That figures.
“You sound disappointed. How do you feel about what comes next?”
He has hint of worry in his gaze, and I can’t help but look away.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But I don’t think I can stay in this room for much longer without losing my mind. I’m not used to doing nothing all day. I need something to do.”
“Hm,” he murmurs. “You’re probably doing well enough to start going for walks in the gardens.”
“Yes!” I exclaim quickly before he can take it back. “I’d love that!”
This room is windowless, and I’ve been stuck indoors for a lot longer than I’m used to. Getting some time outside would feel so good. I feel a smile coming on at the thought of it.
“I’ll arrange for someone to escort you out there this afternoon.”
The thought of an escort takes the wind out of my sails a little, but I should have realized I wouldn’t be allowed to go outside alone.
It doesn’t matter. I don’t care, as long as I get to see the sky.
“Sounds good.”
“If you wouldn’t mind speaking with Lana first, I can take you to her or I can ask her to …”
“I’ll go see her,” I cut in quickly. “I’m not hungry right now anyway.”
I’d much rather leave this room than have another visitor.
The effort of washing up and getting dressed is worth it.
“As long as you take your medicine when you get back here, that’s fine.”
He steps back as I pull back the bed sheets.
“Do I still need my drip?” I ask, since it’s a pain in the ass I’d prefer not to have to deal with anymore.
He nods slowly. “You’ll have to make sure you eat and drink properly, or you’ll only end up having to go back on it, but you’ve made enough progress to come off it now.”
“Awesome.”
He moves to the right side of the bed, and I let out a relieved sigh once he removes it.
He gets a dressing out of his pocket and wraps it around the bruised puncture mark.
“I had a feeling you might be ready to come off your drip.”
It feels like the first step to inevitable freedom, to have my arm free of that necessary evil.
I pull back the sheets, ready to get moving. I glance over my shoulder at him.
“It’ll probably take me more than a few minutes to get showered and dressed.”
He nods. “I’ll wait outside the room.”
He walks out and leaves me to the tiresome task of dragging myself out of bed.
I think about the promised walk through the gardens, and I can’t help but smile.
My legs feel wobbly as I stand up, which isn’t anything new, but it does kind of suck.
