Chapter 11
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The sponge felt like he was dreaming.
Everything was black, but at the same time he knew he was waking up.
He heard a voice through a blurry echo.
The sponge tried to make it out. It appeared to be calling his name.
"SpongeBob?"
Slowly but surely, in and out, he could feel himself reuniting with his body.
Tingle by tingle, movement by movement, like the time when you try to open your eyes in a lucid dream.
"SpongeBob!"
He recognized the voice this time; it was definitely Patrick.
Another voice came into being.
"You okay, buddy?"
Sandy's voice was heard this time. They became more and more close.
His eyes slowly opened until he woke up in the hospital.
"He's awake!", an overjoyed Mr. Krabs exclaimed.
The sponge was finally met with open arms.
"Oh, SpongeBob, we were so worried.", Sandy and the others gave him a big hug as she cried tears of joy.
"How long was I out?", he asked.
Dr. Forrest replied, "About a week or so. We almost lost you."
"I know.", the sponge replied. "I saw Atlantis. I saw King Neptune welcoming me to a glorious room with the most delicious Krabby Patties in existence. I even saw Gary, who was more than happy to meet me. I know I'd want more than anything to be there again, but I have so much more to live for."
"It's glad to have you back, SpongeBob.", proclaimed Squidward as he quietly scheduled his next appointment with his therapist for his split personality.
Even Plankton said something.
"You know, SpongeBob, I'll for sure try to steal the formula next time. But hey, for your sake, I'll just wait 'til a week or two after you get back to work." He cautiously eyed the scallop whistle, hoping no one could see he still had it.
"Deal.", the sponge raised his finger toward the amoeba so he could shake it.
Dr. Forrest interrupted their sentiments.
"Okay, Mr. SquarePants, let's wheel you into the next room for your scan."
The sponge was placed into a wheelchair and driven to the CAT scan room.
After a few more days of appointments controlling his absorption and shape-shifting abilities, SpongeBob was sent on his way.
A team of reporters from the Bikini Bottom News arrived to award the brave sponge for risking his life to save others from the man-made virus.
"Perch Perkins, Bikini Bottom News. Mr. SquarePants, how does it feel to be recognized as a national hero?"
The sponge hesitated to answer, due to him still recovering from his hangover.
Krabs stepped up alongside him.
"Please, Perch. Don't bother the boy; he's had quite enough excitement. C'mon, let's get you home.", he held SpongeBob's back to support him.
Perch then went into another monologue.
"Well, you heard it here first. A miraculous recovery has just ended for this young sponge. We'll have more reports including interviews with Gilbert Gilliam's family and those who trusted his sociopathic ends right after this!"
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SpongeBob and his friends continued walking toward each of their respective homes.
When he stopped at Conch Street, the sponge kept walking, everyone else wondering.
His trail finally came to rest at Floaters Cemetery, where he stopped at the grave of his beloved snail.
Very quietly, he leaned toward the pile of dirt, and put one arm on the headstone.
"Gary... I... I know I can't hear you, but I know you can hear me."
He slowly whispered and his eyes filled with water.
"I've really missed you these past few weeks. I know I'll see you again one day, but for now... I'll try to make the best of my life down here."
The sponge then walked away toward his house, then looked up into the heavens.
"Take care, pal."
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To Be Continued?
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The characters and events depicted in this work are fictitious. Any similarities to actual persons and/or events, living or dead, is extremely coincidental. - originally written April 20, 2020