Pearl stood next to the hospital bed. She silently looked upon her boyfriend as he lay on the bed. Wocky looked back at Pearl before calmly taking her hand.

“Don’t worry Pearls. You know I won’t go down so easily.”

Pearl knew this, but the operation was a risky one. Even though Mr. Kitaki had been able to find a capable surgeon, the operation could easily turn fatal if the slightest mistake was made. She tightened the grip in his hand, showing her obvious worry. Wocky, in response, moved his hand her cheek. He then gave a sheepish smile and winked. Pearl blushed in response as she moved her other hand to his.

“I know you’ll get through this okay.” Pearl said, although it was clear that she was lying.

Just then a nurse walked into the room. She was obviously new at her job, as she seemed surprised to walk in on such a private display of affection. Nevertheless she looked at Pearl after a moment of awkward silence.

“Erm, Ms. Fey…” The nurse started “The operation will be ready momentarily. I’m afraid I have to ask you to leave.”

Pearl looked at the nurse, then back at Wocky. Wocky slowly removed his hand from Pearl; her fingers reluctantly loosened their grasp as his hand retreated back to the hospital bed. Pearl walked toward the door, but turned her head to steal one last glance at Wocky, who smiled and winked in an attempt to calm her fears. Pearl smiled in response and left the room, hoping for the best.

Pearl returned to the waiting room. Pearl checked the clock on the wall of the hospital. It was 7:36. According to what she had heard, Wocky should be done with his surgery next morning. Pearl exited through the hospital through the electronic sliding doors. She shivered as she felt the cold night wind greet her.

*The next morning*

Pearl walked through the hospital door. She was greeted with the sight of Mr. and Mrs. Kitaki holding each other as they sat in the waiting room. A stroke of pain surged in Pearl’s stomach. She approached them, and action she was regretting.

“Excuse me…” Pearl began reluctantly “but is everything okay?”

Mrs. Kitaki looked at Pearl with sad eyes as she replied “It’s Wocky…”

Suddenly the pain of stress that was present in Pearl’s stomach grew.

Mrs. Kitaki continued “He survived the operation, but…” she paused as she had trouble finishing her sentence “…he hasn’t woken up just yet.”

Mr. Kitaki explained “There was a slight…problem during the operation. The operation itself was a success, but Wocky has…gone into a coma-like state.”

Pearl said nothing. She sat down as she slowly processed this information. She felt herself short of breath. Mrs. Kitaki noticed this and sat down beside her and embraced her in a gentle hug. Pearl tried her best to withhold her tears.

Plum Kitaki felt sorry for the girl. Ever since she had entered Wocky’s life, he seemed much happier. After he had lost Atila, Wocky seemed to be in a state of depression. But when he met Pearl his sorrow lifted almost instantly. Not only that, but he seemed much happier with Pearl than he did with Atila. Plum and Winfred had welcomed the girl with open arms, even though they were slightly reluctant at the possible presence of another gold-digger at first. However, Plum eventually concluded that Pearl was an honest, innocent, girl and ever since, Plum had considered her part of the family.

Pearl finally lost herself as she let loose her tears as she lay in Mrs. Kitaki’s arms.

*one week later*

Pearl walked into the hospital. She had been doing this every day for the past week to check on Wocky’s status. Thus far, there seemed to be no improvement. Quite the contrary, as according to the doctors, his condition seemed to get worse.

Pearl didn’t quite feel like talking to the doctor to find out just how much less likely it was that Wocky would wake up. She simply sat down in a waiting room chair as she reflected on their relationship.

When she had first met Wocky she found his speaking manner a bit strange. She quickly looked past that oddity as he showed himself to be rather soft on the inside. Once they had first started dating, Wocky showered her with affection. He had become the prince she fantasized about meeting as a child. She learned that if she was ever in trouble, he would be there for her at the drop of a hat. But now-

“Hmm, yes…what have we here…” an unknown voice said.

Pearl turned her head to see the newcomer. She saw an elderly man who seemed to have very poor hygiene. He had several teeth missing, his hair consisted of a small pink tuft, and he emitted an unpleasant odor. Pearl instantly had a bad feeling about this man.
“Hmm…yes…do you need a physical, young lady?” the elderly man said as he seemed to approach Pearl at an alarming rate. Pearl instantly felt uncomfortable.

“Yo, punk!” said a familiar voice. “What you think you doin’ with my girl”

A nurse suddenly exclaimed from behind the voice “Mr. Kitaki! Please, you’re not supposed to leave your bed!”

Pearl turned towards the new voice. She saw Wocky as he fell to the ground in fatigue, obviously not ready to venture from his bed. Pearl ran towards his fallen body and embraced it in a hug.

“Heh, I told ya Pearls. I don’t go down so easily.” Wocky said as he returned the hug.

“You big idiot” Pearl said as tears of happiness streamed from her face. “I was…so worried. Don’t you…ever do something…like that again.”

The nurse said to the couple “I hate to say this, but Mr. Kitaki has to return to his bed. He needs his rest.”

Wocky protested “Man, I’ve been resting for the past week. Ain’t that enough?”

Pearl looked at Wocky. She seemed quite serious, which told Wocky that it would be best to do as the nurse said. Lest he suffer the wrath of one of her trademark slaps.

Reluctantly, Wocky stood up with the help of Pearl. The two of them made the trek back to Wocky’s room.