Beep... Beep... Beep. As Ash's consciousness tiptoed back into existence, the first sensation greeting the raven head was the machines' distant, rhythmic beeping. The sound reverberated through the air like a distant drumroll, creating an unsettling rhythm that echoed in the room. Slowly, the blurred edges of the raven head's dreamless slumber began to lessen, revealing the sterile white ceiling of a hospital room.

Ash squinted against the harsh lights, his eyes stinging and his head throbbing as they slowly adjusted to the unfamiliar surroundings. Once the stinging eventually died down, Ash struggled to sit up. The dull ache in his body became more apparent, each movement a reminder of something he couldn't quite grasp. Memories danced on the fringes of his consciousness, just out of reach.

Ash reached up to massage his throbbing head, only to discover a bandage wrapped around it. The touch brought a jolt of pain, and he winced, the bandage a reminder of the ordeal he couldn't quite recall just yet.

A soft rustle of footsteps suddenly approached his door before the door opened. A woman in hospital scrubs entered the room. With her signature pink hair and calming demeanour, Nurse Joy greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning, Ash. How are you feeling?" She questioned.

"S...Sore. What happened?" he asked, his voice a husky whisper.

Nurse Joy pulled up a chair, her expression gentle. "You took quite a tumble, dear. What do you remember last?" she inquired gently.

Tumble? The word echoed in Ash's mind. His brows furrowed as he tried to make sense of the fragments of memory teasing at the edges of his consciousness. Nurse Joy seemed to sense his confusion and handed him a glass of water with a tablet, which he sipped and swallowed gratefully. "Take your time, Ash. It's perfectly normal to feel disoriented."

Ash nodded slowly, appreciating her reassurance. "I... I remember... falling... Falling downstairs. I hit my head," he began, his voice still raspy. "Then voices... But after that... everything's a blur."

Nurse Joy nodded. "Yes, you did have a fall down a flight of stairs. You hit your head hard, so we've been watching you closely," She explained. Ash nodded before his gaze shifted to the room's surroundings, the medical equipment, and the bedside table flowers. "You have some guests that want to see you," Nurse Joy announced, returning Ash's attention to the hospital worker.

"Guests?" Ash questioned.

Nurse Joy nodded, her smile maintaining its reassuring quality. "Yes, some of them have been quite worried about you. I'll call them up. In the meantime, try to rest and regain your strength."

Anticipation for his visitor hung in the air like a thick fog. Ash felt a mix of curiosity and concern as he pondered about who would be coming to see him. His mum was the first answer. His thoughts wandered back to the morning, the distant echoes of the heated argument between him and her. The unresolved tension lingered in the air. Concern crept into his thoughts as he wondered how his mother would react to his 'fall'. But there was also the question of the other guest. Who else could it be? There weren't many people that would be concerned for his state.

As he lay there, lost in thoughts and contemplation, the sudden sound of approaching footsteps and the soft creak of the door opening interrupted his daydreaming. The room seemed to hold its breath as the door revealed the approaching visitors, and Ash's eyes flitted to the entrance as the air thickened with anticipation and worry concern.

Nurse Joy and three new figures entered the room. The first person Ash recognised was Delia, her face full of worry. Her eyes softened as they met Ash's, and her worry was quickly replaced with relief. "Ash, sweetheart, how are you feeling?" She questioned, quickly moving next to his bed.

"I'm fine," Ash responded, his voice still slightly croaky.

Following her was Professor Oak, his usual calm demeanour slightly troubled. As acting principal, his job was to ensure the welfare of his students, hence why he is here, Ash surmised. Ash then focused on the last guest. It was a female wearing the unmistakable uniform of a police officer. Her navy blue uniform was adorned with a shining badge, and her cap sat atop her blue hair. Despite her appearance's professional rigidity, an underlying warmth in her gaze hinted at genuine concern. With her stern yet caring demeanour, Officer Jenny stood tall beside Professor Oak.

Professor Oak then stepped forward. "It's good to see you are okay, Ash," The acting principal announced.

Ash said his thanks and then glanced at the officer next to him. Officer Jenny? What is she doing here? Ash thought.

As if the said police officer could read his thoughts, she gave a friendly nod at Ash. Her expression conveys a mixture of professional resolve and a touch of empathy. Seeing Ash's glance at Office Jenny, Oak continued, "You may be wondering why Officer Jenny is here."

