I can't say anything. I can't move. I can't even open my eyes. I guess this is what it's like to die. Raiden appears in the darkness.
"Don't tell me, you were expecting the bright light?"
"How many times do I need to tell you, I'd rather see Sonya." He laughs.
"You just spent a week with her."
"Your point," He laughs again, "Is she OK?"
"She's fine. She's with her son and god daughter. You wanna see?"
"No, that's cool. As long as she's OK, that's fine with me."
"You're no fun. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
"I'm sure I would. I'm not gonna haunt her." Raiden laughs, disappearing.
At least I can hear voices. I can't make much out, though. At least it's not silence. I always hated being alone. That's one of the things I admired about Sonya. She could hang solo or in a group, and still be awesome. But, as cool as I thought that Sonya was, the real deal is even cooler. Here's a woman who's very much human. They beat her half to death, and her and I are trading one liners in that office. They throw her into a fight, and not only does she win, she knocks the girl out. Damn, she's awesome. Bright, then dark, bright, then dark. Raiden needs to pay the light bill. Heaven or hell's having a blackout. PAIN! Oh, God, I'm alive! I'M ALIVE! DEAD PEOPLE DON'T FEEL PAIN! I'M HURTING IN PLACES I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD! YEAH! And I can see. Blurry as all hell, but it IS there!
"I DON'T REMEMBER ASKING YOU OR THOSE FUCKING DOCTORS! I'M NOT WRITING HER OFF LIKE THAT!
"Honey, you knew she was hurt bad when you guys got her here. It's been two weeks. She's not responding to anything. It's time to let her go."
"No, John. I'm not giving up on her." I see Sonya sob, as he pulls her close.
"She's gone, Sonya. She's gone." I look down at my arms. If the rest of me looks this bad, I'm in deep shit. I pull the oxygen mask off my face. Let's see if I can stop those tears.
"You wanna keep that crying down? I'm trying to die in peace over here." Sonya looks at me, shocked.
"JESS!" She runs over, hugging me, crying. Jackpot. I hug her back, laughing.
"All those fucking tears, you'd think somebody died." She laughs, hugging me tighter.
"I knew you wouldn't quit."
"Are you kidding? I wouldn't give Marcus the satisfaction," She's still hugging me, crying, as Johnny walks over, "Is she always like this?"
"She's been talking to you every day for two weeks, you tell me." She finally composes herself, letting me go.
"Jess, this is my husband, Johnny Cage." I look at him, and smile coyly.
"We've met." I laugh, as he blushes.
"WHAT?!?"
"The live show. I got his autograph."
"Well, this is the real thing."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Cage. I'd shake your hand, but I'm scared my arm would fall off."
"Don't bother. As much as Sonya's told me about you, I feel like I know you."
"Are you sure you don't?" He blushes again, as I crack up.
"Something I don't know?"
"No, I just like playing with him. Speaking of playing, when do I get my ten minutes?"
"You don't."
"WHAT?!? Why not?"
"Because you drove that knife Sanchez loaned you straight through his heart."
"Well, let it never be said that Jessie "The Blade" Reynolds is a liar." Sonya laughs, squeezing my left hand. I look down. Oh, no, "Sonya?"
"Yeah?"
"Where's my glove?"
"You weren't wearing it when they brought you in."
"Ah, man. That was my keepsake. It's the one thing I had left that was from that night."
"You're alive, they'll be other nights."
"Not like that one," I close my eyes, remembering. I wonder if she still thinks I'm some loony fan? It was just another night for her. So what if it was one of the coolest days in my pathetic life, "Oh, yeah, I wanted to tell you something."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Actually, you and Johnny are gonna leave me the hell alone for a while. I can't rest with all this fighting," She slaps me in the back of the head, lightly, "Seriously, I do need to talk to you, in private."
"Rest up, we can talk later, OK?"
"I've been asleep for two weeks. I rest any more, they'll be doing an autopsy on me."
"We'll talk later." Sonya hugs me, and leaves with Johnny. I spend weeks recuperating under Sonya's watchful eye. Every time I try to talk to her, she shifts the subject. I finally pin her down the day I'm released.
"Sonya, I have to talk to you."
"Later, the Colonel's expecting us at 0930."
"Let him wait. Please, Sonya, I need to talk to you." She closes the door, and sits across from me.
"What's up?"
"You know how much I like that video game character, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I came to a conclusion when I was asleep."
"What's that?"
"The character is pretty cool, but the real deal is the best." She smiles.
"We really have to get you out more," I laugh, as she hugs me, "Thanks, from you, that's a compliment."
"I meant it."
"I know. This Sonya loves you, too, kid. Come on, let's go piss the general off." I let her go, following her out.