A cold sensation washed over Maximilian, a groan escaping his lips as he forced his eyelids open. Pain washed over him, sending jolts through his entire being and chasing away any form of fogginess that might have clouded his mind.
A white ceiling entered his view, followed by an unfamiliar smell. The cold sensation lingered, stopping just at the top of his left hand, contrasting against the warmth underneath.
Where is this? Where am I? Maximilian stared blankly at the ceiling, ignoring the strange blue glow at the corner of his eyes. He squinted in pain as he tried to remember.
Nico!!
Maximilian sat upright with a jolt, clenching his jaw at the pain that came after. He looked around frantically, but he saw no one. No one except for an aged lady, holding a wash cloth above his hand.
Who is she? Maximilian furrowed his brows. I need to find Nico. He must be somewhere around here.
"Take it easy boy, you are in no condition to be making such movements." Her voice was croaky but strangely soothing. It did nothing to calm him down.
Maximilian tried to get off the bed he was in, "Nico…" he groaned, "My brother, Nicholas, where is he?" he asked the aged lady, "He's about two heads shorter than I am. Chestnut brown hair, green eyes." Maximilian described between moans. He finally managed to stand upright, holding the bed rail for support.
He took deep breaths to calm himself down and gather his strength, before sauntering out of the room, and arriving at a corridor that was mostly empty, except for a few elderly people walking around.
Maximilian stared for a bit, before pushing on. He checked room after room, yelling Nicholas name while ignoring the odd looks from those around. He checked the entire place but couldn't find any sign of his younger brother.
Where is he? What is the place? Is this even a hospital, doesn't seem like one. I haven't seen a single nurse or doctor…
Maximilian got to the end of the corridor, two large iron doors stood before him. He slammed his body into the door, groaning as he pushed. The aches which had just begun to fade rushed back.
The door opened quite easily and Maximilian lost balance immediately.
Shit, I'm going to fall! He thought, but to his surprise, he managed to adjust his stance just in time.
Woah…
Maximilian stared at his legs, surprised, but he quickly shook himself out of his stupor. That was when he noticed how eerily quiet the surrounding was.
He slowly raised his head to find people— at least a few hundred of them —gathered in the large hall behind the iron doors, eating. Or at least they were. Now they were all staring at him like he had three eyes and seven nipples.
Maximilian stared back, not out of shock but out of expectation. He glanced around, eyes sgmhiftinh through the crowd, hoping that he would find the familiar shade of brown curls, or hear his name —'Max!' as Nicholas called him.
There was nothing.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, everyone went back to eating with minimal chatting. Disappointed, Maximilian turned around, slowly heading back to the room he came out from.
The aged lady was still sitting where he left her. She looked like she hadn't even had enough time to process him leaving, but strangely, there was now a bundle of nearly folded clothes and a tray with a bowl filled with soup.
Maximilian sat down on the bed, a bit absent-minded.
He's not here, I don't think he is. The old lady didn't show any sign of recognition when I described him earlier. But… he's still alive. Right? I was closer to the blast, if I survive, he should. Yes. I'll leave here immediately and go find him.
"Calm your horses, young boy. You'll die if you leave this building." Hearing about death brought Maximilian out of his semi-trance.
Without waiting for him to ask, the old lady continued. "I can't read your mind, but I can guess what you are thinking based on your reaction. Plus, you aren't the first one to wake up and think things are still as they are."
"Things have changed?" Maximilian asked, puzzled. The old lady looked at him, a wry smile across her face.
"Why don't we begin with a proper introduction, and this time, maybe you can thank me for taking care of you in your coma." Her smile changed into a teasing one. "Mitsuki Fujimoto, but everyone calls me Aunty Suki."
Aunt Suki? You look like you gave birth to Aunt Suki. "Maximilian Sullivan." He replied.
"A handsome name for a handsome young man." Mitsuki smiled and Maximilian's faced reddened a bit. The somber atmosphere died down.
"You've been asleep for a while, so," Mitsuki gestured to the tray by the side, and the folded clothes on top of the bed, "You should eat and get dressed in something that's not showing off your perky butt to the public."
Maximilian looked down to notice he was wearing a hospital gown, with nothing underneath. His face reddened and he facepalmed as he imagined the reaction from those in the hall when he 'slowly' walked back to the corridors without closing the iron doors.
"Don't worry, they are probably used to it. You aren't the first over these past months." Mitsuki stood up, "I know you have a lot of questions, and I can tell you love your brother very much. When you are done, someone will be waiting for you outside the room. Follow them, they'll take you to someone who might be able to help with finding your brother."
Maximilian nodded, hopefully yet lost in his thoughts. He watched as Mitsuki headed for the door, still trying to process all that she said.
He looked at the bowl of soup, it didn't look pleasant but he didn't really have a choice. And now that he has settled down, he was beginning to feel the hunger pangs and the weaknesses in his joints.
Maximilian suddenly furrowed his brows, Months?... What does she mean months?... The accident couldn't have happened that long ago. Or… coma… a lot of changes….
He began piecing together the conversation he had with Mitsuki. His eyes widened as he called out,
"Gr— Aunt Suki, wait!"
Mitsuki paused just as she was about to close the door behind her. She turned around, a gentle smile on her face.
"Yes, dear?"
"What did you mean months?" Maximilian asked, his heart thumping in his chest as he anticipated the answer. Praying that it wasn't as he thought.
"It usually takes them longer to notice." Mitsuki sighed. "You've been in a coma dear, for quite some time." she replied, pity colouring her voice.
Oh no...
"How long…" Maximilian asked but his voice failed him, his question sounding just above a whisper. Mitsuki paused before replying,
"It's been roughly Fifteen months since that day. The day the sky shattered and those horrors came pouring down."