Keep your voice down.

Zack instantly turns around to pry once more through the window. He seems started almost with the intention of bursting in and interrogating me at once. I try giving my best smile. It only results in a crippling one as I add a friendly wave. He looks appalled and returns the gesture; soon after he turns around. I keep staring at the tiny window until I can confirm he’s not going to immediately turn around and whisper to myself…

“who the hell-”

Stop japing your lips. Remember, we can talk inside your head.

She’s right.

Exactly.

Who the hell are you?! You’d almost got me killed! Look at me! Look at what I’ve become!

You caught me. I’m sorry. Maybe I should’ve been honest from the beginning.

Are you snickering?

Heh heh* I can’t… I can’t hold it… Ha-hahahahaaaa!*

What’s so funny? I’ve lost an arm! I will never be able to walk again!

Don’t forget an eye!

I’m starting to believe I’ve gone insane!

Probably. Heh heh*

Maybe I should tell them you’re here with me. This time I have full control of my whole body.

Yeah, you have control over your WHOLE body! Ha-hahahaaa!! Please stop, you’re going to kill me!

“Zack! Zack!”

Zack rockets through the door.

ʑ “What is it, kid?! Did you remember something?!” ʑ

Okay, okay. I’m sorry, okay? I went overboard. I can fix you! Remember, I can regenerate your body! If you snitch me, you’ll seriously never walk again and forget about your missing body parts! Just get rid of him!

My right arm unconsciously touches my forehead...

It was a javelin. It pierced through my head… she was able to remove it while repairing my fractured brain and skull… She’s the only one that can produce that kind of miracle.

What I can do, there’s no modern technology that can help you!

ʑ “Why did you call me?” ʑ

I’m your only hope.

“I’m really sorry for asking, but could you get me something to eat? I’m starving. I haven’t had anything since yesterday.”

He may not know it, but his facial expression can be read like a book; he’s thinking of a way to not go.

Knowing my current status, I play my next card and intentionally look down at my legs and then at Zack with a whimpering eye; it makes him uncomfortable.

ʑ “Sure, kid. Let me go see what’s in the cafeteria. Just don’t go anywhere!” ʑ

He catches what he just said; rudely stares at my legs terrified, then at me.

ʑ “I’m sorry, I’ll be… (he swallows)… right back…” ʑ

Zack leaves the room, takes one more glimpse through the window, and is startled as I’m staring back. He looks pale as if considering not going but he already told me he was going to go so he has no other choice. He leaves the window and his guard post. I can only hear footsteps sound away through what seems like a long empty hallway.

So, who are you?

For starters- I’m not a demon.

I know that already; what was that flashback all about? Was I living a part of your life?

An aura of discomfort fills my gut mixed with anger and a little bit of betrayal.

You still remember that? I don’t understand how you were able to see that part of my past but maybe it’s a good thing. Now you can believe me. I’m not an actual demon.

Then, who or what are you? You’re not human! Maybe you were before but not now.

Right now, that’s not important. We have to regain my strength as this hospital is the perfect place. Quickly, chant the words as before: feel it in your soul and grant me my wish, to live!

“Do you play me for a fiddle? You’re not going to fool me. This time you’re going to answer my questions.”

Keep it down, someone may hear you. We really don’t have the time to chat.

From my point of view; yes, we do.

You ignorant piece of- okay, maybe I won’t help you! Oh. What’s this? Is this fear I’m sensing? You’re not the only one who has control of this situation. Don’t you want to walk again?

Maybe you’re a crafty demon. The type that tricks people into doing their bidding. Just answer me this, what’s your name?

After asking a simple question, my body is engulfed with fear.

What’s wrong? Don’t you trust me?

Unintentionally, I’ve jabbed her once more as I feel a giant transparent wall fall in-between us.

I don’t. I don’t trust you nor anyone in this world, but I have no other choice just like you.

She’s quiet behind her wall but I can still sense her emotions as clear as day; and it’s not making me feel any better.

We don’t have all day.

I don’t know if it’s my imagination or if I can really see her inside of me as her emotions mix inside of me like a wild hurricane; until final she breaks through the storm...

