Karen left the hospital's premises whilst Jenny was busily talking to the Doctor. She couldn't go straight home to her little brother, Jason. How could she tell him what happened? She barely understood it herself. How could she face their quiet apartment without her mom there? She needed a moment, just a few minutes, to clear her mind and stop the sharp pain in her chest before she could try to be strong for Jason. Without really deciding, her feet led her away from the way home. She walked toward the bright lights of the city's fun area. She remembered seeing a new, modern building with a clear sign: the 'Golf House.' It seemed like a place where she could get lost, hide for a little while, and escape her sadness.
Meanwhile, at that same fancy Golf House, Jaden sat with his friend Ken in a nice, dimly lit lounge. They were eating snacks. Even though they had played golf and were talking, Jaden's mind kept going back to the girl from the university hallway – Karen. Her strong, angry eyes. He had first thought she was just annoying, but now, a strange feeling made him want to see her again. He couldn't stop thinking about how intense she had seemed, even with her face partly covered by the mask.
Suddenly, the lounge doors opened quietly, and someone walked in. Jaden immediately stopped thinking about anything else. He felt a catch in his breath. It was her. Karen.
She looked very different from earlier. She was pale, not wearing a mask, and she moved a bit stiffly. Her usual bright energy was gone. Her eyes, which he remembered as strong, now looked wide and sad, showing a pain she wasn't speaking about. She walked straight to the long, shiny bar, looking only at it, as if she didn't see anyone else. She ordered a drink. Then, almost right away, she ordered another. And then, without waiting, another one. Jaden watched her. He felt a strange worry grow inside him. Why was she here, alone, drinking so much, instead of being safely at home? He quickly looked at Ken, who had also noticed Karen. Jaden didn't say anything, but he just watched as Karen slowly, purposefully, started to get drunk. Each empty glass seemed to make her look more tired and sad.
Ken noticed Jaden had become very still. He spoke quietly so no one else would hear. "Friend of yours?" he asked, lifting his eyebrow a little as he watched Karen, who was now swaying slightly.
Jaden just shook his head, his eyes still fixed on Karen. He saw her hand shake a little as she lifted her glass. He watched her shoulders droop more with each passing minute, as if she was shedding her strong feelings and showing how truly sad she was. Finally, after what felt like a very long time, Karen finished her last drink. Her head fell forward. Then, slowly and awkwardly, she slumped to the side. Her body gave out, and she fell asleep on one of the soft, velvet couches near the bar.
Jaden felt a sudden, strong urge to help. He had told himself to ignore her, that it wasn't his problem. But seeing her so helpless and lost in her sadness, something inside him changed. He couldn't just leave her there. The idea of her walking out alone in that state was too dangerous. He knew the Golf House had private rooms. He couldn't go home knowing he had left her like this, completely unprotected.