NightTide: The Girl With Red Eyes

The doctor was in the room holding a clipboard, apparently, they took some form of scan when I was asleep. He had a picture of my insides… “Look here, it seems that wounds are closing rapidly, in just two days they appear to have made it to the thirty percent mark in the healing process… We think that she might be up and running in a matter of two weeks. As it stands her injuries could stay closed without the stiches but her arm and leg movement is limited, likely damage in the muscle we had to cut through.”

Jessica didn’t seem to be interested. “Uh, I’m not a doctor. This stuff is going right over my head. Does this mean she can come with me?”

The doctor sighed. “Ah sorry I forgot. Yes, but on two conditions. One she still needs to stick to her liquid diet, and two she must remain in a wheel chair. I don’t want her being stressed out since we still don’t know much about how her body handles these situations.” That ground up food is disgusting.

Jessica seemed pleased. “Will do.”

The doctor nodded and then looked at me. “Red, I would like you to try and raise your arms. I want to see if they’re able to go any higher.” I waited a second and then tried. Before I couldn’t even get them up but now I could get them to my chest. “Hmm. Well if you get anything to drink it would be difficult for you to actually drink it… Jessica is possible for you acquire a long straw for her?”

Jessica frowned. “Why would you think I couldn’t. They’re going to be making those martinis with the excessively large straws, I could pull one out of those.”

The doctor frowned at her. “Preferably one that doesn’t have alcohol on it. I don’t feel like finding out how her body reacts to alcohol AND injuries at the same time.”

Jessica sighed. “Alright, I can just ask the bar tender for the straw then.”

The doctor stared at her for a second. “Jessica… If she’s going with you that means no alcohol for you as well. I know you like to drink occasionally, but not on this night.”

She… reluctantly agreed, it worried me a little. The doctor nodded and walked out… A few minutes later he came back in with a wheelchair. “Alright now Jessica I’ll need your help. We want to lift her from the bed evenly and place her in the chair.” Jessica put her hands behind my back and he got my legs…

They sat me in the chair no issue so I didn’t understand why he was worried. She’s been helping me to the bathroom so it’s not the first time I’ve gotten in the chair. He pressed around my stomach, probably to make sure nothing ripped; he then nodded and walked out.

Jessica started pushing me out of the room. “Is there anything in particular you want to do Red?”

Nothing came to mind. “Not that I can… It’s the first time I’ve had a choice in something and I can’t think of anything.”

Jessica acted shocked. “Holy shit Red, you know how to make it sound so depressing!”

I didn’t know what I did wrong. “W-what did I do? Did I just do something bad!”

She had a weak laugh. “No no, you didn’t anything bad. You just sounded really depressing right there. Try to stay more positive about things.”

I didn’t know I was being depressing. “Sorry, I didn’t intent it to sound that way.”

She stopped pushing the chair and patted my head, I seem like people patting my head. “You’re fine Red. Well how about we go get something to drink.”

I hoped she wasn’t going to get something alcoholic. “No getting drunk Jessica. Remember what the doctor said.”

She sounded defeated. “I know, I know.” She started pushing the chair again.

It was nice to not see all white. The walls varied in color some of them had orange going along the bottom but the most common was dark blue. They were still mostly white but it wasn’t entirely white. Eventually we went through a door and I was greeted by a bright light. It hurt and I had to cover my face that wasn't easy since I couldn't raise my arms.

Jessica didn’t seem to mind and kept on walking. “Right you’ve been stuck inside a windowless room for a while haven’t you. Give your eyes some time to adjust to being outside I guess.”

While the light was blinding me, it sounded like the wheels were rolling on concrete. Eventually I could see and that is in fact what we were moving on. Obviously, it was daylight but there was little paper ghost hanging from the various posts in the ground. This place was huge, it had an air field and multiple massive buildings. I saw a few people walking around. Some of them had poorly made costumes and some had really high-quality ones, there was also someone dressed as a blue wolf… The costume was cute but several people were avoiding them, I couldn’t understand why. I saw Keith walking over to us though.

When he got to us he was laughing. “Oh my, is the mighty base commander Jessica Kraus chauffeuring someone around?”

I heard Jessica grumble. “Yah, keep it up funny guy, you’ll regret it later.”

He was laughing. “Aw come-on Jessica it’s just a joke.” It took me a minute to noticed but his face was painted green.

I was listening to them bicker a bit before butting in. “Why is your face green?”

Jessica seemed surprised but Keith smiled. “Oh, I’m dressed up as Frankenstein. It’s from an old book. So are you going as anything.” Jessica pulled out that mask and put it on me. “Ah, a demon then.” So that’s what that mask was.

