You're (Not) My Hero | TomTord

Chapter 16

25 December

Tord started to wake up and immediately wished that he didn't. His head was pounding and every part of his body was sore. A nurse in the room turned to look at him. Her eyes widened and she squeaked, running out. Tord closed his eyes and groaned, taking in his surroundings. There was a desk outside of his room, and his room had a large window. There was a man who was watching Tord, a chair where the nurse was, and his parents were standing next to him.

Oh.

"Tord?" Patryck said. Tord opened his eyes, but didn't look at his father.

"Paul, he's opening his eyes." Tord heard Patryck say. Even in Norwegian, his voice was shaky and cracking. Patryck was whispering. Even though Patryck was a quiet person, he was almost inaudible.

Tord looked at his parents. They looked horrible. Their hair was ruffled, oily, and untamed. Patryck looked frantic while Paul looked sunken. Patryck was shaking, and he looked almost skinnier than before. Paul's eyes looked sunken, as well as he cheeks and collar bones. His eyes were those of tired ones, and the bags under his eyes were prominent. Both of their clothing was wrinkled. Patryck had a firm hand on Paul's shoulder while Paul's mouth hung open.

"Hi," Tord whispered. Tord could see tears forming in both of their eyes.

The nurse walked in with who Tord assumed to be the doctor. He pulled a swivel chair up next to Tord.

"You two, please have a seat," the man gestured at the chairs on the other side of Tord's, against the wall. Paul grabbed both chairs and moved them forward to be next to the bed.

"This will just be short, so I won't be long." he flipped through his clipboard.

"You have two options," he said. "You're going to be taken to a mental health clinic for evaluation. We prefer that you go voluntarily, meaning your choice," he nodded to Tord. "We already have your fathers' signatures. If you refuse to go, there will be a..." he looked away. "I guess you could say a more difficult route of getting to the clinic. There, you'll be evaluated, okay?" He stared at Tord, who felt motionless. Did he want to go? Of course not. He was in this bed for a reason, but if his parents already signed off on it...he had no choice.

"I...I'll go," Tord whispered. The doctor nodded and scribbled something down.

The doctor nodded to Paul and Patryck and handed the nurse something, then left.

"Uh," Tord stumbled. "Hi."

Patryck threw his arms around Tord, surprising him. He hugged him tightly and Tord could feel him holding his tears back.

"Tord, Tord, I love you," Patryck kept whispering over and over.

Tord could feel Paul's hand wrap around his. He looked at his father and saw hurt. True hurt.

"I love you guys," Tord whispered. His parents agreed.