Checkup

After apologizing, Ember left the driver to clean himself up and rushed after Elric. Immediately after CheifSturgeon carried him through the ER doors, the security guard waved him inside without checking for metals.

A nursing aide ran out from the back, wheeling a gurney by his side. Seeing Elric's unconscious state, he rushed over to where he was being carried.

While ChiefSturgeon laid him down on the mobile bed, the aide questioned him. At the same time, Ember was rushing in from outside.

"What happened? … And why are his eyes taped shut with Shr*k band-aids?"

The young man quickly started explaining to the hospital worker.

"He was trying to listen to his girlfriend sing, but a group of drunks jumped him! Luckily, The Boys and I got there on time to reverse-jump the drunks, but it was already too late for our friend here. Doc, please save him!"

"Reverse-jump? I'm pretty sure that's illegal…"

The aide started wheeling Elric toward the medical rooms to do a full checkup, but he paused when he saw ChiefSturgeon not following.

"Sorry, I heard there's a new cotton candy joint opening up a few blocks down, I'm going to head over there instead."

The young man patted Ember's shoulder as she ran inside.

"His girlfriend can keep watch over him. It's fine to leave any medical decisions to her."

The nursing aide frowned but eventually decided to accept his words.

Ember caught up to the gurney and leaned over it, examining Elric's face.

"Doctor, will he be alright? I- I'm afraid that ride might've made his injuries worse…"

The worker shrugged.

"I don't know, I'm just an aide."

Just then, the pager watch on the nursing aide's wrist buzzed, and he held it up to read a message.

"Really?! Another double shift? Uuurg... I want to quit."

Ember's concerned gaze traveled between Elric and the nursing aid. Was this really the right place to bring Elric? The staff didn't seem very patient.

After wheeling the still-unconscious Elric into a room, the aide unloaded him onto the bed, then left. A few vital monitoring devices beeped at regular intervals, and Ember settled down in a flimsy plastic chair at his bedside.

Finally having a break from all of the action, she took a moment to reflect on the day.

"Today has been crazy… but good."

She reached out her hand, intertwining her fingers with Elric's.

"Thank you. I finally have a chance to make my dreams come true."

Leaning against the bed, the fatigue of the day started catching up with Ember. Her breathing slowed, and she eventually drifted off into sleep.

A few minutes later, a tired-looking man entered the room.

"Hello, I'm Doctor Elda- Ah, are the two of you asleep?"

Receiving no response, the doctor frowned.

"Hm, to wake, or not to wake. I don't have a name for this guy, so I think I'll need to."

Nudging Ember's shoulder, the doctor woke her up.

"Hello, Miss. Can I ask for your relation to the young man here?"

Still half-asleep, Ember fumbled her words.

"Hm, girlfriend… ah, wai-"

"Noted. Could you fill out this form for me? It's just some personal information for him, if there's anything you don't know, feel free to leave it empty."

Ember frowned, but still started filling out what little she knew about him.

This was limited to pretty much just his name.

'I can probably learn more on his phone… but I don't know what his password is.'

Reaching under the hospital bed's sheets, Ember reached for his pocket.

"What are you- ah, his phone."

Holding the phone up, the screen lit up, and Ember could see that there was indeed a password required. She quickly thought of a solution and held it out to scan the young man's face.

'Awesome, it worked!'

Accessing the phone via Face ID, Ember opened up Elric's contacts app and started searching for his father. Right at the top of the list, though, she noticed one labeled 'Mom'.

Tapping on it, Ember held the phone up to her ear.

After ringing a few times, the call was transferred to voicemail.

A recorded man's voice echoed from the phone. It somehow sounded lost and empty.

"Hello, this is Peliston Melov. Alison… passed away. If this is an important business matter, please call my number instead. Goodbye."

Ember just sat there for a moment, staring down at the phone.

"No answer?"

"I… No, I'll try his dad's number."

Shaking her head, Ember started scrolling through the contacts list again, quickly finding one labeled 'Pops'.

This time, when she pressed on it, the call was picked up on the first ring.

"Melov's Talent Agency, What can I do for you today?"

"Um, Mr. Peliston… I'm with Elric right now, we're in the hospital."

"Huh? Oh, this is his number. Did that brat crash my car?"

"No. He got beat up by some drunks. I- it's my fault, they were insulting my performance, they are with a rival singer or something-"

"Huh? Someone dares to beat up my boy? Who was it?"

Peliston's voice, which had sounded empty and devoid of feeling, suddenly turned gritty.

"I- I think Elric actually won… his friends said that he beat up all four of them pretty badly, but he also took some hits."

"Hm? Four of them, on his own? Not bad. Now, who was it they were working for? I guess this city has a short memory. Well, I'll make sure they don't forget this time."

After thinking for a moment, Ember responded.

"I think Elric said Angeline or something… it's fine though, Mr. Peliston. I'll work with Elric to take them down on our own! We're going to crush them without any help!"

"Angeline… I'll have to look into it. Girl, what's your name and relationship with my son?"

"Ember, and I'm not sure… I thought he would just be my manager, but now…"

Across the line, Ember could almost swear she heard a smile in Peliston's next words.

"I see. Well, tell him that I'll leave the small-fries for you two to deal with."

After leaving those words, Peliston bade Ember farewell and hung up the phone. Only after the call ended did Ember realize she'd completely missed the purpose of the call.

'Right, I still needed to fill out this medical form! I'm going to have to call him back right away… come on, Ember! You can't mess up like this!'