Waking up in a hospital bed was not how I imagined starting my day, but here we are.
The first thing I noticed was the sunlight streaming through the window, casting a warm, golden glow across the room.
It was a beautiful day outside, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the peace and quiet. At least now I have some alone time, I thought to myself.
I took a deep breath, feeling the clean, sterile air fill my lungs. The pain in my side was a dull ache, a reminder of the events from the previous night, but at least I was alive.
I turned my head to look out the window, trying to focus on the beauty of the day instead of the pain. The sky was a brilliant blue, and I could see birds flitting about, singing their morning songs. It was almost enough to make me forget about everything that had happened. Almost.
I turned my head slowly to take in more of the room.
The sterile white walls and the beeping machines were a stark contrast to the peaceful scene outside. But hey, at least I was alive, right?
Note to self: Avoid getting stabbed in the future
I let out a small, sarcastic laugh that quickly turned into a wince. Okay, no laughing. Laughing is bad.
I let out a long, slow breath, sinking into the pillows.
"You know, this hospital bed isn't half bad," I mused to myself. "Kind of comfy, in a sterile, no-personality sort of way. And the view's not bad either. Could be worse. I could be—"
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Miko said, her voice dripping with amusement.
"AHH! WHAT THE—" I yelped, clutching my chest.
She leaned back in her chair, her weird red kimono-style dress fluttering slightly. "We thought we'd drop by and see how our brave little warrior is doing."
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" I gasped, my heart still racing. This is it. I'm dying for real this time.
Lisa chuckled, her goofy witch hat tilted at a jaunty angle over her purple and black outfit. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. We just wanted to make sure you were still among the living."
I glared at them both, but I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "Well, thanks for the jump scare. Really helps with the healing process." I took a deep breath, ack–. No, bad idea. "How long have you two been sitting there?"
"Long enough," Lisa replied. "We wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Geez, you guys could've at least made some noise," I muttered, trying to calm my racing heart. "A little warning would've been nice."
"But where's the fun in that?" Miko asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She leaned back in her chair, looking entirely too pleased with herself.
"Exactly," Lisa added with a wink. "We wanted to surprise you."
"Well, mission accomplished," I grumbled, though I couldn't help but smile a little. Despite the scare, it was nice to see familiar faces. "Thanks for coming, though. It means a lot."
"Of course," Lisa said, her voice softening. "We were worried about you."
"And we wanted to hear all about your thrilling adventure," Miko said, her tone light but her eyes serious. "You've been through quite a lot, haven't you?"
I sighed, feeling the weight of the past night settling over me again. "Yeah, you could say that. It was... intense."
"Intense? That's an understatement," Lisa said, shaking her head. "We heard you were held hostage. Are you okay? I mean, really okay?"
"I think so," I replied, trying to reassure them. "Just a bit sore. But Arlecchino was awesome. She saved my life."
"I'd expect nothing less from her," Miko said, a hint of admiration in her voice. "She's always been a bit of a badass."
"That's one way to put it," I said with a chuckle, then winced as the movement caused a sharp pain in my side. "Ow, okay, laughing is not a good idea right now."
Lisa's eyes softened with concern. "You need to take it easy, alright? No more playing hostage for a while."
"Yes, Doctor Lisa," I said, giving her a mock salute. "I'll be good."
"See that you do," she said, her tone playful but sincere. "We don't want to see you back here anytime soon."
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the beeping of the machines and the soft murmur of hospital staff in the background. It was surprisingly peaceful, considering the chaos of the night before.
"By the way," I said, breaking the silence, "what are you two wearing? Did you come straight from some fancy event or something?"
Miko smirked. "We always look fabulous, don't we? But no, these are just our cosplay from earlier. You know, in case we need to intimidate any more burglars."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, because nothing says 'intimidation' like a red kimono and a witch hat."
"Don't knock the witch hat," Lisa said, tapping the brim playfully. "It's stylish and practical."
"And it makes for a great conversation starter," Miko added with a grin.
"Sure, if the conversation is about why you're dressed like it's Halloween," I teased.
Lisa and Miko laughed, and for a moment, I forgot about the pain. It felt good to joke around, to have some semblance of normalcy. But just as quickly, another sharp pain shot through my side, and I let out a loud groan. "FUCK, THIS SUCKS!"
"Language, Y/N," Lisa teased, but her eyes were full of sympathy.
"SORRY, BUT IT REALLY HURTS!" I snapped, my thoughts a jumbled mess of pain and frustration. "I swear, if I ever see that burglar again, I'm gonna—"
"Take it easy," Miko interrupted, her tone soothing. "You're safe now. That's what matters."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "You're right. Sorry, I'm just... it's a lot."
Lisa and Miko exchanged worried glances. "Are you sure you're okay?" Miko asked, her voice softer now.