Jessica took the mask off me and Keith started walking with us. “So where are you two headed.”

They were having a casual conversation, it was nice to be around at least. “First, I have to stop by my room and get my costume, then were heading to the bar to get something to drink.”

Keith lowered his eyes towards Jessica. “Non-alcoholic I presume.”

Jessica wined. “Not you too.”

He laughed. “Well we can’t have you watching an injured girl and being drunk at the same time. People are well behaved here but alcohol and music can lead to a wild ride.” He coughed shortly after that.

Jessica whispered a threat to him. “I will kill you if you ever mention that to someone.”

He quickly fled. I couldn’t help myself I had to ask. “Wait… Did you to, do… it?” She glared at me, it was terrifying. “I’m sorry don’t hurt me!”

She continued walking… It was silent for a while until she sighed. “Yes, Red we did. I learned that I shouldn’t drink whiskey from the experience. Now if you tell anyone I will break both your legs.” She sounded so serious with that…

I was curious about her drinking habits for some reason. “So, do you drink often?”

She paused for a minute. “No, not really. I like the taste of alcohol not so much the getting drunk part. Though the morning after sucks. I usually drink cranberry juice instead… I try to keep drinking to special occasions, or if I’m just really stressed.”

So that’s why she came in the room drunk. “So were you stressed when I was at base three. You came in the room drunk one night.”

She seemed embarrassed. “Yah, I guess I was. Sorry about that. I didn’t say anything stupid, did I?”

No, I guess she didn’t. “No, you just said you weren’t supposed to be in there.” She didn’t seem phased by it. “So, do you like Keith?” She glared at me… “I’ll take that as a yes then.”

She suddenly got angry. “YOU’LL WHAT!”

She was angry, it scared me. “I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!”

She grumbled. “Yes, Red I do. Now shut up about it!”

I decided keeping quiet would be the best option here. As terrifying as it was I guess I learned something about her. The idea of teasing her came across but it was put away immediately since I’d like to see tomorrow.

I guess changing the subject would be the best idea. “So, what’s it like having friends, I mean the ones that you can tease each other without getting angry. Mine at the other place teased me about how short I am but they didn’t like it when I tried doing it back.”

She sighed, stopped pushing the chair, and patted me head. “Well don’t do anything stupid and you’ll find out eventually… Sorry about earlier, I don’t like people asking about my love life.”

I remember Kayla talking about something called anime, it sounds like Jessica might be one those tsundere things. I think they get angry when you talk about their emotions to them? “Are you a tsundere?”

She sighed. “Red, I will hit you.” That sounds like a yes. She started walking again. I wanted to talk about something. But couldn’t think of anything. “Mind if I ask? How did you find out that word?”

She wanted to know? “Kayla, she watched some colorful show on her little glowy thing.”

Jessica seemed disinterested. “I see, try to uh; avoid using that language around other people. It’s a tad embarrassing.”

I wanted to ask but felt like I shouldn’t. “Ok.”

We finally stopped somewhere it was a building. It wasn’t huge like the others though. Jessica walked in front of the chair opened the door and pushed me inside.

It was different. I saw carpet, it was dark colored almost black but seemed to be a little green. The walls had tan wallpaper and it branched off. I saw two more doors one was in the back, it was a bathroom and the other branched off somewhere but it was closed. This room didn’t have much. A couple shelves a desk and some filling cabinets. Jessica went and opened the door that was closed and pushed me towards it. It led to a small hallway and two more doors.

She knelt in front of me. “I have to grab some stuff if you want you check out your room. It’s on the right. You and Elizabeth seem to have some serious tension, so I figured it would be best for you to not bunk with her.” She mumbled something to herself after. “It doesn’t help that I caught her setting up traps in the room.” She went and opened the door and pushed me in there. Then she walked over to the other door I heard it open and she walked in.

The room was bland, it had a bed the carpet was the same color. There was a closet on the left wall, no bathroom so I guess we have to share that one. There was a window at least, though it had bars on the outside it was dirty though, I don’t think this rooms been used for a long time. I tried wheeling myself around but I couldn’t put enough force to get the wheels them to spin.

There wasn’t much to this room, thoughts of what I could with it came around but I don’t think that’ll happen any time soon. I sat in there for a while, it was a little stuffy as well and needed aired out. I heard some shuffling and Jessica came out dressed as a… vampire.

She seemed a little excited. “I got this for you. Its more than a mask at least, and you probably shouldn’t be in a hospital gown at a Halloween party. I don’t want to deal with some guys might try to get a peek at you.” She tossed me a pair of shorts and a tank top, it had red stains around the next. Then she pulled out a red marker and put two dots on my neck and made a line.

