16. Hospitalized

Cream - ?

I struggle to open eyes as I gradually wake up feeling weak and injured. I found myself lying on the ground looking into what looked like someone's bedroom a few feet away from me. I saw that there two figures conversing with each other in there, but my vision is so blurry that I couldn't make out who they were. I heard their voices, but my hearing was also too hazy for me to make out any words. From the tone of their voices, one figure was despondent and the other was upset. I wondered who they were…

Cream - March 29, 2036, 3:22 P.M.

"Doctor, she's waking up!" I heard a young woman call out along with a monotonous beeping sound as I groaned and woke up for real. Once my vision settled in, I saw myself in a white room with a lavender bandicoot standing next to me.

"Hi there. My name is Perci, and I'm an assistant nurse here at Casinopolis Medical Center." She introduced herself.

"I-I'm Cream." I uttered feebly.

"I know. That's what I've been told. How are you feeling today?"

"I… I don't feel well. I'm kinda lightheaded and my stomach hurts."

"I'm sure it does. We gave you another dose of analgesics a short while ago, so the pain should subside soon."

I looked at myself and saw that I had bandages around my abdomen, IV lines in my left arm, and a feeding tube through my nose. I asked, "Will I be okay?"

"Don't worry, you'll be fine. However, it will take some time before you can move around freely." Perci assured. "You were very lucky–the doctor said a wound like that normally is fatal, but we were fortunately able to keep you alive."

A aqua-colored fox came into the room. He asked, "How is the patient, Perci?"

Perci answered. "She's doing fine. Nothing major appears to have developed."

"That's good to hear," The doctor came up to us and turned to face me. "I am Doctor Alexei Aratov. I hope you aren't feeling too much discomfort, miss. We did everything to ensure that you'll make a full recovery by the time you're able to leave here."

"Thank you, sir." I told him. "How long have I been out for?"

He looks at the calendar on the wall next to my bed. "It's been two days since you entered this institute, so that would mean today is the 29th."

"Only two days?" I uttered.

"That's right. I'm glad you regained consciousness in such a relatively short period of time. I was concerned it would take longer given the magnitude of your wound." He expressed. "Speaking of which, now that you're up, it's time you receive a physical exam. We'll have to skip a few regular things since you're still in no condition to move freely."

Dr. Aratov carefully removed the feeding tube from my nostrils and begins checking my body. He takes my temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, examines my retinas, checks my nerves - all the usual stuff that happens in exams. He also questioned me a few other things about my condition and how I was feeling in the head, which made me feel kinda queasy because of all the medical terms he was using.

"When will I be able to leave here?" I asked.

"From my observations, it may take around one or two weeks for you to heal enough to be released," He answered. "When it's okay for you to go, it may feel discomforting to move around, but it should only be a temporary feeling so there's no need to worry."

I sighed. "That's a relief. I thought I was in for much worse."

"We all did, but you pulled through," He chimed. "Well, I'll leave you be for the time being. If you need anything, just call Perci. She'll take care of you."

I answered yes and Dr. Aratov left the room.

About a half hour later, Perci briefly came in and told me that I had a couple visitors. The first one was a red-eyed black hedgehog, tough-looking and stern, wearing a dark blue uniform with a silver badge. He faced me and greeted me in a rather intimidating voice, "Hello, miss. You must be Cream the Rabbit."

It took a moment to recognize him. "Yes, sir. Your name is Shadow, right? I think we've met before a long time ago."

The hedgehog pulled up a chair beside me. "Hmm… you do seem familiar now that you mention it, but that's not important." He took out a police ID from his shirt pocket. "I'm an investigator from the Dutres Police Department, and I've been assigned to look into the attempted homicide that happened back at Dutres. I need your cooperation."

"Okay. Where should I begin?" I asked.

Shadow took out a notepad and a pen. "Let's begin with your attacker. Can you describe what the culprit looked like?"

I tried to remember the attacker's appearance, and when I was able to pull an image in my head I felt almost speechless. I must have blanked out because Shadow called out to me.

"Oh, uh… yes, I remember what she looked like," I finally spoke. "She was a pink hedgehog wearing all red."

Shadow jotted the description I gave down on his notepad. "Okay… does this person resemble anyone you are familiar with?"

"No. At least not anyone alive." I shrugged. "She looked a lot like a very old friend of mine passed away years ago."

Shadow raised a brow and put on a curious but doubtful look. "So you don't think you have any kind of connection with her?" He continued inquiring.

"Actually, it's sorta complicated. I mean, I don't think I know this girl, but she's been stalking me," I clarified. "Before she attacked me, she targeted and… and murdered my mom. That happened last week back home in Station Square. I can't think of anyone who would do such a thing."

Shadow stopped writing and put his notepad down. "Wait, I've heard of that case. That was your mother who was killed?"

"It was. I… I don't feel comfortable talking about it..." I sniffed

"My apologies. I wasn't aware. But if that's so then my squad and I will have to cooperate with Station Square's police department." He muttered. "That's gonna be a pain… regardless, is there anything else you can tell me?"

