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<12/30/1971 ~ 23:01 | Fronas, Gulop Region, Sprawn Valley>
Hours passed in the night while Jane's family came and went to check on her current condition. According to Nurse Francine, Jane was healing nicely already, but Jane was still unconscious for a long time, still to this moment passed into a deep sleep. Though it was already getting dark outside from the natural order, Danny and Taylor decided to pay their fourth visit to Jane in the Leray medical facility of Fronas. They both managed to use the facility's showers and change into something nicer for the purpose of just hanging around. Since the medical facility is still currently their home, they had little other places to go.
Much of the tensions died down in the night, despite all that happened for everyone here. Even Eliza decided to return home and prepare for class again tomorrow. While Taylor and Danny were holding off on dinner, which was really their last supply of MREs, they both prepared to enter the room where Jane was resting comfortably in her bed. There wasn't anything else to drive them either. With Jane out of commission, Danny and Taylor both realized how little there was to do in this country. This entire time, Jane had essentially been their reason for staying in Fronas, at least that is how it felt to them now.
Though much to their surprise, Jane opened her eyes and woke up calmly to their presence. "Jane! You're awake!" Taylor cried for joy.
Jane felt a pounding headache in her brain, and was taken a little by surprise from Taylor's embracing hug. She had only waken up five minutes ago, trying not to rush anything. Somehow, she woke up inside of the bed of a medical facility, and now her friends were here, surprised to even see her awake? "What happened?" Jane only now noticed how hoarse her voice was in letting anything escape her tongue.
Danny exhaled loudly. "We're relieved that you're okay, after what happened back there."
"What exactly happened?" Jane's headache intensified enough to force her hand there by a natural human response, and she couldn't remember a thing after arriving in Blue Port Town. The lights in the room were bright too. At least Taylor's constant shadow helped with that a little.
"You mean, you don't remember?" Taylor kept her volume to a minimum, realizing that she needed to talk to Jane about her secret battle. But if Jane can't even remember what happened...
Jane closed her eyes, trying to recall anything and everything she could. Some thoughts came back to her automatically; much of it was talking to them earlier about Blue Port Town, but then something near the woods... That's right! Jane recalled the events completely, despite how vague the details were. Some strange man was running from people, trying to protect a spell bomb; he gave it to Jane, and then Jane remembered trying to use that spell bomb. "I remember... A spell bomb. I tried to use it... And then nothing." Jane felt safe saying such things with nobody else around, now realizing that she must have initiated an illegal battle just for the purpose of using the device. Jane remembered nothing but blackness just after using that special spell bomb in the middle of their battle. It was strange. Did the spell work? How did she get here? Why was she unconscious a moment ago?
Taylor exchanged worried looks with Danny. It was hard enough explaining what happened to themselves, but now even Jane couldn't recall everything. "Jane? You were involved in some kind of accident. Your spell bomb backfired. It almost killed you!"
"We'll spare you the details for now," Danny allowed. "We need to take that talk outside, where nobody can pry."
"Is it that bad?" Jane felt very weak all over, like her entire body had suffered from some kind of significant energy drain, and now her friends were acting strange. Though it is true that she initiated an illegal battle. Did anyone find out? "Okay..." Jane tried to push herself up, but for some reason, she just didn't have the arm strength to push herself.
"Stop!" Taylor snapped. She had to hold Jane back down to the bed. From the looks of things, Jane didn't even have the strength to sit up, let alone stand tall. "You're too weak to move."
Jane pushed Taylor back a little with her arm, trying once more to lift herself off the bed. It felt like a ton of bricks were holding her down, but she strained even harder in response. The warm blanket over Jane unraveled while she sat up carefully, revealing the same wardrobe she brought with her to Blue Port. "Why am I so weak?" Jane couldn't figure it out. Something had to happen, she just couldn't remember...
"Take it easy," Danny warned. He watched while Jane struggled just to stand up. That's when Nurse Francine entered the room.
"Jane! You shouldn't be up right now. Please rest. You two keep a safe distance."
Jane finally made it on her feet before her doctor could reach her, standing still to control her balance as the blankets fell to the floor. "No, I need to move around a little."
Francine hovered around all three of them, but her eyes remained on Jane. "I can't discharge you just yet. You're still in recovery."
"I just want some fresh air."
Danny looked at Francine, who was not about to let Jane travel outside. Jane was really a stubborn person when it wasn't the right time. "Don't worry about it. We'll take care of her, and she won't go far. I promise!" Francine looked over to Danny, who seemed sure of himself. In all though, it wasn't a good idea. But Jane really wanted to know what happened to her, and that meant talking with her friends in private. "I promise."
Francine was about to protest, but realized that their intentions were likely to speak to Jane in private. This could be the opportunity the agents have been waiting for. Francine sighed, "Fine. I want her back in here though, before twenty minutes pass. And I'm still monitoring the patient directly during that time."
All in agreement, Jane began to try and walk towards the entrance of the building, but she could barely move one inch at a time. Taylor moved in to help support her own weight, realizing that her balance was distorted as well.
