We piled into the car, and I instructed the driver to drive straight to the hospital. I needed to check in on Addrion.
Walking into Addrion's room, I was taken aback. Not only was Addrion there, but so were Ronan and Logan, plus another guy with tanned skin and brown eyes.
Hannah lit up at the sight of him, exclaiming, "Larkin, you're back?"
Larkin stood up, his greeting lukewarm, simply saying, "Yeah, I'm back."
"Did you finish the mission?" Hannah prodded.
"Done," Larkin replied, still with that same nonchalant demeanor.
Addrion, spotting me, perked up. "Aaliyah, you're back?"
With a smile, I sauntered over, a pinch of guilt gnawing at my conscience. I had promised to visit Tatyanna when I was back in Goldenvale Town, but I'd dropped the ball.
"Just got back today! Came straight to see you," I said, gesturing for Hannah to set down our big bag of fruit on the coffee table.
"I knew you'd come through!" Addrion chuckled, taking a bunch of grapes from Logan to make room for me. "Grab a seat!"
Logan, looking thoroughly bummed, shuffled over to the bed and flopped down.
I took a seat, and Ronan introduced me to Larkin. I nodded along with a polite smile.
Turning to Addrion, I noted he looked much better and even a bit plumper than before. "Big bro, you're looking good!"
"Being home does wonders. Good food, good sleep, plus top-notch care. The docs say I'll be out of here in no time," Addrion reported, "I should be discharged soon."
I quickly chimed in, "I didn't get a chance to see Tatyanna on this trip."
"No worries, a few days won't make a difference!" Addrion grinned. "Heard you had another brush with death?"
Casting a glance at Ronan, I gave a self-deprecating smirk. "Seems like I'm always racing with the Grim Reaper."
Logan, from his spot on the bed, snorted. "You seem to be a trouble magnet."
Larkin, hearing Logan's comment, gave me a curious look.
"What can I do? It's always something," I shrugged, trying to downplay their concern.
"It's not the thieves in the night that scare you. It's the ones that keep coming back," Logan quipped, then turned to Ronan. "Might as well pair Larkin with Hannah. One in the light, one in the shadows."
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