C1. Struggles

"hey are you awake? I've heard something about thirteen years…"

Oh no, I forgot, I shouldn't say something out loud like that.

It was the voice belonged to the patient I had encountered before, who was covered in bruises. He spoke from behind the curtain, in front of my bed.

"If you are awake- I'm actually going to be released today so I'll be leaving soon. uhhh.. you should take care of yourself" 

"Not my business but uhh.. does it have to do anything with Amy?" 

Seems like he's quite cared about Amy.

"if it isn't then it's all fine, ok then I'll be leaving now then, take care."

I didn't bother responding to any of his inquiries. Before long, night descended and the full moon cast its glow through the windows. 

I tirelessly continued searching through the system, constantly swiping and scrolling. Rectangles and quares swiftly glided under my fingertips, but none of them tielded the desired results.

I've come to the realization that the system has been consistently gathering profiles prior to my arrival, but not long before my demise. However, this doesn't address the specific information I'm trying to uncover.

---

It's been a day and then another day, and Katy hasn't been seen recently. Perhaps she thought it would be better to stay out of sight after what happned. Instead, different nurses have been helping me occasionally.

I haven't had much eye contact or long conversations with them. Meanwhile, Morgan has also been occupied. Some patients have been discharged from the room in the past few days, so the number of people inside has gradually decreased.

---

It has been nearly a week since I have been confirmed to my bed due to the deteriorating weather conditions. According to reports, a storm is forming on the east coast and is expected to make landfall tonight.

I overheard this information through casual conversations with others in the room, while I pretended to be asleep. Additionally, I learned that the elderly man has been discharged, leaving only three patients, including myself, in the room. As a result, the atmosphere has become noticeably quieter.

The minutes pass, the rain persists while the clouds darken. The sky echoes with thunder, sending chilling roars across the landscape. Within my view, a few trees sway vigorously as the powerful wind gusts through, causing their leaves to rustle. Despite it being mid-day, the sun manages to filter through certain sections of the cloud cover. 

…

I settled down on my bed. Leaning against the headboard. My eyes fixated on the window, observing the downward path of water droplets trickling down the transparent glass. True to my routine , I persisted in my exploration through the system that night.

*thud*

After straining my eyes by staring at the screen for several hours, I gradually shut it down just as the sound of the door opening caught my attention. 

Glancing towards the brown clock perched atop the side table, my gaze fails upon the time displaying seven-thirty, leading me to infer that it is likely dinner time.

Typically, dinner is served between the hours of six and seven, although this particular piece of information is not particularly significant.

Upon observing the nurse extend their hand, I immediately recognize their identity.

She finally showed up huh- 

Katy made her presence known, but instead of a meal, she presented a pile of garments. With her right hand clenched, she held a dark green shirt, along with some pants and possibly men's underwear.

Her expression conveyed anger directed towards me, as I had anticipated. The tension between us is already evident, but I genuinely have no concern about it at this moment. None whatsoever.

"Why are you here?" I asked with a low tone of voice.

"You've been crying for the past few days. It's not like someone complained from this room" Katy said.

Ah… was I a bothersome? I bet I am… 

"oh, really now?" I said. 

"trust me, If you're thinking I'm about to give you some advice now, I'm not." 

"thanks' for the privacy then" I said sarcastically.

"Cause I'm about to tell you to stop crying. You're wasting your tears. Hope is literally dangling infront of you and your not even looking at it." She said.

I didn't speak back at her for a moment.

"They're confirmed dead because they're missing for the past years not because they're dead Nathan." She emphasis it again. 

I'm tired… I'm really tired. Please leave me alone. 

Again, I didn't spoke. I lowered my gaze, choosing not to respond. My thoughts aligned with the decision to disregard her entirely. I started to not care anymore.

*thud*

Ah!

A green jacket smacked my face in a forceful toss.

"you're such a crybaby!" She said.

Fortunately, the room contained only the two of us at that particular moment.

*sniff*

"its unfair…"

*sniff* 

She's crying?

Tears well up in her eyes as I observe half of her face illuminated by the light streaming in from the opposite side of the room, casting a reflection on the glistening trails of tears cascading down her cheeks.

"its unfair!... How come… How come you get to have a chance. But not me…" Katy cries. 

She-…

I am now starting to comprehend the situation. The mask of faith she wore deceived me, or perhaps I simply lacked a deeper understanding of her. She has been putting in considerable effort, striving to cope with it, much like everyone else does. 

"-lost someone too?" I asked. 

Katy grips even harder on the clothes she's holding. 

"you have no clue how much lucky you are. The smallest chances of all are still considered a possible outcome. Gambling over it is another story but having hope isn't." Katy stated.

I… 

I observed her in silence, with an expression of slight surprise evident on my face. Although I couldn't find the right words to respond, I only have my agreement with her sentiments.

"Then… what am I supposed to do?" I asked.

"Stop crying about it. You're making yourself look more of a disappointment each tear you drop, what a waste." She said.

Ah, for a second she has a point yet I still hate that part of her.

"Do me a favor and try not to sulk over something like this, I know your better- 

*thud*

"Ah!" 

I flung the pillow that I had just shed tears on directly towards her face and collapsed onto the ground.

"Bitch-" I said silently

"Loser-" she said silently.

…

A moment of silence fell between the both of us.

"did you stop crying now?" She asked me.

"Yeh." I said.

"Out of ten?" She asked.

"Hmm, One out of ten," I state my score from her trying to comfort me.

---

Katy rested her head on my shoulder; she unexpectedly sat beside me on the bed.

Through the window pane, we both witnessed the sight of a full moon in the dark-blue night sky, while droplets from the rain that had just passed slid down it.

Adjacent to the moon, a couple of clouds illuminated. Briefly glancing at Katy, I noticed her eyes showing signs of exhaustion from long hours at work and, without a doubt, the tears she had shed recently.

It was a shared experience, reflecting my own. 

A loved one of her, prior to the unfortunate incident, they were both living together. Their life together was filled with happiness, to the extent that they had even discussed starting a family early on.

He had an important event for work scheduled during the time of the incident, but it was unexpectedly canceled upon his arrival, which had taken place in a remote location in the northen part.

Surprisingly, he decided to immediately return home and boarded the train, unaware that it would ultimately lead to his demise.

Upon hearing the news, Katy frantically searched for him, asking, crying, and tirelessly running around. The only traces found were his name on the passenger lists of the train and a ring in his possession to be given.

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Archive Update+ (2)

---

"It'll be fine Nathan, you know, I couldn't believe I'd grew fond of you in just a few days." She said.

"you do?" I asked.

"You don't want me too?" she asked.

"Wait, are we actually friends?" I asked again.

"You really don't want to?" she asked again.

"I thought I'm a zombie to you." I claimed.

"You still are." She claimed.

---

Those were the last words I've heard from her~