Healing echos

Chapter four

Ray woke up with a horrible headache. When he looked around, he realized he was alone; Sand and the others had already left. "Hello?" he shouted into the empty room, his voice echoing off the sterile walls. "Can anyone hear me?" he tried again, his voice tinged with desperation. "Sand?"

He attempted to move his legs to get up out of bed, but no matter how much strength or force he applied, his legs wouldn't budge. Panic set in as he realized the gravity of his situation. He started shouting, hoping to gain the attention of a nurse or doctor. "HELP! SOMEBODY, HELP!"

His cries grew louder and more frantic as the seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. "Please, someone, help me!" Ray's voice was hoarse with fear and frustration.

Finally, the door swung open, and a nurse rushed in, followed closely by a doctor. "Mr. Ray, please calm down," the nurse said soothingly as she approached his bed.

Ray's eyes were wide with terror. "I can't move my legs. What's happening to me?"

The doctor stepped forward, his expression calm but serious. "Ray, you need to try to relax. We're going to check you over and figure out what's going on. Can you tell me if you feel any sensation at all in your legs?"

Ray shook his head, tears of fear and frustration streaming down his face. "No, I can't feel anything. What's wrong with me?"

The doctor nodded, signaling the nurse to begin a quick examination. "It's possible that you're experiencing temporary paralysis due to the trauma from the accident and the concussion. We're going to run some tests to understand more. Try to stay calm; we're here to help you."

The nurse placed a reassuring hand on Ray's arm. "We're going to take care of you, Ray. We'll find out what's causing this and work on getting you better."

Ray took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. The panic subsided slightly, replaced by a determined focus. "Okay, please... just help me."

The doctor nodded. "We're on it. Just hold tight, and we'll get you through this."

As the medical team began their examination, Ray closed his eyes, trying to muster all the strength he could find. He thought of Sand, his boyfriend who had been by his side. He had to get through this, not just for himself, but for him too.
———-

On the way back to the hospital, all Sand could think about was the lie he had been living. The guilt gnawed at him, intensifying with every step closer to Ray's room. Mew was right—Sand needed to be honest with Ray. But how could he possibly start that conversation? How could he say, "Hey, I'm not actually your boyfriend. I just lied to you"?

His thoughts were a chaotic mess, filled with regret and fear. He knew that continuing the lie would only make things worse, but the prospect of confessing was terrifying. What if Ray hated him for it? What if this revelation caused more harm than good?

As Sand entered the hospital and made his way to Ray's room, he took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. The closer he got, the more he realized that honesty was the only way forward. Ray deserved the truth, no matter how painful it might be.

He paused outside Ray's door, hearing muffled voices inside. Taking another deep breath, he opened the door and stepped in, finding Ray surrounded by doctors and nurses. Ray's eyes met his, filled with a mixture of fear and relief.

"Sand," Ray said, his voice strained. "I can't feel my legs."

Sand's heart sank, but he forced himself to stay composed. "Hey, Ray. The doctors are going to figure this out, okay? They're here to help."

The doctor looked up at Sand, nodding slightly. "We're running tests to determine the cause of the paralysis. We'll know more soon."

Ray nodded weakly, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "I'm scared, Sand."