Zeke awoke in the hospital hours later. At least, he thought he was awake. It was dark and deadly silent, save for the occasionally whir and beep of the machines next to him. That's what told him he was in the hospital, as vision was alluding him. Dull, throbbing pain coursed through his face and head. It was the worst around where his eyes should have been. He reached up to touch his eyes, to prove they were there, and feeling the weak tug of an IV in his arm. Zeke's hand simply brushed along damp, sticky bandages. Slowly, he recognized that feeling as his own blood. He gasped sharply and painfully, his mouth dry. How long was he out? The events that had led to him even being in this hospital flashed in his mind. 

Oh, god. That's why he couldn't see? Of course, the bandages kept him from seeing, but they should've been thin enough to see through instead of leaving him in total darkness. Zeke flinched as the machine next to him had begun beeping faster. Shit. 

He was panicking, obviously. Who wouldn't? Hearing footsteps beneath the dull roar of his heartbeat in his ears, he tilted his head a bit. The boy managed to choke out a soft, "Who...?" 

He heard a relieved sigh from somewhere next to him, followed by a soft male voice. He hadn't heard this person before. "Thank god you're awake. I'm your nurse, Zeke, do you remember what happened?" 

He nodded, gesturing vaguely to his mouth. Water. He needed something to drink. 

"What? Is your mouth dry? Do you need water?" Another nod. "Okay, Zeke. I will be right back, okay? While I get that, there's someone here to see you." 

Zeke then heard two pairs of footsteps. One leaving that he assumed with the nurse, and one entering. "Oh my goodness, Zeke!"

It was Maria. Thank god. They were the one person that could comfort him in a situation like this. He gave a soft grunt, trying to reach out a hand in the direction he had heard their voice. More footsteps, and there was a hand in his own. He gave a relieved sigh. At least he'd have them. Soon, the nurse brought the boy's water and left, leaving Maria and Zeke alone. 

Zeke drank the water like he hadn't drank in days, and he probably hadn't. "M...a..r..ia." He managed, his tongue feeling foreign in his mouth. "Can't see?" He said, though it was more of a question. He was confused and full of drugs at the moment, honestly. He felt his friend stiffen next to him. 

"You, uh. You probably won't see again, Zeke. The metal went right in your eyes." They whispered. They knew just how important vision was to his job and everyday life. How would he do anything now? His voice had a hint of disappointment and shame when he continued, "Couldn't finish robot?" 

"Don't... don't worry about that right now, Zeke. You just need to heal."

He knew they were just being kind, but that made him a bit mad. How was he supposed to heal? He was blind! His life was ruined because he'd been impatient. He hadn't even been able to finish what he'd damaged himself so badly to do.