There was one very big problem. “Um, how am I supposed to put this on. I can’t raise my legs or arms?” She froze…

She paused for a good while before saying something. “I guess, I need to, help you put it on?” that ordeal was painful and embarrassing, but I had the outfit on at least.

I was embarrassed about that. “We never speak of this again.”

She just laughed and whispered in my ear. “Not like you can stop me.”

I puffed. “MMMMEEEEAAAANNNN!” She started laughing. After that she patted my shoulder and gave me an unforgiving smile. She had every intention to talk about it. “If you tell anyone I’ll tell people you like Keith!”

She glared at me and I regretted my choice of words immediately. “Do you want to die?”

My life flashed before my eyes for a second. “N-no.”

She smiled at me and patted the top of my head. “Good, then there won’t be any issues. Just for that comment I will be telling someone, who it will be isn’t decided yet.”

That’s not fair. Maybe if I got stronger I could try doing this kind of stuff back to her but right now it’s not happening. I sunk into the chair and didn’t say anything else. She locked her room and then we left the building.

We weren’t moving very long, she headed straight for large building in the center. I guess that’s where the Halloween party was. Once we got inside I saw a several sections. One with tables, one that was empty, and one with couches. I guess the empty one was the dance floor. Then I noticed a dark-skinned girl and a guy standing behind a counter. Jessica pushed me towards them.

They seemed surprised when we got there. The girl especially. “Jessica, I didn’t know you had a sister?”

I think Jessica was smiling but I couldn’t see her face. “Neither did I until last month. We found her when we rescued Elizabeth.”

The woman seemed to be hit with a realization of something. “So that’s what all the commotion was about.”

Jessica seemed pretty adamant about what she said next. “Do not let Elizabeth near her.”

The lady seemed to get really confused. “What? Why don’t you want Elizabeth near her?”

Jessica decided to explain the situation. “They don’t get along. Like at all, Elizabeth’s already tried to kill her once. If those two are going to be fighting I want Red to be able to defend herself, they’re both about the same strength.”

The woman leaned against the counter. “So, why’s she in the wheelchair? Don’t worry though I’ll keep a good eye on her.”

Jessica paused for a moment. “She got out of surgery two days ago. Turns out this girl had two hearts. One them had a knife lodged in it, which we later found out was part of Elizabeth’s broken one.” She patted my head, it felt nice. “The doctor doesn’t want her walking around since they had to relocate two major arteries onto the second heart, the goal is to keep her from stressing it until we know it’s healed up. Then we can get to work on rehabilitating her since it messed up the muscles in her arms and legs.”

The lady seemed to think about that for a minute. “Well you’ve been through a lot then, haven’t you?” She reached over and patted my head as well. “Well is there anything you two want to do get another four hours before the party starts?”

Jessica sat her hand on my head. “Well I can’t drink tonight, unfortunately. Red is stuck on a liquid diet for the time being so a smoothie might do her some good, actually get something that doesn’t taste awful.”

He lady agreed. “Yah, I remember when I got hurt pretty bad. That stuff taste like shit.” The guy wasn’t paying any attention to us and decided to walk off somewhere. “Hey Jessica, if you really want to have a drink with your buds I can watch her.”

Jessica thought about it for a minute. “Tempting offer but I already said I was going to watch her.”

She smiled. “Alrighty then. So, what’s your name girly.”

She caught me by surprise asking me a question. “R-Red.”

She smiled at me. “Alright so what flavor do you want?”

Flavor… “I don’t know. I don’t actually know what a smoothie is.”

She gasped. “Well dam girl, I guess I need to introduce you something really good. How about strawberry banana then?” I shrugged. She put some pink fruit and a yellow one in a blender with ice, then threw in some power and ground it all up…

She sat it in front of me and Jessica came to a realization. “Uh, she’ll need one of those long straws. She can’t raise her arms past her chest.”

The lady was confused. “What do you mean?” Jessica motioned for me to raise my arms. I tried but I could get them about halfway up my ribs before they wouldn’t move past. “I see. Alright one extra-long straw coming up.” She sat it in the drink.

It was hard to get it up the straw but once I did it tasted amazing. After eating that nasty brown food from the hospital this was like a godsend.

The lady started laughing. “Ok that was cute, seeing how wide your eyes got once you tasted that. Absolutely adorable.”

Jessica laughed as well. “I’ve noticed that to, she has her moments.” I didn’t really care about the conversation this tasted amazing.

The lady started asking Jessica other questions while I was occupied with that drink. “So, pretty interesting finding out you have a twin huh.”

Jessica replied, they seemed so friendly. “Ya, I guess it is. I don’t think it’s really sunk in though. I’ve known her for a month now but and I don’t expect to really know about her in that amount time, it’s just. I don’t think there is much too know about her.”

