Seeping Energy

When the circle expanded into the size of a football, it felt like my cells were expanding with it. As if they were going to burst. It was passing energy to my legs, my brain, my arm, and everywhere.

I was trying to reduce the growth of the energy when Rio stood up then. The reason I had to finish the fight very fast. The energy had moved to every part of my body by the time the fight ended. I endured the pain and let Katie finish the countdown and I just fell.

***

I was lying on a small mattress covered with white bedsheets. It was a small room, not a room per se. It was covered on every side with white curtains that stretch down to the floor. There was a table just beside me and a tray filled with drugs on it.

I tried to stand up from the bed but every joint on my body ached. It was as if I had been lifting weights for days non-stop. After a few attempts, I raised my upper body and sat, my back resting on the end of the bed.

I remained like that for a while before I tried to stand again. I stood up and made my way to the door. I was walking very slowly. My legs felt numb and barely alive as I dragged them on the floor.

I opened the curtain and stepped out of the room.

"Mase!" someone shouted just as I stepped out and before I knew it, I was already in their embrace. We stayed like that for some time before I somehow pushed the person away. When the person released me and I looked at her, it was Jane.

"I was beginning to fear that you wouldn't wake up again," Jane said in tears.

I was somehow feeling guilty that I had pushed her off the first time. Her expression when I did showed her displeasure. So to console her and make up for my initial act, I pulled her back into my embrace.

"I am here now" I said.

We were the only ones in that part of the clinic so I let her calm down before I released her.

"How long was I gone for" I asked as we sat on a bench outside the room I came out from.

"Seven days"

"SEVEN DAYS!" I screamed.

"Uhm" Jane nodded. "It's just one week and we actually thought it would take longer. That is why you're in a separate room in the first place."

"You thought I would take longer?"

"Yes"

"Like, why? I just fainted right?" I asked.

"Calm down Mase. Let me explain what happened after the fight."

"Okay," I said impatiently.

"After Rio fell on the ground and Katie announced you as the winner, we thought you would jump around and fling your hands in celebration but you suddenly..."

"I suddenly slumped! I know about that. Tell me what happened after I slumped" I snapped.

"After you slumped, we thought you were only tired and would get back up but after about a minute, Katie checked on you and discovered that you were unconscious.

He called for help from some students and they brought you to the clinic along with Rio who was also unconscious. Though they asked the students to leave, I begged and stayed behind.

The doctor said you have used up your energy and that was the reason you fainted. Surprisingly though, you were not regaining the energy even after the fight ended and he said something was seeping your energy away.

The doctor requested that Master Leao be called and he came soon after. I was outside so I can't tell what he did to you. He came outside soon after and explained that you had lost a lot of energy but you are regaining them again.

He said it might take longer for you to regain all the energy that you lost, perhaps, a month or more. That's why I was surprised that you woke up after a week," Jane said.

I don't know how I used up my energy. I knew I had exhausted my energy when Rio initially kicked me, because my eyes were closing and I was going to fall unconscious anyways.

So I can't tell if my energy had been used up before the strange white circle started to grow inside of me. I have a lot of things to find out, for one, does the strange energy only comes when I'm in dangerous situations and secondly, if it would exhaust my energy every time I use it. For now, I have other things to catch up with.

"What about Rio," I asked.

"He woke up a few hours after the fight" Jane said. "I have not been outside this place since you've been brought here. I only go out to get food sometimes. So, I don't know where Rio is now or how he is doing. There has been no news about him too, so everything must be good"

"Thank you, Jane," I said

"You don't have to. If I was in a similar situation, you would have done the same. Drop the act and let's get out of this place now that you are awake."

Jane informed the doctor that I was awake. The doctor performed some other check-ups and advised that I stay for a day or two to get back to full strength but I insisted that I was fine.

I changed out of the blue clinic gown into my uniform and we left the clinic. It was a hot afternoon, the sun blazing and students were outside, playing or doing some other things. It must be break time.

"Where are we headed now?" I asked looking at Jane.

"Anywhere. Maybe the cafeteria. You've not eaten something good for a week now and you need your energy back. So the cafeteria is a good option. We can head to our dorms thereafter" Jane said.

"That's fine." I accept.

When we almost got to the cafeteria, Jane pulled me back like she forgot something very crucial.

"Gosh! I almost forgot this. Master Leao said you should see him when you wake up." she said.

"Is that the reason you wanted to pull my arm off my shoulder?" I asked.

"I just remembered. That's why" she said, giving an apologetic smile.

"Okay" I said. "I'll go when we finish eating"

I wondered why he would ask to see me. Maybe they had learned of the terms associated with the fight and had disciplined Rio. Perhaps, I'm the one left.

These thoughts filled my mind as we ate. I ate quickly and told Jane that I was going to see Master Leao. She was still eating so I left her and told her we would meet in the dorm later. As I was about to get up from my seat, Jane drew me back.

"I don't know if it's just me, but during your fight, after Rio kicked you and you stood up. It was as if my energy was being taken away. I'm sure others felt it too. It wasn't much though but I could feel it."