Dark Matter

Hospitality

There were bright lights. People talking quickly. Loud sirens and screaming. Everything faded in and out of blackness. When Akiko fully woke up, their body was numb. They blinked against the harsh light until their eyes adjusted. They looked over at the chair by the bed and saw Aaron, Damian, B, and N. Aaron and Damian were both trying to sleep on the chair together. N was sitting with his back against the side of it. B was leaning against the wall and trying to stay awake. When she noticed that Akiko was awake she jolted up and ran over to Akiko's side. "Akiko!" N looked up at B and Akiko and fixed his glasses. "Oh, good. You've woken up." Aaron opened one of his eyes and saw the others. He closed it again before the others noticed he was up. "Aaron. I know you're up." N craned his neck to look at him. "No, you don't, Nile." Aaron groaned. "Do you have to reveal everyone's name, Aaron?" Nile hissed. "Yep." "Shut up and focus on Akiko." B snapped at them. Akiko laughed softly. "Missed this." they said hoarsely. "So, what happened?" Akiko looked at B. "Car." Nile said shortly. "Oh." The memories flashed through Akiko's mind. Date, gunshots, crowd, lights, and dark. "Is she okay?" B tried to say she was, but Aaron and Nile both said she wasn't. "Stop being negative nellies!" B yelled at them. They started arguing and when Damian growled they shut up.

The door to Akiko's room opened and a nurse walked in. "Ah, Ms. Takashimi. You're awake. How are you feeling?" "Uh, numb." Akiko answered truthfully. They decided against pointing out that they were a 'they'. "Yes, well... we worry that you might have some paralysis below your waist. If you do, it is only temporary." "Oh... W-what happened to the lady that attacked the shooter?" "Do you know her?" Akiko worried for the answer. "Yeah, we were on a date." The nurse sighed and Akiko's anxiety climbed. "I'm sorry. Her injures were severe. She was able to kill the shooter before she died." Akiko sighed and B touched their hand softly.