Top Cat hated hospitals; he had since the day he was born. There was just something about them that was unsettling, unnerving, and downright depressing. Lots of people went in there to get treated, but a lot didn't come out-
No. He wouldn't think about that. He wouldn't let himself think about Sunshine, laying alone in the emergency room, surrounded by a bunch of strangers, doctors who were supposed to help her get better. As much as he wanted to leave, he couldn't. There was no way he could abandon the teenager, not after all she'd been through, not after all they'd been through.
He tried to keep his focus on the way she was before she had run off. She was a good kid and deserved better than a life on the streets. He should have let her stay; they could have figured something out.
A doctor had informed him earlier that based on Sunshine's appearance, someone had tried to drown her. After receiving this information, Top Cat got a hold of Choo Choo and Dibble over the phone, trying to keep his voice steady and his anger and fear under control. He told them that he had found Sunshine, so the whole gang would soon know where they were.
A nurse came out to the waiting room and said that Sunshine's condition was stable, but she wasn't awake yet. Top Cat looked around. Seeing that the rest of the gang hadn't arrived yet, he followed the nurse into Sunny's room.
An icy hand gripped Top Cat's heart when he saw Sunshine. She was so pale; all the color had disappeared from her cheeks. She lay in bed, barely moving at all. The nurse left the room.
Top Cat sat by the bed. Not knowing what else to do, he spoke. "Hey, Sunshine." He barely recognized his own voice. He gulped. "H-how ya doing? You don't look so good."
When he got a hold of the person who did this, he'd...
"The gang's been looking for you. I already let them know I found you."
Where were they? Why was it taking so long for the others to arrive?
"Listen, kid..."
This was so awkward. As a leader, Top Cat was cool and charismatic. He wasn't good at dealing with serious stuff. However, this helpless girl needed him. He had to help her through this and be strong for her. He had to try.
For Sunshine.
"Sunny... I know we've had our differences, but you're a valuable member of the group." He paused when he realized he sounded like he only cared about the money she made for them. "What I mean is, we like having you around, and the alley wouldn't be the same without you. You're one of the best things that ever happened to the gang...and to me. You gotta wake up."
There was no response from her. Nothing but stillness.
"Look, I'll make you a deal. If you wake up, you'll get 15% of the profits from now on. No, 20."
Cutting her a deal wasn't solving anything. There was nothing he could do to change the situation. He couldn't talk his way out of this one to get what he wanted, and he was powerless.
Desperate and losing hope, he looked around. Seeing they were still alone, he gently lifted Sunshine up and held her in his arms. He shuddered at how cold she was. Holding her close, he sang, softly.
"You are my Sunshine,
My only Sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are gray.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my Sunshine away."
Top Cat sniffled, not wanting to let go of her. He decided from that moment on, he'd do whatever it took to give her a good life. She just had to wake up, first.
Right before he heard the doorknob turn, he carefully layed Sunny back down in the bed.
Gradually, the others in the gang arrived. A few were let in at a time, and Top Cat stayed in the room. Each of the cats talked to Sunshine, and Benny even cried.
Later, there was a knock at the door. Officer Dibble came in with a balloon that had 'Get Well Soon' on it. "Hello, Top Cat. Mind if I come in?"
"Go ahead."
Dibble set the balloon down near the head of the bed. "How is she?"
"She won't wake up," Top Cat tried to keep from choking out.
"Oh, gosh... I'm real sorry." He put a hand on Top Cat's shoulder. "She'll pull through, T.C."
Top Cat just looked at him with a sad expression. Then, he said, "Somebody did this to her."
"What?"
"Somebody tried to drown her. The doctor said that she looks like she got into it with someone."
Dibble frowned, pained. "Who'd try to drown a kid? That's sick! I'll see what I can do. Maybe we can find out who did it."
"If you do, you'll have your hands full dealing with a homicide."
Dibble gave Top Cat a strange look, then told him, "Why don't you get some rest? You look terrible."
"I can't just leave her here."
"The doctors will take good care of her. You gotta take good care of yourself."
Top Cat admitted he was right. Slowly, he made his way out to the waiting room after taking one last look at Sunshine.