Chapter Text
A faint beeping, a rustling sound, was what she heard first. Tired, so tired….
Ahri opened her eyes, and blinked rapidly, trying to focus. Her head hurt, a dull throb that matched her pulse. There was a beeping sound, and she realized the rhythm was her own heartbeat from a machine, most likely from the cuff around her arm. She was on her left side, and staring at some sort of medical device that was whirring quietly, with various numbers blinking. A large bag full of clear yellow liquid hung from the top, the line leading to a taped part near her collarbone.
An IV drip…
She opened her mouth to speak, but only a small hoarse whisper escaped from her parched cords. The beeping got faster, and the rustling sound came into view.
“Finally coming around?” An older gentleman in white kneeled down to face her. “Let’s not get too excited there young lady.” He put his finger to his lips. “You’ve had a time of it.” He took a pager out of his pocket and punched in a number. “Dr. Gustavo will be happy to hear this, and want to see you. Too bad your partner just left a bit ago to get flowers for you.”
My… partner? My agent? Ahri blinked her eyes in confusion. He doesn’t care about me, and I’m so tired of being used. I should just break that contract.
She gave a large, involuntary yawn, and her raw throat made a wheezing sound.
“Water.” She managed to breathe out. The gentleman shook his head. “Not until you pass a swallowing test, my dear. Sorry.” There was a knock and a tanned doctor with a black curly mustache walked in, a smile on his face.
“Good news, yes, good news.” He stood at the foot of the bed, lifting the covers and running a cold metal instrument over the soles of her feet. She jerked her body but found she was too weak to really move her legs.
“You feel that then, yes?” He walked around to the side of the bed and took her hand, running that instrument over her fingers.
“Stop that.” Ahri’s voice was a little stronger now. Her hand twitched at the sensations.
“Good, yes, good, I am going to check your eyes.” He motioned for the nurse to stand and move, and the older man complied.
“Now, let me see those most interesting pupils of yours, yes?” he leaned over and a bright pen light made her frown and scrunch her eyes closed.
“Get away from me.” she said hoarsely, turning her head away as best she could. There was a clicking sound, coming closer, that she could hear out in the hallway.
“Ah, perhaps you will cooperate if your partner is here, yes?” Dr. Gustavo straightened up. That bastard, think flowers will make up for bad management and holding me back? The only person I despise more than you is-
Ahri gasped at the sight of magenta hair, and the large bouquet of flowers.
That bitch, Evelynn.
That bitch, Evelynn, standing there with her mouth open and the strangest look on her face, dropping the flowers and now rushing to her side, cradling her face in her hands, tears in her eyes, Ahri’s name tumbling repeatedly off her lips.
“What the hell, get off me!” Ahri said and curled her lips in a snarl, showing her sharp canines. Evelynn’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in amazement.
“Ahri- do you not remember me, love? It’s Eve. It’s-“
“I said get away from me.” Ahri hissed, anger fueling her voice. Evelynn’s hands dropped and she stood up and looked at Dr. Gustavo. “Is this- is this normal? How can she not know me?”
“Miss Ahri, do you know this person?” Dr. Gustavo asked. He pointed at Evelynn. “You know her, yes?”
“That bitch? Evelynn? Of course. Can’t believe my manager sent her to get flowers for me.” Ahri’s nose wrinkled in disgust.
“Your… manager? Darling, you haven’t had a manager in-” Evelynn was hushed by Dr. Gustavo. He tapped his head as he spoke, leaning back in to Ahri.
“When is the last time you saw this lovely lady here? You remember, yes?” He tapped his head again for emphasis.
“We were at the LA charity sing-off last week and that bitch deliberately stepped on my shoe and tried to ruin my routine!” Ahri snapped.
“That- that was almost two years ago! And not even true, I was pushed by the backstage crew!” Evelynn raised her voice and looked again at Dr. Gustavo with alarm.
“Make her snap out of this- Ahri, look at me.” She turned and knelt back down. “Look at me-”
“Get the hell out of here, are you trying to get me to sign something?” Ahri growled. The cuff on her arm grew tighter, the beeping faster, and she was having trouble catching her breath.
“Madam, if you could come with me to the hall.” Dr. Gustavo pulled Evelynn up and pushed her toward the door.
“And stay out!” Ahri wheezed to the retreating figures, using the last of her voice. The male nurse shook his head, and checked the machines, casting a sideways glance at her.
“Try and rest, young lady. You’ve got yourself all worked up.”
“Well I was fine until she came in here.”
“She’s been here every day to see you.” The man said quietly. “And she brought all the flowers in your room.”
Ahri coughed, trying to calm herself. “Then she feels guilty about something she did to me, and I don’t even want to know what that was. And who are you?”
“I’m your private day shift nurse, Henry. Ella does nights. She will be here in about an hour.” He went and sat down in a large overstuffed chair at the window. A few magazines, newspapers and potted plants dotted the window ledge there.
“Let’s just be quiet and let you rest now.” He held his finger to his lips. “Dr. Gustavo will be back in a minute to tell you more about your situation.”
Ahri closed her eyes, feeling exhausted, her head still pounding. The beeping slowed, and she became aware of her own breathing slowing, and another sound. A sound….sobbing? Crying? It was outside the room. She closed her eyes, letting her empath senses take over.
Sadness…. Anguish…. She inhaled her breath sharply. She opened her eyes in shock and turned her head to the door.
Was her intuition right? Was that bitch Evelynn really…crying?
Is the reason I’m here Evelynn’s fault?