Deep within the recesses of Jake's mind, the Book glowed brightly, dispelling any remnants of hypnosis that still remained. As soon as the emanation of the hypnosis was confirmed to have been vanquished, it went back into hibernation, waiting for its new owner to gain more strength to access more of its records. It hoped that it would happen soon, for it had discovered that the Apostle had awakened.
Time was running out...
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Shaking his woozy head, Jake realized that his strange obsession with Ms. Seline had vanished. Strange, what had happened back then?
Just as he began pondering on this issue again, the nurse called out, "Young man, could you please turn this way? I must check to ensure that everything is all right."
Without waiting for his permission, she started stripping him of his clothes. Seeing his eight-pack abs and all those muscles, drool emerged from her lips, which she promptly wiped off. Fearing that he had possibly witnessed it, she turned her head slowly toward him. When she found that he was too focused on other things, she heaved a sigh of relief. That was too close, phew.
Meanwhile, Jake kept thinking about why Ms. Seline would want to die. He had no redeeming qualities. Heck, he even lost his debut match. Just as he continued to ponder the issue, a knock was heard.
""Hello, is anyone there?" Hearing the call, Jake grew happier, for it was none other than Mr. Strados himself. How on earth did he know that I was injured and healing here?
Still very puzzled, he lay down in bed. Strados, holding a small basket of chocolates, approached him, sheepishly admitting, "Sorry. I was too busy with work and whatnot. So this is the best thing I could get. Hope you like it?" Visibly cringing, Strados handed the basket of chocolates to the nurse, who started to drool again after witnessing the huge pile of goodies.
Squinting his eyes, Strados gave her a quiet warning. Noticing it, she silently wiped off her drool, disappointed. Jake looked at the scene, laughing inwardly. "You can have some of the treats. Just leave some for me." Her face beamed up before taking some chocolates and stuffing them in her mouth as silently as she could.
Both men laughed lightly before a ring sounded from Strados' holo-watch. He picked it up, and all Jake could hear were some intermittent words, such as "Yes... understood... What! More were lost, but how... damn it, I'll come now." With a few taps, Strados quickly left, obviously in distress.
As he left the ward, another visitor was rudely pushed. "Ouch, buddy. Look where you're going." Rubbing one of his many arms, Jeremiah held a small, wrapped package. "Heya, Jakey boy! Heard you got injured, so I bought you a sandwich!" Rubbing his head, Jerry rubbed his rough, bald head.
"Look, I know this isn't fancy-schmancy or anything, but the sandwich is really good." Looking at Jerry's feeble attempts to justify his 'lame' gift, Jake laughed again, this time louder.
He had never felt better, for he had finally realized how many people still cared for him.