Worlds Apart

8. Home

Three days after my parents showed up, I was released from the hospital. These three days consisted of me sleeping, taking pain medicine, breathing through a mask every so often and having small talk with Mads.

Freedom felt amazing. Finally exiting the hospital in a wheelchair then being lifted into Mads's truck. Pain shot into my chest and back with the rush of cold fresh air.

The car ride home was quiet. Mads hadn't really said much except for; "Are you in pain?"
"Are you hungry or thirsty?"
"I'm sorry"
And my favorite one, being "I love you."

He was a constant mess, his drooping eyes had dark circles, he consistantly  joltes awake every other minute, fighting sleep. I felt sad, heartbroken at how much this had affected him. He was so worried about me that he never worried about himself.

In the truck, driving down the forest aligned road, past trails and houses. It was cloudy, not raining but it was expected to tonight.

"Mads," I hum his voice lowly from my drugged state in the passenger seat. The pain medicine caused me to fall alsleep and if I didn't I was high as a kite.

"Yes, elsker?" He questions. I feel his hand grasp mine, pulling my hand towards him. He kisses the back of my hand. The memory of him doing the same thing when we were on our way home from the boat last summer. That was the morning after we'd had sex for the first time. It was perfect.

"Mads," I hum again. My lips curve to a smile, leaning my head back, closing my eyes, tired as hell from the pain medicine.

"Are the drugs taking effect, sweetheart?"

"I should..." I start to drift off but shake my head.
"...call you something...you have so many names for me, I need one for you," I complain.

"Whatever you want, baby," he says teasingly.

"I like the...ell...essk...ellssker...whatever it is that you call me," I explain as I fail to pronounce his words of endearment.

"Elsker," He corrects me.

"What?" I question suddenly forgetting our conversation.

He shakes his head, smiling. He shushes me and tells me to sleep. His voice, his presence, he makes me feel so relaxed. I close my eyes and mumble nonesense for a moment until I finally fall asleep.

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When I woke up; I was laying in our bed at home, my body was hurting again, the sharp pain in the middle of my back went through to my chest. I let out a wheezing cough, after taking a breath, the sound of my cough makes Mads shift in his sleep.

It was evening, maybe 6 or 7, I wasn't sure. The dark blue sky was durning black, no stars were out just yet. I push myself to sit up, making me wince in pain, and nearly groan loudly but I hold it in.

I look down at my body, only wearing my dark blue cotton underwear and a thin black tshirt that belonged to Mads. The shirt covered up my bandaged chest and abdomen. The thin bandage was tight but not too tight to constrict me.

I felt sick to my stomach, my throat dry and my lips chapped.

Since Mads was finally resting, I decided to get my medicine for myself, maybe even some food but my goal would prove to be near impossible.

I turned my body, coughing a little as I took my short quick breaths. My feet planted on the floor, I push myself up to stand and almost stumbled. I take my steps one at a time, steady and easy, moving across the hardwood towards the living room.