Dark and light: The Shadows

Chapter 31

"Bekati, open up, you can't stay in here all day."

I stared at the door from my position on my bed.

"I really don't wanna have to break this very fancy doorknob, but if you don't open it in the next ten seconds, I will."

I closed my eyes and sighed, then unlocked it telekinetically. A wave of dizziness passed that felt good.

Then the smell of food came in as she did. I knitted my brows and buried my face in the pillow.

"Oh, don't do that. Your body needs to heal from all that. Have you showered yet?" Kiruk must have sat on the bed; the weight shifted.

My chest hurt and I've felt more tired than ever. The last time water touched me was in the hospital 4 days ago. And I wasn't quite ready to get in a tub now.

"Interesting."

I looked up confused. She heard me. She nodded and then returned to my table. I looked over and saw a still steaming bowl and a plate of rice. I felt simultaneously nauseous and hungry.

"How do I know you're not trying to kill me?" I squinted at her.

"Well, your throat is already attempting that." She kept a straight face, but I knew she was trying to make me laugh.

"Yeah. True." I sat up with a wince and coughed a bit. "Storm's recovery was much more graceful than this.'

She didn't laugh at my joke, just looked at me with sorry eyes.

"You can laugh, I'm not asking or wanting pity. I know the situations were different. I just wanna get over it." I peeked in my pants.

"Do you gotta change?" She was already in front of me, ready to help me.

I nodded and took her hand, being helped to the bathroom. The only reason I didn't rebut was that getting up hurt, and every other step felt like I was going to drop. The adrenaline they 'accidentally' gave me in the hospital wore out before my actual adrenaline. It was probably the reason I was discharged so early unless Kiruk or Anya had something to do with it.

"We weren't even there, though." Kiruk steadied me on the edge of the toilet seat.

Her phone pinged and she checked it once she handed me a diaper. She offered to help but I would rather not get touched in that area. It was a pain to sit or pee already, with the stitches.

I was worried about the amount of blood present on my previous one, but I had to remind myself it had been 10 hours since the last time.

"Ok, I'm done."

"You don't smell, but wouldn't you like a bath? I can help you with it." She sounded so genuine.

I watched her for a few seconds. When has she ever hurt me?

I nodded and inhaled to stand up, going to wash my hands. The sudden cold water woke up that last strand of sleepiness. I adjusted it to slightly warm and quickly went to wipe my hands once done. Fall months are my favourite, a better excuse for sweaters and all, but downright awful when it came to water temperatures.

We went back to my desk and I took notice that she had her bowl there as well. I never knew if I should be offended or content when anyone decided they'd eat along with me. It was my favourite soup though. I always preferred Asian cuisines and I guess mom suggested this.

"It was Sabrina's suggestion, actually." Kiruk corrected and before I could shoot her a glance, she continued. "I know, I'll stay out of your head, but she felt bad about all this, so she suggested this meal and she'll bring something else this evening... when's the last time you checked your phone?"