Once all three of them were just outside of the building, Jane took in her surroundings once more. It was dark outside, and a little chilly as well. How did that happen? It was bright and sunny a moment ago... Oh right! Jane just recalled that she had blacked out after using her orb. Whatever happened must have knocked her out for the entire day. What if she woke up days from then?
With Francine hovering, Danny knew this was all pointless. "Francine? I think it be best if we get Jane some water. Hydration is very important for her right now."
Francine tensed. Danny must have had this idea as a backup plan, and cursed herself for not realizing it sooner. He knew from overhearing her conversation that the medical storage tank needed immediate resupply from the well tap of the town, which has to be done manually. Even if she doesn't perform the operation herself, someone else needed to. No, that will take too long. Kain will already take care of it, but not quick enough. "I'll be right back." Francine knew there was at least a small portion of unused drinking water somewhere near her desk, only seconds away. Surly it won't take too much time to let them disclose information between themselves.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
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Chapter Theme Music: Peurs Et Pleurs ~ Electrypnose
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After waiting to be clear of Francine, Taylor made sure she wasn't being heard, and spoke softly with a firm tone. "Okay..." Taylor wanted to set the terms for Jane to speak, but even she was slightly distracted in deep thought about what she had to figure out. Even if Jane didn't remember what happened, maybe she remembered why it happened. "We covered your secret about the battle we weren't supposed to have."
Jane winced, surprised that they kept a large secret even with as much physical danger she was already in. It was conflicting to think they either respected her more than they cared for her, or it was just a fluke. "Wow! Thanks!"
Danny nodded and folded his arms with respect. "Yeah. Eliza and the other agents are eager for the truth, but for now, they don't suspect any one of us has done anything illegal. But now it's your turn." There will be plenty of time to talk. Danny had it all mapped out. It was obvious that Francine would take under sixty seconds to find some water, but right about now, the teacher Lisa should be inside of the facility conversing with Francine and expressing her sympathy about what actually happened. It buys a few extra minutes, and he knew Lisa was coming to ask Francine what happened with Jane.
"Wha-me?" Jane pointed to herself, waiting to see if both of her friends were in agreement.
Taylor replied, "Yes you. I lied my hat off and still have no explanation for what I just saw back there. So it's time to start talking."
Taylor's tone was becoming increasingly demanding. Jane took that as her cue to tell them the whole truth... "But... I don't remember what happened to me."
Danny hinted, "You don't remember that blinding blast of light that struck you like a beam from the moon itself? Not even the severe weather changes?"
Jane really had no idea what they were talking about. The very last thing she could remember was activating the spell bomb in battle, and then nothing... "Sorry. I wasn't lying about that."
Danny wasn't giving up, and his body language was calm yet open to flashing his emotions to Jane. "Then tell us what you do remember, when we weren't there. You sent Taylor and me into the shop. So what were you up to?" Eliza had a legitimate question before, and now that he could use it on Jane...
Taylor looked at Danny briefly, then back to Jane without saying one word. She wanted to know the truth as much as Danny did, and it was obvious enough to Jane. It felt like being put on the stand for some sort of crime, but if they kept her secret from the agents, they still had to be her friends even now. Jane exhaled with a deep breath. She didn't forget what happened then. "I wasn't trying to do anything wrong. While you two were away, I went near the forest to the east of Blue Port, but not outside the actual boundary of town. I really didn't even move much from where you found me..." Jane gave herself a second of silence. Both of them were staring blankly at her, waiting for the entire report. "Anyway, some sort of commotion was going on in there. I can't tell what it was about, but some guy just dashed out of there into Blue Port, particularly interested in me."
"Interested how?" Taylor reached. If Francine can just stay back for a little while longer...
Jane continued, "I'm not sure. He insisted that I was the right one to hold onto the spell bomb. He's the one who gave that thing to me in the first place. At first I thought he was out to get me, with the way he approached."
"What made you trust him?" Danny wondered.
"I don't know," Jane replied. "He said something about running from dangerous people, who were bad criminals trying to use the orb to do bad things. Then he told me that I could help him out by protecting the spell bomb. The people chasing him were supposed to want the orb more than the guy who approached me, but he wouldn't let them have it."
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
Jane inhaled in response to Danny's confusion. It made little sense to her as well, but Jane could only explain what she understood. "He wanted me to protect the spell bomb, keep it safe from the wrong hands. And then he just ran off, and I saw that he really was being pursued by more strange men."
"Let me get this straight," Danny began. "You're telling me that some crazy dude you don't even have a name for, gives you a powerful and dangerous unknown spell bomb, tells you to keep it safe and out of the wrong hands. And then, you challenge Tay to a battle, just so that you can test out the orb for yourself?! What was going through your mind Jane?"
"I don't know!" Jane snapped. "I thought maybe it would be safer if I used it. Nobody can steal the permanent effects of an orb if it's already been used. I thought it was a good idea then."
