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This was it; time was finally up. Exactly six months since the raid on Arasaka and the removal of the relic. Turns out that Alt was right, after a short recovery period V was back to her old self. Maybe even better than that, it was like she was in the prime of her life. Then, a short three months later, it all went down hill. V lost her sense of taste first, shrugging it off as nothing, then went her smell. This prompted the Aldecaldos to begin searching for a neurological specialist to stop the degradation. They searched all over the NUSA with no success, every doctor just shook them off saying nothing could be done, that V was too far gone. Panam never stopped looking though, holding out hope that there would be someone out there that could fix her friend. Even as V’s condition worsened, they all held out hope. Eventually they had to replace her eyes and ears so V wouldn’t panic when she was checked on. Panam eventually had a specialized infirmary made to house V when she lost her ability to walk and began to lose her memory.
Mitch walked into the makeshift infirmary, “How’s the patient doing today?” Panam looked up at him with tired, defeated eyes.
“Same as every other damn day.” She says roughly, getting up from her bedside vigil, stretching her stiff body. Mitch returns her look sadly shaking his head.
“Maybe we need to cut our losses her Panama, she ain’t getting any better. I know you care about her, hell we all do, but at times like these you need to know when to quit.” He says solemnly placing his hand on Panam’s shoulder.
She shakes him off roughly, “Fuck. That. We are not giving up on her. She is one of the family and we don’t g-“ her rant was interrupted by a rustling from behind her signaling that V was beginning to wake up.
V groaned as she opened her eyes slowly looking around the room, slightly moving away from Panam and Mitch, “Where am I a-and who are you people?” Panam slowly made her way over to the bed, careful not to startle V.
“It’s OK you’re safe, we are your friends and this is your home.” She said, soothing the anxious woman. V relaxed at her words.
“Oh, that’s good, I’m sorry but I don’t remember you two.” She perked up a little, “let’s play a game, I’ll try and guess your names!” Panam turned and looked at Mitch with a sad look, the doctors warned them that V would probably return to a more innocent state as her condition worsened. She turned back to V with a small smile and nodded.
V struggled to sit up but eventually gave up, opting to roll over to look at her guests, “hmmm ok let’s start with you.” She said pointing lazily to Mitch. “I think your name issss…. Samuel!” This gave Mitch a good chuckle.
“Sorry kid, not a Samuel, names Mitch.” He gave her a lazy salute back, “anyways, I gotta get going , lotsa things need to get fixed.” As he left the room, he heard V call out “See you later Sammy!” he wiped away the forming tears as he closed the infirmary door.
V shifted her gaze to Panam, “now you, hmmm, what could your name be?” Rubbing her chin thoughtfully, she could hear a man’s voice quietly in the back of her mind say the name Panam. “Your name is Panam!” This shocked the Aldecaldos leader, she was expecting another Maria or Sophia.
“Yes, that is my name, but how did you know?” she asked quickly leaning closer to V hope filling her heart.
V responded in a whisper, leaning closer, “the devil told me.” She chuckled at herself, relaxing onto her back. “They are calling to me you know.”
“Who, who is calling to you?” Panam asked confused. V simply reached up, seemingly ignoring her.
“My angel with her bright green eyes, the devil with his evil smirk full of warmth and affection, and a spirit I cannot see but his warm voice feels like home. It’s time for me to join them, Panam. Don’t be sad.” V keeps her arm raised but closes her eyes with a smile. The heart monitor on the wall begins to slow its rhythm. Panam panics grabbing onto Vs outstretched hand.
“No, you cannot leave yet! We are almost to another doctor; she can fix you!” Panam cries out tears clouding her vision. V simply shakes her head.
“It’s too late for that now, I’ll be alright. So will you, and the family. It is simply my time to leave.” V whispers as the beeping slows even further before flatlining. Panam screams out for help, banging on V’s chest to try and revive her. Mitch comes running back in to see a sobbing Panam laying over V’s body.
He moves quietly over to her, placing a comforting hand on Panam’s shoulder. She quickly turns around flinging herself into his arms for a tight hug. “It’ll be alright, she’s in a better place now. No more suffering.” He begins to rub her back as she sobs harder into his shoulder.