"... Where is this?" Nox felt like he was drifting in a cold lake. He looked about but couldn't see a single light source around. He just continued to drift in the shadows. Then he heard something. Like someone was calling his name. "... Ox..." '... Huh?' "Nox!"
Then, he felt something yank him to the surface. His eyes snapped open, and he heard Veil's voice whisper, "'It's your turn, Ben HaChoshech'".
Immediately, Nox jolted upright from the hospital bed. His eyes were wide open, taking in the familiar hospital room. He looked out the window and saw the sun dip below the horizon and was confused. He was gasping for breath, sweat dripping down his body as memories from the night slammed into him. He clutched his head as he tried to calm down.
Then, a pair of hands seized his as someone calmly tried to bring him back to reality. "Nox, calm down. You're okay, you're safe."
Slowly, Nox's breathing slowed, and he looked up at the newcomer. He saw a dark-skinned man with shoulder-length brown hair, sharp violet eyes, and long, ear-catching ears. He wore a black long-sleeve turtleneck shirt, white trousers, and black boots. He looked at Nox, his eyes full of worry, trying to reassure him.
Upon seeing the man, Nox completely calmed down, then asked tentatively, "... What are you doing here, Zayne?"
The man, Zayne, let go of Nox's hand and sighed. "I heard you were in a car accident, so I rushed back to check on you."
Nox calmed down. He looked at Zayne for some time and snorted.
Zayne felt a vein bulge on his temple as his mouth twitched. He struggled to calm himself. ".... Hoooo... You're lucky you're still a patient; if not, I'd have smacked some sense into you."
Nox glanced at him. "Anyway, did my dad send you?"
Zayne sat back comfortably in his chair, picking a fruit from a platter next to Nox's bed. "Yeah, Mr. Arur sent me to check on you. You are his only child, after all."
Zayne bit down on the fruit happily while Nox just scoffed.
Zayne picked another fruit, pulled out a pocket knife, and began to peel it. "The Chairman asked me to tell you this, 'You are no longer a child, Nox. You've already graduated from high school. In half a year, you'll be going to university. Stop being childish and grow up.' That's exactly what he told me to tell you, Nox."
"... Hmm, I thought he'd tell me I'm a disgrace. He's being awfully nice... What's the catch?"
Zayne tossed a black card onto his lap. 'Nox, there is ten million in that card. Use it however you please; just make sure to come back so we can visit your mother.' Don't be late.' That's what he said."
Nox frowned. He was basically being bribed to go back and see his father. He wasn't pleased, but who would turn down money? Definitely not him. Though that didn't mean he would show it. "Is that all? Tsk-"
Zayne threw another black card onto his lap.
Nox kept quiet. "... Only twenty-"
" Fifty million."
Nox sucked in a breath, then a wicked smile spread across his face. "Brother Zayne-"
Zayne shoved the peeled fruit into Nox's mouth as he looked at Nox with disdain. "Disgusting!"
Nox rolled his eyes and grinned. "So, when am I getting out of here?"
Zayne stood up and stretched. "Tomorrow. I've already started the discharge process."
Nox grinned from ear to ear, which creeped Zayne out. "... Anyway, the Chairman has bought you a new apartment. A condition for the money is to cut ties with those friends of yours..."
Zayne watched his expression closely, but Nox just stared at him and gave him a thumbs up. Zayne's eyes widened a bit, then they went back to normal. 'Hmm, so the young master has grown... I need to tell the Chairman when I get back...'
Zayne ruffled Nox's hair and walked out. "I'm going, but I'll come for you tomorrow. See ya."
He waved as he walked off. "Yeah, I hope you choke on your cigarette!"
Nox stared at his back as he left. He looked at the ceiling and just stared. "... So, those things are real.... Heh... Shit."
He sighed and looked at his hands like they owed him rent. _meow_~
Nox felt all the hairs on his body stand up immediately. He took in a deep breath and lay back down, ready to fall asleep.
Then, he felt a weight on his lap. His eyes snapped open, and he saw a red pill on the sheets. He looked around the room, saw nothing, and sat up. He stared at the pill, picked it up, and scrutinized it. The more he looked, the more unsettled he became. He stuffed it in his pocket and went back to sleep.
Meanwhile, just outside the door, something watched Nox intently.