GUARDIAN ANGEL

the methodical work of the doctor fascinates him. sometimes the processes she goes through alone are enough to capture his attention &. inspire an unending curiosity. perhaps that's exactly the thing that draws him to her — the promise of something greater than mind, body &. soul. something greater than death.

"I have this dream of being whole."

of course the words would be more painful as they break through coffin wood &. dirt. he contemplates backpedaling, rebuilding walls brick by brick with fake reassurances — but he doesn't. even as ocular implants fall to the coffee before him, long since grown cold; even as he inspects his scarred, mangled reflection; he lets her in. he misses his mask. she's one of few he feels safe showing his haunting visage.

he tries, he tries so hard to conjure up something to say that could salvage the situation, avoid speaking of a tragedy &. a fate narrowly avoided, but as his silence grows longer and longer, he finds himself for once incapable of playing the perfect patient. why do his hands feel so cold? a shimada should never be this weak.

as her hand settles upon his, he visibly settles. tense muscles lax, &. he releases a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. the deafening sound of mechanical whirring enters the air, as flesh &. metal rotate to tenderly cradle her hand. comfort.

"I.. I am grateful, angela." he begins, "I truly am grateful. these cybernetics allow me a freedom I otherwise wouldn't have had. I owe you a debt greater than I could ever repay."

he lets his words hang in the air. even to him, he can sense the 'but' coming. he swears he can feel her hand in his, in spite of cold &. lifeless metal. he was warned of this.

it can provide hope, it can bring back remnants of what was lost, but is never quite enough. it cannot fix a broken heart, it cannot fill the voids left by natural loss - our doctor knows this & yet still holds hope that she could manipulate those laws for others. she's a miracle worker, after all. one of her miracles sits before her now ! he sits before her . . . telling her that regardless of the work put in, those laws are not bending to her will.

yet somehow in his response, our angel does as she does best & finds a silver lining -- a glimmer of hope. she all but snatches it in her hand. her voice is soft yet the conviction in it is undeniable ; she speaks a truth she wholeheartedly believes in.

change pronouns and adjust as needed.

you will be so much more than that.

demons have always haunted our world.

that duty falls to you.

that victory is within your reach.

that's not even a real number.

there's no water in these.

how can you be late?

i didn't even get to finish my ramyeon!

why do they always interrupt our snacking?

they will face my wrath!

now you gotta die.

ugh, you came at a bad time.

you just crossed the line.

i understand you are weak.

and you dare to mock me with it?

i'm not here to mock you.

i'm here to help you.

it's time for a new strategy.

what makes you think that could work?

you've never done a single thing that didn't serve yourself.

that was weird.

we already have plans.

i can't wait to eat kimbap and stare at the ceiling.

sounds super boring. i'm so down.

we literally just sat down.

i can handle this. i'm not having a nervous breakdown.

you always say no.

you sound exactly like her.

no. we gotta hide and fix it.

earthy and herby. smells legit to me.

hurry, before someone sees us.

in order to heal a part, we must understand the whole.

you have a lot of walls up.

watch yourself.

they're not even that cute.

i'm gonna throw up.

no, it's too public.

don't eat that!

let's go kill these guys.

hard to say goodbye when we're having fun.

make it stop.

wow. did you really follow us here?

we're not here to fight.

whoa! mind the face.

surprisingly, your plan is working.

it's a lot more serious than i thought.

is that bird wearing a tiny hat?

wow, i wasn't expecting a hug, but ...

i thought the mannequin was gonna be a fun icebreaker. but i see i was wrong.

hey! i just wanna talk.

but first, i wanna talk about those pants.

you were supposed to be dead.

i could've told your friends what you are.

that's none of your business.

i know what it feels like to have them.

is that what you think?

you're not good enough for them.

you know you can tell me. i'll understand.

i'm nothing like you.

denial. i get it.

i'll be here when you're done pretending.

there won't be a next time.

are you a prisoner too?

thanks for having my back.

we keep meeting like this.

i didn't think you liked sharing.

should i tell them?

i'm gonna tell them. eventually.

are you whispering?

your secret's safe with me.

i'm helping myself.

i'm pretty good at reading people. actually, i'm kind of an expert at it.

i just can't shake this feeling that you're keeping something from me.

i'm not keeping anything rom you.

sorry, i sound nuts.

yeah. eternal suffering. sounds fun.

you made me come all the way out here so you could jumpscare me?

i'm glad you'er finally ready to talk.

you could've picked somewhere nicer for a date.

you're so old.

this is strictly a business meeting.

i am a mistake. have been since the moment i was born.

excuse me? i'm everyone's type.

i see why you're single.

see? we'd never work.

go find yourself a better boy.

this one's hopeless.

that's the funny thing about hope. nobody else gets to decide if you feel it. that choice belongs to you.

for what it's worth, i don't think you're a mistake.

i just want you to know i'm here for literally anything you need.

seriously, what is your problem?

not everything is about your insecurities, [name]!

what's with the long faces?

you killed your family.

don't forget about our deal, [name].

i'm kind of a difficult person.

something's wrong.

i knew it was too good to be true.

don't leave!

say you didn't do this. how could you do this?

it was all a lie.

it was real! what we had was real. i know it was.

i just needed you to trust me. that's all.

that's right, i lied to you.

i thought i could fix it all.

thi sis what i am.

why can't you look at me?

why couldn't you love me?

you come here like this?

you can't even fix yourself.

i'm sorry for everything.

i wanted to set you free.

you gave me my soul back.

this feels amazing.

see what you've been missing?

i'm so happy you didn't, like, die.

wow, [name], way to be super literal.

