It is somewhat late in New York, as the sky is pitch black and the streets are fairly quiet. We transition to the local hospital, back to Dragana’s room. The former Women’s Champion is lying in bed with her head slightly raised upward. Her eyes are barely open, getting sleepy watching television. The program currently is a local troupe performing their rendition of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Dragana turns over to see Johnny Law on a chair with his head tilted back, asleep. His hand is holding hers. She tightens her grip on his hand and closes her eyes, letting out a sigh. She turns her head back to the television, grunting in pain.
Dragana: Unh…...
The play is at its final moments, with Hamlet dying in the arms of Horatio. He gives his famous last words.
Hamlet: ….The rest is silence.
He then drops to the floor, dead. Dragana’s eyes peer downward, staring blankly at her blanket. She closes her eyes and repositions herself slightly in bed, her left hand still holding Johnny’s hand and her right hand favoring her ribs.
The door opens softly and a figure steps into the room. Johnny and Dragana open their eyes to find Aerith standing by the door.
Aerith: How is she?
Johnny: Besides being broken?
Aerith: Johnny… Neither of us need this, so please leave.
Johnny looks to Dragana as if seeking permission before he leave, slowing as he passes Aerith.
Johnny: I'll be watching you.
Aerith: That's fine…
She shakes her head as Johnny leaves before taking up the seat he was previously occupying.
Aerith: Hey…
Dragana doesn't really respond, Aerith purses her lips and gently places a hand on the silent warriors shoulder.
Aerith: Cheer up, not everything or everyone is invincible, we all take a kicking from time to time…
Dragana glances over, a wince tickling her face.
Aerith: Sorry.
Aerith reaches for a pillow and moves towards Dragana with it before slipping it into the bed with her.
Aerith: That oughta help a little. Look...We all fall down from time to time, you'll heal up, come back, snap Valkyrie in half, send Blaine back to the men's division, become women's champion again and then, if you want, you can beat me again. After all, it's what you do best. Right?
Dragana: Haha…
Dragana lets out a small laugh but she recoils in pain, tending to her ribs.
Dragana: Ah…..
After repositioning herself in bed again, Dragana looks at Aerith and smiles. A moment passes and her smile fades a bit, tilting her head up slightly toward Aerith.
Aerith: I’m all right….I think. It’s hard not to think about it most days. You’re the first person I’ve talked to since it happened.
Aerith looks at the window introspectively.
Aerith: I just couldn’t bear to say anything. To anyone. I was afraid to even mutter a single word. Just paralyzed with fear sometimes.
Aerith turns back to Dragana.
Aerith: Is that what it feels like for you?
Dragana lowers her gaze and sighs. She leans forward slightly and reaches out toward Aerith, all while gritting her teeth due to the pain. Aerith leans closer to Dragana and gives her a hug. Dragana pats her on the back a few times and lets out a deep breath. The scene fades.