To you, my name is Das, okay? Before you ask anything else. Please, let’s escape before reinforcements arrive.

Understood, now what?

Well, what are you waiting for?!

You know, I still cannot walk.

Sure and what’s stopping you from crawling?

She’s silent once more.

You really are.

I don’t have any energy to heal your wounds; I need nutrients.

“I have no other choice, right?”

If you want to walk again, you’ll have to earn it!

She’s annoying.

I can hear you in here, and the feeling is mutual.

I start snatching all the wires attach to me and carefully remove the needle providing serum from my right arm; a sudden flow of blood fills out.

Hey, don’t go wasting that! Just bend your arm together and it’ll stop coming out.

I listen to her advice as I impatiently roll to my left and accidentally move to fast! The first thing to hit the floor is my skull as white flashes intervene my sight and my teeth tremble. I keep to myself but a tear rolls down my eye from the demanding pain. I keep my face on the checkered floor as it cools me and wait for the flashes to fade away.

Dust bunnies, even in a hospital?

This place is a pigsty!

The floor is freezing as my palm holds me but the pain is worse; so I lay back down. With all the strength on my right arm I extend it upwards and with my nails grasp onto the surface of the tiled floor and pull.

Yes, just like that. Keep going!

I keep pulling while sometimes planting my face on the dirty floor as I’m not used to moving with only one arm; specially with paralyzed legs.

I don’t doubt your origin, you really aren’t from here.

Oh, really? What gave it away?

There’s no where on this world, that I know of that looks anything like your memory. I’ve never seen enormous trees like those but your clothes and his, they looked medieval. Are you from the past?

She keeps quiet as an emotion of homesick devours me.

Is this what homesick feels like? I don’t like it. Don’t worry, I’ll stop probing about your home. I intruded a personal memory.

The hollow wall inside of me begins to fade as a rush of joy gushes through.

Thank you and don’t be silly, I’m not some kind of time traveler. That’s not even possible!

“That’s what a time traveler would say.”

I finally make it to the door and grab the doorknob, try to turn it…

It’s locked.

I’m exhausted and with the feeling of defeat I settle my back on the door and scan the room.

There’s a vent but it’s too high and I doubt I can fit in it with my size. I guess this is it.

You give up too easily, this is not the end.

Then, what?

I’m willing to make a deal with you.

Oh no, no more deals from you! Last time you took advantage, stole my body, and refused to give it back! And that’s not even counting what you did to it!

I was certain you would have been killed! But look at the bright side, you have it back now!

And you still have the decency to make a deal with me?! Don’t push your limits!

Just hear me out.

Sigh* I have no other choice, you’re inside of me. Why is that?

After we get out, I’ll be more than happy to answer all your doubts. Right now, just listen.

Okay, Das.

A sharp needle penetrates my heart, just after mentioning her name.

Sorry about that, it’s been a while since anyone called me that.

Your name?

….sure.

The same needle jabs me, I try my best to ignore it.

So what’s your plan?

Don’t worry, I’ll have to trust you too.

The sensation keeps getting sharper as if she wants to tell me and at the same time, no.

So what is it? Come out with it.

I’ll have to use all of my energy to unlock the door. After, you’re not going to hear from me anymore.

Are you going to run away?

She ignores me and continues…

I’ll trust you will find the blood for me.

“Blood?!”

Keep your voice down. What else? It’s my source of life and energy.

Blood?!

Yes, fucking blood! Unless, you wish to give me yours and die in the process.

What?!

In your current condition, you’re too weak to “donate” blood to me. If I take your blood you will definitely die. We can’t have that. I need you as much as you need me, okay? There was another way, but I’ve already tried it and failed.

What was it?

I’d tried nibbling at your soul but oddly it was not possible… maybe I’m too weak in this state.

Okay, okay. Blood. I’m no good. I will die. I need to find blood.

Good my chattel, then it’s settled.

Just as before and unannounced: my body excessively sweats as an explosion is felt on my chest, the heavy weight now known as Das starts to lift, and for a moment the world twirls before me. There she is again with her large round arctic eyes, young as I, with skin as a foggy night, and with her short red emerald hair-

“Das.”