it necessary that you stay longer."

I was distracted. Phoenix had carried me? So where was he now?

"Come, I will guide you toward your brethren's dormitories." She began unclasping the bracelet from around my arm. The needle slid out cleanly, a bead of blood escaping from where the needle had protruded my skin. She swiftly pulled out what resembled a cotton ball and pressed it against my skin, wiping the blood away. I sat up.

Doctor Pandora began to walk through the curtains. I presumed I should follow her and stood up, slightly dizzy. I was still wearing the loose garments from the Onyx ship.

I followed Doctor Pandora out, our shoes clicking against the metal floor. I felt lightheaded as I walked, stopping a few times to steady myself. She looked back at me with concerned eyes. She walked slowly toward me, wringing her hands. "Do you need of my assistance?"