Luna glanced at Lance, who walked a few paces ahead of them. His shoulders were slumped and his breaths coming in short
"You should rest," Luna began. "You took quite a beating back there. We can take a moment to catch our breath."
Lance shook his head stubbornly. "No need for that. I can walk."
Luna pressed her lips together, "You're clearly in pain. We're not that far from the hospital, but you don't have to push yourself."
"Prism," she said "can you make a… stretcher?"
Luna couldn't help but smile, "Something a little less… whimsical, perhaps. But comfortable, definitely."
Prism closed his eyes, concentrating deeply. A moment later, a shimmer materialized next to Lance. It was a simple stretcher, fashioned from a smooth, translucent material that glowed faintly with an inner light. It looked surprisingly sturdy.
Lance hesitated for a moment. Finally, with a sigh of defeat, he nodded. "Alright, fine. But only because I know arguing with you is pointless."
Luna helped Lance lie down on the stretcher, his initial resistance melting away with a sigh of relief as they are on their way to Aiden.
As the evening wore on, the tranquility of the town was shattered by a sudden news flash that interrupted the regular programming on televisions in homes across the area.
"Breaking news," the news anchor's voice declared, urgency evident in his tone. "Reports are flooding in about a series of extraordinary events that have unfolded in our town. Witnesses describe a massive tornado tearing through the streets, causing widespread destruction and chaos. Simultaneously, a powerful electric surge surged through the town, plunging it into complete darkness."
Images of the aftermath flashed across the screens, showing overturned vehicles, shattered windows, and debris strewn across the streets. The severity of the damage was evident, leaving viewers in shock.
"Authorities are currently investigating the cause of these unprecedented occurrences," the anchor continued. "Speculations range from natural disasters to possible technological malfunctions. Whatever the cause, residents are advised to remain indoors and stay tuned for further updates."
No one, of course, knew the truth. The true cause lay not in nature's fury, but in the clash between beings of unimaginable power.
The trio reached Aiden's room
A tense silence settled as Luna pushed the door open, revealing a scene that caused both Lance and Luna to freeze.
There, huddled around Aiden's bedside, were the very same people they'd encountered at the coffee shop – Maya, and she was with David, Leo, and Lily
"Wait a minute," Maya said, her voice laced with surprise, "aren't you… you're the customer from the coffee shop back then."
Luna's responded "Yes, that's me,"
David stepped forward. "And you," he pointed at Lance, "you were with her, weren't you?"
Lance smirked. "Yep" he declared, puffing out his chest.
"these are my… friends, Lance and Prism."
Lily spoke up. "What are you doing here?"
"I was… a friend of Aiden's from college. We were on the same field trip when the… incident happened."
Luna took a deep breath. "There were… complications onboard. But luckily, everyone is safe."
"We wanted to check on Aiden and make sure he's okay."
David extended a hand in greeting. "Thank you for your concern. Aiden's still unconscious, but the doctors say he'll be alright."
"Wow!" Prism exclaimed, hopping onto the chair next to Aiden's bed. "He's even more handsome in person!"
"He's got nice eyebrows, and that little bit of scruff on his chin, it's very... manly!"
Luna winced at his choice of words. Aiden, unconscious and bandaged, wasn't exactly the picture of manly. However, there was a certain innocence in Prism's observation that brought a faint smile to her lips.
Lily let out a soft chuckle. "He certainly is," she agreed, "Aiden takes after his father."
Lance rolled his eyes. "He's knocked unconscious. Not exactly the time to be commenting on his looks."
"I can't wait to be friends with him! We can have all sorts of adventures together!" Prism replied.
"Would you all just be quiet?" Leo barked, "This is a hospital room, not some kind of amusement park."
Prism's infectious grin faltered.
Lily's voice clipped, "They're just trying to lighten the mood a bit."
"Can't we have one moment of peace without all this nonsense about adventures?" Leo replied.
"Enough Leo." Lily responded
"This is not the time for your attitude. Aiden's friends are here to support him, not to entertain you."
Leo recoiled "I'm just saying,"
"it's embarrassing to have a bunch of strangers poking around in our family business."
Lily's jaw tightened, "Aiden's friends are not strangers."
"They're here because they care about him, just like we do
Leo left the room.