Dr. Ziegler!!

it's honestly nothing. i can deal with it myself.

next time something like this happens, you have to promise to tell me.

you're making a big deal out of nothing. i'll be fine.

how long have you had that?

i'm good at this, you know. patching up wounds.

would you cut it out? i'm trying to help you.

why didn't you tell me you were bleeding?

you didn't have to take that hit for me.

what are you hiding from me?

it's not the worst injury i've ever seen, but it's pretty bad.

how long were you going to hide this from me?

at least let me look at it.

there. it looks much better.

this will help with the pain.

i'm forever in your debt.

i didn't have anywhere else to go.

this wasn't supposed to happen.

is that your blood?

i've patched up nastier wounds than this.

stop squirming! you're going to be fine!

this is bad. this is really bad.

i just need a band-aid and a nap. i'll be fine.

we need to get you to a hospital.

how does it look? be honest.

keep your eyes open, okay? keep looking at me.

it doesn't hurt that bad.

give me your hand. let me look at it.

who taught you how to patch a wound like that?

it's not as bad as i thought it would be, that's for sure.

would you just let me help you? please?

you saved my life.

let me go find my first aid kit. it's in here somewhere.

i'll take care of it. you just sit and rest.

see? that wasn't so bad after all.

i've seen worse.

take two of these and drink some water.

ow! that really hurt!

i've got you, okay? everything's going to be fine.

you're gonna have to take your shirt off.

well... it could have been worse.

it looks worse than it really is, i swear.

roll up your sleeve a little, will you?

does that feel all right?

i didn't even realize i was bleeding.

you could have been killed out there!

give me a second to patch this up.

don't close your eyes. you hear me? stay with me.

i'm not giving up on you just yet.

you still need some time to heal.

i'm right here. i won't leave your side.

thank you for taking care of me.

if you can still hear me, help is on the way!

just squeeze my hand when it starts hurting.

how long have i been out?

let me check for a fever.

did you patch this up?

i've had worse injuries than this.

where did you learn to do that?

take some deep breaths for me.

look at me. you're going to be fine.

hold still! stop moving around so much!

i'll take care of you.

what the hell were you thinking?

where does it hurt?

i'm so used to doing this myself.

lift up your shirt a little so i can see.

lay back down. you're not healed up yet.

you never should have put yourself in harm's way like that.

looks like i've got myself a really good nurse.

will you stay with me while i sleep?

no one's ever helped me like that before.

i would have died had it not been for you.

don't you get it? if you don't let me help you, you'll die.

we have to be quick about this.

where have you been? i've been looking all over for you.

where did you find that?

that wasn't here before.

that's it! i'm leaving!

i came back for you.

do you do this often?

if you didn't do it, who did?

i think we're being watched.

did that painting just move?

the locals say this place is haunted.

follow me, and stay quiet.

we need to get to the bottom of this.

something weird is going on.

i don't like the look of this.

this is the last time i listen to you.

i think you should see this.

there's no service in here.

where did it go? it was right here five seconds ago.

did you hear that?

this place is cursed.

they say someone died in here.

i'm not staying here another second.

do you smell something?

get in here! now!

we're supposed to be the only ones here.

those were footsteps.

someone else is here.

last one out's a rotten egg!

who made that noise?

i don't believe in that stuff.

the light's not working.

my battery is dead.

we should split up.

it's too late!

you came back for me?

is that blood?

no way. i'm not doing this alone.

we need to stick together.

hello? is anyone here?

i'm getting out of here!

the locals don't like this place.

looks like we're stuck here for the night.

that place looks creepy.

i don't like the look of this place.

who made that noise?

i don't believe in ghosts.

i'm getting the hell away from this place.

do you get the feeling we're being watched?

that's impossible.

i'm not going into the creepy basement alone.

what is wrong with you?

hurry! get inside!

there's no such thing as coincidences.

i'm not going first. you go.

any volunteers?

not sure we're supposed to be here.

come on! it'll be fun!

remind me never to come with you.

the door's locked! we're trapped!

hide! in here!

no way. i'll stay right here.

you keep watch.

i can't take another second of this.

are you thinking what i'm thinking?

when did this happen?

it's getting dark. we should camp here for the night.

i've heard stories about this place.

i'm not sticking around to find out.

this is bad. this is very bad.

i thought i lost you!

we need to put an end to this.

do you believe in ghosts?

we shouldn't have come here.

let's try the back door!

oh great. a creepy basement.

you go first.

this was your idea.

i don't want to die!

don't be such a scaredy cat.

where does this door lead?

come out, come out, wherever you are!

how did i let you drag me into this?

remind me never to come back.

that was quick thinking.

so that's it?

nothing's going to happen! trust me!

i can't believe you talked me into this.

you owe me big time.

they told me to stay away.

this isn't what i signed up for.

you never told me this would happen.

trust me. i'll get us out.