Strongest Maniac: Born in an Asylum

Inside the hospital room, Leo and Walter stood by One-Eye's bed, watching as the doctors wheeled him away.

They looked at each other.

"I feel terrible," Walter said glumly, tears welling in his eyes. "He was a good person, and I wanted to help him grow his eye back. But on the twelfth needle, I hesitated. I couldn't find the right spot, so I just jabbed randomly. I wasn't focused. I really regret it."

When a mental patient feels remorse, they don't hide it. Their emotions are raw and immediate. Happy is happy. Sad is sad. It's all there on the surface, plain to see.

Leo put an arm around Walter, patting his back comfortingly. "Don't be sad. Let's just go to sleep."

"Okay. I'm a little sleepy," Walter said, rubbing his eyes. Leo's comfort had eased his sorrow, and a wave of drowsiness washed over him. Waking up in the middle of the night was just too much for him.

"Time for bed!"

"Time for bed!"

They lay down on their beds, pulled up the covers, turned their heads, and smiled at each other.

"Good night!"

They closed their eyes and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

The night was quiet. Mark Zhang held his breath, terrified of the two sleeping patients. He knew they were good people, but they were still mental patients.

The red light of the emergency room continued to flash. A team of dedicated doctors, bathed in the holy glow of the operating lights, worked tirelessly to save One-Eye. Though the night was deep and others were asleep, they would not rest. Saving the life before them was more important than sleep.

March 4th.

Early Morning.

A light rain fell outside. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, and the air was cool and damp.

Leo and Walter woke up, rubbing their eyes and yawning. They had slept soundly. They looked at each other and broke into bright smiles.

"Good morning!"

A simple exchange, but it held the weight of their lonely friendship. Everyone else saw them as madmen, but they saw each other as their best and only friend.

One-Eye had been awake for a while. He had been in the emergency room since dawn, surrounded by a team of doctors. His vital signs were stable, but his brainwave activity was a major headache for them. The chief surgeon, who had saved Leo countless times, was stumped. With all my experience, I can't figure out what's wrong with this one-eyed man. Why won't he wake up? What's going on in his head?

In the end, it was One-Eye himself who, through sheer force of will, managed to open his eyes and calmly state, "I'm fine."

He had been awake since that moment, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Why did I have to keep pushing it with them? Am I some kind of masochist? Clearly not. But he had been poked twice and still hadn't learned his lesson. He just had to go for a third time.

He now knew that the wire Leo had brought back was intended for electro-therapy. He was lucky he was a powerful individual and could withstand the current. Otherwise, he would have been wheeled out of the ER and straight into the morgue. His colleagues from the special department would have rushed to the funeral home, laid a wreath on his coffin, and then planned their next activity. Maybe we should go for karaoke? Let's sing a round of "Wishing You a Smooth Journey."

Walter walked over to One-Eye's bed and apologized. "I'm so, so sorry. Last night was my fault. I really didn't mean it. Actually, I should have told you. It was going to be a success, but on the twelfth needle, I forgot where to poke. If you give me another chance, I'm sure I can help you."

"Are you still willing to believe in me?" he pleaded. "Just like he does. He always believes in me."

Walter's expression was sincere. He had deeply reflected on his mistake and hoped One-Eye would trust him one last time.

Hearing these words, One-Eye slowly turned his head. His impassive gaze met Walter's. His face was a mask, his eyes devoid of any emotion. He just stared.

He didn't want to say a word, but his meaning was clear. Please disappear from my sight immediately. Don't ever show your face in front of me again. I'm afraid I'll lose control and smash your stupid head in. I, a leader of the special department, one of the strongest in Seaside City, have been defeated by you three times. You should be proud.

And you still want to try again? Do you want to kill me? Is that what would make you happy?

Leo stood beside Walter and looked at One-Eye. "What he said is true," he said earnestly. "I think you should give him a chance."

One-Eye stared silently at the two of them. Then, he stood up. The temporary paralysis in his leg had healed. His head, however, was now completely bald. According to the doctors, they had been about to perform a craniotomy on him. They had just shaved his head when he woke up. It was a stroke of luck. If he had woken up during the surgery, it would have been very awkward.

He walked past Leo and Walter and opened the window. The rain fell in a dreary drizzle outside. He took a deep, cool breath, then nimbly climbed onto the windowsill. He gripped the window frame and turned his head, his face a blank canvas.

"You win," he said. "Goodbye."

"No... not goodbye. Never see you again."

With that, One-Eye leaped out of the window.

Just as he had said: If I trust you one more time, I'll jump off this building.

Now, I've fulfilled your wish. It's my own fault. I knew you were mental patients, yet I still tried to understand you. I brought this on myself.

"AHHHH!"

The nurse at the door saw One-Eye jump and collapsed to the floor, her face pale with terror. A heart-wrenching scream tore from her throat.

"DOCTOR..."

"A patient just committed suicide by jumping out the window!"

Leo and Walter leaned out the window, looking down below and waving.

One-Eye landed softly on the ground and slowly stood up. He looked up at the twelfth-floor window and saw Leo and Walter. He raised a finger and wagged it back and forth, as if to say, You've got guts. I admit defeat.

Then he pulled out his phone, sent a message, and disappeared into the misty rain.

Green Mountain Asylum.

Director Hess looked at the message he had just received.

One-Eye: You're a crafty one!

Director Hess sipped his goji berry and red date tea and scratched his head.

What a strange message.

Oh well. He would just drink some more of his body-nourishing tea and relax. Without the patient from Room 666, life was so peaceful.

In the hospital room.

Leo and Walter looked at each other, a little sad.

"He didn't say goodbye to us."

"So, he doesn't see us as friends."

"It seems we've always been just the two of us."

"Let's drink some Sprite."

"I want a Coke."

They sat on the side of the bed, swinging their legs and drinking their sodas. But the taste was wrong, and they frowned as they forced it down.

The doctors, hearing the screams, rushed over. They saw that One-Eye was gone. They asked a terrified Mark Zhang where he had gone.

He jumped out the window. But there was no body below.

When Vice Director Lee heard the news, he almost cursed out loud. A patient just ran out on the bill!

He immediately called the asylum.

"Director Hess, old friend, the one-eyed man you sent over ran off after we treated him. When can you settle the medical fees with us? You know our hospital is having a bit of a hard time. I hope you can understand."

Although Vice Director Lee had blocked Director Hess on social media, he was still very polite on the phone. After all, he still had to eat. The act had to go on.

Director Hess: "Don't know you. Wrong number."

Beep... beep... beep...

The line went dead.

"SON OF A BITCH!" Vice Director Lee roared at his phone. "That shameless bastard!"