"I'm so sorry" Maya began, "Leo can be... difficult sometimes."
David nodded in agreement, "We didn't mean to disrupt your visit,"
"It's okay," Luna assured them with a small smile. "We understand."
Prism nodded eagerly, "Yeah, no worries! We're just glad to be here for Aiden."
Maya and David's expressions softened "Thank you," Maya said earnestly. "That means a lot to us."
Maya's gaze brightened. "Would you all like something to eat?" she offered, gesturing to the nearby refreshments table. "We've got some snacks and drinks set up in the waiting area."
As the group made their way down the hospital corridor, they passed by a group of nurses gathered at the nurses' station. The moment Lance came into view, their eyes widened, and their whispers grew louder.
"Who's that?" one nurse whispered to another, her eyes practically glued to Lance's figure.
"He's... he's like a prince or something," another nurse gushed, fanning herself with a clipboard.
Lance, enjoying the flattery, flashed a charming grin as he walked past.
Suddenly, one bold nurse stepped forward, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "E-Excuse me," she called out, "Um, hi! W-What's your number?"
Lance paused, his grin faltering for a moment as he tried to process the question. "Number?" he echoed, confusion evident in his tone.
The nurse' cheeks grew even redder.
Lance scratched his head, still puzzled. "Oh, um, I don't have any digits," he replied honestly, thinking she meant literal fingers.
"I mean, I have fingers, but I don't have any... numbers?"
The nurse blinked, taken aback by his response.
The nurses exchanged bewildered looks, unsure how to respond to Lance's unexpected answer. Meanwhile, Prism stifled a giggle, and Luna suppressed a laugh behind her hand. Maya and David exchanged amused glances
As the group ventured out to grab some food, the tension between Lily and Leo simmered
Leo crossed his arms, "I can't believe you're making such a big deal out of this," he muttered under his breath.
Lily shot him a pointed look "This is embarrassing for Aiden. You can't just dismiss his friends like that."
Leo rolled his eyes, "Why should I care? It's not like he's my real brother anyway."
"Aiden is our family"
Leo's eyes narrowed, Well, I don't like it," he retorted, "And I won't pretend otherwise just to appease you."
Leo's words pressing down on her like a heavy burden. "I just don't understand why you can't try to accept him,"
"Give him a break. He's lying there unconscious, hooked up to machines, and all you can do is spout venom on him again."
Leo flinched "I'm just being realistic,"
Lily continued. "He doesn't understand what's happening, he doesn't know where he's really from, and all he has is fear, pain and more burden. And the only thing you can offer him is your negativity?"
Tears welled up in Lily's eyes, blurring her vision "For fuck's sake I don't know what's gotten into you, Leo,"
"But if you can't find it in your heart to show compassion for your own brother, then I don't know what hope there is for you."
With that, Lily turned away from Leo
Leo's jaw clenched.
Meanwhile, ss Maya glanced over at Lance, her keen eyes caught sight of the wounds he bore from his previous encounter with Fulgur. Her concern deepened as she noticed the bruises and cuts marring his usually unblemished skin.
"What happened to you?" Maya's voice trembled with worry as she approached him, her eyes scanning his injuries.
Lance shifted uncomfortably. He opened his mouth to respond, but his words came out as hesitant stutters.
Luna stepped forward. "Lance just decided to try parkour."
Lance nodded, "Y-yeah. Just a... a minor scrape. Nothing to worry about."
Maya's eyebrow raised. "I think that explains the singed sleeve and that rather impressive gash on your arm."
Lance winced as Maya gestured towards a jagged tear in his sleeve that revealed a glimpse of raw skin beneath. He couldn't explain away the injuries, not without revealing their secret.
Maya nodded, "Well, just be more careful next time."
With a small smile, Lance nodded
A nurse finally arrived with trays of cafeteria food. She hesitated for a moment upon seeing Lance, her cheeks flushing with a faint blush at the sight of his striking features.
"Um, here's your food," she stammered, setting the trays down on the table and quickly retreating, her heart fluttering in her chest.
Luna couldn't help but giggle at the nurse's reaction, nudging Lance playfully. "Looks like you've got another admirer, buddy."
Lance chuckled. "What can I say?"