"I'm not in trouble, am I?" Ash asked with an unsure tone.

Professor Oak smiled reassuringly. "No, Ash, you're not in trouble. Officer Jenny is here because we need to understand what happened. Your safety is our priority."

Delia tightened her grip on his hand, a silent reassurance. After exchanging words with Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny approached the bed with a measured stride.

"Hello, Ash," Officer Jenny greeted, her voice carrying a calm and professional tone. "Nurse Joy has told me the extent of your injuries. And we believe that your incident has raised some concerns. Although..." Officer Jenny leaned in, her eyes darting around his face as if something was missing. "Joy, I thought you said his cheek was badly bruised," She announced, turning to her unofficial associate.

Nurse Joy had a surprised look and quickly looked at Ash's cheek. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she leaned closer to inspect Ash's cheek. "That's strange. It was certainly there when he was admitted. It's even on the doctor's records," she explained, flipping through the clipboard she held. "The doctor's report documented a large bruise on Ash's left cheek, measuring approximately four centimetres in diameter. The bruise exhibited a deep purple hue, suggesting significant impact and trauma to the underlying tissues. I also remember treating it."

Is it my aura? Ash thought as a ball of anxiety slowly started to bubble like an active volcano.

"Very odd," Officer Jenny admitted before she pulled out a notepad and began writing. "We will worry about that later. Let's focus on what you remember about the incident."

Feeling the weight of the concerned eyes on him, Ash took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I remember walking upstairs. Then I felt something hit my face," he began, his voice still hoarse. " As I fell, I remember hitting my head pretty hard, and then after that, it was kinda a blur. I heard muffled voices and couldn't understand what was being said."

Officer Jenny made a note of this information in her notepad. "Can you recall the moments leading up to the fall?"

Ash began retailing the events of his fall. Starting from how he ran into Calem, how he began walking upstairs, and ending when he felt a fist connect to his face. Ash twisted the story slightly, throwing in half-truths throughout his retelling. Not to mention removing the part on how he essentially stalked his school bully using aura. Who hasn't been bullying for a bit, Ash thought.

"A punch, you say. Did you see who did it?" Office Jenny questioned.

Ash shook his head. "It all happened so fast. I didn't see the person's face. Sorry," Ash admitted with a sad tone.

Officer Jenny nodded, understanding the challenge of the situation. "This Calem person. Witnesses stated they saw a Calem Xavier standing over you after your fall. I hear you two have a history."

Ash sighed, a mix of frustration and resignation in his expression. "Yeah, we do," He admitted. "He and I don't view each other as buddies. But as much as we may dislike each other, he was walking away from me the last time I saw him, so unless he somehow teleported in front of me, I don't think he was the one who did it."

"Is there anything else you think could be related? Anyone else that would want to harm you?" Officer Jenny continued.

Ash hesitated, his mind fighting to tell the officers about his life at home and Giovanni. However, the words were caught in his throat before being released. He took a glance at his mum. His gaze shifted to Delia and the concern in her eyes. Revealing the darker aspects of his home life, especially involving his father, Giovanni, could burden her. She was already feeling unwell; she didn't need this added stress.

Before Ash could answer, Officer Jenny asked, "Could you leave the room for a moment, please? I need to discuss a few things privately with Ash."

Delia looked hesitant to leave Ash's side, but Professor Oak gestured for her to follow him out of the room. Reluctantly, Delia squeezed Ash's hand and left the room, leaving Officer Jenny alone with Ash.

Officer Jenny took a moment to study Ash, her gaze lingering on his bandaged head. "Ash, I assure you that your safety is my top priority. If there's anything else you think might be relevant, no matter how small it seems, we must know."

Ash put on his best act and remained stoic. "I appreciate your concern, Officer Jenny, but there's nothing more to it. It happened so fast, and I didn't see who did it. Just a blur, you know?"

Officer Jenny maintained a calm demeanour. "Ash, we want to help you to the best of our ability. If there's anything you remember, even if it seems insignificant, it could be important for the investigation."

"I get that, but I really can't recall anything else," Ash insisted, avoiding eye contact.

Officer Jenny nodded, recognising that pushing too hard might close the door to communication. "Alright. We'll continue the investigation based on what we have. If anything comes to mind, please don't hesitate to contact me. Your well-being is my priority," Officer Jenny announced, handing Ash a card with a phone number.

