10:18am
"Slow and steady. Slow and steady."
My legs wobble as I walk with the metal stand holding my IV bag.
"Good job, Jackson!" Mark claps for me as I continue to try my best at regaining the strength in my legs.
"Good job indeed." Ms. Bora, my Physical therapist, helps me walk. Her hand lays on the small of my back as I walk slowly throughout the hospital.
We walk around the building two more times until my legs finally regain consciousness. It kind of feels good to feel my legs again.
"You okay?" Mark asks as I sit down on my bed.
"Yeah." I nod my head.
"Nice Jackson!" Ms. Bora claps her hands. "You're the fastest patient I've ever seen walk properly so quickly after months of laying down!"
"I guess those muscles weren't for show." Ms. Bora laughs and winks.
The mention of my muscles makes me bitter. These aren't mine, they're the creation of that monster. My aunt's precious monster.
Mark notices my discomfort and changes the topic.
"How much longer does he have to stay?"
"Well...after some more training and to see how his new medications affect him, I'd say he'll be out in a month."
Mark beams from the news.
"However!" Ms. Bora looks at us sternly. "Avoid doing any vigorous activities. You can walk but you can't run. You can sit up but you can't do sit-ups. You get what I'm saying?"
Mark and I nod our heads.
"Good. Just relax. In a couple more months, you'll be back to normal." She pats my back.
I nod my head.
She leaves my room. She'll be back later to do more stuff with me.
"I'm glad you're walking." Mark smiles.
I smile back, weakly. I'm exhausted from walking around so much.
"You look tired. Let's put you to sleep." Mark pulls the light sheets over my body as my head sinks into the white pillow.
Mark hums a light melody and strokes my hair softly.
Slowly, I fall asleep underneath Mark's fingertips and his soft humming blesses me with a peaceful dream.
