I awoke slowly, my eyes blurred. I very slowly looked around, unsure where, or what, I was. As my eyesight began to clear, I remember what I was, and the memories of what had happened began to flood back to me.
By the almighty…I am alive? But how is that possible? The last I remember humans were carrying me away… and the pain in my leg… such horrible pain…Where am I? How did I get here? Ember… Ember where is she!? My mind suddenly snapped into full awareness. I sat up slowly, but then a human rushed up to me and began to push me down.
"Sir, please, you mustn't try to get up, you're too weak!" the human female looked at me. I looked up at her wearily.
"Ember… where is Ember!?" I demanded. The human looked at me.
"Oh, you mean the little girl? She's been taken to a safe place.
"WHAT!?" I shrieked. "WHY!? She said she would not leave me!" I tried once again to sit up, but once again this human female pushed me back down.
"Sir please! She's just fine! She couldn't be here with you anyways, not while you were in surgery!" she stated, trying to calm me.
"Sss..surgery?" I asked.
"Yes, your thigh was wounded badly, and the doctors had to operate. It was a miracle you did not lose your leg, a bullet wound at such close range… it was like your body was working with us sir, you're already healing at a miraculous rate!" she said, astonishment in her voice.
"I…I see…" …I see I still retain my healing abilities in this form… this is fortunate news… I looked up at the human. "Who… who are you? Where am I?"
"I am a nurse, I'm here to make you comfortable and get you whatever you wish, and you are in the hospital. You'll be here until you fully recover. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Mr. uhm… I'm sorry, but what was your name sir?" she looked at me, slightly confused.
"I am Ecco." I replied. "You can g-get me what I want?"
"I can try my best."
"I want to see Ember. To make sure she is safe." I stated.
"I can try my best sir. Is that all?" asked the nurse.
"Yes…just g-get me Ember." With that, she smiled and nodded, then walked out, closing the door behind her.
Ember… why did you leave me? You said you would stay with me…is it because you thought I was going to die? I must admit I believed myself I was about to die right there…But no…It is a good thing I survived…but why did Ember leave? Was she taken from me? I must find her…
I slowly sat up, and felt a sharp pain go through my leg. However I was not going to be deterred. I tossed off the coverings that were atop of me and looked at my leg. It was wrapped in thick material. I very slowly stood up, but the instant I put weight on the leg I yelped in pain. I quickly silenced myself, as I did not want to attract the nurse again. Balancing on one leg precariously, I looked down at myself. I was wearing very different clothes now, just one long thing piece. It did not cover me very well. I looked around the room, and I saw three doors. I did not want to go out the same as the nurse, so I slowly made my way to one of the other doors. Opening it I found nothing but a small room. However within were the clothes Ember had given me, save for the blue jeans. Instead, I found something similar, but they were black. I pulled the thin clothes I had been wearing off, and began to put my normal ones back on. However once I got to the black jeans, I had extreme difficulty, as the material around my leg was far too thick for the jeans to fit over. So I made my way back to the bed and began to tear and pull the material off. It hurt, but I needed it off so I could wear the jeans. Once I had enough material off to fit the jeans over, I finished putting those on as well and stood up, now fully clothed again.
After dressing, I walked over to the second unopened door, but once I opened it I was disappointed. It was only a 'bathroom', as Ember had called it. I shut the door and looked around.
I see I have only one exit, but if I am not careful the nurse shall catch me. I cannot have that. This walking is extremely difficult now, I need something to assist me in walking…I eyed the tiny room where my clothes had been kept. Within were two oddly shaped branches. I went over and took them. After much fumbling and confusion, I discovered that using one of them made a wonderful walking support, enabling me to move faster and easier. I headed for the door, and peered out, into the large hallway. There were a few different humans; however none took notice of me. I slipped out of the room silently, and made my way down the large hall. A few humans rounded the corner, all wearing white. They stopped and looked at me.
"Sir, what are you doing?! You shouldn't be out of bed!" One of them told me. The three humans advanced on me, and I began to back away. "Sir, you really should go back to your room-"
"No!" I snapped. "I am going to fffind Ember!"
"Sir, you can't, you need to rest. Now just let us take you back to your room and…" one of the humans told me.
"NO!" I yelled, and lunged forward. I slammed into one of the humans, and we both fell to the floor. I picked myself up, using the strange stick as a brace. Unfortunately these humans were much faster and more agile then I was in my current condition, and the other two restrained me, pulling my arms back.
"Look sir we don't wanna hurt ya! We're doctors, and you need to go back to your room!" the one holding my left arm said. I struggled with these humans, but due to my injury, it was extremely difficult to remain standing and I fell once more. The third human helped pick me up, and the trio forced me to walk back into the room in which I awoke.
"I want to find Ember!" I roared as I struggled in their grasp.
"Look, you're not finding anyone, not in your conditions, now PLEASE calm down!" one told me. Just then the nurse reappeared and rushed into the room.
"Mr. Ecco!" she cried out. "I contacted your friend, she and her caretaker will be here shortly!" I stopped resisting.
"She…they…will?" I asked.
"Yes, but you must do as the doctors say, please Mr. Ecco." She pleaded with me. I sighed deeply, and then allowed the doctors to help me back to the bed. The nurse looked at one of the doctors, and then nodded and walked out of the room.
