YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT I HATE HATE, HATE, HATE HOSPITALS! I haven't been in a hospital for about 4 years or longer. And I admit that I FEAR hospitals! So I'm sorry if I get any of this wrong. I'm not good with this kind of stuff. So please forgive me for the lack of description! Anyway, I hope you will Enjoy!
Chapter 2:
"White Room"
'Oh, Dear God, why here?' I was in a white room. Don't get me wrong, I love the color white…..but this….this is too white……It hurt my eyes.
I sighed. I always get this room. Room 207. I don't get why they even bothered to number this room. Why didn't they just call it "Anna's Room"? They always seem to reserve this room for me.
I slowly got up and moaned; my bandana wasn't on. I looked around to see if I could see where they put my clothes. They always hide it in different places so that I wouldn't find it and run away. It never works though.
As I looked around, a woman caught my eye, "Mrs. Hino!"
"Anna-chan!" The woman ran to my bedside, "Are you alright?"
Mrs. Reiko Hino. She was a slightly round woman, wore glasses and had raven hair; this woman was my caretaker. She was the owner of the inn where I live. After I had lost everything, she took me in.
"I'm fine, Mrs. Hino," I responded.
She sighed in relief, "Good, good."
"Mrs. Hino, do you know where my clothes are?"
"No, I'm sorry Anna-chan," she said sadly, "I just got here."
"Oh, I see," I said and I kept looking.
"By the way," Mrs. Hino looked for something in her gray jacket, "As I was walking to your room, a family stopped me and told me to give this to you."
Mrs. Hino handed me a homemade card. On the front it said: "TO: AnNa BaNaNa"
By the sloppy handwriting and the name, I could tell it was from Toshi. The front also had a picture of a stick-figure with blonde hair and a red bandana next to what seemed like the water.
"Thanks Mrs. Hino for delivering this to me."
"Don't thank me, thank the little boy Anna-Banana," she smiled, "He insisted that I gave this to you as soon as you woke up. Well, are you going to open it or what?" Mrs. Hino took a seat next to my bedside.
(a/n: I would write in a sloppy form to show that Toshi has bad writing, but it might bug some of you, so I won't) Inside, the card said:
Dear Anna Banana,
What happened? My parents say you are sick. But you don't look sick. And if you are sick, does that mean I can't see you anymore? I hope not! You are my new friend! Are you sick bad, Anna Banana? I hope I can see you tomorrow!
Your new Friend,
Toshi Yoshi
Then on the inside of the card, had two stick-figures: once again the blonde one with the red bandana and a boy with messy black hair; basically a picture of me and him. I smiled as I saw the two figures holding hands. I've known him for about two days, and he already considered me a friend. I guess kids are like that, they just want someone to play with and to talk to.
"So," Mrs. Hino smiled, "You've made a new friend."
"Yea. I met Toshi yesterday at the docks."
"I always knew that you would make a friend over there," She said happily, "You might even find a boyfriend!"
"Mrs. Hino……"
"Hehehe!" She giggled, "Wouldn't that be nice? Then I would see your beautiful smile more often!"
"Mrs. Hino…." She could tell what I was going to say be my tone; she's heard this before, "What's the point of having a boyfriend? I'll only break his heart. My attacks are coming more often which means…"
"But Anna-chan!" Mrs. Hino hated that subject.
"When your husband died, you were left heartbroken. I don't want to leave anyone heart-broken."
"So are you saying it would have better if I had never met him?"
I nodded.
"Not true Anna," she said in a very serious tone. I can tell she was absolutely serious because she didn't call me '-chan'. "It's true that he left early, but everyone dies sometime. It's just a part of life. Some go early, some go late. I will never regret meeting my husband."
"I don't think I will last that long anyway," It was true, I didn't, "Besides, even if I do manage to live another year, who would want to be my boyfriend anyway?"
"That boy is your friend."
"He's about 6 or 7."
"I know that," Mrs. Hino gave a small laugh, "I didn't mean it that way, I meant someone wants to be your friend. That little boy isn't the only one who willing to make a friend like you. You just have to give people a chance."
"I……" I knew that what she was saying was true, but…"I just don't think I can do it. I don't want people to cry and feel bad. I don't want them to feel like I did, or like you did. Nobody likes to feel like that. It would have been better if I had just died 8 years ago; if I had just died by my heart condition."
