Paralyzed (on hold)

Chapter 3

Zane's POV - you'll find out who he is soon

I stare at his bed, the one just next to mine, in the cold and dreary hospital ward. You would have thought that they would make the children's ward a bit more colourful, but no - it's exactly the same shade of white as the entire hospital.

I haven't said anything thing since they told me - I could never find the right words. They told me that a new person would come to the ward today, they would stay in his bed. They tried to get me to speak with a phycologist, saying it would help me in my fragile state but I refused.

Staring at his bed I feel a pang in my chest, I shouldn't be feeling so sad, we all knew it was happening - his condition was getting worse and there was nothing they could do to save him. That the thing about cancer, it tears the body apart and nobody has found a way to put it back together again.

My train of thoughts is interrupted when a loud and excited voice breaks the silence that had enveloped the ward.

"What! There is? And it's signed! YOU NEED TO GET IT - LIKE NOW!" A girl screams as she is pushed past the rows of beds.

The boy next to her just laughes and tells her "I already got it - now calm down,"

"How can I calm down there is a new book - and it's signed ! And you got it? Did you bring it? Can I see it?"

"I did get it, but I didn't bring it - but I did bring you your other books," he adds hastily as he sees the angry glare she is sending his way.

I decide that this is my opportunity to speak "If you wouldn't mind some people are trying to mourn here, so could you please keep it down." The long break of not using my voice has made it dry and croaky as I speak. To my surprise the girl answered me with kindness.

"I'm sorry, we didn't know - we'll keep it down now."

"What?" I say in utter confusion.

"I said I was sorry I didn't know, and if you don't mind me asking - who died?"

"But why are you being so nice?"

"I know what it's like to deal with loss," she says simply.

"Oh. And it was one of my best friends - cancer."

"What a horrible way to go, by the way my name is Charlotte, and I can't use my legs anymore - but I'm fine and you are...?"

"Zane, and how are you alright if you can't use your legs?"

"Oh I had a long time to think about it when I was sitting in my hospital bed for four hours because doctor Raynold was late to work." As she said the last part she raised her voice so that doctor Raynold - who was coming into the ward could hear her complain. Even though she said she was fine I could see the hurt behind her eyes as she was talking.

I'm not surprised by what 'Doctor' Raynold did - I mean I don't understand how he got the qualifications to be a real doctor, he must be a fake. As he walks up to Charlotte's bed, he says, "I wasn't late for work - I just forgot about you."

"Like that's any better," we both day at the same time. We immediately look at each other

"Jinx!"

"Jinx again!" We shout. We end up just laughing at each other while doctor Raynold looks at us with a bewildered expression on his face. I feel like this could grow into a wonderful friendship - that is made up of making fun of doctor Raynold.

Everyone else in the ward is looking at me with shock written all over their faces - I haven't talked, let alone laughed since his death - no wonder they're surprised at me. Doctor Raynold, finally remembering how to talk, tells​ Charlotte that he's here to show her, her x-rays, but instead of showing them to her he stands in front of the screen and poorly explains the damage to her back.