Chapter three :Echoes in Recovery
HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Joze slowly opens his eyes, the steady beep of the heart monitor is the first thing he hears. The room is bright, sterile. Cathy sits beside him, her eyes are weary but hopeful.
JOZE
(confused)
How long have I been out?
Cathy's face lights up with relief and joy, tears glistening in her eyes.
CATHY
(elated)
You dummy, I thought you were gone for good!
JOZE
(smiling weakly)
Am I not alive? Anyway, how long have I been out?
CATHY
(serious)
It's been almost a week since that incident at school... I told you to be careful, but you never listen. Look what happened to you, Joze.
Joze reaches out, his hand gently brushing Cathy's hair, a comforting smile on his face.
JOZE
(reassuring)
Don't worry, I'm always careful.
CATHY
(skeptical)
You liar. If you were always careful, none of this would have ever happened.
A knock at the door interrupts them. A timid female voice echoes from the other side.
FEMALE VOICE
(shyly)
Can I come in?
JOZE
(grateful)0
Yeah, you can come in.
The door opens, and a girl steps in. It's Tina, the one Joze saved during the school incident. She holds a bouquet of flowers, her eyes downcast with a mix of gratitude and shyness.
TINA
(softly)
I just wanted to say thank you, Joze, for saving me.
She hands him the flowers, her cheeks flushed.
JOZE
(humbly)
That was nothing. I should be thanking you for visiting me. What's your name?
TINA
(nervously)
My name is Tina... Tina Sakiyota.
JOZE
(charmed)
Nice to meet you, Tina.
Tina nods, her visit brief but meaningful.
TINA
(hurriedly)
Well, I'm on my way to visit my grandma, so I guess I'm leaving. Bye.
She exits the room, leaving a lingering sense of warmth. Cathy teases Joze with a knowing look.
CATHY
(playfully)
Joze, do you have a girlfriend?
JOZE
(laughing)
Nah, she's not my girlfriend, dummy.
Joze playfully tosses a pillow at Cathy, who retaliates. They engage in a light-hearted pillow fight.
CATHY
(playfully)
Joze, do you have a girlfriend?
JOZE
(laughing)
Nah, she's not my girlfriend, dummy.
Joze playfully tosses a pillow at Cathy, who retaliates. They engage in a light-hearted pillow fight.
JOZE
(struggling)
Aw, aw, you win! I give up!
Cathy giggles triumphantly.
TIME SKIP: FEW WEEKS LATER
CITY STREET - EVENING
Joze walks home, the memory of the mysterious man's words haunting him.
JOZE
(thinking)
Guess I should give him a call.
He takes out his phone, rummaging through his backpack for the card the mysterious man left him. It reads 'Exterminator' with a phone number on the back.
JOZE
(thinking)
What the hell is an exterminator? Does he remove insects or something?
He dials the number.
JOZE
(into phone)
Hello?
MAN'S VOICE
(ominous)
What can I help you with?
JOZE
(determined)
You told me when I'm ready, I should call you. I'm ready now.
MAN'S VOICE
(impatient)
Ahh, I remember you. Well, time is of the essence. Meet me on the west side downtown, in the abandoned building tomorrow, same time as now. Make sure you come alone.
Joze hangs up, his mind racing with questions.
JOZE
(thinking)
Damn it
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