Animal Adventure

Chapter 7: Depend on the Independent

Just like Teresa has predicted, the winged hybrid refused to go to the hospital. They were really against going. Luckily, Otoya was with them so it was a little bit easier to convince the hybrid. While they were on their way to the hospital, Teresa noticed that the hybrid was having a hard time walking with the noticeable limp they were trying to hide. Teresa, who was not having it today, picked the hybrid up and carried them to the hospital. The hybrid did struggle a bit before just letting Teresa doing what she wants.

Now, the four of them are in the hospital. Andy and Otoya are sitting in the waiting room while Teresa and the hybrid are in the examination room with a male doctor.

"Well," the doctor started, "your wing is broken. We'll have to line it back up so it can be healed properly. Luckily, it is not infected. Your other wounds are also uninfected, but you need to keep it clean for the next few days. Your ankle is sprained. We'll have to wrap it tight. Once you get home, make sure to keep it elevated and put ice on it. Also make sure to not put unnecessary weight on it."

Teresa listens to the doctor very closely while the hybrid nods. Teresa wasn't sure if they were listening or not, but Teresa will have to deal with them later.

"Is there anything else that we need to know?" Teresa asked.

"No. That is all of it. I need to check on the other patients, but I'll be back to fix your wing."

With that, the doctor walks out and closes the door behind him. Teresa sighs as she stretches her arms in the air. The hybrid fidgets from where they are sitting, but otherwise did not move. Once Teresa stops stretching, Teresa gets up and walks towards the hybrid. The hybrid tenses up, but not as much as how they were when the two first met.

"It's a little late for introductions, but my name is Teresa. Can I ask for yours?" Teresa asked.

The hybrid hesitates. They clearly didn't want to say, but after what Teresa did for them, they could do was give their name to her.

"Tokiya." The hybrid mumbled.

Although their voice was low to hear, Teresa can clear hear it. Judging by their name, Teresa concludes that Tokiya is a boy.

"Tokiya. That's a nice name." Teresa stated, smiling warmly at Tokiya for talking to her finally. "Where are you from? Who are your parents?"

Tokiya stays quiet. His face shows that he didn't want to answer those questions. Teresa decides to change the subject.

"What did you do to make Otoya find you? He clearly likes it."

This made Tokiya blush. Teresa holds in a giggle at this cute reaction.

"I was singing." Tokiya said.

"Singing? I bet you are good at it. I would like to hear it some time soon. That is if you are comfortable about it."

The room is filled in with silence. But not the awkward kind, but the comfort kind. Teresa goes back to the chair that she was sitting in earlier while Tokiya stays where he is. Teresa scrolls through something on her phone.

"Tokiya." Teresa broke the silence. "Is there anything you want to eat?"

Tokiya looks surprised by her question.

"What?" Tokiya sputtered.

"What do you want to eat when we get out of the hospital?" Teresa rephased her question.

"I- I don't know."

"Anything is fine. I should also buy some clothes for you. I think you can fit some of Otoya's clothes, but it wouldn't be enough for two growing boys."

At this point, Teresa is making a list to herself. Tokiya looks at Teresa in shock. He just watches Teresa mumbling to herself like she is taking him in.

"Clothes?" Tokiya shakily asked, making Teresa stop her conversation with herself.

"Yes. You can't just wear that all the time. We should also buy more bandages. I'm running low. I should also stock up on-"

Before Teresa can continue, the doctor comes back with a nurse just behind him. Tokiya tenses up, knowing what is going to happen. Teresa sees this and decides to help.

"Is it alright if he holds my hand?" Teresa asked.

The doctor nods. Teresa quickly moves to Tokiya's side and holds her hand out to him. Tokiya takes it after a moment of hesitation. Once they are ready, the doctor and the nurse move to Tokiya's broken wing. Tokiya tenses more.

"Relax." Teresa said, trying to calm Tokiya. "I know it'll hurt, but it'll be over very soon."

Teresa continues to sooth Tokiya. Teresa also rubs the back of the hybrid's smaller hand with her thumb. It feels like forever for Tokiya to relax, but she gets him to be less tense enough for the doctor to quick line the bone back into place. The nurse holds the wing still. It is painful to hear Tokiya cry. It also doesn't help that Tokiya is clinging tightly to her hand.

"You're bleeding." The doctor pointed out when he was finished wrapping the bandage around the newly a lined wing.

Teresa feels something dripping down her cheek. Teresa touches her cheek with the hand that wasn't holding Tokiya's hand. When she withdraws her hand, red liquid is smeared on her fingertips. Teresa looks at her hand in confusion, hardly processing what just happened. Tokiya looks equally confused.

"It's seems like he controlled shadows to lash out." The doctor explained. "It is pretty common patients for to lash out like that."

While the doctor explains what just happened, the nurse goes to a metal box on the all and pull out a box of bandages. After talking one out, she puts the box back. She then goes to grab a tissue nearby. The nurse walks toward Teresa and processes to clean the blood off her face. To finish it off, she sticks the bandage on. Now that the shock of what happened is over, Teresa can feel the sting on her face. Tokiya also seems to get over his shock as the realization hits him. He hurt Teresa. Teresa, who has done nothing wrong, has been hurt by him.

"Hey." Teresa softly said, squeezing his hand that was still in hers. "It's okay. It doesn't hurt that much."

"But-" Tokiya wanted to say but Teresa interrupts him.

"It's normal to do that when you're in pain. I don't blame you."

Tokiya didn't know what to say, so he just nods. After making a last-minute check-up, the doctor deems that Tokiya is good to go home. The two thanks the doctor and walk out the room. On their way to meet with the other half of their group, Teresa asks Tokiya something.

"Would it be okay if you stay with Otoya and me? I don't know where you live and letting you go on your own is a bad idea."

"Will that be okay?" Tokiya asked, not sure what to do.

"I will feel better if you stay with us. I should also inform my sister to make sure she is okay with it. Don't want her to yell at me again."

Tokiya stops walking which in turn made Teresa stop walking. Teresa faces the hybrid, waiting for him to explain why he stopped.

"Why are you helping? You don't know me." Tokiya stated.

"Because I want to." Teresa answered.

Tokiya stares at Teresa for her to explain further. Teresa sighs and kneels down to his level. Teresa then puts her hands on his shoulders, gently squeezing them.

"I don't need a reason to help people, especially kids like you. I will help anyone that need help. And I don't expect anything in return. As long as you are safe and happy, that is enough for me."

Teresa makes sure to look at Tokiya's eyes. She wants him to understand that she is not doing this for a favor. She wants to do it because she cares. Teresa can see that Tokiya didn't completely trust what she just said, but it was enough for her hope that he will come around. For now, Teresa will work hard to earn it and that is what she is intended to do.