"You could have died!" Danny continued his harsh tone, not letting up even for Taylor to try and pitch in. Forget worrying about Francine eavesdropping. This has gone on long enough. Jane really let herself slip this time. She had no business field-testing an orb given to her by a dangerous unknown stranger. What an idiot!
Jane's face probably never looked as guilty as it had right now. "I take it to mean the spell didn't work?"
Taylor shrugged with a nod, and Danny turned around for a second. He had to let himself simmer down, or else the entire town would hear his testimony. Once he turned back to face Jane again, Danny answered the question again. "Oh it worked all right. Worked in bending the damn space-time continuum or whatever bullshit the people have going on here. What the hell is it with you people anyway? Have you lost your already insane mind?"
"Danny!"
Danny held his breath, still enraged by Jane's recklessness. But now Taylor getting upset, at him! Eager to let her speak her peace, Danny shushed himself.
Taylor waited until it was clear for her to speak. Surely, his voice level rising this high already had Francine coming back towards them, but she wasn't in plain sight. "All we know Jane, is that the spell bomb thing, whatever you did affected everything. It changed the weather from day to night only in Blue Port. Then a vortex of clouds formed with your spell symbol, and some beam from the moon light zapped you unconscious. You had to be medicalized for god's sake!"
"Not to mention all the lifting I had to do to carry you back here." Danny's tone had significantly calmed down. Perhaps he was growing cynical with what Jane did to herself. "A spell bomb with permanent effects on the user huh? Maybe that one was designed to make you permanently sleep. Whatever it did to you, we'll sure figure it out soon enough."
"I'm sorry," Jane apologized.
"I'm sorry too," Danny retorted. He wasn't having any of Jane's worthless apologies. "Sorry that I let you drag both of us into this. Sorry that I put so much trust into your magic spells and delusions. I'm sorry we've had the misfortune of meeting you." Danny never felt this frustrated in all his life, and he turned around, walking back towards the medical facility, seeing as how he lives there for the next few weeks. If Taylor had been on the receiving end of that blast of light, Jane would have been fortunate behind the safety of a jail cell.
Taylor wanted to stop him and keep him here, but Danny looked like he wanted to punch a wall in right now. Taylor knew that this was most unusual. Danny never gets upset like this, ever. What Jane did must have really ruined his trust with her. Still, even Taylor felt a little betrayed by all of this in her own way.
"Wait!" Jane tried to call Danny back, but he wasn't even listening to her anymore. Danny just went straight back into the medical facility, forgetting anything about his plan to hold Francine away. Jane of course didn't have knowledge of that, thus it wasn't on her mind.
Taylor decided to wrap this up herself, giving Jane plenty of time to sort it out. "Just let him be." Taylor waited until Jane focused on her again. "You promised no more secrets between us. I think that's why he's pissed off."
"I didn't mean to keep that stuff from you. I didn't know it was dangerous."
"That's why you should have asked. Strangers are not to be trusted," Taylor claimed. "Jane? I really hope that whatever that light beam did to you failed to affect any of your parameters, because it was really dangerous. You almost died for sure." Taylor waited. Jane looked at the ground, ashamed at herself while speechless. "Just keep yourself monitored for the next few days. We can get back to school tomorrow if you want to keep hanging around with us. But don't expect sentiment from me or Danny anymore."
Jane couldn't be sure, but Taylor seemed much less upset than Danny was. Maybe she was getting another chance? "I didn't mean to lie."
"I know," Taylor exclaimed. "Just talk to us next time. Because if you don't, there won't be a next time."
Jane felt her stomach turn and her head spin. In the past, Jane never struggled to initially form friendships. Mostly, they left for another town, or were temporary visitors from other places. Sometimes, Jane made mistakes with her choices of people, but this was beyond different. It sounded a lot right now like Taylor was forgiving her, even after having nothing to offer or say. Danny was much more pissed off, but even he might get over it and hang out with her again. And to think that they lied to the Leray Agency just for her sake... Jane never had these kinds of friends before, and they weren't exactly together for a long time either. The entire concept had Jane's mind tangled up in a knot.
Taylor walked away, heading to the medical facility where she lived as well. She was probably going to go calm down Danny, make him chill out some more. Tomorrow is Friday, and school is still in. All Jane had to do now was check out and go home. She felt drained like before, but much more improved since first waking up. That had to be enough reason to get sent back home. Francine can't keep her in recovery forever, especially not now.
But Jane took another long moment to think things over. It was already nighttime from today, which meant she skipped over everything else that happened. Danny and Taylor weren't very keen on giving her insight to exactly everything that happened to her while she was out, probably because they were worried sick for her own health. One spell bomb really caused all of this chaos.
Then there is the other fact that Danny and Taylor are both ready to look out for her like that. Jane thought Danny was the type that didn't give much of a damn about anything, but now there is evidence to the contrary. There had to be more to what was going on, not just about Jane's friends and the dangerous spell bomb, but about other things too. How did she get so lucky to find people like this?