Chapter 12: The Hospital Ward
In the mortal world, Andres’ body lay still in a hospital bed, his condition critical but stable. The doctors had done all they could, and now it was up to Andres to fight his way back. But while his spirit roamed free, Andres and Jannela had another mission: to uncover who had assaulted him and why. Their investigation brought them back to the hospital ward, where they would monitor for any suspicious visitors or behavior around Andres’ comatose body.
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Andres and Jannela stood at the entrance of the hospital, their forms invisible to the human eye. The bustling activity of the hospital was a stark contrast to the ethereal world they had been navigating.
“Ready?” Jannela asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Andres nodded.
“Yeah. Let’s find out who did this to me.”
They slipped through the automatic doors and made their way to the ICU. The sterile scent of disinfectant filled the air, and the soft beeping of monitors created a rhythmic backdrop. They found Andres’ room at the end of a quiet corridor, guarded by a single nurse who checked the machines periodically.
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As they entered the room, Andres felt a pang of sadness seeing his own body lying motionless on the bed, surrounded by machines keeping him alive. Jannela placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“We’ll figure this out, Andres. We’ll find out who did this to you.”
Andres nodded, his jaw set in determination. “I know we will.”
They settled into their invisible vigil, watching as nurses and doctors came and went. The hours passed slowly, the routine of the hospital both monotonous and tense. Every new visitor brought a flicker of hope that they might uncover a clue.
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Late in the afternoon, a man in a dark suit entered the ward. He moved with a purpose, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something. Andres and Jannela exchanged a glance, both sensing that this man could be significant.
“Who is he?” Andres whispered.
Jannela shook her head.
“I don’t know. But let’s keep an eye on him.”
The man approached Andres’ bed and stood silently for a moment, studying the comatose teenager. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device, placing it under the bed. Andres felt a surge of anger.
“What is he doing?” Andres hissed.
Jannela’s eyes narrowed.
“It looks like some kind of bug. He’s trying to monitor your room.”
---
The man glanced around the room one last time before turning to leave. As he walked out, Andres and Jannela followed him, keeping a safe distance. They trailed him through the corridors, out of the hospital, and into the parking lot where he got into a sleek black car.
“We need to find out who he is,” Andres said, frustration evident in his voice.
Jannela nodded.
“Let’s see if we can get a closer look at his car.”
They approached the car, staying invisible. The man was on the phone, speaking in low tones that were hard to make out. Jannela focused, enhancing her hearing to catch snippets of the conversation.
---
“Yes, I planted the device. We’ll know if anyone visits him,” the man said.
“No, there hasn’t been any change. He’s still in a coma. But we need to be sure he doesn’t wake up.”
Andres clenched his fists, his anger simmering. “They want to make sure I don’t wake up. Whoever he’s working for is behind this.”
Jannela nodded.
“We need to find out who he’s talking to.”
As the man finished his call and drove away, Andres and Jannela returned to the hospital room. They needed to figure out how to disable the bug without alerting the person monitoring it.
---
Jannela studied the device, her eyes narrowing.
“I think I can disable it without setting off any alarms. But it might take some time.”
Andres watched her work, his mind racing with questions. “Why would someone go to such lengths to keep me in a coma? What did I do?”
Jannela didn’t look up from her task.
“We’ll find out. But first, let’s make sure they can’t spy on us.”
With delicate precision, Jannela manipulated the device, using her powers to short-circuit its internal mechanisms. After a few tense moments, the device emitted a faint spark and went silent.
---
“There,” Jannela said, stepping back. “It’s disabled. They won’t be able to hear or see anything from here.”
Andres sighed in relief. “Thank you, Jannela. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Jannela smiled softly. “We’re in this together, remember? Now, let’s keep an eye out for any more visitors.”
They resumed their vigil, the hours stretching into the evening. The hospital grew quieter, the night shift taking over as the day wound down. Andres couldn’t shake the feeling that they were missing something, some crucial piece of the puzzle.
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Just past midnight, another visitor arrived. This time it was a young woman, her face partially obscured by a hood. She moved with a nervous energy, glancing around as if afraid of being seen. Andres and Jannela watched her closely.
The woman approached Andres’ bed and pulled out a small vial, pouring its contents into the IV drip. Andres’ eyes widened in horror.
“What is she doing?” he exclaimed.
Jannela’s eyes flashed with anger. “She’s trying to poison you.”
Andres lunged forward, his ghostly form passing through the IV stand. “Stop! Don’t do this!”
But the woman couldn’t see or hear him. Jannela acted quickly, using her powers to disrupt the flow of the IV, causing the liquid to spill harmlessly onto the floor.
---
The woman cursed under her breath and looked around, sensing something was amiss. She quickly turned and fled the room, disappearing into the night.
Andres was shaking with rage. “Who are these people? Why are they trying to kill me?”
Jannela placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “We’ll find out, Andres. But first, we need to make sure your body is safe.”
They carefully cleaned up the spill and reset the IV drip, ensuring that no harmful substances remained. As the night wore on, Andres and Jannela kept a vigilant watch, their resolve strengthening with each passing hour.
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The next morning, a familiar face appeared at the door. It was one of Andres’ teammates, Carlos, who looked tired and worried. He approached the bed and sat down, taking Andres’ hand in his own.
“Hey, buddy,” Carlos said softly. “I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’m here. The team’s been falling apart without you. We need you to wake up, Andres. We need you to come back.”
Andres watched his friend, a lump forming in his throat. “I’m here, Carlos. I’m fighting to come back.”
Jannela looked at Andres, her eyes filled with empathy. “He cares about you a lot. You have to hold on.”
---
Carlos stayed for a while, talking to Andres about the team, their matches, and how much they missed him. Before he left, he placed a small soccer ball charm on the bedside table.
“For luck,” Carlos said, his voice breaking. “We need you, man. Don’t give up.”
As Carlos left, Andres felt a renewed sense of determination. “I won’t give up. Not on my team, not on my friends. We’ll find out who did this, and I’ll come back stronger.”
Jannela smiled, her wings shimmering in the soft light. “We’ll get through this together, Andres. We’ll find the truth.”
---
The rest of the day passed uneventfully, with the usual routine of doctors and nurses coming and going. Andres and Jannela remained vigilant, ready to intervene at any sign of danger. As the evening approached, they prepared for another long night of watchful waiting.
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In the quiet of the hospital ward, Andres and Jannela’s bond grew stronger. They shared stories, hopes, and fears, finding comfort in each other’s presence. Their mission was far from over, but together, they felt capable of facing any challenge.
Andres looked at Jannela, his eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you for being here with me. I don’t think I could do this alone.”
Jannela squeezed his hand, her smile warm and reassuring. “You’re not alone, Andres. We’re a team. And together, we’ll find the answers we need.”
As the night deepened, Andres and Jannela remained at their post, their resolve unwavering. The path ahead was uncertain, but their determination to uncover the truth and protect each other was stronger than ever.