With that, Officer Jenny opened the door, signalling for the others to return. Delia, Professor Oak, and Nurse Joy entered the room, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.

"We appreciate your cooperation, Ash," Officer Jenny said, addressing everyone. "We'll continue the investigation and keep you updated. If you remember anything else or if there are further developments, don't hesitate to contact us. In the meantime, focus on your recovery."

A hushed silence settled over the hospital room with Officer Jenny and Professor Oak exiting. Nurse Joy excused herself to attend to other patients, leaving Ash alone with his mother, Delia. The air hung heavy with unspoken questions, and Delia's eyes were concerned and relieved.

Delia sat beside Ash's bed, her eyes filled with concern. "How are you feeling, sweetheart? Are you sure you are okay?" she asked, her voice soft and caring.

Ash managed a small, tired smile. "Still sore, but I'll be okay."

Delia's worry deepened, but she kept a reassuring demeanour by nodding. "Well, the important thing is you're awake now, and you'll be alright. The doctors are taking good care of you."

After his mum's reassuring words, a fog of silence wafted between the two. It was a comforting silence. But beneath the surface lingered the remnants of a storm that had swept through their relationship earlier that morning. The echoes of their heated argument still reverberated in Ash's mind. The mother and son never had clashes like this morning. Their worst arguments were about not washing dishes or cleaning up his room. Ash hesitated, the weight of unspoken apologies and unresolved tension hanging in the air like a powerful Gyarados, its presence looming over the room with a sense of unease.

"Mom, I... I'm sorry about this morning. I didn't mean to upset you," Ash finally apologised after summoning his courage.

Delia looked at Ash, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. "What argument, dear? I don't remember any argument this morning."

Ash furrowed his brows, a swirl of confusion mixing with the lingering tension. How could his mother not remember the argument? It was vivid in his mind, the sharp words exchanged like Thunderbolts in the air.

"You know... This morning... We had a huge fight. We were yelling at each other and all that. Don't you remember?" Ash questioned, growing even more confused.

"Are you sure you're fine, Ash...?" Delia's concerned voice broke through the heavy atmosphere.

Ash looked up, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Nevermind. It must be the head injury," he said with a smirk, scratching the back of his head, attempting to brush off the unresolved conflict. He wasn't dreaming about the fight, right?

The hospital room eased into normalcy soon after, primarily due to Ash brushing off his mother's questions. Delia and Ash began sharing anecdotes about their day without worrying about their fight, giving Ash a brief respite from his concerns. However, Ash couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, like an annoying itch he couldn't quite reach.

Just as the two finished sharing, the door creaked open again, and a new nurse and doctor walked in. The nurse had red hair tucked neatly under her cap and a name tag "Joy". Ash may be known to be oblivious, but he immediately knew that this was not the nurse's joy. She donned a professional smile, but unlike Nurse Joy's warm smile, this seemed almost too rehearsed to the raven head's liking. The doctor had lavender hair, wearing a stethoscope around his neck, and his face was hidden behind a surgical mask.

"Good afternoon, Ash," the doctor greeted, their voice oddly neutral. "I heard about your fall. How are you feeling now?"

Ash managed a weak smile, his discomfort growing. "Sore, but I'll manage. Who are you two?"

With the name tag "Joy," the nurse maintained her professional facade and offered a smile that felt more like a performance. "I'm Nurse Jesselina, and this is Dr. Lavender," she introduced, gesturing towards the doctor. Ash couldn't help but notice the mismatch between her name and appearance.

"Why does your name tag say you are Nurse Joy?" Ash questioned, gesturing to the name tag.

As Ash questioned the nurse's identity, she exchanged a glance with the doctor, a subtle tension in the air. Nurse Jesselina quickly recovered, her smile tightening ever so slightly. "Oh, that's just a mix-up. Admin hasn't printed my name tag since I'm new," she explained before turning to his mother. "Mrs. Ketchum, would you mind stepping out for a moment? We need to discuss a few medical matters with Ash privately," she said reassuringly.

Delia looked uncertain, glancing between Ash and the medical staff. "Is everything okay?" she asked, concern furrowing her brow.

Nurse Jesselina nodded, maintaining her composed demeanour. "Of course, everything is fine. We need to go over some details about Ash's care. It won't take long."