"No," Mrs. Hino hugged me, "Don't ever say that. You are living here for a reason. You were saved for a reason. I know the doctor says that you won't last any longer, but that's what the doctor said 8 years ago, right? You just might prove them wrong again."
"…" I could not find anything to say. My mind was saying to me, 'You say you don't want anyone to be sad when you died, so don't die.' But it was easier said than done.
"I'm sorry, Anna-chan," Mrs. Hino let go of the hug, "I have to go back to the inn."
"It's ok, go ahead." Mrs. Hino gave a smile and left.
Once Mrs. Hino was gone, I sighed and leaned my head back onto the pillow. I promised that I wouldn't give up on life; I promised that I would keep on living. Out of respect for my family and Mrs. Hino I would keep that promise to myself. Mrs. Hino also had no family left either, she, in a way, was just like me. I had to keep living.
As I was about to get more rest, there was a knock on my door, 'Oh, what now?'
"Come in."
"Um, hi Anna," a shy pink-haired junior nurse walked in.
"Oh, hi Tamao," I said sitting up again. Tamao was 14, two years younger than me, yet she was a junior nurse who spent most of her time here.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
"Hm…" She sat down next to me, "It's getting late, have you gone to the cemetery yet?"
"Yes, I did this morning," I never told Tamao what happened when I was younger, but the doctors and Mrs. Hino told her about it.
"Oh, w-well, tomorrow I can escort you because you know how you have to stay here for—"
"You know that won't work."
"Yea," She looked down, "I know."
Tamao was someone I considered a friend. Usually she would not talk, but I've know her for a while, since I come here often. We'd usually talk whenever I come here. She didn't like the fact that I always left, but she understood.
"But, why don't you just stay here? I mean what's the harm? I can escort you so you won't get in trouble."
"I don't want to stay here. You know that I hate this white room. Besides, I have a very rare disease."
"But if you stay long enough, they might find a heart……"
"Tamao, you know better than anyone about what Dr. Faust said."
"Yes, yes I know, he said:
'Even if we find a heart, it still might not work. This is very rare, not even a handful has had this disease, and they've all died from it. We'll do the best we can.'
"And Dr. Faust is the best," Tamao sighed.
"Besides," I said, "I don't think I can handle another surgery." I had scars down my chest from the surgery. It almost felt like every part of my body was scared. Well, my face hadn't been scarred, but my arms, legs and chest were.
"So, are you giving up?"
"…" I stayed silent. I wanted to say "no", but if I did, she'd insist that I stay.
"You know, a couple of years ago, at my self-esteem meetings," Tamao had gone to the self-esteem meeting because her parents believed that she didn't have any self respect. In a way she was because she told me that she was bullied in her last school for being so shy (a/n: don't say that is highly unlikely, because it's not, I've been bullied because of my shyness to), and she's just let them do it, "There were some suicidal kids…"
I listened; I wanted to know if she was going to say something I hadn't heard before.
"…And the speaker was pretty harsh on us. He said things like:
'You're so selfish, why would you give up your own life? Suicide is a selfish act, what about those who care about you? You will only make them suffer if you die. Yea life sucks, get it over it!'
"And at first I thought that he was making things worse, but then he said:
'Don't give up, you may think that your life sucks, but there is always someone out there whose condition is worse.'"
"Oh, Dear God, I hope not……" I couldn't imagine the poor soul, who had a worst situation then me, 'That's just too sad…but you never know…'
"Well, maybe not in your case," she said sadly and continued, "He said:
'There's always someone out there whose condition is worse……so go out and help them…Don't waste your time think about how your life sucks, think about others too, and help. Maybe you can find someone…who can help you in return…Don't be selfish, think about those who care about you, think about those who are in worse conditions…go out and help someone…'
"And that's why I decided to become a nurse. I want to help others, and it's making me feel better inside too. Besides, by doing this, I've met you, I've met a friend."
I nodded. No, I have never heard that one before, and in my opinion, that was the best I've heard yet. Besides, the reason why I hadn't killed myself yet was because my family had saved me, and Mrs. Hino needed me and I promised myself that I wouldn't let my family down, and as long as I can help it, I will not let them down.
"So," Tamao said, "Are you giving up?"
"Never."
"So," she smiled, "Did that little speech get to you? Are you going to stay?"
"Well, I had never heard the speech before, but I still realized it. No, I'm not going to stay, I'm going to go out and help, right?"