"There see? Nothing to worry about sir. Just relax." One told me. Another walked over and picked up a object that hung from the edge of the bed and inspected it.
"So YOU'RE the one who came in with the gunshot wound!" He exclaimed. "You shouldn't even be able to get out of bed with a wound this bad sir!"
"Well no wonder!" the third said. "Sir, WHY did you remove all these bandages?"
"I wanted to find Ember." I snapped, rather annoyed at these doctors. "Those b-bandages, got in my way." They all looked at me with strange expressions.
"Well, you're a stubborn one, I heard you fought the ambulance crew until you finally fell unconscious." The doctor said as he set the object back on the edge of the bed.
"Well, you deal with him, we have other patients." Two of the doctors laughed, and then left the room. I glared at the remaining doctor.
Do not think that you can keep me here, human…I snarled in my mind.
"You've got a lotta guts, I'll give you that." He told me. I simply remained silent as a response. "I heard of what you did, course, who hasn't, it's all over the news."
"News? The TV news?!" I asked.
"Yes, it's been on quite a few times since you were first brought here. You're lucky you didn't get to the main hall, it's crawling with reporters waiting for the hero of the hour to wake up." He chuckled and looked at me.
"Why? Who?" I wondered.
"Well, you of course. That little girl said you saved her live by brining her boat to shore. How'd you get that far out in the ocean anyways?" He asked. He shuffled on his feet, leaning against the door, blocking the exit.
"I swam of course." I snorted. Seeing that I was in no mood to answer foolish questions, he attempted to change subjects.
"Ah… look, you know we'll have to re-bandage that leg right? It won't heal with most of the bandage torn off."
"I am fine." I replied coldly.
"Sir, I'm afraid I'll have to insist. I can have the doctor who operated on you come and do it, if you wish."
"I said I am FINE!" I snapped loudly. He backed off slightly.
"Alright… we'll leave it for now…." He looked at a strange band on his wrist. "I should be tending to my other patients, but if I leave, will you stay here?" he looked at me suspiciously.
"I want to find Ember." I stated again.
"Yes I know, but she's coming to see you. You need to stay in this room until she arrives." I looked at him, my anger building. Finally I conceded and nodded.
"Very well. I shall wait here." I said finally. The doctor looked relieved.
"Good, cause I really must go. Don't worry, you're friend will be here soon." The doctor turned and walked out the door. I watched as he stopped at talked to another human, who glanced at me and nodded. I merely glared in return.
These humans are becoming more and more aggravating! I yelled in my mind. WHY will they not let me find Ember!? Must I fight my way from this building!? I looked down at my leg, and bent it slowly. The pain was still present, but was slowly fading. Good… my leg shall be healed shortly, and then I shall escape this human place and search for Ember. These humans may have the upper hand for the moment but-
"Ecco?"
I snapped my bead up, out of my thoughts. At the door stood Ember, and a very large, older looking human.
"EMBER!" I cried out. She ran to me and threw her arms around me. I held her gently. Thank the almighty you are alright!
"Oh Ecco! I was so worried bout you! The docs said you almost lost your leg!" she cried, holding me tightly.
"It is alright Ember. The hu-" I shot a look at the human in the doorway. "I mean, the doctors repaired it. I shall be fine." I looked at the large human again.
His eyes… I do not like his eyes at all…I growled quietly. Something about this large human made me extremely uneasy. He walked forward towards us, swaying as he moved. I instinctively held Ember close.
"Howdy Son, I'm Jeremy Fredrick, I'm a close friend of little Ember's." he said, an almost fake enthusiasm in his voice.
Yes I bet…I growled. He held out his hand to me, at which I only stared blankly.
"Ain't ya ever shaken hands before son?" He asked me, looking ruffled. I looked on for a moment, and then extended my own hand. He took it, and shook it roughly, squeezing my hand as he did so. I glared at him, and returned it, twice as hard. He chuckled at me before pulling away.
"Not a bad handshake boy. So you're the one who saved little Ember huh? Well I can't thank ya enough. Brave thing you did boy." He smirked.
"My name is Ecco." I said curtly.
"He saved my life Mr. Fredrick." Ember smiled happily and held me. "Ecco, how ya feeling?"
"I feel fine Ember." I reassured her. "I only wish to leave this place now." Mr. Fredrick snorted.
"Don't ya think you should stay in the hospital for a few days boy? You just got shot after all."
"I wish to leave, now." I stated flatly.
"We can do that, right Mr. Fredrick?" Ember looked at him, her little eyes full of hope. "We'll take him back to my home, he can rest there."
"Er uhm, yes, I believe that is quite possible… if the doctors will let him leave of course." He replied. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and his eyes flashed dangerously.
"They cannot stop me." I said simply, standing up again. Ember stood up beside me, giggling.
"Yea, let's go home!" She said happily, now holding my hand. Mr. Fredrick sighed, and then nodded. He led out down the hall, to a small room. After talking with a few different humans, they finally agreed to let me leave. Ember helped me into another taxi, and we set off towards her home.
Not another taxi… I do hope this is more pleasant then the last… *sigh* but at least Ember is safe, that is all that matters…