Without a word spoken from her, Matilda stood beside Socorro's hospital bed, As Ned showed her what the nurse found earlier.
Socorro laid asleep on her left side, in nothing but her undergarments.
Her entire back, arms and few other spots on her body, were covered in what seemed like a variety of old scars.
But the most horrifying ones, were on her hands, Socorro's hands were fully covered in burn scars.
Taking a deep breath, "The nurse was helping her undress to get her into a robe, and the next thing I knew, I was getting this message that she found Burnt scars, cuts and God knows what else all over Socorro's back, arms and even her hands.
These must've been made over the course of many years, since she was a kid at least and considering the condition of her skin, these injuries have rarely ever received any follow-up medical treatment." Ned spoke-up, "Since we've seen her in that revealing dress at the Christmas party, and there was nothing apparent...
Socorro must've been using a spell to conceal her physical scars from the naked eye, a strong spell I might add.
I mean Look at her hands...we found them completely burned! this must've been hell for her...I can't even tell where her mating mark is anymore! Especially since it's not shining anymore because your link was broken due to her sudden snapping." He added a little agitated about this discovery.
"It was Her family who did This, they did all of this to her." Matilda who's been silently watching, finally opened her mouth.
Noticing the lack of reaction in Matilda's voice, "You knew beforehand? that Socorro had these scars?" Ned asked.
"She wouldn't let me see them but she told me about them...That one time in your kitchen, after we read Madame Shanice's letters and regained our memories.
Together, Socorro and I made the promise to be more honest with each other...and few days later I asked her about the gloves, and why she doesn't like to take them off.
So She told me about her hands and the scars, I knew beforehand that her family hated her guts, but I broke down crying when she told me what they did to her." Matilda explained.
"Because she's Nana's successor right?" Ned asked, "It was one of the reasons, her family especially her mother, were abusive physically and mentally, she didn't tell me everything but... Socorro admitted that she was using a spell to hide what they did to her, you can't see or even feel the scars once the spell is in motion...and it's almost impossible to detect that she was using a spell.
She's been using it since she was 14...the scars are the reason why she dresses-up most of the time modestly, in case the spell accidentally worn off, nobody would notice the scars." Matilda replied sighing.
"The spell must've worn off when she lost her mind, I bet that's the 'accidentally' she was worried about happening." Ned said.
Nodding, "That's what I think...The spell is self-inflicted." Matilda replied.
"Why didn't you ask her to show you the scars?" Ned asked, "I didn't bother to ask, I didn't want to push it.
I was happy she trusted me with this secret, and I decided to believe her and wait until she's ready to show me her scars." Matilda replied.
"You're unbelievable, both of you...why didn't you tell me before Matilda? I could've talked to her about it! Socorro needs help, someone to tend to her wounds in and out! it's obvious by what happened earlier!
But then again I can't blame you two...it's some tough situation ." Ned said frustrated, "I don't know why of all people, she's destined to suffer." Matilda replied.
"Socorro is just like any overly talented and gifted person...she made enemies she didn't ask for, and to be honest we dragged her into this as well, I did at least...she was happier in Derora.
I wasn't even able to thank her for the work she did, she's been coming over for a while now, helping me out with that 'Demon Lookalike' thing." Ned replied.
Suddenly, something clicked in Matilda's Mind, She remembered that time when she brought that parasite sample to Socorro and what Socorro said about the creature.
"That's it! I Know what happened to her!" Matilda said, "It's that Demon lookalike thingy! you said it drove Yurei insane when he came into contact with it, maybe that's what happened to her! the parasite must've gotten to her somehow." Matilda explained.
"But Yurei was possessed in a matter of few seconds." Ned argued, "He had that thing all over his body too." he added.
"Maybe because the dosage was big! those boxes were almost full with that thing...but Socorro might've only got infected by a small part since she was using samples for testing." Matilda argued back.
"You're right! and the last testing she did was pretty recent, Socorro also doesn't wear protective gear despite my warning to her." Ned finally realized.
"That's true, because she's a professional, she's used to handling all sorts of stuff without protective gear...like that time I was with her when I first brought the sample." Matilda replied.
"Alright, you've convinced me but first we quickly need a more accurate diagnosis and i guess only Fernando can help us now." Ned said dialing Fernando's number.
...Meanwhile...
As Garrick fell asleep in Ned's room, his phone was left on the coffee table in the living room.
The device suddenly lit-up as someone was calling him but he was obviously too far to hear it, so it kept ringing.
"Who the hell is calling at this unholy hour! it's past midnight, send a text or something." Jade who was sitting in the very same living room playing 'Railway Surfers' on her phone, felt bothered by Garrick's phone that kept ringing over and over so she got-up to see who's calling.
Ironically enough, the moment she set eyes on the phone! it stopped ringing, "Real funny..."
But Jade was more surprised when she found out that the Lockscreen wallpaper on Garrick's phone was that one picture of her, Jasper and Ned from that vacation in South Korea, all smiling and posing while wearing traditional Korean clothing.
