𓋇JON'S POV 𓋇
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The first thing I experienced after waking up was a familiar...yet unexpected noise. The second thing I experienced was a wave of pain hitting me right in the forehead. I groaned in pain, trying to sit up in my white bed. I blinked my eyes open, my vision taking a moment to steady itself. I looked around in confusion, dazed and aching all over. I noticed all the wires I was attached to, as well as the steady beeping of a heart monitor in the background. It dawned on my that I was in the hospital, though for a moment I didn't know why. My brain was fuzzy. Everything was a blur.
"Oh, you're awake."
I jumped at the unfamiliar voice, turning my head to look at its source. A tall, lanky man with dark hair stood in the doorway, one of his hands propping the door up as if he had just walked in. He steadily approached my bed, sitting down in a chair beside it. All I could do was watch in confusion.
"I'm...I'm sorry, do I know you?" I asked.
The man shook his head.
"No I uh...I don't think you do," he responded, "I found your car upside down in a ditch on the side of the road. I managed to get you out and brought you here."
My brows furrowed as I took in this information. It was all beginning to come back to me: the tornado, losing control over my car. I looked at the man, a sense of gratitude washing over me.
"So you...you saved my life," I noted breathlessly. Suddenly, I felt panic strike my heart. I looked to the kind stranger desperately. "But my pets!! Where's my cat and dog!?"
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, bracing myself for whatever news he had to share with me.
"I took them to the vet," he explained, "they both needed surgery, but the vet says they'll be fine."
I heaved a massive sigh of relief, letting the tension leave my muscles. I brought my hand up to rub my forehead, only to feel the cold metal bits grafted into my skin. Stitches. I looked back to the man who saved my life, not knowing what to say. Rather embarrassingly, I felt like tearing up.
"Thank you...thank you so much for saving me and my pets," I said, "how can I ever repay you?"
The man simply gave an awkward chuckle, bringing his hand up to rub the back of his neck. He gave me a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Eh, don't worry about it. It's- it's not a big deal."
"Well still...thankyou."
I lied back in my bed, trying to ignore the pounding headache. There was silence between me and the stranger for a while, filled only by the noises of hospital machinery. I hummed, sparing a glance towards the tall man sitting at my bed side. I figured that he shouldn't be just a stranger...after all, he did save my life.
"What's your name?"
The man looked up abruptly with a 'hm?', as if surprised that I had asked him. He cleared his throat.
"Once," he answered simply, "what's yours?"
I raised my eyebrows. Once was certainly a peculiar name...one that I had never heard of before. But oh well. It didn't matter. Perhaps it was a family name? Or had some deeper meaning? Whatever the reason for the name, though, it wasn't my place to judge.
"Jon," I replied with a small smile, "Jon Arbuckle."
Once extended his hand over the bed for me to shake. I took it.
"It's nice to meet you, Jon."
"It's nice to meet you too."
❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜
Thankfully, it wasn't too long before I was discharged from the hospital. I had managed to come out of the crash with just a mild head injury and concussion, which considering my luck as of late was a nice change of pace. I was even more fortunate that I had been discovered and rescued by Once. During the time that I was held in the hospital, Once had recounted the horrible fate of my car. He told me how he rescued me and my pets just in the nick of time. It was a bit of a haunting thought to think that if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be alive. However, that only made me all the more grateful.
Once came to pick me up as soon as I was discharged. I knew the plan; he said that he was going to take me to the vet to pick up Garfield and Odie and then he would take us home. I had tried to deny the offer, of course. Once had already done enough for me. But, he insisted. The last part of the plan I wasn't too sure of. The thought of going back home sent a shiver down my spine. All the memories..the heartbreak..all of it was there. Of course I could ask him to take me to my mom's house, but that was embarrassing. I felt so helpless. I hated the feeling. Besides..I had lost all my things as well. Yet I showed no signs of my mental turmoil as Once led me out of the hospital.
"So uh...where exactly are we?" I asked as we walked through the hospital's automatic doors. Once scratched is head.
"I think the sign said Whoville," he mused.
I squinted my eyes as we walked out into the sunlight. The light hurt so bad. I brought my hand up to block the scalding sun, casting a shadow over my eyes. Right...concussions tended to do that to you.
As soon as my eyes stopped screaming in pain, I was able to notice the layout of Whoville. The architecture was unlike anything I had seen before. The houses and businesses were all constructed in organic shapes, the windows as well. They were all brightly colored. I couldn't help but let out a breath of awe. It was amazing! All of the colors and the layout reminded me of something I would've seen had I been transported to Candyland. I couldn't help but question whether or not I had actually woken up. I brought my hand to my arm, pinching myself. The pain was sharp, and definitely real.
I glanced at Once, who was looking at me with an excited smile.
"Isn't this place beautiful? I've never seen anything like it!"
I nodded my agreement, squinting as I continued to try and view the fantasy-like town. I could feel a full pain gnawing at my skull. All the light and the bright colors were giving me a headache.
"Well come on," Once coaxed after a moment, "We've gotta get your pets."
"Right."
I followed Once along the swirling sidewalks. I came to notice that the residents of this town were just as unique as the architecture. They wore their hair in crazy styles, almost as if their hair was an art form. It all reminded me of a Picasso piece. I found myself wondering why I had never heard of this town, especially since it was on the way to my parents' house.
Once slowed to a stop as we began to approach a...wagon. Once placed his hand upon the fabric of the wagon, which was littered with sown in patches of peculiarly patterned fabric. I tilted my head in confusion.
"You...travel by wagon?"
"Yep," Once said, smacking the side of it with a proud smile on his face, "Its a little old fashioned, I'll admit, but I feel like it really gives you the full travel experience! Plus it saves on gas money. Totally for those reasons and not because I can't afford a car-" He stopped himself, giving an awkward chuckle.
I raised my eyebrows. It was a little strange, sure, but it piqued my interest. In fact, every single thing about this man was confusing, yet curiosity inducing. I couldn't help but find myself wanting to know more about him. Like where did he come from? Where was he going?
I approached the wagon as Once took his spot in the driver's seat. I paused in my steps, staring at the donkey for a moment. He gave me the most judgemental stare I've ever seen from a donkey. It reminded me of Garfield.
I shook my head and walked the rest of the way to the wagon. Once held out his hand for me. Slightly surprised at the gesture, I took it and he helped me up. I settled towards the back of the wagon, sitting criss cross apple sauce among his poorly organized things.
I let out a breath, lacing my fingers together. I was anxious to see the condition of my pets, but for some reason, even more anxious for what would happen afterwards. But it didn't matter, not now. I just remained silent as we moved forward.