My body ached everywhere, but the place it hurt the worst was where my ribs had been broken. The person who had attended me was, for some reason, angry that she had me as a patient. All her movements were rough and her voice clipped. I could have sworn she actually took pleasure when I winced as she pulled my bandages tighter. She would always slightly smirk right before telling me off for being soft.

Groaning, I slowly pushed myself up into a sitting position. I was missing my shirt. The only thing I was wearing was a pair of loose thin pajama-like pants. Looking around I realized I was in some kind of medical ward. The room itself was bland. The walls and floor were colored a gray white, but where the paint was chipped you could see small pieces of yellowing striped wallpaper. There were metal beds lining the room with very little space inbetween. Each bed had a curtain, a mattress, and a flat pillow. All of which were varying colors of aging cotten The mattress, if you can even call it that, I was sitting on was no exception. Thin enough to feel the metal holding me up and covered in threadbare sheets, my bed was uncomfortable to say the least.

Looking around I saw there was only one bed who’s curtain was pulled so you could not see its occupant, the only other person in the room besides me. I tried to get up to find out who it was, but a sharp pain in my chest stopped me. Focusing on breathing evenly against the dull pain each breath caused, I decided my curiosity can wait. Sitting still was probably my best plan anyway.

It was shortly after I had decided I should try and lie down that someone, I assumed was a nurse, came in. The man briskly walked over to the curtained bed and threw open the fabric obscuring my view. Lying on the bed, with the covers under him, was Ridley. His face was completely covered, except his nose, mouth, and a few tufts of blonde hair, in fabric bandages. He was dressed just like I was. Allowing me to see a variety of scars littering his body, but what really caught my attention was his feet. They were just like he had described back in the cell, but actually seeing them was very different from just hearing about them. They had grey green retangular scales going from his webbed toes up to his heel. At about the back of his arch the scales were more skin toned than the ones at the tips of his toes making them look like they were gradually disappearing the closer you got to the ankle. Instead of toe nails, long straight black crocodile claws protruded. They looked like they made wearing shoes very uncomfortable.

Looking up I noticed that the nurse must have completed his inspection and was pleased, for he had removed Ridley’s bandages and was leaving the room. He looked so peaceful sleeping there.

It was so quiet in the room it was easy to slip into my own thoughts. Laying on the bed, all I could think about was the last time I ended up in the hospital. It was several years back. A wrong place, wrong time sort of thing.

One of my close friends from school back in San Jose, California had asked if I could meet up at our favorite mall. Of course I said yes and went to go meet him. I assumed he just wanted to hangout and grab a bite to eat. That was not the case. Turns out he had sold me out to a local gang. It wasn’t one of those major ones you hear about on the news. They were more like a group of kids that like to terrorize locals. This particular gang just so happened to spawn from the same high school I went to.

I had been giving them some trouble and they wanted to make an example of me. Me and my friends had gotten into a few fights trying to stop them from growing their hold on the streets and adjoining neighborhoods. I also stood up to them when they would bully other kids in class.

So, when I saw my friend with their leader as I walked up, I panicked. Unfortunately, it was already too late. Two of his enforcers were already behind me blocking my exit.

I’ll never forget that beat down. Luckily they decided breaking my bones would be too much effort. I wouldn’t have been able to pay for the medical bills if they had. No, they decided that they’d rather cut, burn, and beat me, utilizing anything they could find. I still have the scars and cigarette burns to prove it.

It was dark when they finished and left me in a back alley. I was just a block away from where I lived. Slowly, I made my way back home. Stumbling into my tent and cardboard shelter, I searched for my sewing kit. This wasn’t the first time I’ve been hurt, but at the time of this beating I had only just learned to sew together flesh rather than fabric. My stitches were less than neat and, due to a lack of any available alcohol, my wounds quickly got infected.

I passed out the next day in the middle of history class. My teacher probably called the school’s nurse first, but then again, I have no clue what really happened. All I knew was one second I’m in a noisy classroom the next I’m in a hospital bed with tubes in my arm. Not a fun time believe me.

