Status Quo rule no. 27 - Hirou fighters under a syndicate can earn money outside of the league with their syndicate leader explicit permission.

“I don’t fucking know, Aiden! I was shot and woke up not so shot! If I knew what had happened, I would already fucking tell you!” Skye gave Aiden a clear death-stare. 

Aiden had been interrogating her for the past couple of hours, asking the same questions in different variations. She was out the whole night and woke up in a hospital to Aiden’s grumpy face. And she still had to deal with Bradley, who would be pissed at her for breaking curfew. It had taken her a while to recollect herself and figure out how she got to the hospital in the first place. Aiden’s questions didn’t help. Skye only wanted to close her eyes and disappear. 

“I went to get your guy. While I was at it, some Green attacked me and someone shot me, and I thought I died.” She added more quietly. 

Aiden sighed. “The bullets laid beside you. Your dress was bloody from the shots, and you can’t explain it?”

“Well, I would if I could.”

“The bullets match the ones that we had found in the other murders of UA fighters.”

“Are you asking or telling?”

“Skye!”

“Aiden!”

“Damnit, I’m just worried about you!”

“Nobody asked you to.”

He sighed again and leaned back in his chair. She didn’t want to tell him about her mysterious savior, at least not until she knew more about him or about his white Hirou. There were five colors to the Hirou and white wasn’t one of them. Besides, all Hirou could do was attack or protect, not heal, and there was no doubt that the man had healed her with his Hirou. There was no other explanation. 

She now owed her life to an unfamiliar dude who could come and collect the debt, like always happened in Bayport, and that was bothersome on its own. Nothing was free in the city. She already belonged to Chrono, lived as Bradley’s slave, and fought hard for her freedom. Being in debt to more people wasn’t part of her plans. She had to find out who that guy was and why he saved her, but how could she do that when she couldn’t even remember what he looked like? 

She clenched her fists and bit the inside of her cheek. This whole day was a mess. 

Aiden gave her a puzzled look but she ignored him. Answering any more questions became tiresome and she was done with that. 

It was a shame though, that her dress had to die from all the blood loss. She loved that blue piece of garment; it was one of the few gifts she had rarely received. 

The hospital’s half-pajamas-half-scrubs were comfortable, but hideous. The smell of the hospital made her want to gag while at the same time crave for her bed and for a burger. Lower Bayport’s streets had the worst of odors even though the UA tried to keep the street clean, but the hospital made her uncomfortable. She has spent too much time here as a teenager to have any positive thoughts about this place. 

A knock on the door made Aiden jolt in his seat and Skye chuckled at his reaction. 

Mike stood at the door holding Kaya, his niece’s hand. He looked as fresh as always, with his signature red shirt and red cap. The four years old child hid behind Mike’s massive figure, smiled at her but didn’t approach. After some reassurance, she only waved her small hand. Skye waved back at her but didn’t return her a smile. 

“Aiden.” Mike greeted him and Aiden nodded back. “How are you feeling, love?”

“I’ll be better when I leave.”

“That’s why we’re here for, aren’t we Kaya?” He shook Kaya’s hand. She nodded and gave him a large, open-mouthed smile. 

Aiden stood up and paced towards Skye’s bed, took her hand, and squeezed it. “If you remember something, please call me. This is a serious matter and I’m truly worried about you.” He let go of her hand and left. 

Skye let out a deep sigh. “I need my cancer sticks, Mike.” She looked again at her clothes. “And something normal to wear.”

“Mama told us to take this to you!” Kaya handed her a white shopping bag. 

Skye took the bag and thanked the child. Inside were her ripped black jeans, a gray t-shirt, her boots, and her cigarettes. She gave Mike a thankful look.

“Yeah, I know, my sister is the best. Now change so we could leave, the smell in this place is awful,” Mike said and left the room. 

Mike’s kindness towards her was something peculiar she couldn’t quite understand. She hadn’t always been particularly kind to him, and in the arena, if pitted against him, she’d employ any means necessary to secure victory, just as she had done in the past. Well, if he chose to be around someone as toxic as her, he was the one to blame. She was not going to bend anyone’s wrist to do better.