It's Not Magic

Fifteen

I woke up so silence, the white ceiling staring back at me. Blinking a couple times, I momentarily forgot where I was until my hands touched the edge of the comforter that was pulled halfway between my neck and my chest. Pulling the plush blanket to my chin, I sighed, closing my eyes once more. I would've curled up in a ball, but even shifting slightly sent a jolt of pain through my ribs.

My other cuts had healed nicely, only a thin scab remained across the side of my neck, and where I'd been stabbed with the knife right above my knees. Since the injuries were still somewhat knew on my knees, they were kind of weak, and the doctor had had me do tiny bits of exercise so the muscles wouldn't grow stiff. I'd even walked a little, but not a whole lot, due to my ribs being injured and all. But if I didn't do the stretches, my knees would get stuff, and I felt like I was going to fall on my face when I stood.

Taking a deep breath, I flinched, quickly exhaling the air I'd breathed into my lungs. A natural and necessary function like breathing shouldn't have a restriction like this. It was honestly annoying.

There was a knock on the door, and turning my head, I was able to watch the door open slightly, Kane's eyes visible on the other side. "Matthews?" He asked.

"Kane?" I asked in return, forgetting his last name.

He blinked. "I was just checking to see if you were awake."

I rolled my eyes. "I think I'm awake," I told him, throwing the comforter off of me. Slowly sitting up, I flinched as I strained myself, pushing on my arms to support my body.

"Do you need any help?" He asked, opening the door so he could step inside, ready to help if I needed it.

I shook my head, my eyes squeezed shut. "Nope, I think I'm okay at the moment."

As my feet touched the ground, I felt them buckle, having gone stiff overnight. My knees collapsed, and I felt myself reaching for something to hold onto. "Shit," I muttered, trying to grab anything to keep me from hitting the ground. I felt something wrap around me, hitting my ribs, making me let out a small cry, pulling me upward, and before I could comprehend what exactly just happened, I was staring into Kane's silver eyes.

"I wouldn't call that okay," he commented, his voice level, no hint of a smile on his face.

My breathing somewhat heavy, I forced myself to calm down, causing myself way too much pain in my chest. The pain in my chest becoming too much, I closed my eyes and bent my head, my hand coming up to rest on my chest. It hurt. Everything hurt. And I couldn't get it to go away. What was happening?

"Matthews?" He asked, confused.

"Hurts," I managed, still in the same position.

"You should probably take some of that pain medication the doctor prescribed," Kane suggested, the wheelchair suddenly moving.

I didn't open my eyes until the wheelchair stopped, my hand not moving from my chest, my palm pressing against it slightly. Kane was searching for something on the counter, and after what seemed like minutes, he went over to the fridge, and was in front of me again, holding an open bottle of water, and two pills in his other hand.

"Take this," he said, holding out the pills a little farther. With my other hand, I reached out, my hand shaking as the pain in my chest pounded, like my heart was trying to escape, taking my whole ribcage with it. My hand shaking, I slowly grabbed the pills and brought them to my mouth, Kane watching my hand in case I dropped them. Once I put the pills in my mouth, I took the bottle of water and brought it to my lips, drinking from it. Swallowing the pills, I handed the water back to Kane. My hand was still shaking as I brought it back towards my chest, my body relaxing slightly as my breathing leveled out.