Tamao frowned, and I felt a little bad, her plan had backfired……
"Well, yea, I guess," she said quietly.
I sighed, "Look, Tamao—"
"Good Afternoon, Anna!" A woman with long blonde wavy hair barged in.
"Good Afternoon," I responded.
"Oh, hello, Eliza!" Tamao bowed.
Eliza was a beautiful woman who worked as a nurse, Tamao's trainer actually. She is very good at her job and is partners with her husband, the best doctor around……
"Doctor Faust," Eliza spoke, "Would like to talk to you, Anna."
"Well, if it isn't my favorite patient?" a man with blonde, messy hair walked in, he had slight bags under his eyes because his work keeps him busy. Even if he had slight rings, no one really minds, it was a symbol of dedication of his work. He was the famous Doctor Faust VIII. "How are you feeling?"
"The same," I answered simply.
"Well, I guess you expect the same, don't you?" I admired Dr. Faust; he was honest and straight forward.
I nodded.
"Well, than you won't be disappointed," He shook his head, "No improvements."
I shrugged, "I didn't expect it to change."
"Though, I've noticed, you're getting attacks more often…"
"Yea, I know……"
"Why don't you try to stay here so I can help you?"
"…" I didn't respond and just turned my head.
"Please Anna?" Eliza and Tamao together, but Tamao added another "Please?"
"Please understand that I have to visit my family everyday."
"Then please let Tamao escort you," Eliza pleaded.
"No, I'm sorry, but it's something I have to do by myself…" I didn't like when others saw me to the point of tears, it made me feel weak; I couldn't have anyone see me like that.
"Well, it's either she escorts you or you don't go," Dr. Faust crossed his arms.
"…"
"That's what I thought," he said when I stayed quiet.
I sighed, I know that I will be able to sneak out, but I couldn't let them know that I still planned to do it. So I said, "Alright, now let me get some sleep."
"Good night, Anna," Eliza said as she turned to leave, "See you tomorrow, right?"
I pulled the covers over my head and moaned.
Tamao giggled and added, "Good night!" Then I heard her and Eliza leave.
"Anna," Dr. Faust said, "I really wish you would stay, that way I could help you."
"Nothing can be done."
"You keep saying that, but maybe if I can run some more tests……"
"Do you always do this to patients that are trying to sleep, or is it just me?"
"Well, as I said, you're my favorite," he chuckled, "Good night, see you in the morning!"
Once I heard the door close, I pulled the covers off my head and sighed. I knew that they cared and only wanted the best for me, but I just couldn't……I couldn't… "I'm sorry, I just can't stay here……bad……bad memories remain here…I refuse to stay…I……I really am sorry."
ooo000ooo
I said I wanted to sleep, but I didn't, I just pretended. I said it again, "Sorry…" As if I couldn't say it enough.
I had just escaped the hospital, right after the midnight check. Eliza checked up on me, saw that I was there and left, after that I got my things and snuck out, "Sorry, but I really……really hate…that…that white room…" with that I walked home.
On my way I thought of Dr. Faust, Eliza, and Tamao, 'Hm…………they shouldn't be too mad, I left them a note this time…'
I smirked as I thought of the note. I wrote:
Dear Dr. Faust, Eliza, and Tamao,
I am very sorry, but I had to leave. I had just remembered that I had to work the morning shift at the inn. I am very sorry, but since I am not paying for the rent, I have to work it off. I hope you'll understand, once again sorry.
You're favorite patient
Anna
'Hm……they shouldn't be too mad, right? They'll understand,' I had reached my home and started my way to my room, 'It feels nice……to not sleep in that white room…'
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Ookie-Dookie! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter! Yay! Tamao, Faust and were in it! Next chapter will have Pirika, Horo Horo, and maybe Renand Yoh. So please stay tuned and oh! I also have a surprise……A trivia question! Whoever answers this correctly can have some sort of prize, and sorry, it doesn't have to do with Shaman King. It's to see if you know any other animes! Okay! Here we go!
Q. The character, Mrs. Reiko Hino, is named after another character from another anime. Who is she named after and what show is she from?
Hint: The name is not exact (it would be too easy if it was!) and she is not a "Mrs." She does not really look like Mrs. Hino, expect for one thing!
Well, good look with that, I hope I didn't make it too hard! Hope you review with at least a guess, and don't worry, I'll respect all you're answers…even if they are way off…So, try it out! Until next time
Ja ne!