Delia squeezed Ash's hand gently, reassuring him before leaving the room. The door closed behind her, leaving Ash alone with Nurse Jesselina and the masked Dr. Lavender.

"What happened with Nurse Joy?" Ash questioned.

"Nurse Joy is busy with other patients currently. Now, Ash, let's talk about your current condition," Nurse Jesselina began, her professional tone intact.

As she spoke, Ash couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. He nodded along, answering her questions about his pain and any discomfort he might be experiencing.

But, as the barrage of questions continued, Ash's suspicions about his new caretakers grew. "Ummm, I'm not sure if there has been some mistake, but Nurse Joy already asked me-"

"This is standard procedure," Nurse Jesselina suddenly cut in, momentarily dropping her professional demeanour for one filled with annoyance. "Apologies for cutting in like that," Nurse Jesselina said. "As I said, we must ensure you're recovering well. Now, let's discuss the medication."

Ash nodded, but a lingering unease settled in his stomach. The sterile atmosphere of the room intensified, and he felt like a pawn in a chess game he couldn't quite comprehend.

Dr Lavendar reached into her pocket and extended a tablet toward him. "Here, take this. It's for your pain."

"Can I ask what this is? I mean, What's it for?" he inquired, feigning concern as he looked at the white pill.

If Dr. Lavender was angry, he masked any frustration behind the surgical mask, but Nurse Jesselina's smile faltered momentarily. "It's a standard pain reliever, nothing to worry about," Dr Lavender explained.

Grabbing the tablet, Ash hesitated, eyeing the tablet warily. The atmosphere in the room seemed to grow heavier, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Nurse Jesselina's forced smile and Dr. Lavender's insistence on the medication only heightened his suspicion.

"I already took one from Nurse Joy earlier," Ash insisted, trying to buy time and gauge their reactions.

Nuse Jesselina's eyes flashed with irritation, her professional facade momentarily slipping. "Just take it, you brat!" she snapped, her tone sharp and impatient.

Before she could continue her tirade, the masked doctor covered his partner's mouth and sheepishly turned to the raven head. "Sorry about the outburst; she had a hard first day, especially with her previous patient. Two is always better than one. It'll help with the soreness. Trust me," he explained, sweat beading from his head.

Ash nodded wearily before grabbing the tablet from the doctor. He eyed the white pill closely, looking for anything unusual, like a detective at a crime scene. He quickly glanced at the hospital workers. While Nurse Jessinlina had a smile on her face, Ash could sense a subtle feeling of impatience from her. The atmosphere in the room remained tense; perhaps the two workers were having a hard day and wanted to move through all their patients quickly. But Ash couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this situation than met the eye.

With a sigh, Ash took the tablet, hoping to get through this encounter and figure out the puzzle later. He swallowed it with the water Nurse Joy had provided earlier, watching as the medical staff's demeanour shifted slightly, a subtle satisfaction in their eyes.

"Good, that should help with any discomfort," Nurse Jesselina said, her tone back to a professional facade.

Ash nodded, still feeling uneasy about the whole interaction. "Is there anything else I need to know?"

Dr. Lavender shook his head. "Just get some rest. You'll be monitored closely to ensure a smooth recovery. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let us know."

With that, the two medical staff members left the room, leaving Ash alone with his thoughts and a nagging sense of unease. After a few seconds, Ash grabbed the water cup and spat out the tablet. The raven head eyes the table wearily as if it is infected with one of the worst diseases known to humankind.

The raven head was suddenly pulled from his thoughts as the door swung open. He quickly hid the tablet as Delia walked in.

"Everything all right, dear?" Delia asked with a warm smile.

Ash nodded and exclaimed, "All good, Mum. They just wanted to check in."

"That's good, dear. Giovanni and I have to go grab a couple of things now," Delia explained calmly.

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Giovanni? Where are you two going?" He questioned.

"Just a little shopping," Delia answered.

Before Ash could reply, a rough voice injected, "And we need to leave now."

The mother and son turned, and Giovanni stood at the room's entrance. His hands were in his pockets, and his face was emotionless.

Delia nodded and leaned over, brushing a strand of hair from Ash's forehead. "Don't worry, dear, you won't be alone for long. Your friends are coming to see you," she said reassuringly. The conflicting emotions in Ash's heart swirled as he watched his mother leave with Giovanni, the man whose presence always brought a storm of unease.

