"You reckless kids. What the hell happened? Jay looks like he's about to fall apart!"
Cole handed Jay over, "Sorry R-R, had some trouble finding him. The Heavy Thorn head decided to give us some trouble on the way back too."
R-R was styled like a doctor. A lab coat always on her shoulders. Underneath she wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, a pair of sandals on her feet to nail the idea of "casual" into her outfit. She had a smaller frame, with sparkling green eyes and short brown hair barely managing to dangle in front of her eyes. Her tan skin was evidence of the amount of field work she participated in, fitting giving she was one of the Street Dog's few Medics.
"Top Dog isn't gonna like this. He's already complaining about the headache Jay caused him."
"We know, will Jay be fine though?"
"All surface level wounds, except this broken shoulder. Nasty bruise too. Fetch me my bandages."
R-R placed Jay onto a bed and ripped his clothing off. Inspecting each wound R-R sighed, "Some of these are becoming infected too. Did he go and lay in a landfill after he fought or something?"
Hearth awkwardly coughed, "Uh well, we did find him in a pile of trash."
R-R gave her a warning look, "You better make sure he doesn't do anything reckless like this again."
"Why me?!"
"You know exactly why.", R-R's gaze lowered, "And who's the kid?"
Cole returned with an armful of various wrappings and bandages, "Jay called him his 'Comrade in Death'. Asked us to bring him back."
"Wonderful, just wanted more work. Was beginning to think of taking a vacation. Put him on a spare bed, I'll get to him here soon."
Grabbing a roll of bandages R-R rolled it within her palms. A strange substance secreted through her palms and was absorbed into the bandage.
[Accelerating Healing Adhesive: The sweat glands located in the palms of the user instead secrete a thick adhesive at their command. This adhesive is very absorptive and sticks to human skin incredibly well. Providing a watertight seal. Additionally this adhesive accelerates the healing process of any wound it's put on. Once the wound heals the adhesive evaporates. The healing ability of this adhesive is limited to the target's own healing ability. If the wound cannot be healed under normal circumstances the adhesive will not work. It purely accelerates the process, it does not enhance.]
Jay was rapidly covered in bandages. R-R gently tapped the final bandage, "For his shoulder we're going to need to see a qualified doctor. I'll call Hemsworth later."
Hearth sat next to Jay's bed, "He'll be fine?"
"Should be, we'll see what the doctor says later. For now I'll see what this other kid's issue is."
R-R wheeled across the room on an office chair. Gently inspecting the young boy she frowned at the wounds, "This. . ."
Plastering on very few bandages she shook her head, "I can't do anything about him."
Cole hovered over the young boy, "What's the matter?"
"His wounds are already healed, at least as much as they can be."
Hearth overheard this and spoke up, "But he was in an even worse state than Jay!"
"He's malnourished and unhealthy. These wounds are a mix of scars and improper healing. It's not something my ability can work on. Rather he needs a healthy source of nutrients and time."
Cole frowned, "How long do you think he's been suffering?"
"Years maybe? I don't have enough experience in this department."
"Damn, poor kid."
R-R wheeled over to a sink and washed her hands, "Alright enough, go ahead and take your leave. Once Jay is awake I'm sure the Top Dog has some questions."
Cole nodded and left towards the door. Walking halfway he paused and looked back, "Hearth?"
Her hands were intertwined, as if making a prayer. Lowering her hands to her lap she tapped her thumbs, "Is it alright if I stay?"
R-R eyed Hearth suspiciously, "You can keep an eye on him. I have some field work to do anyway. Call me when he's up."
She nodded in response. R-R picked up a bag and walked towards Cole, "You can come with me, I need an assistant."
"Wha-"
"No complaints allowed! Consider this payment for bringing extra work to my doorstep!"
Pushing Cole through the doors R-R threw a wink towards Hearth before closing the door behind her. Hearth sighed as she placed a palm on the bed, "Dumbass, going to fight a whole gang. And then still continuing to fight despite your condition? Who you trying to impress?"
She sat next to him as Jay peacefully slept. Lying on the bed next to him she too eventually fell asleep. In a simple office with a few hospital themed beds only the sound of breathing could be heard. A calm before a raging storm.
Or rather it would be, for the young boy opened his eyes.
Not even wincing he sat up and examined his surroundings. The carpeted floor was a strange sight for this supposedly hospital themed building. Metal framed beds with thin mattresses were lined up against the walls. Three against the longest of the two walls. Thin curtains clung to the ceiling between them to provide a bit of privacy for those who wanted it. At the furthest end of the room from the door lie an office desk and a closet.
What the closet contained was not known. The desk however was strewn with various papers. A mess far from organized was the worst of the office and hospital hybrid. Everything else was meticulously kept clean.
The young boy eyed the sleeping Jay and Hearth, although he couldn't recall their names at this time. Only a lingering memory could be recalled, and that was a leather jacket covering him. His gaze softening he inspected the strange bandages that remained sealed to him like suction cups. Touching them gingerly he paused when he felt a stinging pain.
Slipping off the bed he walked towards the door. His thin frame made him light on his feet, and no sound was made as his feet tread across the carpeted floor. Reaching towards the handle he flinched as it moved on its own.
"I forgot my-"
The young boy came eye to eye with R-R. She stepped forward to walk through the doorway, and the young boy subconsciously stepped back. Swinging the door further open she stepped out of the way, "I won't stop you if you want to leave. But I do ask you to stay. If not for yourself, then to thank the ones who brought you here."
Nudging her head towards the other sleeping duo she awaited the young boy's response. Much to her disappointment the young boy's expression was unreadable. He glanced at the duo before walking through the door. Not bothering to look back.
R-R clicked her tongue, "Poor kid."
Through the door was metal stairs leading down to an alley. Stepping on these barefooted he walked onto the old asphalt. Walking out to a major street he stood in the neon light spilling outwards.
In this city vehicles were far and few between. After a major war between street gangs, vehicles were deemed too dangerous and most were destroyed. The few vehicles that remained were motorcycles or electric scooters. Even then they were few and far between.
Thus the streets were traveled by foot. Explaining the emptiness this current street held. Not a single star was in the sky, the light pollution of the city too powerful. Instead of stars, the only thing to look up towards was the center of the city. Skyscrapers covered in neon lights reached towards the clouds.
These skyscrapers reflected in the young boy's eyes. A sight he rarely got to see.
Where was he to go? Abandoned by his caretaker, if they could even be called that, he was now alone in this city. In a place where your ability determined your future. Where talent was decided at birth. Hard work was only a partial contributing factor.
For a young boy, it was only a matter of time before he was swallowed by this city.
His head tilted downwards, a dull expression remaining. He knew nothing, his years was spent surviving in the same household. Experiences being avoiding trouble from the same person. Now that was gone. . . what was left?
"Boss. . . there's some kid."
"Those are R-R's bandages aren't they? She failed to mention this."
A shadow covered the boy. A menacing figure stood over him and stared directly at the boy. A huge muscular figure, a man who was six feet and seven inches tall. A long heavy scar traveled from underneath his left eye down to his shoulder. The rest of it was hidden by a leather jacket. The stubble of a poorly shaven beard made its home on his chiseled chin. His hair a buzzcut that was grown out slightly.
This man commanded respect and authority with every step. The look he gave made anyone want to lower their head. The confidence his posture held was thick, and would suffocate anyone who was lacking. Scarlet eyes seemed to glow, despite the neon lighting. A man not ugly, but not one to swoon hearts. Someone who was placed at the top, and was determined to keep it that way.
Leading the street gang known as Street Dogs, a man worthy of respect. The Top Dog.