In the hallway of Serenity Hospital, a man walked with a bag in his hand, his expression cold and tight, like someone who had just finished torturing someone. The intensity in his eyes made the staff avoid looking directly at him. His footsteps echoed with purpose, slow and heavy, like a ticking clock counting down to something ominous.
He approached the front desk and stood still, his presence heavy and suffocating. The woman seated behind the counter began to tremble under his gaze.
"I'm here to pay the balance on Rebecca Solace's medical bills,"
he said in a low, gravelly voice.
"Ah... Mr. Solace, right? Yes, let me just check,"
the woman stammered, clearly rattled by his aura. Her fingers fumbled on the keyboard, making several typos before she finally located the right record.
After clicking a few more times, she glanced at the screen and spoke again.
"Yes, the recent payment brought it down significantly. The remaining balance is $4,384."
"What?"
he said, his voice sharp with disbelief and a flare of anger that made the woman at the desk flinch. Her eyes watered as she struggled to maintain her composure.
Noticing her distress, the man sighed and softened his expression slightly.
"Can you tell me who it was?"
"Her... her name's Viola Si-Silva,"
the woman replied, stumbling over her words.
He twitched slightly, searching his memory but the name didn't ring a bell.
"Thank you. I'd like to pay the remaining balance, please."
With that, he completed the payment before leaving the desk. He then made his way to Room 178. The number was clearly labeled above the door. He opened it and stepped inside.
"Oh, Zeke! You're back,"
exclaimed the woman lying in the bed.
"How are you feeling, Mom?"
"I'm feeling alright. What about you, dear? Are you okay? Did you get injured or bruised while working?"
Rebecca asked, worry lacing her voice.
"I'm alright, Mom. Nothing happened,"
he replied.
But Rebecca wasn't convinced. She could feel it in her gut that he was lying. Something had happened, and he was trying to hide it.
He placed the bag he had been carrying beside the table next to her bed. That was when he noticed a slightly withered flower basket filled with roses, peonies, and tulips.
"Did someone visit you?"
Ezekiel asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Or did someone come here to cause trouble again? I'm sorry, Mom. I shouldn't have involved you..."
"No, nothing like that happened,"
Rebecca said calmly.
"Then who stopped by here?"
At his question, Rebecca's face lit up with excitement.
"Yes! A very pretty girl with white hair and emerald green eyes. She looked like a flower fairy, you know!"
"Who? Do you know her?"
he asked ,puzzled.
"At first, no. But now, you could say we know each other. And I think you know her too."
"What was her name?"
"Viola."
"What?"
he said, stunned.
"What's wrong?"
the woman said, confused.
"That person... she paid part of our medical expenses."
"She did what?"
"It was nearly thirteen thousand dollars."
"Goodness, she did that?"
Rebecca exclaimed.
"I didn't know she did that. How generous of her."
"I'm sorry, Mom, but I don't think I know her. I don't remember anyone named Viola."
"But she mentioned that you saved her. And-- oh! I almost forgot. She gave this to me to give to you."
Rebecca then handed him a letter.
"You can read it now. And, just so you know, I didn't open it or read it, so rest assured,"
she said with a sly grin, clearly looking forward to his reaction.
Ezekiel opened the letter and read it silently.
Dear Ezekiel,
Hello there! I'm sorry for bothering your mother with my sudden visit. I just wanted to meet you and express my gratitude once again. I was the girl you saved when monsters attacked my university. You don't know how much that meant to me. You gave me a chance to continue living, and for that, I owe you everything.
The world might try to pull you down and tarnish your name, but I believe in what I saw in you. I believe you are a good person with a big heart for the weak. So please, continue fighting. I just want you to know that I'll be here, cheering for you as your number one supporter.
Because you are my hero...
Sincerely,
Viola