Friends? Ash thought.

"Hey, Ashy boy!" A voice boomed from behind the door.

Great. Ash finished with an internal groan before a brown-haired boy entered the room.

"Hey Gary," Ash greeted with an annoyed tone.

The brown-haired boy shot a devious smile back at the raven head. "Not just me," He answered joyfully before a new person appeared at the door.

Serena.

Even better. Ash signed, internally groaning once again.

"Hey, Ash... Can I... come in?" The blonde-haired girl said nervously.

Ash nodded, allowing the two newcomers to quickly come in and sit in the seats next to Ash's bed. Silence promptly enveloped the room like a thick fog. Although things between the trio have been slowly mending over the past couple of weeks, the hurt from years ago still left deep scars. They were still a far cry from who they were years before.

Eventually, after what felt like years of silence, Gary spoke, "I always knew you were clumsy, but I didn't know it was this bad."

The raven head let out a chuckle. "Shut up, Gary," Ash replied. "You suffered more than me today just from Dawn." Gesturing to the faint hand mark on Gary's right cheek.

Gary scoffed and rubbed his cheek while the other two let out chuckles.

After Gary grew out of his annoyed mood, he announced, "Speaking of said girlfriend. I have to go now."

"Wait, where are you going?" Serena quizzed with a surprised face.

"On a date with Dawn," Gary answered with a smirk.

Serena's eyebrows knitted together in annoyance, lips pressed into a thin line. With an annoyed tone, she irritatedly pressed, "But you told Ash's mum that you could stay the rest of the day."

Gary tried to hide a smirk. Although the brown head wanted to hide it, a sense of evil and cunning radiated from him. "Well, lucky you're with him then, huh?" He answered with a hint of amusement.

It took a split second for Ash and Serena to realise what Gary was insinuating. But when they realised, Serena's face scrunched in anger and partly embarrassment. "You di-"

"Smell ya later. Have fun." Gary exclaimed with a sneering grin while leaving the room, cutting off the blonde girl before her tirade could begin.

As soon as Oak's grandson left, the fog of silence quickly returned. But unlike before, Ash let out a sigh and shook his head. "What an idiot," he muttered, hiding a smirk that was fighting to appear.

Seeing Ash's 'annoyed' mood, Serena shifted nervously. Unsure of how the raven head in the room views their perplexing relationship. They may be back on talking terms, but that doesn't mean Ash will always accept her company.

"I can leave if you want," she finally said after a moment of hesitation.

Ash eyed Serena for a moment, making Serena feel even more nervous. "No, no. It's fine," Ash answered while shaking his head. Hearing the raven head's answer, Serena let out the breath she unknowingly held. "I could really use the company. It's boring here," Ash finished with a tired sigh.

The blonde chuckled and replied, "I can only imagine the pain of lying down and sleeping."

Ash rolled his eyes and retorted, "You try it then."

The two of them chuckled, their laughter bringing a momentary light to the otherwise tense atmosphere in the hospital room. "Fair point. I don't envy you right now, that's for sure," she said, settling into the chair beside Ash's bed. Serena couldn't help but steal a glance at him. His appearance, with the bandage on his head and the faint remnants of a bruise on his cheek, made her heartache.

"I'm glad you're okay, Ash," Serena admitted, her voice soft and sincere.

Ash offered her a tired smile, his earlier irritation fading away in the face of her genuine concern. "Thanks, Serena. I appreciate it, he replied.

For a moment, the two sat in companionable silence, the beeping of the machines providing a steady rhythm to their thoughts.

"So, what have you been up to lately?" Serena asked

That question quickly turned into conversations. As the two continued to chat, the hospital room felt a bit brighter, the weight of recent events momentarily lifting. Despite the uncertainties and tension looming around them, they both couldn't resist enjoying these moments. When visitation time for the day ended, they both wished it could last just that little bit longer.

'I've missed this.' 

***

Thank you for reading. 

The chapter may have felt a tad slower than usual, but I felt it was necessary to clear up and establish all the characters' feelings while also slightly redirecting the story, especially after spending years away from the book. If you feel that way, don't worry; the following chapter/chapters will progress the story along nicely. 

Again, thank you for your patience.