Chapter 8: Recovery
-2 days later-
Elias woke to the steady rhythm of beeping monitors. The air was crisp and sterile, and a dull ache radiated from his shoulder and stomach. As he shifted, the pull of bandages reminded him of the alley—flashes of pain, blood, and chaos surfacing briefly before receding into the fog of his mind.
The door opened, and a nurse stepped in, clipboard in hand. "You're awake," she said, a faint smile crossing her lips. "You've made an incredible recovery in just two days. Once you feel ready, you can get up and move around. I'll bring your discharge paperwork shortly."
"Thank you, ma'am," Elias replied, his voice dry and faint. He offered a polite smile as the nurse gave a brief nod and exited, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Elias sat up slowly, wincing at the stiffness in his muscles. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his eyes falling to the IV line taped to his arm. After a moment's hesitation, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, planting his feet on the cold tile floor. His fingers brushed the nearby remote, and without much thought, he pointed it at the ceiling-mounted TV and turned it on.
The screen flickered, and a news anchor's steady voice filled the room.
"Two days ago, a series of unexplained flashes of light streaked across the skies above City Covaign. Similar events have been reported in other parts of the world, but officials have yet to issue a statement regarding their cause. Speculation is rampant, with unconfirmed sources linking the phenomena to a classified government operation."
Elias's expression hardened as the broadcast continued.
"In a related incident, a man who was stabbed and shot twice during a street altercation is said to have survived against all odds. Medical experts are calling his recovery unprecedented. Details remain scarce, and officials have declined to comment further."
Elias stared at the screen, gripping the remote tightly. There was no doubt they were talking about him, though they'd carefully avoided revealing too much. His stomach tightened, a mix of unease and anger bubbling beneath the surface. Before he could think more about it, the anchor shifted topics.
"Meanwhile, concerns about another alien attack are on the rise. It has been over six months since the last incursion, and many are demanding answers about the origin of the aggressors. Government silence continues to fuel public speculation."
Elias switched the TV off. The room fell into silence, the words lingering in his mind like an itch he couldn't scratch. As he set the remote down, a sharp knock at the door pulled his attention.