Upon hearing the familiar voice, Kayden quickly instructs Luce and Eddy to bring Hailey to the medical bay immediately.
"After all these years, you haven't changed a bit," the voice taunted. "Still using our situation to justify your actions."
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Kayden instructs Luce and Eddy to bring Hailey to the medical bay urgently. "After all these years, you really haven't changed one bit. Constantly using our situation to justify your actions." The voice taunted.
Kayden's eyes narrow as he steps forward, tension evident in his posture.
"Enough," he commands firmly, voice steady despite the underlying anger. "This isn't the time for accusations. Hailey needs help, and that's what matters now."
Luce and Eddy exchange a quick glance before nodding, rushing to comply. As they head toward the medical bay with Hailey, Kayden keeps a wary eye on the source of the voice—an old adversary or perhaps a haunting reminder of past conflicts, their presence complicating an already tense situation.
"Quit acting like you've known me for ages. The only reason we're even talking is because of work. If it were up to me, I'd have nothing to do with you," Kayden snapped, his tone sharp and filled with disdain.
"Then quit acting like some damn saint. Just because you manage to save a few of our kind every once in a while doesn't make you our messiah," the voice snapped sharply, dripping with contempt.
"Well, if it wasn't for your kind, we wouldn't be standing here today," Kayden retorted, voice seething with frustration.
"Oh, spare me. Unlike some people, 'my kind' didn't choose to slaughter countless of our own. But I guess that's too much to expect from you," Vai'ar spat sarcastically, eyes narrowing.
"For the love of metas, Vai'ar! Would you shut the hell up and stop bickering with Kayden like a couple of damn children every time we meet? We've got way more important things to deal with," a woman in a pristine white outfit, with a long grey Torina cardigan, barked, her tone sharp and commanding.
While Kayden was engrossed in their discussion, Luce told Eddy to prepare a room before leading her toward the medical bay. Though the distance was only a few minutes' walk, the unbearable silence and thick awkwardness warped time itself. Every step felt like an eternity, stretching the short journey into what seemed like an endless, never-ending voyage.
As the door swung open with a soft hiss, Luce stepped inside, revealing a space that buzzed with a quiet, clinical energy. The room was spacious yet intimate, lined with tall, sleek cupboards that stretched from floor to ceiling. These cabinets were made of smooth, polished metal, their surfaces reflecting the bright, sterile lighting overhead. Behind glass panes, countless bottles and vials shimmered in an array of vibrant colors—crimson reds, emerald greens, electric blues, and radiant yellows—each containing mysterious liquids that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly glow.
To one side, state-of-the-art medical equipment dominated the space: sleek monitors displaying complex readings, robotic arms with precise, articulated joints, and diagnostic devices humming softly as they processed data. The equipment looked advanced, almost futuristic, suggesting cutting-edge technology designed for complex procedures or experiments. The faint scent of disinfectant and a hint of chemical solvents filled the air, emphasizing the clinical atmosphere. Luce moved with practiced ease, pointing towards a comfortable-looking reclined chair or examination bed positioned centrally in the room. It was equipped with adjustable straps and padded supports, designed for patient comfort during procedures. He then reached for a crisp lab coat embroidered with his name, slipping it over his shoulders, signaling readiness for whatever was to come.
"Just lie down over here," Luce said calmly, gesturing toward the bed. "And I'll start the machine." His tone was reassuring, blending professionalism with a hint of reassurance, as the room awaited its next patient or subject for the procedure. The sterile hum of the white medical machine filled the small room, broken only by the faint shuffling of papers and Luce's hesitant movements. He fidgeted nervously with the controls, glancing at Hailey, who sat stiffly in the corner, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her face unreadable.
"So... you're Hailey, right?" Luce's voice was gentle but unsure, almost as if testing the waters. He rubbed the back of his neck, awkwardly trying to break the silence. Hailey nodded silently, her expression blank, her eyes unfocused. She seemed distant, lost in a fog of grief and shock. Her shoulders were hunched, her hands trembling slightly in her lap. Luce hesitated, then gently continued, "Did it hurt? When it happened?" His voice was quiet, almost trembling himself, aware of how delicate this moment was.
Hailey blinked slowly, her lips trembling as she fought back tears. She sniffed quietly, shoulders trembling as she tried to keep her composure. Her voice caught in her throat, and she looked away, eyes glistening with unshed tears. Luce felt his stomach tighten. He looked down at the controls, his hand trembling slightly as he started the scan. The machine whirred softly to life, filling the room with a gentle hum.
