Bruce POV
The hospital room had finally settled into a calm quiet. The hallway lights flickered softly from outside, casting faint golden strips across the floor.
The machines in the room hummed quietly beside my bed, blinking in rhythm with my heart beat.
Jackie laid on the couch nearby, legs stretched out and jacket folded behind his head like an additional pillow.
He looked relaxed, but I could tell from the occasional twitch of his fingers that he wasn't asleep—just thinking.
"Jackie?" I softly called.
"Hmm?" Jackie opened one eye lazily. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Just… wondering something."
Jackie sat up slowly, rubbing his neck. "Alright. Hit me."
"…What do you do? Like, for a living." I asked, because it has been bothering me.
I need to find out if it's actually like the Jackie Chan Adventures series or this is some other word
Jackie chuckled as he sat forward "I'm an archaeologist. Sort of. It's not all maps and ancient languages. I work with museums sometimes, but I spend most of my time out in the field—tracking down lost artifacts, studying ruins, solving puzzles that are a thousand years old, and occasionally running from angry locals or cursed traps."
My eyes lit up. "Seriously?" looks like it is similar to Jackie Chan Adventures
Jackie grinned. "Seriously. It's not always glamorous. But it's real adventure." I leaned forward slightly and asked "Do you work alone?"
"Not always," Jackie said, resting his chin on his hand. "Sometimes I get called in by governments or historical societies. I've teamed up with a few other adventurers now and then. Like Indy."
I blinked because my mind short circuited for a second 'It can't be' but without thinking I just blurted it out. "Wait. Indiana Jones?"
"Yeah," Jackie said casually. "You've heard of him?" he asked with surprise
"Yeah, but It's just hard to believe He's real?" I tried to sound surprised without sounding too surprised.
Jackie laughed. "Oh, he's very real. Last I saw him, he was halfway through climbing a cliff in Morocco with one arm in a sling and still yelling about how 'this doesn't belong in a private vault.'"
I was stunned but pushed further "How old is he?"
"Late thirties, I think," Jackie said. "Still going strong. He doesn't like help unless it's life or death. Bit of a lone wolf. But he knows his history better than most of the professor I've met."
I was quiet for a moment, awe washing over me. So, Indiana Jones is out there. Alive. Adventuring. Right now.
Jackie noticed my silence and nudged, "You okay?"
"Yeah," I murmured. "I think… I used to admire you. You and guys like Indy. Something deep in my gut tells me that."
Jackie gave him a softer look. "That's a nice thing to hear." There was a small pause but I broke it by asking "Uh… Jackie…. how old am I again?" I asked sheepishly while scratching me head.
Jackie blinked but answered with a look of realisation "You're Fifteen. You just turned fifteen a couple weeks ago. Right before the accident."
"And you?"
"I'm twenty-five."
"Uncle?"
Jackie snorted. "Depends on who you ask. He says thirty-nine. Everyone else says early forties."
Laughing under my breath, I replied "He doesn't age. He just marinates in tea and irritation." And Jackie burst out laughing. "That's exactly it."
The two relaxed into a more comfortable silence before my voice turned a little more hesitant but still I had to ask "What about my parents?"
Jackie's smile dimmed slightly, a shadow of sadness crossing his face. "Your dad's name was Liwei Chan, Uncle's younger brother. He moved to America about five years ago with your mom started an antique business. Small, but honest. They dealt in rare cultural pieces, historical items. Never touched anything illegal or fake."
"My mom too?" Jackie nodded and continued "Her name was Mei Xian Chan and she was very smart and sharp".
"She could spot a forged inscription from across a room. She handled the paperwork and the clients. Your dad loved the chase and locating items, tracing leads. She kept it all grounded."
Slowly nodding I replied "They sound like good people."
"They were," Jackie said softly. "And they loved you. A lot."
"I wish I remembered them," I murmured.
"You don't have to remember everything," Jackie gently reminded. "Memories can come back. But even if they don't, you've still got people who care about you."
I've always found myself drawn by Jackies positive approach no matter the situation
I glanced at him and asked "Like you?" and Jackie gave a warm smile. "Yeah. Like me. And Uncle."
There was another beat of silence, and then Jackie casually tossed me a small snack packet from his bag and I caught it with ease. "Before Uncle comes back tomorrow and says we're violating your recovery with unclean energy."
With a small laugh. "Thanks, Jackie."
"Alright," Jackie said, reclining again. "You need to rest. Doctor's orders."
"I'm not even tired," tearing open the wrapper I started eating the chips "That's what everyone says before they pass out," Jackie replied, eyes already closing.
"Goodnight, Jackie."
"Goodnight, Bruce."
But I didn't sleep.
Finishing the chips and drinking some water, I laid still under the hospital sheets, eyes tracing the shapes of shadows above.
'So… this is real. Jackie's real. Indy is real. I'm really in a world where the people I admired from my old life are out there, doing the things I could only dream about.'
'I'm fifteen years old. With a healthy body.'
'A second chance, New life.'
My fingers curled slightly under the blanket.
'I don't know what happened to this Bruce Chan. I don't know why I was given this chance. But I won't waste it.
I'm going to live a life that honour's both of us.
And I'm going to become more than just another adventurer.
I'm going to walk beside legends… and one day, become one.'
For the first time since waking up, a real sense of calm settled into my chest. My eyes finally began to close—not out of exhaustion, but from quiet determination.
-----END-----
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