Thomas's vision was blurry 
  as he slowly woke up. He opened his eyes which felt heavier than usual. He closed them again as he tried clearing his mind of the foggy haze.
 After taking several deep breaths, Thomas managed to keep his eyes open once more.
 He noticed that he was lying on a bed with blankets wrapped tightly around his frame.
 " What happened?" He wondered to himself as he raised his hand and rubbed his eyes. He stretched his left arm forward and touched the surface of the bed as it felt like marble underneath his palm.
 " The last thing I remember doing...was...was chugging that pill and...everything went blank after that". 
 Visible confusion was written all over his face.
 " What do I do now?".
 Thomas lay there for a few minutes until a voice called out to him.
 << Oh good morning! You've just woken up? >> He asked with delight as he walked toward Thomas's side.
 Thomas turned toward the direction of the sound.
 It was the Healer .
 " Am I imagining things or what? He had no beard yesterday and he now has a goatee? Did he undergo some beard transplant or something like that?" Thomas thought whiles looking at the Healer.
 " Why does everything seems different?" He thought to himself. 
 " Good morning Sir". Thomas spoke.
 << You've slept well then>> the man said in his sweet and gentle voice.
 " I suppose I have...thanks".
 << Slept very well and very long>> he added.
 << Anyways, the operation was a success. You should back to pristine condition as soon as possible >>
 << My job here is done Edgar...I have to report back to the Capitol. I just received a letter from the Capitol Post, my Master asked me to come head back immediately >>. He run his hand through his thick waves and smiled .
 << You should be careful and also continue with your studies. You'll become a great Scholar dear. I believe in you and I believe in your great potential>> He said before grabbing his huge bag and leaving the room.
 " He seems so nice,hmmm it's a shame I don't even know his name and I couldn't afford to ask him. It'll have been awkward and strange,from his words, he seems to have had a great connection with the real Edgar." Thomas sighed. 
 " And why do I feel so different?" He said touching the sides of his chest. 
 Thomas looked around and spotted the books he had collected from Martha neatly positioned on a chair just behind the door.
 " How do I get there, I am a cripple and I can't...wait, I just got operated. Let's give it a try".
 He got up slowly from the bed and placed his right foot on the floor first.
 " Easy" 
 The left foot followed, but he couldn't stand straight and his legs were wobbling like a leaf in the wind.
 He held onto the bed frame.
 " Damn it...". Thomas whispered under his breath.
 He gritted his teeth and tried not to fall but his legs were doing otherwise. 
 He got down on all fours and started crawling slowly. He kept crawling on his knees until his feet finally found their support and he stood upright.
 With difficulty he put his weight on his left foot and made his way to the door, leaning against the wall for support.
 " A bit better now " He thought as he stepped away from the wall, putting his weight on his other leg.
 Every step was excruciating to him.
 " This doesn't feel good " .
 He said and walked to the door and instead of just picking the books, he opened it.
 " A little tour won't hurt " He shrugged and started walking.
 He had made his way to the end of the hallway and saw a staircase. 
 " I can barely walk without stumbling here and there. I don't think I can make it down those stairs, not for now...at least "
 Thomas sat down on the bottom stair of the staircase and rested for a couple of minutes.
 " I want to see the world out there so badly. Is it like Earth? Are there like space ships outside or something?" He laughed at his own imagination. 
 " Everyone I've interacted with so far have been quite nice to me; Madam Rita, Martha and the Healer. I wonder if everyone here are like them. There's bound to ve some bad nuts just like on every other society. " Thomas mused to himself. 
 " I wonder if..."
 << Edgar !>> a voice shouted from behind him startling him and nearly sending him down the stairs if not for his quick reaction.
 He turned around. 
 A young woman dressed in a bright pink dress came running towards Thomas.
 <
  > .
  She gasped while she knelt down beside Thomas and took his hand in hers, trying to calm him down.
  Thomas was still slightly bewildered by what had just happened.
  " She looks quite familiar and different at the same time. " Thomas thought as she stared at her with an expressionless face, making her feel uncomfortable all of a sudden.
  <
   >
   << How are you feeling?>> She asked with a smile that almost melted Thomas's heart,almost.
   " That face...and that smile, I'm pretty confident that's Martha. But...she looks a bit matured than the last time I saw her which was ...yesterday " Thomas pondered internally but his facial expressions was a dead giveaway. 
   << Oh,I know what you're thinking >> Martha said with her trademark smile.
   << You were out for eight(8) months. Doctor Keelson said the virus had weakened you and your body needed enough time to rest and repair itself>>.
   Thomas's mouth was wide open in shock and astonishment. 
   " Wait,did she just read my mind? Or maybe my facial expressions showed too much of my thoughts. I should be controlling expressions " .
   " That's not important right now "
   " Eight months out? No wonder the Healer had a beard when I woke up and everything felt different. Martha seems to have aged a bit too."
   " Eight months in deep sleep. How lethal was that virus. The most important thing is that I survived and I have hope for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and hope for the future ".
   " Thanks for the information Martha, I really appreciate it" Thomas said with genuine gratitude. 
   Martha blushed a little at "Thomas's " praise.
   <
    > She replied shyly.
    Thomas felt that they were getting along rather well and was relieved.
    There was a bit of awkward silence for about a minute until Martha broke the silence. 
    << So...what were you up to?>> She said pointing at the staircase .
    " Oh that...I was trying to exercise my muscles " He lied blatantly. 
    << That's nice but...I think you shouldn't be out here ...in your state,you just woke up>> Martha stated nervously, biting her lower lip nervously.
    " Oh Yeah. I guess I have to go back to my room.." Thomas replied as he struggled to lift himself up from the floor.
    Martha noticed his distress and offered to help.
    " Oh don't worry, I'm fine. Thanks" He said with a fake smile whiles still struggling to find his balance .
    After some minutes of groaning and bone cackling , he finally managed to gain his balance.
    " Told you I had it under control ", he said with his eyes fixed on the ground, his face slightly reddening from all the effort he'd just exerted.