We talked for a bit longer. Small talk, mostly. Peter told me about the homework I'd be missing. Gwen mentioned something about a group project in History that I'd need to catch up on. Normal school stuff, which felt surreal considering I'd nearly died yesterday.
After a while, they said their goodbyes.
"Get better soon, okay?" Gwen said.
"Yeah, man. We'll come visit again if you want," Peter added.
"Thanks. Really."
They left, and the room felt quieter without them.
Mom smiled at me once the door closed. "They seem like nice kids. I'm glad you're making friends here."
"Yeah," I said. "Me too."
I meant it. Peter and Gwen didn't have to come visit. We'd only known each other for a few hours before everything went to hell. But they showed up anyway. That meant something.
About an hour later, there was another knock on the door. This time it was the doctor. Middle-aged guy with graying hair and a clipboard.
"Good morning, Adam. How are you feeling today?"
"Sore. But better than yesterday."
He nodded, checking something on his clipboard. "We got your test results back. Everything looks good. No internal bleeding, no fractures. You're very lucky, young man."
"So he can go home?" Mom asked hopefully.
"Yes. " The doctor looked at me seriously. "But you need to take it easy. Complete bed rest for at least a week. Your body took significant trauma. The concussion needs time to heal, and those bruised ribs won't get better if you're moving around too much."
"I understand," I said.
"I'm prescribing pain medication and anti-inflammatories. Take them as directed. And if you experience any dizziness, severe headaches, nausea, or blurred vision, come back immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good." He handed Mom some paperwork. "You can take him home once we process the discharge. Should be about an hour."
Mom thanked him, and he left.
As soon as the door closed, Mom's composure cracked. Her eyes got watery and she pressed her hand to her mouth.
"Mom?"
"I'm fine, sweetie. I'm just..." She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm just so glad you're okay. When they called me yesterday, I thought... I thought I'd lost you too. Like your father."
She sat back down in the chair and grabbed my hand again, holding it tight.
"You're not losing me," I said quietly. "I'm right here. I'm okay."
She nodded, sniffling. "I know. I know. I just..." She took a shaky breath. "You're all I have left, Adam. I can't lose you."
"You won't."
She squeezed my hand one more time, then stood up. "Alright. Let me go process your discharge. The sooner we get you home, the better."
"Sounds good to me."
She grabbed her purse and headed out.
It didn't take long. Maybe thirty minutes. Mom came back with a wheelchair and a nurse who insisted I had to use it even though I could walk. Hospital policy, she said.
Whatever. I was too tired to argue.
They wheeled me down to the hospital entrance while Mom went to call an Uber. The fresh air hit my face and it felt amazing after being cooped up in that sterile room.
The Uber pulled up a few minutes later. A gray Toyota. Mom helped me into the back seat, being careful with my ribs, then climbed in after me.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
Mom gave him our address and we were off.
I leaned my head against the window, watching the city pass by. People walking their dogs. Street vendors setting up. Taxis honking. Just another normal day in New York.
Except nothing about my life was normal anymore.
I had a magical armor in my... wherever it went when I dismissed it. A daily login system that promised new rewards every day. And apparently, giant lizard monsters were a thing now.
Yeah. Totally normal.
Mom reached over and squeezed my hand again.
I squeezed back.
At least I still had her.
=====
We lived in a small home in Forest Hills, which was half an hour away from the hospital. When Dad died, we sold our home in Kansas in favor of starting anew here in New York. Though Mom said they'd been planning this move even before Dad got sick, but that happened, so it got postponed.
We were never rich, but we managed to live comfortably in Kansas. Dad had a farm there, but we sold it to pay for his medical bills. Which was all for naught in the end. Thankfully, there was still some money left that allowed us to move here and find a decent home in a decent neighborhood.
The Uber pulled up to our house. A modest two-story with white siding and a small front yard. Nothing fancy, but it was ours.
Mom helped me out of the car, being extra careful with my ribs. Every step hurt, but I gritted my teeth and pushed through it.
"I'll cook your favorite for dinner," Mom said as she unlocked the front door. "You just rest, okay?"
"Sounds good."
She helped me up the stairs to my room. Slow going. Each step felt like climbing a mountain. By the time I made it to my bed, I was exhausted and sweating.
"You need anything?" Mom asked, adjusting my pillows.
"I'm good. Thanks, Mom."
She kissed my forehead. "Call me if you need anything. I'll be downstairs."
She left, closing the door behind her.
I laid back against the pillows, finally alone. Finally able to breathe without someone hovering over me.
Then I remembered. The daily login system.
I focused, and the blue screen appeared in front of me.
[Daily Login Available]
Click to claim today's reward.
There was a button labeled "Login" glowing softly.
I reached out and pressed it.
The screen flashed.
[Daily Login Reward]
You have received One Box of Coca-Cola.
[Redeem]
Huh?
I blinked at the screen.
Coca-Cola? Like... the soda?
Yesterday I got magical armor that could make me superhuman. Today I got... a box of soda?
What kind of reward system was this?
I stared at the screen, waiting for it to change. Maybe this was a joke. Maybe the real reward would show up in a second.
But no. It just stayed there.
A box of Coca-Cola. An entire box. Not even my favorite soda. I was more of a Pepsi guy.
I pressed the Redeem button anyway, half expecting another weapon or piece of armor to materialize.
Instead, a cardboard box appeared on my bed with a soft thump. Twelve cans of Coca-Cola. Regular Coca-Cola. Nothing special about it. Just... soda.
I picked up one of the cans. It was cold, like it had just come out of a fridge. The condensation was already forming on the aluminum.
"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered.
Was this system random? Or was there some kind of pattern I wasn't seeing? Maybe the rewards varied in quality. Sometimes you got amazing things, sometimes you got... groceries.
I cracked it open and took a sip. It tasted like regular Coca-Cola.
Nothing magical about it. Just carbonated sugar water.
Great.
There goes my path to being overpowered, of course it would have limits.
I should have expected it. Nothing in life came that easy. Tomorrow I might get another soda for all I know.
I sighed. At least I have the armor.