A fist connected with my face, sending me stumbling backward. "Why are you bringing bad luck to my wife and child?" the male officer yelled, his eyes blazing with fury.
"There is no child," I said bluntly, "It is the gas that causes the swelling." I dropped to my knees beside the female officer, my hands gently pressing against her stomach. She let out a scream as a wave of pain washed over her.
When she finally calmed down, I looked up at her with concern and asked, "Does that feel better?" Her eyes locked onto mine in shock.
"There is still time." I urged, "Get treated, and if I am wrong, you can punish me then."
"Are you a doctor?" Manson asked, causing me to stop in my tracks. I actually had the same question as him.
But instead I replied "My mother was, I am a mechanic."
"But your mother didn't teach you any medicine." A voice chimed in, I turned to see Uncle Thor, his annoying smirk firmly in place.
"Mr. Delgado, why are you here?" Mason asked.
"Looking for you both. I need help at the hospital."
"Manson, go ahead," I said with a nod. "I will continue my journey to the garage."
"As you wish," Delgado replied with a knowing glint in his eye. "The more you fight it, the less sleep you will get. But if you learn during the day and do what pleases him, He might let you rest at night."
"Who?" I asked, curiously.
"Ask within you," Delgado whispered. "Aren't those dreams too vivid? What of the sudden knowledge in medicine, the urge to cure?" He said with a smile.
Then he walked away, leaving me more confused than ever. But as I stood there, his words echoing in my mind, I thought about those dreams, they indeed felt so real, so vivid. I took a deep breath, and followed after them. I deserved at least one night of sleep.
At the hospital, Delgado assigned me to sort medicines, a task that proved calming and refreshing. Time flew by as we worked. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, my soul felt at peace, like this is where I was meant to be.
The next two months were spent in the hospital, I still visited the mysterious hut in the forest in my dreams, in my visions, and every time I had a patient, I would receive a vivid, step-by-step vision of the treatment they required. The face of my teacher had also become clear. And that's what scared me, It was me, or at least, a stricter, meaner version of myself. I was my own teacher, and yet, I was certain that I had never set foot in that hut in my entire life.
"I have missed you, dude," Joshua said with a grin, sitting across from me on the prison bench. "I still can't believe you are in prison."
I smiled warmly at Joshua, who sat across from me with a mix of concern and teasing in his eyes. Despite his joking words, I knew he genuinely cared for me.
"Not just in prison, he is also a doctor, can you believe it?" VD replied in mock surprise holding onto his chest as if in pain, as he gestured towards me. Joshua chuckled, knowing VD was just joking around.
Quinton, always the calm and collected one out of the four of us, came to my rescue. "Give him a break, you two," he said with a hint of a smile. "You think prison is so easy? Maybe you should try it." He playfully pulled their ears "Who knows, you might just find your calling." He said in a serious voice which made Joshua and VD chuckle.
"Why are the three of you here?" I asked, a mix of curiosity and amusement on my face. Though I was glad to see them, we rarely met together, especially in public.
"BS Cooperation is launching officially, why not come celebrate with the boss?" Quinton said, with a smile on his face.
VD's eyes locked onto mine, his voice low and serious. "Are you sure you want to stay here?" he asked with concern. "You know I can get you out of here tomorrow, in time for the opening party."
I smiled softly and patted VD's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, VD, I am very sure," I said gently. My voice dropped to a whisper as I added, "But I need you to look into something for me. Be very careful, though they seem more dangerous than the mafia."
"Who?" They all asked at once.
I glanced around cautiously before responding in a hushed tone, "The NIVA." The others leaned in, curiosity etched on their faces.
"Who are they?" VD asked, his brow furrowed curiously.
I checked my surroundings once more before leaning in closer. "I don't know, that's why I want you to check," I said quietly. My voice barely above a whisper, I added, "I believe they either deal in magic or witchcraft."
They all looked at me like I am crazy. "Just do as I say." I replied before changing the subject "How is Harper?"
Quinton's expression turned somber, his eyes clouding over with a mix of emotions. He had always harbored a deep affection for my sister. "She's fine," he said finally. "Isla tried to mess with her, but Steve Lange fiercely protected her. Rose Cooperation almost went to war over just one attempt to hurt her." He paused, collecting his thoughts before adding, "I must say, she married well."
We all kept quiet for some time. "I never thought such a day would come, but I think I owe Steven one. Who would have thought I would be thanking him of all people?" I replied then turned to face Quinton once again.
"Quinton, how are you doing?" I asked, genuine concern etched on my face. "I have heard you have won three difficult cases in two months."
Before Quinton could respond, VD jumped in, his tone laced with worry. "He is overworking himself."
"I should never have slacked off, now Dam is in prison." He replied, his voice tinged with regret and sadness.
"It's not your fault, it was my choice," I said softly, offering words of comfort.
Quinton's eyes met mine, and he asked, "How long are you planning to stay?"
I picked up the bottle of water and placed it on the table, responding calmly, "Three years."