Stones grinding against each other slowly digging into my mind. Pushing away from consciousness, I tried to fall back into the veil of the crossing .The abyss has been something I crave, but rarely obtain these days. Hushed fast voices seep their way into my mind along with footsteps in the distance. Recoiling, I try to put distance between myself and the sounds, I do not wish to go there now. My hands are trembling, I can feel them pressing into my sides as I struggle to breath. Yet I can’t. I simply float, no body, no breathing, no weight, simply existing in this place once more. I've been here more than once, this Void as some call it.

  The voices are back, clearer this time, I'm able to make out some words.

  “What will it….”

  “People are panicking abo…”

  “No. It's going to die…”

  “The leg is shattered...”

  It's not one person, I can sense the different beats of life to each one, even through the haze. Are they talking to me? About me? Where even am I, what happened? Visions flash through me, I see the blond man under me, the long grassy plant around me. The sound of weapons clashing. People screaming, and..blood, so much blood. Flinching, I feel something on my wrists, preventing me from moving. Throat burning, panic accompanied by pain races through me. That damn beeping getting louder again. No! I don't want to go back!

  Voices grow louder and louder and the bindings keep me trapped. Adrenaline shoots through my system as bright spots appear in my vision. Everything flashes hot as panic threatens to take over. Calm people live, panicking people die, the thought flashes through me. Instinct forces my heart to slow and my breathing to deepen, the scraping returns as it slows down. The bright spots in my vision fade as the surroundings come into view.

  Tall panelled marble ceilings, soft white walls, and a window to the right with bars over the outside. Looking to my right I see the source of the grinding, a heartstone hovering over a table a few feet away. Looking down at my body, blankets cover my legs, one of which is raised up slightly on some pillows, foot poking out showing it's been braced. My upper body is bare, covered with small patches of silver stuck on my skin. Looking over I see the heartstone glowing and dimming in time with my heart beat. Below it I see its magic displaying other numbers. Where my stomach was sliced there’s now a long series of clean, evenly stitches closing the wound. The other cuts on my chest have been cleaned and the bruises are either gone or fading. Looking at my wrists I see medical restraint tying me to my bed. I can also see the cut on my palm, where my knife sliced, had also been stitched closed. Not a drop of blood or dirt anywhere.

  Turning focus, the room is fairly plain. The machines monitoring my vitals clearly run on some form of magic, dozens of ways to make that work. The room as a whole is simple and clean, the only things in here aside from me is a chair and a rolling stool in the corner. Bars over the window indicate this is most likely in a prison hospital of some sort, or a regular one with extra security. The opposite wall has a glass pane allowing a view into the hall. Offices line part of the hall, and down the hall there appears to be reception. Medical staff rush in all directions, just as many guards among them. I can just make out a small item high on the wall, most certainly a monitor of some sort. Definitely a prison hospital then, wouldn't have so much security if those in here weren't deemed a threat.

  “Admiring the team's work?”

  The voice was mocking, if anything. Looking up I see a tall, lean, poker faced young woman with light brown hair pulled back in a messy bun. She’s holding a clipboard, standing in the doorway. Her facial expression is mostly neutral with the exception of her eyes, cold and pointed as they observed me.

  “You caused quite the scene being brought in by the city's leader and half a dozen guards while you were dripping blood on the floor.”

  She was trying to get a rise out of me apparently. I lean back into the pillows behind me, loosen my posture and lock eyes with her. Her already stiff posture manages to stiffen further as she grips the clipboard tighter. After a moment, she speaks.

  “What brought you into the realm?” after a beat she continues.

  “What caused your injuries?”

  I can tell my silence is clearly getting to her, the clenching jaw gives it away. Unfortunately for her, I can sit here all day, the same bland expression on my face in silence. After a minute, she stands straighter and walks up to the monitors on the left.

  “Is your pain manageable? You have been unconscious for several days.”

  I've been out for days? Shit. I really was injured. That lady could lie, making someone unable to know what time or day it is helps keep them compliant. Simple way to disorient someone. They may have cleaned and treated my injuries, that does not make me safe. Finding out one has been unconscious in an unfamiliar place would scare most, but I've woken up in worse places. But it's still not good. I'll stay calm and compliant but answering their questions is a no. Maintaining eye contact, she frowns at me.

  “Can you understand what I am saying to you?”

