When Alice woke up Celine was nowhere to be found. Her head felt light and fresh. She sat up and yawned. Grabbing the glass of water on the side table she chugged it down. She let out a noise of satisfaction and just then the door of the hospital room opened with a loud bang.
There stood Fox with his hands in the pockets of his pants. He took in Alice's physical condition and without another word crossed the room to her bed, not even bothering to close the door.
" What are you doing here? " She asked feeling slightly annoyed. " Checking up at you. I heard you had been missing for three years. " He stated as he popped a lollipop in his mouth, rolling it over to the other side of his lips.
" I was..... Why did you suddenly remember me... did you find how robby died?" She asked quietly. " His eyes softened and he shook his head " We still have no clue.... But I have a hunch that you are somehow connected , so I want you to join us." He answered.
" Join us? " She asked. He took a seat by my side. " I am a part of... Let's say a government organization. We are assigned special names as per our expertise and the purpose of our organisation is to eliminate threats related to the ongoing spread of a serum called felix." He explained.
She stared at him, blinking. He sighed heavily. " To put it simply, we were brought together by the government to eliminate the remains of their darkest secret experiment, but it's not going well. " His voice was grim with emotion.
She shifted against the bed before asking again. " What purpose would I even serve? I know nothing. " He smiled and turned away to face the window. " I know for one, that whatever is happening is somewhat connected to you.....you're the key." He answered, rolling the lollipop to the opposite side.
Alice straightened up at that. " What do you mean? " She asked softly. Fox remained silent, turning to face her, he flicked his business card towards her which softly landed on her lap. " Contact me if interested. " He simply said before leaving without another word.
Alice stared at the placed where he was standing before her eyes focused on the card. She gently picked it up and read the number, gently caressing the embossed digits. She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning back against the headboard of the bed.
It was almost night time when Riley came to visit her again, her hands were full of bags of food. " I'm sorry I'm late, just got caught up with work" She apologozed to Alice, placing all the food on the table at the side.
" No need to apologize. " Alice said softly, loving the care for once. Riley glanced at Alice while pouring warm soup for her friend in a bowl, a soft smile on her face. " Here, you should eat something " Riley said softly, offering Alice the bowl of hot soup.
Alice happily accepted the soup. Both of them had their meal in silence. By accident Riley's eyes landed on fox's business card and her eyes darkened almost immediately. " Where did you get that? " She asked Alice quietly, pointing at the card.
" Oh that? Fox dropped by, he said something about a government organization, he offered me to join. " Alice replied casually. " He said what!? " Riley straightened up, her soup now long forgotten." You didn't agree, right? " She asked seriously.
" I haven't answered him yet. " Alice replied, slightly concerned at her friend's sudden questioning. " You're not joining that organization " She said firmly. Alice looked at her weirdly. " Why? " She asked. " Because.... Because.... I don't want you to get hurt " She whispered, her voice soft and vulnerable.
" Why do you think I'd get hurt? " Alice asked, puzzled. Riley looked away and swallowed. " Just..... Don't okay.. " Riley said softly. " But.... Why? " Alice asked again. " That is a very dangerous field okay.... I don't want you getting hurt" Her voice raised slightly.
" How is it dangerous.... Would you tell me" Alice asked, her voice tinted with slight annoyance. Riley's eyes danced across the room. " They kill people okay..... They use weapons, violence. I.... I don't want you joining them. W-what if you get hurt? And also because you don't know about the dark secrets of the organization." Riley's words came out rushed as she turned to look at Alice.
Her eyes held concern, many emotions flashing across her face. Alice's eyes softened and she shifted closer to her friend, enveloping her in a warm hug. " Riley... I know you care about me....but I really want to know what happened to robby, and your words have only made me more resolute to join them. I'll find out the culprit." Alice whispered with emotion.
Both of them cried silently while Riley clutched her harder, not wanting to let go. Alice held her tight as well, letting Riley cry her heart out. After a while Riley pulled away, sniffling. " Now.... Would you tell me the real reason why I shouldn't join them. " Alice asked softly.
Riley stared outside for a moment before getting up from the bed and walking over to the window. " You don't know the dark secrets of the organization fox works for. They had carried out an experiment for having absolute control over someone. There are so many things they are hiding, and I don't want to see you risk your life. I found you after three years you know. It's a long time. " Her voice was gruff with emotion.
Alice simply smiled. The silence after was deafening,broken by her words. "Did... Did someone look for me after my disappearance?" She asked quietly, fidgeting with her hospital gown. Riley nodded. " Your cousin sister was contacted after we figured you're missing. She was quite furious to say the least. I think in her mind the police was practically useless when they couldn't find you." Riley stated
"You know.... Your disappearance was the very reason that pushed me to work even hard to get in the force. And just like that I was in within a year. Since two years I had been searching for you after joining the force. " Riley chuckled bitterly.
"If I hadn't found you.... I think I would've gone insane.... " She whispered quietly, looking out the window, admiring the moon that shone too bright. Alice stared at her quietly. " It must have been quite intense.... The training. " Alice said softly. Her hand reached out and gently grabbed Riley's warm one.
" Thank you for not losing hope in finding me.... Thank you for searching for me.... Thank you so much.... " Alice whispered gently, squeezing the warm palm in hers delicately. Riley turned her head and smiled at Alice, her other hand reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear which had been covering the beauty of Alice.
" For you.... Anything. " She said softly. They both stared in each other's eyes for a while before Alice broke out in a full blown laugh, Riley followed her soon after. "Oh my god.... We looked so serious" Alice breathed out between chuckles, xlutching her stomach in pain from laughing too much.
