"Good morning, Miss Panlilio. How are you feeling this morning?"
The nurse stepped into the room, her shoes making a soft sound against the floor as she approached the IV stand.
"Morning. I'm okay," I replied.
She checked the IV drip bag, lifting it slightly to inspect the remaining fluid before letting it settle back into place.
"The rain yesterday gave the morning a nice feel," she said.
"Hm. Is that so?"
I turned my head toward the window. The glass still held a few faint trails of water from yesterday's rain, catching the pale morning light.
"Yes." She glanced at me. "Is your body still in as much pain?"
I shook my head.
"Good."
She brought over my medications and handed them to me. I took them one after another, washing them down with water. The moment I swallowed the last one, I stuck out my tongue.
The taste was awful.
I made a face.
The nurse smiled faintly.
"Would you like some bananas with your breakfast?"
I thought about it for a moment before nodding.
"What'd breakfast be?"
I shifted against the bed, adjusting myself until I was sitting more comfortably.
"Oats. You would like it."
She took the cup from me and placed it aside.
"Maybe after breakfast you can go outside for a bit."
With that, she left.
I stared after her for a moment.
"You don't know what I'd like," I sighed.
My attention drifted back toward the window.
The Halo Festival.
The thought surfaced as I heard distant noises outside. They were faint from where I sat, little sounds carried through the morning air. Even from here, the festival seemed to be making its presence known.
I wondered how the mission was going.
I flipped my pillow over and adjusted myself on the bed again.
Then came a knock.
Knock. Knock.
"It's open," I replied.
The door opened, and someone walked in.
A man.
A stranger.
I watched him close the door behind himself.
He wore a dark coat that looked ordinary enough. Nothing about it immediately stood out, but I still found myself watching him carefully.
"Miss Panlilio Karly?"
I straightened slightly in my chair.
"Yes."
The man reached into his coat and produced a folded document.
"Message from the Hall of the Nightjar."
I held out my hand.
He didn't give it to me immediately.
"Because of the nature of the message, I've been instructed to deliver it personally."
My hand remained extended for another moment.
Then I looked up at him.
I lowered it.
"Then say it."
The messenger's expression remained neutral.
"The contract has failed."
My fingers tightened against my side.
"Xiaoyou?"
"Alive."
That was all he said.
I looked toward the wall beside me.
I had expected that possibility.
Knowing it and hearing it were different things.
"The team?"
"Five confirmed losses."
My eyes lifted back to him.
"All five?"
"Yes."
A brief silence followed.
"And Xiaoyou?"
"Alive."
"You already said that."
"I was instructed to make that clear."
I leaned back in my chair.
"Then the contract is being escalated."
"Yes."
The messenger finally placed the document in my hand.
"The original contract is closed. A bounty has been issued."
The paper felt ordinary between my fingers. I unfolded it and glanced over the contents.
"Same conditions?"
"The objective remains the same."
"Dead?"
"Dead."
"No arrest?"
"No arrest."
I nodded once.
"Public declaration?"
"None."
That answer was somewhat satisfying.
At least they weren't making a spectacle of it.
I folded the document again, keeping it in my hand.
"Any additional information?"
"No combat report was authorized for delivery."
My brow furrowed slightly.
"Nothing?"
"Not from me."
I stared at him for a moment, studying his face.
He didn't look uncomfortable. Didn't look nervous. He was simply standing there, waiting.
"Why send someone in person?"
"The contract changed status."
I glanced down at the paper.
"And because you couldn't mail it."
The messenger said nothing.
I exhaled through my nose.
Fair enough.
I looked toward the window again.
The distant sounds from outside reached me once more, faint and indistinct.
"Then I'll find someone else."
"The Nightjar expects you to."
I looked back at him.
"Is that all?"
"That is all."
He gave a small bow.
I returned my attention to the document.
The messenger turned toward the door.
Just before he stepped outside, I spoke again.
"Tell the Nightjar something for me."
He stopped.
"If they find him first, don't send anyone alone."
The messenger glanced back at me.
"I'll pass it on."
He left.
The door closed behind him with a quiet click.
I stared at the document for another few seconds.
Five people.
Five confirmed losses.
Xiaoyou still alive.
And now there was a bounty on Xiaoyou's head.
"Wonderful," I muttered.
"Karly. Are you done talking?"
I looked up.
The nurse had returned with a tray in her hands.
"Ah, yes."
I placed the envelope to the side.
She came over and set the tray in front of me.
"Thank you."
I shifted upright, making room for the tray.
"You're welcome. Be careful. It's hot."
I nodded and picked up the spoon.
The first mouthful was warm.
Milk. Banana. Something sweet.
The taste was much better than the medicine I'd taken earlier.
I swallowed and took another spoonful, my eyes drifting toward the window again.
The festival.
The mission.
The new bounty.
I had to figure out what my next move should be.
My spoon paused briefly over the bowl before I continued eating.
The nurse glanced at me.
I turned toward her but didn't say anything.
She smiled.
"When you're done, we can take a stroll. Maybe you would be able to attend the festival."
I looked back down at my food.
I took another bite.
For the moment, I wasn't really interested in attending the festival.