  The smile that comes on my face is practised, I use it to piss people off. When someone already dislikes my mere presence, a smug grin always manages to make them madder. The huff this lady lets out proves it.

  “Some people will be in to speak with you soon.”

  And just like that she turns on her heels and half walks, half stomps out the room. There are worse welcomes. Many people in angelic realms are scared and or hates most of us, not to mention the distrust when a stranger covered in blood and gore appears out of thin air and fights your town leader. As the door opens I can see two guards stand on either side of it. I can't make them out fully as the door closes behind the nurse.

  The form I'm in now is mostly human in appearance. The only real tell showing I'm not human is my slightly sharper teeth. The only other tells I showed would have been my blood and the fact I bit and clawed some skin off a few guards.

  The hall and reception area within view seem to match this room too, off whites, sandy beiges, gold accents, and the same marble ceiling spread around. It gives a calming feeling, almost as if one is on a beach. It was odd to me why a prison hospital would be made so nice and beautiful. Even my bed and blankets are high quality. The bed itself is very soft, moulding to the body like it's hugging you while the blankets are soft and plush, like being wrapped in a cloud..

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Looking back out to the hall, I see the receptionist looking up from his work as a person walks up to him. The receptionist’s large kind eyes light up as he begins talking to the person, smiling and laughing as they talk. After a few moments the person walks away and the receptionist turns in his seat, locking eyes with me. The receptionist’s face went pale and his eyes widened with fear. He swiftly turned away and put his head down. One of two reactions to demons. Either soul rotting hatred or world shattering fear. Can't say either reaction isn't deserved on me. I'm well aware of the atrocities I have done. Not to mention countless other demons. Every conflict has two sides however, they are also guilty.

  The door swings open once more as a petite young woman walks through. Her long raven hair with delicate curls, is in a half up, half down style, a bit messy as if she's been running around. She looked over to me and I'm greeted by her open, kind eyes and a large smile on her lips.

  “Hello! Glad to see you awake.” She walked over to a board on the wall and began flipping through some pages. “You were found in a local farmers field about a week ago with severe injuries to nearly every part of your body, including a…” She turns to face me once more. “...broken left leg with dislocated knee, a large wound across your abdomen exposing your internal organs, broken nose, a concussion, and a variety of other small cuts, wounds, and bruises of differing severity. Not to mention a substantial amount of blood loss.”

  She continues over and stands about a foot from the bed, letting out a slight laugh as she continues.

  “You scared everyone who was treating you. The guys here have seen a lot, but you might have taken the spot top story.” Not the first time I've been told that. “It has been eight days since you were brought in and you have remained unconscious since you fell unconscious the first time. Granted, you were very much still putting up a fight, hence the wrist restraints. I can take them off now if you promise you won’t try to punch anyone else.”

  Taken aback by the ways she's speaking, I just stare at her for a moment. No hint of anger or fear, just talking like I'm normal, like this is normal. There was nothing but kindness in her tone and facial expressions. Realising I'm just staring like an idiot, I look down at my wrists and nod, leaning my upper body away. Hopefully she will take that as confirmation. Thankfully she does, swiftly moving to remove the restraints. As she leans over me to undo the restraints on my wrists, I feel a familiar aura. It felt like I've been around her before, which I definitely have not. I remember everyone I've met.

  With the restraints removed, I pull my hands back to my lap, inspecting the stitch work on my palm. The stitches were spaced perfectly and clean, already healing well. The slice won't leave a scar. The raven haired lady watches me closely, I simply dip my chin in thanks. The door swings open once more as an older man walks in, wearing what must be the local guards daily wear. Seeing his face I realise it's the man that was standing near the archangel Sol in the field.

  “Irean, I said you should wait to enter.” The lady, Irean I suppose, turns and looks at the man.

  “No, you suggested that Tari, and although your concern is appreciated I will continue to do my job as normal.”

  “You freed him?” His shock is evident. Was she not supposed to take the restraints off?

  “Why would I not? He has not indicated any intent to harm and has been calm. There is no reason I shouldn't have given him that basic freedom.”

  Irean settles her gaze on Tari, who seems to have no retort to that statement. Tari dips his head and walks further into the room, finally closing the door behind him.

  “Your fa…um, Sol will join us shortly. Any changes in condition?” Tari side eyes me as he stumbles over the words.

