Days had passed since Tre found the woman. It was little surprise to anyone that she was unresponsive considering the state she was in. In addition to her limbs having been removed completely, her breasts, glutes, and most other muscles in her torso had been carved away. There were heavy signs of sexual abuse as well.
Despite all they did to keep it under wraps, word of the woman had gotten out to the rest of the crew of the Beacon of Solace, but there wasn't much talk, as nobody wanted to speculate on what exactly the woman had been through. Beyond regular status checks, nobody would spend much time in her vicinity except for Estrella.
Tre didn't talk to the woman, much. She simply sat at her bedside in a digital coma, consuming content at an incredible rate in order to keep reality at bay. She would even sleep in the chair instead of in her own room just a few doors down. Somewhere between sleep and digital detachment, Tre was brought back to reality with a glass of apple juice pressed into her face. She looked at Takahashi with confusion.
"Aren't you supposed to be the one that gives her that stuff?" Tre asked with a groggy voice.
"Yes," Takahashi responded, "but this isn't for her." The medic pushed the cup into Tre's chest, forcing her to grab it before it spilled. As soon as the beverage was firmly in her grasp, Takahashi moved to the other side of the woman's bed. "I wouldn't mind the help, though," she said.
"Ugh... My head..." Tre gripped her forehead.
"Yeah, you're dehydrated. Funny how that happens."
"I fucking hate apple juice."
"Do you hate it more than having a headache?" Takahashi asked. Tre didn't answer. "There's water over there. Drink or not, I don't really care." Medic Takahashi didn't mind being short when she was working. Tre rolled her eyes and downed the drink.