I say no until my eye caught the R-shaped scar on the back of my hand (which apparently had been cleaned and tended to), making me remember that bizarre phone conversation I had. "I don't know if this will help, but…" I raised my hand and showed the scar to Shadow. "I somehow received this. The girl said she did this to me, though I have no idea when."
Shadow examined my scar. "It looks like some kind of gang sign, though it doesn't remind me of any gang in Dutres. Do you mind if I take a picture of it?"

I shook my head and told him no, and he took out his phone and snapped a picture of the scar. "Is that all you have to offer?" He asked, and I nodded. "Alright, I'll be leaving here then. If you find or recall anything, contact me or the police as soon as you can."

"Wait, can I ask you something?" I called out before Shadow could get up from his chair, to which he retorted, "What is it?"

"Does the police department have my backpack? I just noticed they're not here in my room."

"We do, but you'll probably get it back soon since it doesn't seem like it could be used as evidence. Anyways, thanks for your cooperation."

My mind went back to the girl who tried to kill me. I was sure that she looked exactly like who I thought it was, but after being questioned by Shadow I started doubting my own memory. I think even he knew who I was likening the girl to since he seemed dubious about the description I gave him. But I wouldn't blame him if he didn't believe me–I was finding it hard to believe myself.

"Cream?" I heard a different voice from outside my room. I turned to the door and saw Tails. He looked frantic and, before I could say a word, he rushed over and hugged me tightly.

"Oh gosh… I-I'm so glad y-you're okay,' He stammered, nearly tearing up.

"I'm alright, Tails. I'm alright," I assured him. I had never heard him sound so distressed.

"I was so s-scared for you… I th-thought you were a goner…"

"I thought so, too. But I'm fine now. The doctors here treated me up well."

Tails backed up and faced me while still holding onto me. "That's… that's great," He sniffed. "Please, d-don't make me worry like that…"

A small sense of guilt formed inside me. I figured he was just scared, but his tone made me feel bad that I made him so. "I'm sorry. I didn't think I would end up in a situation like this."

"It's fine… don't be sorry," He replied. "What happened? Who did this to you?"

I looked back at what I informed Shadow of, making me question myself again. "I'm not sure who it was that attacked me. It was a girl or woman but that's all I can remember clearly." I merely told him. "The police suspect that it was someone from a local gang."

"Are you serious. Man… I wish I knew you were going to somewhere dangerous–I would've come along."

"You don't need to worry anymore, Tails. I'm safe here, and the doctor said that I'll be making a full recovery." Yet, I didn't truly feel safe. Maybe I was just overly paranoid or delusional, but the phone conversation from the other day still lingered in my mind. I had the feeling that the girl–whoever that was on the other end–was still somehow watching on me in the hospital. Nonetheless, I didn't want to put Tails into more anxiety than he was already in.

"How long will you be staying here?" Tails asked.

"Not too long; about a week or two according to the doctor," I replied. "I'll be out as soon as I can move like normal."

"Really? I'm glad to hear that." He smiled refreshingly. " Anyways, I only came to make sure that you were doing well here. I'll be off now."

I smiled back. "Bye, Tails. I'll see you soon."

Tails turned to leave but then quickly faced back to me. "Oh! I almost forgot… remember last week when I, um, asked if you wanted to hang out someday?"

My ears perked up. "Yes, I remember."

Tails blushed slightly. "Well, uh… are you still up for that? After you heal up and get out, do you wanna do something together? Just the two of us?"

"Of course! I'd be more than happy to accompany you." I simpered.

"Alright. I'll see you soon!" Tails waved goodbye.

Tails - March 29, 2036, 4:44 P.M.

I tried to study for one of my classes, but I couldn't concentrate. I was having very mixed emotions in my head that were distracting me. First, it made me feel so much better knowing that Cream wasn't in critical condition and was expecting to recover soon. I couldn't wait for her to be released from the hospital and to finally start going out with her.

But second and most importantly, I was still fretting a lot for Cream. If she was actually attacked by some random gangster, she wouldn't be out of danger when she returns to Station Square. The person who murdered her mother was still at large and likely active. Maybe if Vanilla's murderer was the one who tried to kill Cream at Dutres, he'd probably think that his job was done and be over it. But no… he was out there, keeping watch on her and waiting for the right moment to strike.

I'm going to protect Cream no matter what. I won't allow her to get hurt by anyone, anywhere. I vowed.

There was a loud knocking on my front door. I ran and opened up and saw a particular blue hedgehog standing outside.

"Oh, hey Sonic!" I greeted.

"Hey Tails. I hope I'm not interrupting you," Sonic murmured, forcing a rather weak smile.

"No, you're not. Come on in." I shut the door behind him as he entered. "You look kinda tired. Is everything alright?"

Sonic didn't speak for a few seconds before giving me a solemn look. "Actually, I really need your help right now."