"I know this is probably overwhelming," Luce said softly, trying to sound reassuring. "But I want you to know you're safe here. I'm here to help you through this. Whatever you need."
Hailey sat motionless, her fists clenched tightly in her lap. Her breathing was shallow, and her shoulders shook with silent sobs that she desperately tried to suppress. Her entire body seemed to be holding onto something she couldn't quite let go of.
Luce watched her with a mixture of compassion and helplessness. He reached for a clipboard on the desk, his hand trembling as she began to fill out paperwork. Every few seconds, his gaze flickered back to Hailey, wishing he knew how to reach her.
Seconds turned into minutes. The machine beeped softly, signaling the end of the scan. Luce took a deep breath, feeling his nerves settle just a little.
"The scan's done. You're okay now," he said softly, his voice sincere but tentative. "You're safe. That's what matters most right now."
Hailey finally looked up, her eyes shimmering with tears. Her shoulders jerked as if she'd been jolted from a daze. She hesitated, then took a shaky breath and finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It… hurts," she admitted quietly, her voice trembling. "It hurts a lot… more than I thought it would."
Luce's heart clenched. He moved closer, sitting on the edge of the chair, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. "I know. I can't imagine what you're going through. But I promise, you're not alone anymore. I'll be here for you—every step of the way."
Hailey's eyes shimmered with tears, and she looked away briefly, fighting the urge to break down completely. Her voice cracked as she spoke again, "I don't… I don't know how to stop feeling like this. It's like… everything's broken inside."
Luce reached out gently, placing a hand on Hailey's trembling one. "That's okay. It takes time. Sometimes more than we think. But healing starts with being honest about how we feel. And you don't have to carry this alone anymore."
Hailey's eyes finally met Luce's, and for a moment, she seemed to consider opening up further. Her voice was faint but steady enough to hear. "Are you… do you do this long-term? Like, is this your full-time job?"
Luce nodded softly, a warm smile flickering. "Nope. I work here part time whenever i'm not at school. But I've worked here long enough and seen a lot of people go through tough times—more than I can count. And I've learned that sometimes, just having someone who listens helps more than anything else."
A small, tentative smile tugged at Hailey's lips. "Thanks…" she whispered, her voice trembling but genuine. "I… I think I need that. Someone to listen. Even if I don't know how to say everything right now."
Luce squeezed her hand gently. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be here. No rush. Just take your time."
The silence stretched again, thick and heavy. Then, Hailey's voice, barely above a breath, began once more. "It's... it's hard to talk about."
Luce nodded slowly, offering a small, reassuring smile. "I understand."
A long pause. Then, Hailey's eyes, usually bright with youthful energy, softened, filling with a distant, wistful light. "You know, I used to play ball with my sister all the time. We'd spend hours outside, laughing, arguing over whose turn it was to be pitcher, the sun warming our faces." Her voice caught slightly, but she pushed on. "We were fierce competitors, but also the closest of friends. And there was Joren."
A small, almost imperceptible tremor ran through Hailey. "Joren. He was always there, too. We were inseparable. He was the one who always had the best catch in the park; he was always so quick on his feet." She paused, her gaze drifting towards a distant point in the room. "He was so... full of life."
Luce leaned forward, his eyes softening. "I'm sorry."
Hailey took a shaky breath. "He... he's gone now. An unfortunate accident. Just...gone." Her voice cracked, and tears welled in her eyes. She blinked them back, her shoulders slumping.
"I miss him terribly," she whispered, the words barely audible above the quiet hum of the machines. "I miss playing catch with him, and with my sister. Those days... those days feel like a lifetime ago." A single tear escaped and traced a path down her cheek. "Everything felt so much brighter then, simpler."
Luce reached out and gently took Hailey's hand. The touch was light, but it conveyed a quiet strength and compassion. "I'm here to listen," he said softly. "Whenever you're ready."
In the quiet aftermath, both of them sat in silence—Hailey with her guard slowly lowering, and Luce quietly offering his presence, knowing that healing was a long road ahead but grateful to be part of her journey.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Hailey, are you familiar with someone named Joren? I heard he supposedly died in the Acre City fire," Kayden said, breaking the awkward silence. As she heard the name, a flicker of hope reignited within Hailey. For the first time in a while, her eyes brightened, and a faint smile touched her lips, as if a small spark of optimism was returning.