"I'm—" I started, but another wave of pain cut me off. "I'M FINE, REALLY," I managed to get out through gritted teeth. "Just... need a minute."
As I tried to breathe through the pain, I noticed something warm and wet on my side. "OH NO," I muttered, looking down. There was blood seeping through the bandages. "That's not good."
Miko's eyes widened. "You're bleeding!"
"No shit, Sherlock," I snapped, then immediately regretted it. "Sorry, it just... it really hurts."
Lisa stood up, her face serious. "We need to get a doctor."
"No, wait," I said, my mind racing. "Just... let me catch my breath." I tried to take a deep breath, but the pain was too much. "Okay, BAD IDEA. Breathing is overrated anyway."
Miko knelt beside me, her eyes filled with concern. "What can we do?"
I forced a smile. "Just... talk to me. Distract me from the pain. Tell me something funny."
Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Funny? You want us to tell jokes while you're bleeding out?"
"YES," I said, my voice a mix of desperation and frustration. "Anything to keep my mind off this."
Miko smiled slightly. "Alright, here's one. Why did the scarecrow win an award?"
I frowned, trying to focus on her words instead of the pain. "Why?"
"Because he was outstanding in his field," she said, her voice light and teasing.
…Wow. That made things worse.
"That's terrible, but thank you," I said, wincing. "Just call a nurse, a doctor, or someone!"
Lisa nodded and quickly pressed the call button. Moments later, a nurse rushed in, took one look at the bleeding bandages, and called for a doctor.
The next few minutes were a blur of activity as they re-stitched the wound and changed the bandages. I tried to keep my thoughts distracted by focusing on the absurdity of it all.
"Why do hospitals always smell like antiseptic and despair?" I muttered to myself, my voice slurred with painkillers. "I swear, it's like they bottle the scent and spray it everywhere."
Miko chuckled. "Maybe it's to remind everyone that they're in a place of healing."
"Or a place of torture," I countered, wincing as the nurse adjusted the bandages. "Seriously, who knew a little cut could hurt this much?"
"It's more than a little cut," Lisa said softly. "You were really lucky, you know."
"Yeah, lucky," I grumbled. "Lucky to be alive, I guess."
The doctor finished re-stitched the wound and gave me a reassuring smile. "You should be good now. Just take it easy and avoid moving too much. Let the nurses know if you need anything."
I nodded, feeling a bit better now that the bleeding had stopped. "Thanks, Doc."
As the medical staff left the room, I turned back to Miko and Lisa. "Thanks for being here, guys. Even if you did scare the crap out of me, and cause me to bleed again."
"We wouldn't be anywhere else," Lisa said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.
"Yeah, we're just glad you're okay," Miko added, her voice softer now.
I smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me. "I'm glad you're here too. But next time, maybe announce your presence before you give me a heart attack, okay?"
"Deal," they both said in unison, making me laugh – then wince.
"FUCK, OKAY, NO MORE LAUGHING," I groaned, clutching my side. "Seriously, you guys are going to kill me."
"Language again, Y/N," Lisa teased again, but her eyes were full of sympathy… again, thankfully.
Before I could respond, the door to my room swung open, and in walked Arlecchino and Kafka. Oh, great, just when I thought I might get a moment's peace. Miko and Lisa immediately sat up straighter, their eyes widening in awe. Right, I keep forgetting that these two are kind of a big deal.
"Good morning, Y/N," Arlecchino said, her voice cool and composed. She was carrying a bouquet of flowers, while Kafka had a box of chocolates. They looked so out of place in the sterile hospital room, like queens gracing a peasant with their presence.
"Hey," I managed to say, trying to sit up a little straighter. "What's up?"
"We wanted to check on you," Kafka said, her tone surprisingly gentle. She placed the box of chocolates on the table beside me. "And to bring you these."
"Thanks," I said, trying to muster a smile. "At least you guys didn't try to give me a heart attack and reopen my stab wound."
Arlecchino's lips twitched into what might have been a smile. "We'll try to refrain from doing that."
Kafka chuckled softly. "We're sorry we can't stay long, Y/N. We have some pressing matters to attend to."
"Of course," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. It was nice to see them, but I understood that they had more important things to do. "Thanks for stopping by. It means a lot."
As they turned to leave, Miko finally found her voice. "It was an honor to meet you both in person. We've heard so much about you."
Arlecchino nodded gracefully. "The pleasure was ours. Take care of her."
With that, they left the room, leaving behind a faint scent of expensive perfume. Miko and Lisa turned to me, their eyes wide with curiosity.
"So," Lisa began, her voice full of awe, "what's it like working for them? And Signora?"
I sighed, sinking back into my pillows. "It's... interesting. They're demanding, sure, but they're also fair. And the pay is significantly higher than average."