Riley laughed as well, feeling light after three years of solitude and regret. " God... I really missed this. Laughing with you and eating together. " She smiled slightly, leaning back on her hands. Alice also smiled. " Yeah..... I missed this too. But.... For some reason I can't put my finger on what happened to me these past three years. " Alice spoke, slightly confused and frustrated.
" It's like..... My memory has been wiped clean. " She muttered, looking out the window. Riley simply stared at her, suddenly her phone chimed. Riley checked her phone and her eyes widened slightly. "Well.... Looks like news spreads fast. Your cousin sister wants to pay you a visit. " Riley mused.
At her words Alice straightened up. " Really..... She's coming to visit me" Alice breathed out. Riley nodded slightly. " It seems she'll be here by tomorrow morning " Riley stated and closed her phone. She turned to face Alice and booped her nose. " It's getting late.... I'll take my leave. You rest up now, alright " She said gently, running her hand through the soft strands of Alice's hair.
Alice smiled at her and hugged her one last time before her departure. Once Riley was gone, she laid down on the bed. Smiling to herself she closed her eyes and succumbed to sleep. A few hours later the morning light filtered through the window of the hospital room.
The door to her room opened and a nurse stepped in with a medicine tray. The woman gently shook Alice, stirring the sleepy woman. Alice groaned softly peeked at the woman above her. The nurse smiled gently and greeted her with a soft good morning. Alice returned the gesture and sat up slowly.
The nurse handed her a glass of water which Alice chugged down. The nurse chuckled lowly and refilled the cup to give medicine to her. Alice obediently ate her medicine. The nurse patted her hair affectionately, it wasn't everyday they get such an obedient patient. Alice smiled gently.
The nurse grabbed her stuff and left. Soon after her departure the doctor entered the room. The doctor checked her vitals and did a simple checkup. Satisfied with the result he finally spoke. " A visitor is here to meet you" He informed. Alice nodded, silently conveying her approval. The doctor nodded in return before leaving her alone.
A few minutes later a woman entered the room clad in a sharp tailored suit, her hair flowed down her back, a simple pair of sunglasses rested on her face which made her face stand out. Behind her trailed a broad man, his face looked hard but eyes were as warm as sun. The woman crossed the room in a few strides.
She stood beside Alice, her throat bobbing at the site. Her elegant hands took off the sunglasses, her brown eyes staring at her sister with a hint of pain. Alice's face softened and she immediately reached out for her. The woman took her hand in her long ones, caressing it gently. " Where were you, stupid fool. Do you know how worried we were when we got to know you went missing three years ago " The woman whispered with emotion laced in her words.
Alice's eyes brimmed with tears, after so long seeing her sister filled her with relief. " I'm sorry.. I'm sorry Alex... I'm really sorry. " Her voice cracked. Her sister... Alexandra pulled Alice in a warm yet tight hug. Her sister didn't shed a single tear but the pain in her eyes said all the things Alice needed to know. " Never.... Never disappear on me again. If anything happens... Just tell me.... But never.... Never disappear again" She whispered, clutching Alice tightly.
" Hey.... If you two sisters are done sobbing would someone give me attention too." Her husband, Alastair whined. For a broad, burly looking man he was quite the softie. Alexandra pulled away first and shot her husband a glare. Alice chuckled and beckoned him forward. He happily walked over and hugged her. " Pls don't disappear on us again.... Your sister can be quite scary when it comes to her family. " He complained softly in the hug.
They all laughed at that statement, lightening up the atmosphere. " Where are the kids? " Alice finally asked. Alexandra sat down beside her on the bed. " Felix isn't well so he is at home with his nanny while Y/n is at her school. " She answered calmly, still holding onto Alice's hand, tracing soft circles.
Alastiar remembered that they brought some fruits for her, he handed the bag to Alexandra. " Here, we bought some fruits for you, dove. " She said softly, taking out an apple from the bag. She opened her suit jacket and took out a scalpel. Alice's eyes widened. " Do you carry a scalpel everywhere you go? " She asked in disbelief.
Alexandra chuckled at her words " I am a surgeon.... You never know what may go wrong, so I always keep one handy. " She replied calmly, skillfully peeling and slicing the Apple with uncanny precision.
Her fingers shoced a piece in her mouth. Alice's eyes widened but she started to chew afterwards, liking the care from her big sister. Her eyes drifted to Alastair who was looking at his wife, pouting like a kid.
Alice chuckled between chewing, her sister flicked her head. " Don't laughwhile eating, you'll choke" She scolded firmly. " Feed me too.. " Her husband whined. Alexandra rolled her eyes and drifted her attention to her spouse. The silly expression looked out of place on his hard face.
But her love for her husband was too much, so she ultimately fave in and fed him half of the Apple. After she finished feeding them, she washed her hands and looked at Alice. " I have a request " She spoke hesitantly. Alice simply tilted her head, gesturing her to continue. " Me and alstair are going abroad due to some work.... And I need someone I can trust to take care of Y/n. So...would it be okay with you if I leave her under your care for the next few days. " She asked gently.
Alice looked down at her hands. " I would love to take care of her.... But I'm still a patient in this hospital. " She replied solemly, but suddenly a voice boomed from the room entrance. " I'll take care of her for you" Riley stepped in the view behind them.
Alastair and Alexandra whipped around to look at the new arrival. Alexandra's eyes narrowed slightly, her grip right on her scalpel. Riley stood there smiling, holding a bag of icecream.