  “I was just going to start the evaluation.” Tari reddens and walks a few feet closer, still maintaining a healthy distance between us. “Anything we need to know?”

  “I’ll tell you and start the review once Sol arrives.”

  Tari simply nods. I can tell he's trying really hard not to look at me, but I see him grinding his teeth while glancing at me, trying to hide it. My vision and hearing aren't all that superior to the average angel’s. Better yes, but the big difference is I'm trained to notice everything, regardless of how small or unimportant a thing may be. Like how he nearly said father to Irean. That would explain the familiar aura if she's his daughter. Many families have similar auras between the members, different but still connected.

  The door opens and Sol walks in. He nods at Tari and then looks at Irean, indicating to start whatever it is they have planned. With both Sol and Irean now facing me, the father daughter relationship is obvious. Tari stands near the door, keeping eyes firmly on Irean while Sol opts for the chair in the corner.

  “No one else on the way?” Irean asked.

  “I'll inform anyone else of relevant information.” Tari said before Irean turned to face me once more.

  “Is it ok for me to inspect your wounds?” I give a nod. Tari’s brows raise at my lack of vocal response. Irean simply moves to my legs and takes the blankets off them,

  “Your left knee was dislocated and you had a small fracture in this ankle, but scans show both are healing extraordinarily well, even with it only being a week later.” Probably best they don't know that I've had the fracture and dislocation before I was in that field. Like, at least two weeks longer.

  “Can you move the ankle at all?” Irean asked and I obliged, moving the foot up and down without issue. “Ok that's perfect! I can take this brace off.” Removing the brace, she sets my leg back down and moves her hands to my abdomen. “This cut was very severe.We estimate you lost nearly forty percent of your total blood volume, largely due to this wound. We were able to use magic to help rebuild your blood volume, but it is still low. Despite the healing you have already had done, you are not out of danger and must be careful.”

  After inspecting the stitching some more she brings the blanket up to my stomach and back over my legs before stepping back.

  “Your smaller injuries have all mostly healed, those that haven't will shortly. Soon enough you will be fully healed and able to leave this hospital. Which brings up the next series of questions we must ask.” Here's the fun part. “First off, what is your name?” Hope these guys are comfortable with silence. “You didn't come though the main portals, so how did you get here and what caused the injuries you arrived with?” Sol sits up straighter as the silence stretches on. Irean looks back at him before continuing. “Is there anyone we can contact? Are you going to a certain place?” They never learn anything. Closing my eyes for a minute, they’ll eventually realise I have no answers for them. Sol then spoke for the first time since entering. “Alright…If you do not answer any of our questions you will be declared a prisoner. Without any information on who you are, where you're from, or how you even got here we are forced to assume you are a threat, or could lead a threat here due to the circumstances of your arrival.” Irean looks down at her notes, sighing as her whole body seems to slump. Seems to have accepted I won't answer any questions. She turns and nods at Tari, still standing stiffly by the door. He walks up and begins to speak.

  “As a result of the circumstances leading to your arrival, and your refusal to cooperate, you are now a prisoner under Akarin City, ruled by Sol Prescott. Until you cooperate, or are deemed to not be of any threat or political importance, you will remain a prisoner. Your basic needs will be handled by the city which include clothing, food, and shelter. You may be offered the chance to work if you meet the requirements while incarcerated. As of this moment this room is your cell. Once you are healed you will be moved to one of the city's prisons and be given a cell. Until then, a guard will always be outside or inside this room and you must always be accompanied by a guard. Do you understand everything I have told you?”

  My usual nod causes Tari to sigh before he gives a goodbye to Irean and Sol and leaves. Got a hunch I'll be seeing him often. Irean proceeds to explain the hospital, how to call for help, when food is brought around, where the bathroom is, all while checking a few of my charts, writing stuff down and ensuring all the medical equipment is working correctly. I wasn't listening that intently, more focused on watching people go up and down the hall. Finally she too makes her exit, leaving just me and Sol in the room. He's been intently watching me the entire time. I take a mental note that once again, his clothing isn't overly flashy unlike other archangels. Finally, he stands and takes his exit, but before he leaves he turns back to me.

  “If you wish to answer the questions and earn your freedom, let us know. We shall grant it immediately.”

  The door shuts once more leaving me alone, once again, as a prisoner.