Touch My Neck ✓

Chapter Twenty Six | Why do hockey players slide on ice and not DMs?

Angel Huxley Novak

I blink.

I blink again.

I blink for the third time....

My eyes shot open, disoriented and panicked, and it took me a moment to make sense of my surroundings. The sterile white walls of a hospital room, the rhythmic beeping of the monitor by my side, and the sensation of needles and IV lines pierced into my skin finally registered.

Fear gripped my chest as I tried to sit up, only to realise that I couldn't move my legs. My heart pounded loudly in my ears, and I let out a desperate groan. Panic surged through me as I tugged at the IV line, tearing it from my arm in my frantic attempt to get out of the bed.

"Help me!" I screamed, my voice shaking with fear and desperation. "Someone, please help me!" The room felt like it was closing in on me, and I couldn't bear the thought of being unable to move my legs.

The door swung open, and two nurses rushed into the room, followed closely by my father. His face was a mixture of worry and helplessness as he came closer, his hands gently gripping my face in an attempt to calm me down.

"Angel," he said soothingly, his voice trembling with emotion. "You need to calm down and breathe."

I tried to obey his words, taking in deep, shuddering breaths as I fought to regain control over my emotions. My father's presence offered some comfort, but the fear still gnawed at me.

"Dad," I choked out, my voice trembling. "Why can't I move my legs?"

My father's expression twisted with sorrow as he began to explain, "Angel, you overdosed on potassium. It caused severe damage, and... you won't be able to walk." His words hit me like a sledgehammer, shattering my world into a million pieces.

"What...." I whisper out.

The doctor entered the room with a reassuring smile. "I'm glad to see you awake, Angel," he said, his voice calm and gentle.

"Doctor," I began, my voice trembling, "what's happened to me?"

He took a moment to choose his words carefully. "You've caused severe damage to your body due to the potassium overdose. As a result, you've temporarily lost the ability to walk."

Tears welled up in my eyes at his words, but he continued, trying to offer a glimmer of hope.

"But I want you to understand that this isn't necessarily permanent. With proper physiotherapy and rehabilitation, there's a good chance you'll regain the ability to walk. The loss of mobility you're experiencing right now is a side effect of the potassium overdose, but it doesn't have to be a permanent condition."

"Get out!" I shout, "just leave me alone!"

My father and the doctor exchanged a concerned glance. I knew I was lashing out, but the pain and despair were overwhelming.

"Angel," my father began softly, "we understand that you're going through a lot right now, but we're here to support you."

"I don't want your support," I snapped, my voice trembling with anger and sorrow. "I don't want any of this. I just want to be left alone."

Tears streamed down my face as I turned away from them, unable to bear their presence any longer.

I glance over at the wheelchair sat next to the bed, why did I do this to myself? I just wanted to die. I just wanted to stop all of this unbearable pain. I wanted to stop it all. I lean on my side, and begin to think of everything.

Tears welled up in my eyes as my father's warm hand gently rested on my shoulder. I turned to look at him, the lines of worry etched deeply into his face, but his eyes were filled with a mix of understanding and compassion.