I couldn't even afford a phone, let alone a spare limb

The air is chilly and sterile. White walls and bright fluorescents keep the hospital ward well lit. Around two dozen people fill the area. Patients lay still as the doctors and nurses tend to them. On the bed in front of me is Gin wearing a standard blue hospital gown. A few scratches and bruises cover his face, nothing serious. His right arm however has a bandaged stump where his forearm should be.

"Do you think Dahlia has any spares I could borrow?"

Despite his weary eyes, Gin manages to crack a smile.

"I doubt that's how cybernetic limbs work."

"So what happened to you?"

Gin curiously eyes the external damage I sustained earlier.

"Something not nearly as bad as what happened to you."

"Hey, for all I know you might have lost a few limbs yourself and already had it repaired by now."

"I couldn't even afford a phone, let alone a spare limb."

Gin looks down, his smile waning. He seems to be remembering something, he visibly swallows, as if something is stuck in his throat.

"You first, Noa."

"...Do you remember those three gangsters we encountered on our way home the other day?"

"The one with the strange eye implant?"

I nod.

"They attacked me right in front of Dahlia's. They rode in on large motorcycles and tried to drag me off. Luckily, Jak and his friend Rusty were there to help fight them off."

"Wow. I still think it's pretty crazy how Jak's so willing to fight side by side with you now when a month ago he hated your guts."

"Your turn."

Gin goes silent. His body language growing more and more uncomfortable.

"We were... We were on our way to the restaurant Milli recommended for dinner. She said it was a nice place that catered to human-android couples. Nothing expensive too... We were walking, you know, taking our time, chatting... Then a truck pulled up in front of us. The back opened and out came a bunch of gangsters."

Gin stares at his stump with a heavy exhale.

"Tried to run... Couldn't. Tried to fight... Couldn't. They took her away and I passed out from all the blood I was losing. I'm sure I can just leave it to your imagination as to how exactly I got my ass kicked."

"....."

"...Any word about Milli?"

"...I'll be sure to contact you as soon as-"

"Please do."

Both his smile and the light in his eyes have faded. A part of me wants to tell him it's not his fault because I sincerely believe it, but I can't help recalling his past experiences with losing those he's close to. Any sort of consolation I think of giving him feels lacking and hollow.

"...I'll talk to Dahlia about it. The ones that found you were her acquaintances, maybe they can find Milli too."

Gin nods at my suggestion, failing to look me in the eye as he does so.

"...I'll see you later Gin."

"I know you got here and all but is it safe? To go outside?"

"Yes, don't worry. The riots are over and the gangsters have retreated to their district."

I point to his phone on the small, white end table next to his bed.

"A notification was sent a few minutes ago detailing which areas have been deemed safe and which ones are still risky. I'll be fine heading back."

Technically, District 16 is still considered a danger zone since it neighbors the gang district but it should be fine with the help of Dahlia and the others.

"...Alright. Be careful out there, Noa."

"I will."

I turn away from Gin with the hopes that his worry and exhaust will be washed away with sleep. The moment I step outside the ward's doors, I take out my phone and make a call. It doesn't take a seconds ring before they pick up.

"Noa? Did you find Milli? How is she?"

"...I'm sorry, Deci. She got taken away. Gin tried to fight them off. He lost an arm in the process."

"I-... I'm sorry to hear that... Noa, I..."

".....Has things calmed down over there?"

"...Last gunshot I heard was over an hour ago. A few cars passed by a few minutes ago but none of them seemed suspicious. Why?"

"I'm coming over."

"Noa, don't. It might still be dangerous. Just stay where you are for a few hours and-"

"I can find Milli."

"Eh?"

"I can find Milli, and maybe even rescue her, but I'm going to need your help."