The Twilight Princess

Twelve

The faint sound of beeps rippled through the air. A coldness rushed in. Except for the beeping, there was complete silence. A door swung open. The sound of heavy footsteps pounded against the floor. "Will she be alright doctor?" A familiar voice asked. "Only time will tell," replied a deep male voice. "She's been out for hours, since last night." The footsteps came closer. "Aria. Aria. Wake up."

Aria's head felt heavy as she slowly sat up. She looked around. A man in his 40s was kneeling right beside her, worry spread across his face. Behind him were Zoey and Kai, who both looked just as worried. The man wore a white lab coat, and held a clipboard. He had dark brown hair, and round little glasses laid on his nose. They looked like they were going to fall off his nose. He pushed them up several times.

Aria laid in a bed. But she wasn't the only one. Several other people of many different ages were also in beds, in this very large room. Some were coughing and sneezing, others were knocked out, and some had on casts and wraps around their head. She was in a hospital. Zerelelia Hospital. For the sick and injured.

This was where all the research surrounding the mysterious disease equirza took place. There were also many, many patients here that had it. But due to it being extremely contagious, they were all in separate rooms.

"I think she's finally starting to wake up," said the man optimistically. "Oh thank goodness," said a nearby nurse. "That's wonderful news doctor," Kai chimed in. The doctor nodded. He put his hand on Aria's hand. "Feeling better?" He asked. Aria moaned. She felt dizzy, like she was about to faint. "Um, a little," she mumbled. She put her hand on her head. "What happened?"

"We found you lying there alone in the middle of the throne room last night, when we returned to the palace," explained Zoey. "Kai and I were so worried. So we called the hospital. We thought you were......uh—"

"Dead?" Zoey nodded hesitantly. "But luckily you're not." She threw her arms around her friend. Aria looked up at the doctor. "How long was I out?" He looked at the monitor. "About 10 hours." Aria looked out the big glass window next to her. It was a bright, beautiful morning. Birds sang and flew by. But she couldn't stop thinking about her family.

They were missing. She had to find them. Especially Ro. Oh, poor Ro. Aria felt really bad for always picking a fight with her. Now, she might lose her forever. "I have to find my sister," she popped up. "Now." The doctor leaned in closer to her. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

"Why not?"

"Because, you're still recovering. That magic bolt caused pretty severe damage. Even though fortunately it didn't, it could have fractured your vertebrae. Like I said, it didn't, but it still caused massive damage. We'll have to perform surgery."

"Surgery?"

"Yes. Immediately."

"No. I don't have time. Ro's in trouble and I—"

Zoey patted her on the shoulder. "Aria, do as Dr. Elmer says. Don't worry. I'll save Ro for you."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Alright fine. Let's get this over with." Aria got up. Dr. Elmer clasped his hands together. "Great. Follow me then."

Kai and Zoey walked out the front door as Dr. Elmer led Aria to a room in the back. "Everything alright?" He asked as they entered the room. "You were mumbling things in your sleep," he closed the door behind him. "Something about being alone." Aria looked up. She was still shaky from the blast. "Yes, I'm fine. It was just a dream," she said.

Dr. Elmer bent over and started to type on his computer. "A very realistic and scary one, but just a dream." She sighed. Dr. Elmer turned to face her. "You think it could mean something?" He pushed up his glasses. Aria shook her head. Then she looked into the doctor's eyes, which were glinted with worry. "Unless, you think—