Special

Chapter 18

My skin crawled at the sight of my mortified flesh as I examined my lower back in the full-length bathroom mirror. My rash had resurged and spread throughout my back. I applied some prescription itching cream and returned it to the medicine cabinet above the sink. I caught a glimpse of my face in the cabinet mirror and could barely recognise the girl staring back at me.

I took a closer look, studying her.

Her eyes were sickly hollow, her blank stare, devoid of life.

I splashed some water on my face, rubbing the dark bags under my eyes.

I stared at my reflection once more and the scary girl was still there — still haunting, still sick. I stared her down until a sharp pain shot through my stomach. I groaned, gripping my growling tummy.

I took an antiemetic with my usual two painkiller dosage before bed.

That night I dreamt I was on a dim-lit stage, the crowd applauding as my name was called. I stepped forward and shut my eyes as a blinding spotlight illuminated me, following my every move. I squinted over the harsh light to make out the audience composed of my family, kids from school, a couple of doctors with medical masks and nurses holding needles and brain scans. They grew silent as Dr Graham — accompanied by some hospital staff — stepped onto the stage, handing me a trophy.

The roar of the crowd was deafening. Everyone was on their feet, cheering until Dr Graham asked them to settle down so they could hear from me. The room fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

I opened my mouth to give my acceptance speech, but nothing came out. Not a peep. I tried again. I couldn't speak. Something was stuck in my throat. I turned away from the crowd, shoving my hand down my unnaturally elastic mouth to pull out the obstruction.

When I woke up, my mouth was dry, my stomach aching. A sharp pain shot through my abdomen. I groaned, wiping the cold sweat from my forehead. I sat up to calm my upset stomach but it didn't help. I retched as my insides churned.

I barely made it to the toilet before I lost my dinner. My dry throat burnt as I regurgitated the little I had to eat. I leaned against the bathroom wall to catch my breath.

'Are you okay?' Mum asked, standing at the bathroom door.

'I'm peachy,' I wryly replied before hurling some more.

Mum knelt beside me, holding my hair, rubbing her hand around my back.

I pushed her away. 'I'm fine!'

She backed off, watching as I threw up until there was only bile and air.

***

I opened my mouth wide and said, 'ahh,' while Dr Graham probed me with a tongue depressor.

Mum waited by the window in the corner of the office.

'All right,' Dr Graham said, 'all done.'

He walked over to Mum and told her, in hushed tones, 'We will need a blood test to be absolutely sure, but I am certain it's a vitamin deficiency. I've seen it with other patients. Co-tritopotine side effects are usually linked to inhibition of synthesis of essential vitamins. Loss of appetite and poor nutrition could also be the cause. A multivitamin supplement should help alleviate the side effects while we wait for a thorough blood test.'

Mum bobbed her head, giving Dr Graham her approval.

Throughout my treatments, doctors and nurses would walk me through the procedures and risks. It didn't matter whether I understood, though, the consent forms were already signed. The doctors were merely informing me out of obligation.