The lady was confused now. “What do you mean by that?”

Jessica replied to her question. “She’s childish, like right now. She’s so absorbed in that drink she doesn’t care about what’s happening. Though I guess that’s to be expected, she’s only been awake for seven months.”

The lady sighed. “Ah, you NightTides and your age. She’s almost an adult physically speaking but is actually a child. I’m glad I wasn’t around when you guys started popping up. That was probably a mess.”

Jessica had a weak laugh. “Me to, but that was eighty years ago so people are mostly used to it by now. Though some refuse to accept it.” There was a brief pause. “So, how’s that old park doing?”

The lady pulled out another one of those glowing things. “According to the news not much. It hasn’t been rebuilding pressure since the detonation. Even if it was we’d have a few thousand years before it goes off again.”

Jessica leaned back in the chair she was sitting in, but she forgot it didn’t have a back and fell off. “OW!” the lady was laughing. “Well that hurt.” She got back up in the chair. “Well I guess that’s good. I keep forgetting the name of that place what was it again?”

The lady sighed. “Jessica, you need to work on that memory of yours. It used to be called Yellowstone, now it’s just a crater. At least the people who cleaned up that ash it spit out aren’t absent minded as you are.”

Jessica crossed her arms. “Hey, I’m not that absent minded. I run this place, don’t I?!”

The lady laughed. “Girl, you sit in your office most of the time filling out paperwork, we all run this place. You just keep us in line.”

They both laughed for a minute. Before I realized it, the drink was empty, but I didn’t feel hungry now. I ended up letting out a loud burp that echoed throughout the room.

They both started at me, the lady said something first. “Well shit, that was loud. I’m going to guess that means you enjoyed it?” I nodded. She seemed happy with my response.

For some reason, I started feeling tired and nodded off before I got chance to even fight it. I woke up later on, I was one of the couches. There was music playing, I saw people dancing in costumes and there were a few others sitting on the other sofas. They were all talking to each other. It was a struggle but I managed to pull myself up. I could see across the room now, well not past the people dancing but that was in a corner of the building. I didn’t see Jessica anywhere, it made me uneasy. She wasn’t around and I didn’t know who any of these people are. I kept scanning the crowd over and over again before I saw her. She was dancing, the unease went away just knowing where she was at. I looked over at the bar and saw that lady, the guy was back and they were handing out drinks. I didn’t really care for the music, it wasn’t bad but… I hadn’t found music I really enjoy yet. I sat there for a while, there really wasn’t much for me to do since I couldn’t walk around. After a little bit longer I was surprised by a pink drink being sat in my lap, it was that lady she had brought one over and she even put that straw in it. She didn’t say anything but she ran back over the bar, I guess she was busy.

Well it was livelier then back at the other place. Jessica scares me Elizabeth is a jerk, but that lady and the doctor are very nice. I’m not sure about Keith though, he’s polite but I don’t know if he hates me. I was thinking about how things have gone when I felt something plop next to me. It was Elizabeth, she looked exhausted… I turned away from her, she wouldn’t know it was me as long as she didn’t see my eyes.

She started talking. “Hey Jessica, how’s it been so far.” I didn’t know what to do, I was scared cause right now there’s no way I could defend myself. “Jessica? Are you angry at me again?” That lady was busy and Jessica didn’t notice what was going on. She touched my shoulder and spun me around. “Jessica, why are ignoring me…!” The second she saw my eyes I watched her grin go from ear to ear. “Oh, hey Red, what’s wrong?”

I wasn’t sure what to do. “N-nothing’s wrong. J-just l-leave me alone.”

She put her hand on my head. “Aw, now why would I do that. You’re my favorite pet after all.” She’s still on about that. “I heard you had surgery… So how was it, did they cut you open. I bet they pulled out your insides, oh god I wish I was there I could have seen it all.” I didn’t answer her question. She put her hand on the side of my face and pushed me down on the couch. “Good no one else can see you here.” The grin was still there, she was bearing her sharp teeth at me. “I can’t really get away with hurting you here but what I can do is this.” She pulled out a white collar, I tried to stop her but she swatted away my arm and put it on me. “Cute, it matches your hair, it’s just a dog collar but I wish I could have gotten a shock one. How about we get out of here?”

Why did she want that, was she planning on killing me in some dark corner of the base? “N-no! I won’t go anywhere with you. I don’t trust you, not when I’m like this!”

She smiled at me. “You don’t have much of a choice now do you?!” She pulled the drink from my hand and sat it on the ground, the people around us didn’t seem to notice and she lifted me off the ground. She was carrying me out of there and I couldn’t do anything!