Donna's New Headache

Noa pulled up to the hospital on his motorcycle. The hospital’s sign loomed above, followed by the company logo. He went inside cautiously, worried that someone might recognize him. However the nurse gave him the room and he went inside and saw Jack sitting in a chair next to an uncurious Fuyuhiro. Fuyuhiro lay in the bed, his body strapped down, tubes snaking in and out of him.

According to the nurse, he hadn't been awake since the incident, except for his screaming nightmares. Fuyuhiro didn't have any family, so they decided to check on him instead.

The hospital room was sterile and white, the kind of bleak atmosphere that screamed at you: You’re not leaving here alive.

“I don’t know what the fuck we’re going to do,” Noa said, pacing back and forth like a man on the verge of losing it.

Jack sat slouched in a chair beside the hospital bed, watching Noa with a mix of annoyance and concern.

Jack smirked grimly. “Who knew being fat would actually save his life.”

“I’m not worried about him! Me! Us! Where’s Jill?” Noa snapped, still pacing.

“Calm down,” Jack said. “We’ll figure something out. Jill’s at home. She didn’t want to see him. She’s still in shock. What took you so long, anyway?”

“I had to get a sitter for my nephew,” Noa muttered, running a hand through his hair.

“Well, for starters, this is all your fault,” Jack said bluntly.

“I know that!” Noa barked. “You don’t have to make me out to be the bad guy!”

“You are the bad guy, Noa!” Jack shot back. “You played the music! In this case, you are LITERALLY the ‘bad guy’! Have you even talked to your sister?”

“I can’t get in touch with her! I thought this was just a song!”

Noa pulled a flash drive out of his pocket. Jack jumped out of his chair, his eyes wide, and quickly moved to cover it up.

“Are you insane?” Jack said, “Why did you bring that? It’s like you don’t think at all sometimes!”

“I’m not leaving it at home! They’re already trying to frame us for what happened!”

Jack sighed heavily, shaking his head as if trying to process the mess they were in.

“I think… you should consider the possibility… that your sister is on the lam.”

Noa’s glare was sharp enough to cut through steel.

“Now hear me out!” Jack said, raising his hands defensively. “Look at the facts. Your sister has some song delivered to her that makes people go crazy, and then the day after it goes off, you can’t find her? That’s not weird to you? And if they go after her... wouldn’t they come after you too?”

Noa was silent for a moment, his fists clenching. “…No. No, my sister isn’t some sort of terrorist, and I’m going to prove it. I’m going to find this ‘Rose’ guy and find out why he tried to set up my sister!”

“You sure it’s a guy?”

“Of course it’s a guy! A female terrorist naming herself ‘Rose’? Too predictable!”

Before Jack could respond, a guttural scream ripped through the air.

Noa and Jack’s heads snapped toward the sound.

Fuyuhiro was thrashing violently in the bed, kicking, screaming, and foaming at the mouth. His head flailed wildly from side to side as his body convulsed.

The equipment around him beeped frantically, and the monitors flashed red.

Nurses rushed into the room, trying to hold Fuyuhiro down.

“He's having another night terror! You two need to leave!” one of the nurses barked. “We have to stabilize him!”

The nurses shoved Noa and Jack out of the room.

From the hallway, they stood frozen, watching through the window as Fuyuhiro screamed and writhed, the scene a chaotic blur of red lights and panicked nurses.

***

Donna sat at her desk in the main office of her mansion, working on a tablet. She was e-signing papers, each signature followed by a swipe to the left and a cheerful “ding” as the document was sent off. Jenny was typing something on her phone on the couch.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” Donna called without looking up.

The door creaked open, and a scrawny, brown-haired man stuck his head inside. Trevor, with his painfully weak chin, looked hesitant as he addressed her.

“Ma’am? Are you busy?” he asked, faltering slightly under her sharp gaze. “The board is calling.”

Donna’s eyes widened. She immediately put the tablet aside and smoothed her hair, preparing herself. She nodded at Jenny and Jenny bowed. Jenny then swiftly left the room.

“Put them through,” she said.

Trevor nodded and closed the door. The window blinds slid shut, dimming the room. In the center of the office, three large holographic figures materialized, their faces blurred and unrecognizable.

“Board members,” Donna greeted them, her tone formal and controlled.

The first figure spoke, their voice sharp and authoritative. “We have heard of the massacre. It is our understanding that you have no leads.”

Donna straightened her posture. “Nothing concrete. I don’t want to give information that’s inaccurate.”

“So you have no leads,” the first figure pressed.

Donna took a breath, but it wasn’t from nerves. She steadied herself before replying. “...That is correct.”

The second figure spoke next, their voice colder. “You understand what would happen if people find out that they could be influenced by the chip?”

“Of course,” Donna said quickly. “We’re really close to—”

“—Due to the sensitivity of the matter,” the third figure interrupted, “we have brought someone to help you.”

Donna frowned. “Help? I don’t need—”

“—Come in, Roy,” the third figure cut her off again.

The office door opened, and a blonde man entered. Roy, with his smooth stride and chest puffed out, walked in like he owned the room. He wore a green and white business suit that mysteriously looked like a male version of her own. Unlike Jenny who was around her age, Roy seemed a year or two older. His slight grin, paired with an annoyingly punchable face, made Donna’s jaw tighten.

“This is Roy Castella,” the second figure announced. “He will be your new assistant.”

Donna’s frown deepened. “But Jenny is already my assistant.”

“She has been moved,” the first figure said flatly. “You will have Roy be your second in command. You will train him to be useful. This is the will of the board.”

Donna bit her lip, her clenched fist resting on the desk as she worked to contain her silent rage. Finally, she forced herself to reply.

“The will of the board is the will of the System. It shall be done.”

With that, the holographic figures vanished, and the room brightened as light streamed back through the windows.

Roy gave a slight bow. “It’s a pleasure. As the first female owner, I’m sure you have much to teach.”

Donna shot him a haughty glare.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Roy asked, his grin never faltering. He took a seat where Jenny was sitting.

“No,” Donna said firmly. “Everything I need is already in motion.”

"So there is a plan?"

"Yes. Where are you from? You look like you're from the very center itself."

"Yes," said Roy, "I've lived in the central district my whole life. You?"

Donna said nothing, instead standing up and pressing a button under her desk. The blinds lifted and the light returned. After a moment she spoke:

"In that case, you've never seen vermin before," she said, "It's one thing to read about them but another to know what it's like to be surrounded by them. Living with them. Sleeping by them. Tell me, Roy, how do you get rid of them?"

"Call an exterminator!" Roy said quickly with confidence.

"No. They take too long. Best to handle it yourself. First step: find the nest, and burn it."