The darkness enveloped Raven like a suffocating shroud, rendering him numb to any sensation.
There was neither pain nor happiness, just a void of emptiness where his consciousness floated aimlessly.
But then, like a sudden onslaught, a searing pain tore through him, ripping into his flesh with ferocious intensity.
It felt as though a monstrous claw had seized him, its razor-sharp talons piercing his skin, tearing through his flesh, and sending his blood splattering in all directions.
…
Raven's screams echoed through the emptiness, a cacophony of agony that reverberated through his very soul.
…
The pain was unbearable, consuming him like a raging inferno.
Oh, could it be that hell truly existed?
The claw continued its relentless assault, shredding his body until his organs hung loose, his blood staining the void around him.
Then, with a cruel twist, it seized the most vital part of him.
His heart.
The claw squeezed, its grip tight around his heart, threatening to crush it into oblivion.
…
…
…
"Aarghh! Aarghh!" Raven's cries rang out, muffled by the intubation tube lodged in his throat, ensuring a steady flow of air into his lungs
Despite the tube, the pain was excruciating, assaulting him with an unimaginable force.
Raven was jolted awake from his torment, his body pulsating with every heartbeat, each throb accompanied by a sharp, stabbing sensation.
He longed to scream, to release the agony that consumed him, but the intubation tube held him back.
He felt the firm grip of paramedics restraining him, their hands holding him down as they continued their efforts to resuscitate him.
"Don't move! Don't! Stay still!"
They quickly secured him to the stretcher with sturdy nylon straps, ensuring that he remained securely restrained.
"Oh, look who's awake. Tighten those straps!" The command was barked to another medic.
"Don't resist. Stay still. Let me check." The most authoritative figure held his head in place, shining a small flashlight into his pupils.
"Yep, you're still alive, in case you were wondering. Why the long face? Must be really pissed, huh?" The sarcasm in his voice was palpable.
Damn. Damn. Damn.
Raven cursed silently, his mind racing with frustration.
He could hear the deafening sound of crying, and he hated it. He had always hated it.
He turned to see Marcella, her tears flowing uncontrollably.
Why couldn't she understand?
Why did she insist on bringing him back?
Why couldn't she just leave him alone to live his miserable life?
Why did she have to drag him down with her?!
…
Bloody whore.
…
***
Outside of all expectations, a woman claiming to be Raven's mother awaited Alaric in the hospital lobby. Alaric introduced himself and was greeted with a weary smile full of sadness. The woman identified herself as Marcella.
"Thank you for everything, Alaric. I want to express my gratitude to you," Marcella said softly.
"Thank you for what, Auntie?" Alaric asked, puzzled.
"Don't pretend you don't know. I know what Raven is like. You must have been trying to stop him at the rooftop, right?"
Alaric fell silent, unsure of how to respond.
"He always does whatever he wants without caring about anyone else's feelings. He's been like that since forever," Marcella continued, wrapping her arms around herself.
Marcella wore a cream-colored knitted cardigan, and her pale face still looked beautiful even without makeup.
Ah, this is where Raven's super beautiful DNA originated, Alaric mused.
"But after he woke up from the coma, his previous desire to have everything changed into wanting to end everything. He's been a monster since birth," the beautiful woman said as they walked along the hospital corridor toward the room where Raven was being treated.
Alaric observed in silence.
Raven must have tortured this poor woman. A long silence filled them for a moment.
"After he recovers, Raven will be transferred directly to a mental institution for treatment."
"No. He's doesn't need to," Alaric finally said after a long silence.
"Maybe I've only just met Raven, but I know he's not a monster. If you entrusts Raven to me, I can make changes in him within a month," Alaric asserted his promise.
"A month?" Marcella looked at him in disbelief.
Marcella needed her whole life to try to change Raven, and the young man in front of her was only asking for a month. She was truly surprised and incredulous.
Alaric nodded. "A month. And if in less than a month, Raven misbehaves again, then Aunt can proceed with Aunt's plan."
Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.
They both knew that this was their last chance to save Raven, and they were determined to make it count.
*
"Then, who do you think I am, Alaric?" Raven challenged, trying to approach Alaric who stood tall before him.
His movement halted as he felt the tightness of the nylon restraints binding his hands to the edge of the metal bed.
He couldn't move any further than this. He had been marked as a dangerous patient and had to be closely monitored.
Alaric bent his body slightly, so their faces were only a few millimeters apart.
"You're not a monster, Raven. You're a sociopath," Alaric muttered, staring sharply at Raven's pale face.