238 Home (1/2)

When I reopened my eyes I was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. My mind was still foggy and the light has still yet to fully return to my eyes as I simply laid there and stared at the ceiling, motionless and without anything in my mind. Slowly, I turned my head to my right as my eye was caught by the fluttering curtains hanging on the sides of the opened window. From my angle looking out the window, I could see the blue, noon sky as well as the familiar skyscrapers. A jet flew through the sky outside, leaving behind contrails that mapped the plane's path behind it. Outside, there were also the sounds of birds chirping as Spring finally sprung onto the world.

I stared at the fluttering curtains for a bit longer, keeping my eyes on them as they performed their dance in the gentle breeze that blew in through the window. The breeze not caught by the curtains pushed into the room, caressing my face and moving my hair in a soft, and peaceful manner. I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the wind before I turned my head in the other direction. On the bedside table to my left, there was a vase containing some flowers as well as a basket of fruits. By the bed, there was a stand with a bag containing clear fluids with a clear tube leading to my arms, an iv injection of water and nutrients.

Slowly, I tried to sit up. However, when I tried to move my right arm to push myself up, that was when I realized that it was encased in a white cast. When I struggled to get up without using that arm, I felt a sharp and then dull pain in the side of my chest. Because of this, I confirmed that my ribs were probably damaged as well.

Frustrated by the pain, I gave up the effort of forcing myself to sit up and just laid there on the bed and looked out the window. Even though I would like it if I am able to get up, simply laying here isn't that bad either. It's rather peaceful with the way the curtains dance whenever a gentle breeze of wind blew in from the opened window, and the rather quiet sound in this hospital room was extremely tranquilizing. With it all combined, they formed a beautiful lullaby that revived the waning drowsiness, causing my eyelids to become heavier.

I closed my eyes as I no longer have to keep myself awake. No longer do I have to worry about the Warden, no longer do I have to worry about hunger, and no longer do I have to worry about dying when I am asleep. I am back in the safe embrace of civilization, back in the grand capital of Vilheim, the city that is free of any Jorzan occupation and is protected by the once again powerful Vilheim Empire.

With my mind now free from any worries of danger, I began to recollect my thoughts and recall what had occurred when I had passed out. We must have been rescued and got off that secluded mountain, because otherwise why would I be here? Or...is this heaven? Then if so, I am dead. But...there is no such thing as heaven. Deceased souls simply enter the Underworld and wait to be reincarnated. Therefore...I'm not dead. If I'm not dead, then that means everyone else should be fine as well.

With my eyes closed, I used my mind and reached out to the being that is connected with me spiritually.

”Alvelyn,” I called her name.

”You're awake,” her voice calmly responded back.

”Is that the response you give yourself after waking up with all these injuries?” The corners of my lips turned upwards slightly as I was amused by this peaceful and harmless banter between myself and female me.

”You're not gonna die,” she simply answered. ”But I am still glad.”

Despite her tone, I can tell that what she said was true as I can feel a warm feeling of...happiness in my mind from where I would usually feel what she was feeling.

”How long was I out for?” I asked her.

”A bit over an entire day,” Alvelyn responded.

”How's everyone else?” I asked.

”They're all fine except for some dehydration and lack of food. Muria had some bruises, but that is all. Everyone is back to their normal lives now.”

”We're still in Spring Break, right?”

”Yeah.”

I heard a soft chuckle, both in my mind and in the physical world. I opened my eyes and looked over at the door that slid open. Standing at the doorway was Alvelyn, dressed in her everyday clothing that I had bought when I was her. On her face there was a faint smile that originated from the conversation we had just earlier. She seemed rather unscathed. There were no wounds visible and she seemed to be in a rather pleasant mood.