Stoupající

7

It has been five days since I have left the infirmary. The nausea stopped after day two, thank god; all that remains is a splitting headache and slight dizziness. Surprisingly, I also got a couple of nights of sleep. It is almost like Eric is – dare I even say it – considerate of my situation. Since that first night after leaving the infirmary he has not taken home any women.

Eric himself is heeling just fine. He abandoned his crutches after three days and if it weren't for the bandage he still wears under his trousers one would never guess that he is injured.

I adjust the pillow beneath my head and switch on my television. Though watching TV does not really help my head get better, I have no idea what else I should do to occupy myself. I have been trying to reach Christina for the last three hours in order to ask her to help me take another shower but she is awfully busy at the tattoo parlor and won't even answer the phone.

I am in the middle of contemplating whether to just ignore Will's instructions and shower on my own when a dull bumping noise resonates from the other side of the wall.

"Fuck," I hear Eric groan a moment later. "Do that again, baby."

I bury my head against my pillow and whine softly. I guess my luck had to run out at some point.

Seems like I am going to take that shower after all. At least the water will drown out any noise from next door.

I slowly get up, ignore the oncoming wave of dizziness, and make my way toward the bathroom.

I strip off my clothes before stepping inside the shower stall and turning on the water.

Standing beneath the hot spray I close my eyes. God, there is nothing more relaxing than a warm shower. And this time, I can fully enjoy it. Letting Christina help me was one of the weirdest experiences of my life. Even though she is my best friend and I have been in Dauntless for almost a year now, letting someone see my naked body still feels wrong to me.

I open my eyes in order to look for my shampoo but am overcome with an overwhelming feeling of dizziness again. I begin to sway and take a step forward to reach the wall – and next thing I know I slip and fall. I am able to bring my arms up to protect my head but land hard on my tailbone, my left shoulder banging against the wall.

Searing pain shoots from my shoulder joint down my arm and I yelp.

Sitting on the floor of the shower stall, water still pattering down on my head, I gasp for breath, my heart pounding hard and fast against my ribs.

When my heart rate returns to normal and my head no longer spins I try to get up – and almost scream in pain. My lower back and ass feel bruised, making any movement unbearable, and I can't move my left arm.

I am not able to get out the shower alone.

I ponder whether to just remain sitting here until my friends come find me but then sigh in defeat. The water is already getting colder, making my teeth chatter. There is only one solution, only one person able to help me now.

I close my eyes and shake my head. And here I thought showering with Christina's help was the most uncomfortable situation I ever had to endure.

I take a deep breath and then open my eyes again. There really is no other option.

"Eric!"

It comes out as a weak croak and I clear my throat before trying again.

"Eric! ... ERIC!"

At first, I can't hear anything thanks to the still running water.

"Stiff?" his voice sounds dull, like he is standing in front of my apartment door.