"All he wants is a family...man got simple dreams, I envy him." She mumbled to herself before remembering the very reason she was looking at his phone.
Taking a second look, it turns out that it was Stella calling him.
Jade waited patiently for the other Alpha woman to call again, and the moment Stella did, Jade picked-up.
*Beeb*
Jade: Howdy shortie, I lost before I could score my new high score in 'Railway Surfers' because of you.
Stella: Jade? is that you talking?
Jade: Yep, if you're wondering why I picked-up, it's cuz Garrick is asleep upstairs and left me to unintentionally babysit his phone.
Stella: Oh I see...
Jade: Is everything okay?
Stella: I'm not sure...I think I may have some sort of important information Garrick should know about, and something to pick-up too.
Jade: is this something you can't share with me?
Stella: Well your mother may be helpful with This matter, I mean it's weird as hell.
Jade: So what happened?
Stella: A fairytale looking omega came into my shop earlier, they were feminine looking but I couldn't confirm the gender since they wore this long fully buttoned coat.
They had this seriously long violet hair that they left untied! Which is a weird Thing To do on a rainy day.
Jade: Violet, like me and Garrick? how long is the hair?
Stella: Yes! the hair passes their knees I think?
Jade: What else did this mysterious 'Rapunzel' do?
Stella: Aside from their Strange violet umbrella wetting my shop's floor, the mystery person was carrying a puppy in their arms, a small black Labrador retriever to be specific and they placed the puppy in my arms and left without saying a single word.
Jade: what do you mean they left the dog? the person just walks in, gives you the dog and then leave?
Stella: That's exactly what happened!...I tried to follow that person outside immediately, but they disappear as if they were never there, I couldn't see that umbrella anywhere! I even asked people outside and they said they never saw someone like that mysterious long haired person.
So I went back inside and decided to check on The dog, she has a note attached to her collar.
Jade: What does it say?
Stella: 'Give her a nice home, you know to who! Her name is Luna by the way.'
After I read that, I immediately thought of Garrick...Although he has his FBI academy to worry about for now so it's not a perfect time for pets, I can't think of anyone else fit for the job other than him.
I've been thinking all day about it, I considered giving Luna to a shelter or someone else, but everytime I look at the poor puppy or remember that mysterious long haired person, I think of Garrick.
Jade: Do you think that person and Garrick are related.
Stella: Possibly, it can't be a coincidence...Anyways, I have her here with me, once Garrick wakes-up, tell him about Luna...My husband is such a softie for animals so he's begging me to adopt her, and I don't want that.
Jade: Is that a bad thing? for you to adopt Her?
Stella: she's not my pet, I feel like I shouldn't.
Jade: How about I come pick her up now? even if Garrick can't house Luna for the moment, my mom might let her stay here.
Stella: That would be great... Luna although cute, is very energetic and she's making me lose focus right now, I'm a tattoo artist I can't mess-up.
Jade: Hang tight, I'll drop by in few.
Stella: Thanks sis, I appreciate your help.
Jade: You're welcome.
Stella: And btw...I don't know why I'm asking you, but...Have you seen Kimberly?
Jade: She took a taxi earlier to my mom's hospital, why?
Stella: She went to the hospital?
Jade: Maybe she went to visit Yuuya?
Stella: Visiting hours are long over...are you sure she went to the hospital?
Jade: You seem worried about Kim?
Stella: I'll talk to you about her in person, please hurry-up!
Jade : Okay! I'm on my way.
*Beeb*
"Mallory said that she saw Kim disappear in the hospital once...I wonder what this is all about." Jade mumbled to herself and she grabbed her car keys and went to look for her umbrella.
...Meanwhile...
"What the..." Matilda was puzzled when Fernando teleported into the hospital room with Faunus and Nana.
"Where's my Coco?" Nana asked immediately, "She's here." Ned replied guiding nana to the bed.
"Oh my goodness!" Nana gasped at the sight of her granddaughter, "Don't tell me you didn't Know?!" Matilda asked.
"Go play in the corner." Fernando said to Faunus before tossing few catnip-felted balls to the furthest corner of the room.
When Faunus ran towards the balls and started playing with them ignoring everyone else, Fernando shifted his attention to Socorro.
"Let's see." Fernando said putting on two latex gloves as he approached Socorro's bed.
"Even in this life, they did this to her, wow! what a loving family." Fernando spoke again sarcastically at the sight of Socorro's scars.
"Rewind a little...you knew about this too?" Ned questioned, "Whatever spell she used didn't work on me, Tacito probably knows too.
I've secretly seen Socorro take her gloves back in Derora Once, I knew there was more to follow those barbecued looking hands." Fernando replied glancing over at Nana who was crying as she held a sleeping Socorro's hand.
"Considering that I took this girl from the one place she loved the most, I'll do whatever I can to help." Fernando added.