Unlike that time, I did not have any tubes in my arm, and I was beaten by a psycho girl with a torturing people addiction, and a form of godly magic was used to heal my wounds, but even after all that craziness, I wouldn’t ever go back to my old life. For some reason this world Algea has introduced me to has seemed more manageable than what I was dealing with back home.

My thoughts were interrupted by a small groan. Ridley was stirring, but I couldn’t tell if he was awake yet.

“Ridley,” I hissed across. “Are you awake?” My eyes tracked dulled ones as Ridley slowly sat up and clutched at his head.

“What happened? Last thing I remember was being thrown to the ground and a sharp pain, after that nothing.” I saw his eyes widen as he confusedly felt around. “Where are we?”

“Fox got in a good shot and knocked you down. You were bleeding quite a bit, but apparently not critically hurt. They patched you up pretty fast from what I remember. Though I couldn’t see you for most of it.” I reported while trying to keep my voice nonchalant as I once again tried to get up. Apparently Ridley had the same idea, but I was more successful. He only got half up before falling back holding his head.

“Ugh, what did she hit me with, a hammer? I hope she didn’t leave a mark with that hit.” He poked around his face only wincing when he got to his eye. “Wouldn't want to ruin this gorgeous face, right Seth?”

“Um, no. Your face is fine.” I wasn’t completely lying. I just may have left off the fact that there was a bruise forming on the eye he wasn’t proding, but maybe it won’t get too dark.

Walking over I sat on the bed right across from Ridley’s. This gave me a better view of his scars stretching across him. I even saw some faint scaring around his eyes. They almost looked like freckles only more jagged. There was a scar that looked like what was once a puncture wound in his shoulder. Other small scars littered his body, but there were two thick rope burn scars wrapped around his wrists that looked like it was painful.

“Ridley, you wouldn’t happen to have an idea of how we are going to get out of this mess?”

“I believe I can help you with that.” Turning I saw Aurelio striding in with a swagger in his step. Behind him two nurses, one of them my nurse from before, and a strikingly small boy of strong stature scurried to keep up. “I do hope I wasn’t intruding.” He grinned as he sat on the foot of Ridley’s bed. The one that tended to me before came towards me, and I couldn't suppress a small grimace.

The woman crossed over and yanked me up by the arm. I let out a small gasp as the jolt caused my ribs to spike in pain. “Come” was all she said as she dragged me to my bed before shoving me down. She looked me up and down before nodding and walking back to Aurelio. “He is perfectly fine. No injuries” With that she left the room as fast as she could, sparing a disgusted glare at me before she was gone.

“No injuries huh.” I thought with a grimace. Slowly making my way to a closer bed, I watch Aurelio warily. He seemed nonchalant about all of this, but there was something wrong. I couldn’t tell what it was, but my gut was telling me something was wrong. I quickly looked at Ridley to see if he felt the same way, but he seemed to not be phased. Shrugging I turned back to the conversation.

“Honestly Aruelio, you’ve been holding out on me. I’m hurt.” Ridley grinned. “Compared to where I was staying, this place is a right looker.”

“To be fair I was paid to keep you prisoner.” Smirked Aruelio with a shrug. “No hard feelings, really.” Ridley snorted causing both to break out in grins. “I’m sure you are aware how… persuasive Enyo can be. Saying no was not an option. I’m sure you can understand.” A knowing look passed between the two.

“Ahem.” Coughed someone to our right. Swivelling we all stared at the source of the sound. He was the stocky boy I saw trailing behind Aurelio. How could I have forgotten him? He stood there uncomfortably, but there was an air of annoyance as he looked at Aurelio. He was fidgeting with a pocket watch as he glared. “I understand that you guys are old friends, but I have places to go to Aurelio. I just need you to sign the paperwork, and I’ll be gone.”

“Ah yes, the paperwork. We’ll do that next, but I just had to check in on these two first.” He grinned. After a brief pause a light behind Aurelio’s eyes twinkled. “In fact, you both have been cleared. I wanted to continue my conversation with the both of you, but as little Azy said I have some business to attend to first. Why don’t we all go together!” His grin emphasized the lack of choice we had in the matter. As we both nodded, Aurelio's grin got wider, something I didn't think was even possible. "Perfect."