Forever

December 9th

For days, Misaki had suffered from the world's worst case of catarrh and sneezes. The bet had been put on hold and there were only two weeks and forty-eight hours left.

On the afternoon of December 9th, Ion prayed Misaki wouldn't get another cold as he started up the engine of Haruki's sedan. Misaki sat next to him, in the passenger seat, wrapped and bundled in the heaviest clothing she could find. Every single part of her, besides her face, was covered and protected from the winter chill. And she preferred it that way. Misaki was tired of being stuck in bed with nothing to do except blow her nose. She was wary of being outside and going to wherever they were headed.

Since Ion had decided to keep their destination top secret, she was overwhelmed when they pulled up in the parking lot of Saint Nicholas' Hospital.

"Why are we here? We're not here for drugs are we? - 'Cause I've already got enough of that cold junk at home," She asked.

He rolled his eyes as he killed the engine. "Just keep quiet and follow me."

Misaki didn't like being ordered around but with a crinkle of her nose, she shut her mouth and went along with him.

They got out and entered. Once inside, Misaki wanted out. The stench of detergent corrupted her nose and she was deafened by the wails and shouts. The atmosphere, which was mixed with the heaviness of death and the glee of recovery, surrounded her like a thick fog. A memory sparked in her mind and she immediately pushed it away, not wanting to remember the last time she was in a hospital six years ago.

She swelled with curiosity as Ion walked to the reception and, after a few seconds, waved for her to come. With nothing but silence exchanged between them, the two walked up the stairs. When they reached the second floor and stopped at a white door labeled 'ROOM 12', Misaki let out a breath.

"Why are we here?" She asked again.

His bottom lip rolled under his teeth. "I want you to meet somebody."

With that, Ion grasped the knob and turned it, allowing the door to creak open. The first thing Misaki saw was bright light before her vision dimmed and everything came into perspective.

Four walls, a ceiling and floor, all blank with white, secured a woman who lay on a mattress. Tubes sunk into her body and machines were placed besides her bed. A heart monitor beeped softly in the background, the sound of low classical music overthrowing it. The woman had brown skin that was pale and slightly wrinkled and her scalp was bald. She was dressed in a skimpy hospital gown, her lower body hidden under blankets. She jumped at the noise of the door and sat up, dark eyes glistening with various emotions, thin, pale pink lips stretching into a smile.

"Oh Ion, you finally came!" She squealed, although her voice - which was faint with a foreign accent - was weak. "I was getting bored out of my mind, thinking you'd never show!"

"Sorry, traffic was much," Ion ambled to her, placing a soft peck on her forehead before settling down on the stool near. Misaki just silently stood at the door, confused on what to do. "I brought her. Misaki, meet Petra Misra. Petra, meet Misaki Evans."

Misaki swayed on the balls of her feet, giving an awkward wave. Petra laughed, her cheeks filling with color for a moment. "Hello Misaki. You must be really confused on why you're here, right?"

She nodded. Ion stood up, saying, "I'll leave you ladies alone for a bit," as he left. Misaki tried to stop him but he just shushed her with a smirk before disappearing. 

"Come sit." Petra gestured to the stool. Misaki dragged her feet hesitantly before sitting. "Okay, Misaki, Ion brought you here to talk to me. He's told me all about you and your, um, for lack of better word, dilemma. He thinks if I tell you my story that that'd be able to convince you."