"How much higher?" Miko asked, her eyes narrowing with interest.
I hesitated, but then decided to spill the beans. "Five times the average maid's salary."
Both Lisa and Miko's jaws dropped. "FIVE TIMES?!" Lisa exclaimed. "Are they still hiring?"
I laughed, then winced again. "I hope so. You could use the money to fund your book addiction, Lisa."
Miko smirked. "And I could buy all the pulls I want in this new gacha I'm playing."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. But seriously, they're not as bad as people make them out to be. Signora is a bit... intense, but she's not awful, even though she's a bit snotty at times."
"Intense, huh?" Lisa said, raising an eyebrow. "I've heard stories."
"Yeah, well, don't believe everything you hear," I said, trying to downplay it. "She's worse in real life. And she's very particular about how things are done. But she's never been unfair to me."
Miko nodded thoughtfully. "It sounds like quite the job. I don't think I could handle it."
"It's not for everyone," I admitted. "But it pays the bills and then some."
We sat in silence for a moment, each lost in our own thoughts. The beeping of the machines and the distant murmur of hospital staff provided a strangely comforting backdrop.
"Well," Lisa said finally, standing up and stretching, "we should probably let you rest. You need to heal."
"Yeah," Miko agreed, also getting to her feet. "We'll come by later, okay?"
"Thanks, guys," I said, feeling a pang of sadness as they prepared to leave. "I appreciate it."
They gave me one last round of hugs (careful not to squeeze too hard) and then headed out.
As the door closed behind Lisa and Miko, I tried to relax and sink back into my pillows, but my mind was buzzing. The city outside was coming alive with lights, a beautiful contrast to the darkening sky.
I sighed, feeling a mixture of longing and frustration. I really needed to get well soon. There was so much to do, so many things to clean and organize. The mansion wouldn't take care of itself, and I'd been doing it for so long that it felt like a part of me.
But right now, all I could do was rest and recover. I turned my head to look out the window again, trying to lose myself in the night sky. The stars were starting to twinkle, and the distant sounds of the city were oddly comforting.
Okay, Y/N, just breathe. Relax. You're safe here.
Just as I was starting to drift off, a soft sound made me jolt. I turned my head toward the door, and my heart skipped a beat. There, standing in the doorway, was a little girl. She was wearing a patient's gown, her hair tangled and messy, and her eyes... they were wide and staring, almost unblinking.
What the hell? Who is this kid? And why is she in my room?
I opened my mouth to say something, but the words got stuck in my throat. There was something off about her, something that made my skin crawl. She stood there, just inside the room, not moving, not saying a word. Just... staring.
Okay, Y/N, don't freak out. It's just a kid. But why is she here? And why is she looking at me like that?
"Uh... hi?" I managed to say, my voice sounding shaky even to my own ears. "Are you lost?"
The girl didn't respond. She just kept staring, her eyes never leaving mine. I felt a shiver run down my spine. This is so creepy. What is going on?
I tried to sit up a little more, wincing at the pain in my side. "Do you need help? Should I call a nurse?"
Still nothing. She just stood there, silent and motionless. The room suddenly felt a lot colder, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. This is like something out of a horror movie. Come on, kid, say something. Do something.
I glanced at the call button, wondering if I should press it. But before I could decide, the girl took a step closer. And then another. Her movements were slow, almost deliberate, and her eyes... God, those eyes. They were like black holes, sucking me in.
"Okay, seriously, who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling. "What do you want?"
She stopped at the foot of my bed, her gaze never wavering. For a moment, we just stared at each other, and I felt like I was caught in some kind of nightmare.
Then, she tilted her head to the side, and a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. It wasn't a friendly smile. It was... something else. Something that made my blood run cold.
Oh shit. This is bad. This is really bad.
I reached for the call button, my hand shaking, but before I could press it, the girl's smile widened. And then, in a voice that sounded far too old for her, she whispered, "You shouldn't be here."
My hand froze. "What do you mean?"
She took another step closer, her eyes dark and empty. "This place... it's not safe."
My heart was racing now, my mind screaming at me to get out, to do something. But I was frozen, unable to move, unable to look away from those eyes.
And then, just as suddenly as she appeared, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving the door ajar. I sat there, my heart pounding, my mind reeling.
What the hell just happened? Was that real? Or am I losing my mind?
I stared at the open door, half-expecting her to come back, but the hallway was empty. Slowly, I sank back into my pillows, my body trembling.
This place isn't safe. The words echoed in my mind, sending a chill down my spine. What did she mean?
I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself, but the image of that little girl, her dark, empty eyes and eerie smile, was burned into my brain.
Whatever was going on, it was far from over. And somehow, I had a feeling that things were about to get a lot worse.