Debt Collectors (ONC Entry)

Soul 4

850, 274

The receptionist gave his bag back before he walked out of the receiving hall.

He was on his way to the his room when he saw his neighbor leaving their own room. Saviour hadn't bothered to get to know his neighbours or anyone in his floor ever since he moved in and he wasn't about to start now.

They walked past each other without a word until the man suddenly staggered and Saviour quickly shot his arm forward to catch him from tumbling to the ground.

"Hey. Are you-"

"Are you okay?" the 2nd voice drowned out his question and he saw Hope running to them from down the hall, 2 drinks in hand. Hope sometimes drops by his room after work, staying a while to chat with him.

One time though, she came just as he was preparing for a nap and they ended up arguing that she was being too clingy and annoying. They made up after he relented to her wishes.

"I'm sorry, I got dizzy for a second" he reached over to try to cling to Hope but Saviour noticed his movements and pulled him upright abruptly.

The action surprised the 2 including himself and he let his hand drop once he was certain the man was steady.

Hope stared at Saviour for a second longer as if waiting for him to explain himself but after not receiving anything, she turned back to the 3rd person, "Are you okay? Do you need to go to the medical ward?" she asked, concerned.

Workers don't usually get sick in the domain. The medical ward was created after they tried curing those whose souls were damaged before the domain was improved. Later, it became the end place of those damaged souls as they were put to rest forever. Its reputation rose a little when it added the rehabilitation hub for Empathizers who had broken but for most, it was a one way ticket to expiry. Saviour internally wondered who thought up the idea to make the dead even deader. It must be the same guy who made up the law.

This will explain why Hope the Empathizer freely brought up the medical ward and why the man - who appeared to be from the Judgement Department based on the brown blazer and patch on his chest - had stiffened, a trace of fear in his eyes.

"No, no need. I don't think it's that serious" he shook his head and even took a step back.

Hope seemed blind to his nervousness, "Are you sure? The medical ward is close by. I'm good friends with someone who works there so they'll take care of you real well"

The man visibly shook and Saviour sighed, deciding that he should stop his idiot from making things worse. Hmm... Did he just say his?

"That's enough, Hope. You know how others view the medical ward" Saviour spoke up, ignoring his wayward thoughts.

She looked at him in confusion then she paled and hastily explained to the man, "I'm sorry. That's not what I mean. It's uncommon for someone to get dizzy since we're impervious to sickness so I thought you were dying. No! That's not what I mean either!" Hope wailed in despair, sinking to the floor while clutching her head.

Saviour turned to him nonchalantly, his expression devoid of emotion, "As you can see, she's an imbecile. Please forget all that's she said up until now"

Hope jumped back up, glaring at him in offence, "Mean! You're a mean one, Mr. Finch!"

"Mr. Finch? Where did you get that one?"

"When I was alive!" she answered with a pout.

They continued to argue, forgetting the man who stood dumbfounded before them.