The Changeling's Ghost (Thirteen Gates #1)

The New Normal

I haven't left the house in weeks and it's been driving me absolutely bonkers.

The only good news? My pain levels have been dropping. Mum's told me I shouldn't be stressing my leg so much but behind her back Bain's been helping me limp around, which admittedly still hurts like hell, but I really just wanted to be up and walking by myself again. As if having Gus as my constant chaperone wasn't annoying enough, now I can't even stand without help. I still can't feel anything other than the occasional pins and needles, and of course, pain.

"If it keeps up after three months we might need to look into putting you on a medication, Asher." Mum sighed into her cup of tea.

"For how long?" I asked.

She frowns, "Well if the pain is chronic dear, a very long time."
I swallow that information like a bad egg. "Ah."

She rubs here forehead and I can tell she's tired. I can't help but bite my lip and feel guilty. Ever since I woke up everyone's been walking on eggshells around me. Which I hate. I get it, it's hard and I do get frustrated but it I wanted special treatment, I'd ask for it. She shouldn't have to worry about me, she should be focusing on our bigger problems, like dealing with Greta's wraith and finding Conway.

"On a happier note," Mum says, letting out a deep breath and smiling. "I've whipped up something you'll be interested in."
She opened up the box she had come into my room with and pulled out a grey contraption on a hinge. I blinked in realization as she handed it me.

"It's a leg brace, it'll help you get around without badgering Bain." She said, and winked.

I blushed, "I'm guess not very stealthy then."

Mum laughed and ruffled my hair. "Not in the slightest, dear."
She's so confident she can read me but I'm just bitterly reminded of all the lies I've told in the span of time Gus has spent with us and that really kills the mood for a moment. I don't look up at her as I fasten the velcro around my bad leg. Maybe Gus has a point with his whole anti-lying schmick.

The feeling evaporates once I pull myself up to an upright position with my hands and realize I can stand. Pain shoots up my hip but it's something I've grown used to at this point. Mum held out her hand and I grab onto it, slowly uncurling my other hand from around the bed frame. I take a step, and then limp over to her on the other side of the room where she holds me up, smiling. I can't even begin to pry the grin off my face. I can't even begin to explain the light and giddy feeling this brings me. After weeks of clinging onto other humans to get around I finally did it by myself again and it feels amazing.

Mum looks at my dumbstruck grin and smiles herself. "Now I want you to take this a little slow okay. You should practice, but stop once the pain gets worse, okay?"

"Mh hm," I say, wobbling back to my bed, even letting go of her hand for a brief second before falling back onto the bed frame.

"Standing isn't taking a break." She threw me a pointed look.

"Mum," I scoff, "I promise I won't do anything rash."

"Oh sure, I'm very convinced." She shakes her head.

As I'm preoccupied with my newfound freedom, Mum watches me and bring a hand up to her mouth. I only noticed it after I've hobbled over to the bookshelf. She sighed quietly and I glanced up her. She looked sad again, like a sudden weight landed on her shoulders and perched there, like a vulture.

"What?" I asked.

"I... I just wish Gus had been with you." Her voice trembled slightly. "You're just a teenager Asher, you should be happy and healthy and I'm... I'm sorry I couldn't stop this from happening."