Bedridden

Everything was fading in and out, first I was on the ground with Lily and Atom looking at me concerned, then I was suddenly outside the school building and loaded onto a car, lastly I saw that I was on a stretcher being taken to a operating room, the staff in the hospital probably don't know that I just saved everyone, they probably just see me as some random citizen that got caught in between a crossfire... its fine, I never wanted to be seen as a hero for the most part.

December 23rd 2020

I opened my eyes, I felt refreshed since I don't normally sleep well. I had Bandages around my waist, I also looked around to see I was on Lily's couch and speaking of Lily, she was right next to me sleeping, I guess she stayed by my side while I was asleep, I gently shake Lily's shoulder to wake up, "pssst, Lily." I whispered, I could see her eyes began to open but once they focused on me they were wide open and her face turn red like a tomato, "Ah!" Lily yelled out as she walked backwards "I wasn't doing anything at all I promise I just grew really, really tired from taking care of you for days!" Lily yelled, it sounded like a lie, before I could say anything to her Atom appeared "Oliver and Lily sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G" he said mockingly "Shut up!" Lily and I said in sync.

"Anyways now that your awake from healing up I needed to talk to you about your shadow power.", suddenly Requiem decided to appear, "I am Requiem!" He said, "ah speak of the devil!" Atom saids as he began to float towards Requiem, "Oliver, this is your shadow power, Shadow Powers are shadow based powers that need to unlocked by the person by some means necessary in order to use it, all living creature have a small bit of Shadow in them, you aren't the only one with a Shadow Power Oliver, I know four other people who gained their Shadow Powers and you are now the fifth." Atom stated to me, "Indeed, as the ghost said I am the physical embodiment of my Master's rage." Requiem said to us, "I'm not a ghost!" Atom yelled at Requiem, "Anyways all Shadow powers are unique and all that's need is to unlock it." He said to me, "so does this mean I could unlock a power too!" Lily joyfully said to Atom, "If you can find a way to unlock it then yeah." He replied back, "Awesome, I always wanted a superpower!" Lily yelled out with Joy, "so what now guys?" I asked the crew, "well firstly we have to wait for your wounds to heal which could take a couple of days." Atom said to me, "A couple of days is nothing, right now we should out there helping people." I responded to what Atom said, "You almost bled out and died Oliver." Lily said to me, "that's nothing." I responded back, "Keyword Oliver, Almost died." Atom said, "Me and Atom are gonna go out and do the usual hero work while you stay here and heal up." Lily told me, "Fine." I grumpily agreed.

The two left me at home while they went out someone so all I could do was play catch with Requiem or watch TV, I hated every moment I was stuck here. "So what exactly can you do Requiem?" I asked him because I was bored, "I am powered by your anger, the more angry you are the more power in my punches." Requiem explained to me, "so I'm guessing a disadvantage about you is that you can only be used at close range?" I continued to question him, "Indeed, as long as I'm in close proximity to the target I'll be able to hit them." Requiem explained, "Well at least I have a new weapon to have fun with." I said to myself, "Oh yes, I should inform you that the holiday known as Christmas happens to be tomorrow, I recommend getting a gift for your companions." Requiem stated, "Hmm, a gift for Atom and Lily?" I said to myself, "I might have an idea, Requiem hand me my coat, I'm going out!" I ordered Requiem, "Yes sir but do be careful, don't forget you are still healing." He said as he handed me my coat, "Don't worry I'm not going too far." I said as I got up and began to walk to the door, "we're only going to the best store I know." I said as I walked out of Lily's house.

"Ring!" The door chimed as I opened it, "Welcome to... Oliver?" The shopkeep said in a surprising tone, "How it going old man Floyd." I greeted Floyd, "I see you've grown up a bit from the last time I saw you, man comparing the pipsqueak from a few years back to the guy standing in-front of me is hard." Floyd jokingly said, "yeah and I see you moved your shop" I said to him, "Oh yeah, business in Hamsterdam wasn't going good so I packed up and moved here to Hamsburg." He explained to me, "Now what can I get ya today, Holo-shield parts or this double barreled pistol I just got in?" He questioned me, "I need a snow-globe and a Killerpatty plush." I told him, we both went quiet, "hahahahahaha!" Floyd bursted out laughing, "Ah that's funny." He said as he looked at my face, "wait you're serious?" Floyd questioned, "Yep." I said to him just to reconfirm everything, "Listen kid I'm a black market shopkeeper not a souvenir shop." He explained to me, "Come on, I need them for a christmas gift, don't you have anything in the back?" I asked, "A Christmas gift, for Crystal?" He asked, when he said that name I couldn't help but look down, "Not her..." I muttered, "Something happened between you and Crystal, kid?" Floyd kept pestering me, "I don't wanna talk about it." I said to him with a really angry tone, "Jeez, sorry I asked, lemme go check the back of the shop." He said as he stepped out, "This Floyd person, I feel like I vaguely remember him" Requiem said, "You remember him, how you were just summoned a days ago?" I questioned him, "We're connected through mind and body so I'm able to see your memories and this Floyd person happens to be in one of your early memories." Requiem said, "Don't worry about it, he's just someone I bought from a few years back." I explained to him, "I see." He said before disappearing, "Huh, well its your lucky day kid cause turns out I do have a Killerpatty plush and Snow globe in the back." Floyd said as he had the two items in his hands, "Perfect, just tell me how much I owe for the two?" I asked as I pulled out my wallet, "Kid... its a plushie and a snow globe they're both exactly five dollars." He told me, "Oh, well here's a five then." I said as I handed him the bill, "Thank you, you take care now and if you're still looking for that crazy killer but if so be careful." He said, "Don't worry, I've stayed alive for this long I can stay alive for much longer." I said as I walked out the store. Looks like I got Lily and Atom's gifts ready, now to get back to Lily's house and wait for tomorrow.