The Hovering Ingress: The Hidden World

Chapter 34

Planned Retrieval

Two Sune Cycles Later

Jasar nervously walked up to the hospital in the middle of Highland Town. Things were starting to go a little in favor of being known to the entirety of the island. There had been reports and searches for Favi and Marsh, who Bu and Merit had been frantically trying to get back once they realized they weren't there. What haunted the cat was that Xengu did say something about them to not be taken if they went to Mender's Den. He would have asked her once they got her to heal up, if it wasn't for the fact that a Sinister targeted them and knocked her out cold.

Entering the automatic doors, he looked around and spotted a familiar light gray wolf, who looked incredibly tired given her stature and droopy eyelids. Quietly Jasar swallowed saliva as he snuck past the eager stares and came up to Jordain.

"Hey, I'm here like you asked," he mumbled.

The wolf was thrown out of her light slumber and jolted, wildly looking around before glancing to the cat and sighing a little.

"Good, you'll want an update on Xengu's case, I'm sure," she said as she leaned on the wall more stiffly and crossed her arms.

"Yes, I have some questions whenever she fully heals too," Jasar mumbled.

"Well, that won't be for a very long while," Jordain said as she led the light gray cat through the bustling hallway with nurses and doctors going in and out of rooms.

The tom tilted his head a little at the wolf's words.

"Why's that?"

"She's in a coma," the wolf finalized, letting out a sigh.

Jasar froze in his place and widened his eyes, letting out a sharp inhale. A coma?! He hadn't heard that word in forever. His mother wouldn't dare to let anyone say it, not after his father...

"I know, it... must be a shock to you, but it's common for people, especially bifers, to be thrown into one during battle," the wolf continued.

The cat quietly shook his head and slapped his cheek, itching to pinch his shoulder.

"This is a nightmare..." he muttered.

"A one you're living in, sure."

"S-she can't be in a coma! I need to speak with her about Favi and Marsh. She knew what happened to them!" Jasar blurted out as they came to a stop at an open, hospital room.

Jordain gently put a hand on the cat's shoulder and sent a piercing, golden gaze into his eyes.

"It will be alright. She's not to be gone for searings, she'll wake up within a ninth sune."

The cat stared at the wolf with wild eyes before relenting and relaxing, staring at the floor in distraught. The elderly bifer sniffed before looking into the hospital room, allowing a nurse to leave. She then tilted the cat's chin up and nodded to the open door. Gulping down saliva, Jasar looked into the room, scanning to the hospital bed.

There the winged feline laid, her eyes closed in a relaxed manner, her body covered in tubes and wires. The tom cat wanted to look away, though he took a deep breath and approached the bed. Good lord, what have I done? I shouldn't have tried to take Xengu back alone. She was already in enough pain, he thought, turning his head away.

"Given her status, she should be kept from flying for around a ninth sune after she wakes up, given the fact that she was knocked out cold in the head. Elevating herself in the air wouldn't do her any good at all," Jordain said.