Chapter 2-Visit at the Hospital

Ozzy was released from the hospital the following day. He and Drix were honored at Cerebellum Hall. Ozzy was so blinded by the bright lights and fame that he managed to completely forget about Thrax. Ten days passed and Ozzy never paused to think about the red virus he saved. This conversation he had with a doctor over the phone though certainly got his attention, it went like this:

"Hello, Osmosis Jones?"

"Yeah, that's me."

"Regarding the patient you brought to us, he's awake and healing surprisingly quickly. We'll even take the bandages off in a few days! Anyways, when we mentioned you to him-and that you were the one who saved him-he seemed particularly interested in you."

"Really, why?"

"We didn't have any records of him before his severe injuries so we're not sure why either. I do have an important question to ask, though."

"Ask away."

"Did he have amnesia before his injuries, or did the fall cause him to lose his memories?"

"WHAT?! He can't remember? Anything?!"

"Apparently not. I think that is part of the reason he expressed interest in speaking with you. If you could come to the hospital...?"

"Of course, I'm on my way right now."

"Glad to hear it, he's really being quite insistent about it. The reference desk will give you his room number. I'll be waiting there. Oh, by the way, my name is Dr. Golg."

"Pleasure to meet you Dr., I'm leaving now. Bye."

"Bye."

Ozzy hung up the phone, grabbed his jacket and keys, and rushed out the door. Drix followed him and they both crammed into Ozzy's car. On the way Osmosis explained to Drix about the phone conversation. They reached the hospital quickly and hurried inside. The lady at the reference desk said that Thrax was staying in room 307. She pointed them in the right direction and they took off.

They met outside the room with Dr. Golg. The Dr. was an average looking red blood cell. He had gelatinous pinkish red skin and red hair that only added to the professional-but friendly-atmosphere that he created. He was wearing a white lab coat and was studying a chart when they arrived.

"Come in, come in. He's right here." Dr. Gold spoke-his voice passive and level-and he entered room 307. For a few minutes Drix and Ozzy just stood there and stared at Thrax. He had white bandages covering the right side of his body, and instead of his usual black trench coat he wore a white hospital gown. His long claw was still broken, but Ozzy fancied to himself that it had grown a little. Thrax also wore a cast over his left wrist since it was broken. Drix-being more observant of his surroundings-noticed a pile of Thrax's black clothes sitting inside the nightstand's drawer.

"Are you Officer Jones?" the red virus asked. Ozzy was surprised at the way Thrax sounded, he had lost his sort of whimsical way of speaking. He voice wasn't so defined as before. Also, he didn't sound malicious. Earlier you could listen to him and think: this guy is dark. Now though he just sounded average, like a regular cell. Ozzy nodded,

"Yeah. So, you can't remember anything?" the immunity cell asked. Thrax looked away suddenly and refused to make eye contact. The red virus had always seemed so sure of himself, it was an odd sight to see: him looking so insecure.

"Nothing, but you and he do seem kind of...familiar. Do you know anything about me that could help me remember?" Thrax spoke calmly, like he didn't want to seem threatening.

"Well..." now that Ozzy thought about it, he really didn't know anything about Thrax. He didn't know of any family, friends, or associates. And was telling this amnesia stricken Thrax a good idea in the first place? Did they want him to go back to being the Red Death virus? Thrax saw the hesitation in Ozzy. The uncertainty. Not a good sign.

"Your name is Thrax." Ozzy finally settled on something simple. Thrax nodded and shifted a little on the bed.

"Thrax...I like the sound of that." Thrax rolled his name off his tongue. And another small piece of the puzzle had fallen into place for Thrax.

"I take it we weren't close." Thrax assumed. Ozzy smiled sheepishly and Drix nodded. Thrax continued, "I still thank you for saving my life, Officer Jones. I am in your debt."

Ozzy shrugged, "It was nothing, but I'll hold you to your debt." An awkward silence encompassed the room. Dr. Golg decided he might be the cause of this-and didn't want to be a bother to them-so he quietly excused himself from the room. As the door closed Thrax did seem to relax.

"The people here are too nice, but I always feel odd when I'm around them. It's like I shouldn't be here at all, like I would never be here at a hospital if I had my memories back." Thrax explained. Drix suddenly sympathized with the red virus and had a 'great' idea,

"When your well enough to leave, why don't you stay with us for a few days? We may be able to help jog your memory by taking you to places you've been before." Ozzy glanced at his partner, was this a good idea? Ozzy nodded though and smiled 'reassuringly'. Thrax flat out stared at them like they had just grown another head.

"Why would you do that for me?" he asked finally. Drix answered levelly,

"It is the right thing to do."