'temporary tattoos' - phan

☾ Chapter 7

"You didn't come home, Daniel." She says. Her voice sounds cold and hollow. It's not her usual sweet, summer-sounding voice.

"M-mum?"

Dan crawls away. That's not his mum. Not really her. Dan has hallucinated before but never about his mother.

"You didn't save us." Her eyes go black and blood begins to drip from her chest, spreading over her faded pink blouse. She swipes her hand across Dan's jawline as tears fall down her pale cheeks.

She's gone.

Dan opens his eyes.

Lights.

Bright, blurry lights followed by distant beeping. Dan looks down at his clothes, they're a blurry blue-green color. It smells like the way black licorice tastes or the way a cloudy day makes you feel. Dan felt as though he's been here before.

The walls are the same color as the thing he was wearing.

His arms hurt. Dan sits up and focuses on his wrist.

There's a mark from a needle, some small bruises and a cut.

And all the scars.

Dan gets goosebumps thinking about the night those scars were born.

Dan sits up and tries to stand, but as soon as his feet hit the ground, it sends pain shooting to his entire body.

He must've hurt himself pretty bad.

Dan jumps as he hears snoring from behind him.

It's Phil.

Why did he stay?

His blue hood is on and his eyes are closed.

He looks adorable. Dan used to have sleepovers with Phil all the time so he's seen him sleeping before.

But he's never noticed how perfect he looks.

Dan's attention is averted to a man walking in the room.

He's shorter than Dan, he has a blonde buzz cut and small glasses. He must be a doctor, judging by his white lab coat and nametag reading "Dr. Dallon."

"Good morning, Daniel. Are you feeling alright? Sleep well?" His voice reminds Dan of his father. Fake. Whenever his father would say anything nice, it would be followed by a belt hitting Dan's back.

Dan hesitated before responding. "I-I feel f-fine. How long have I b-been here?

Phil groans in his sleep and turns before jumping awake.

"Oh you're awake." He says, his voice is slightly raspy having just woken up.

Dan waves awkwardly. The beeping in the background gets louder.

"Good morning, Philip." Dr. Dallon says.

"You've been here for two days Dan. You've been getting some much needed rest." Dr. Dallon opens a lollipop and pops it into his mouth. He pulls out a file and opens it.

"So it says here that you have Simultanagnosia, insomnia and bipolar disorder, is this still the case?"

Dan puts his blanket over his shoulders.

"Um..w-well I can't see very well. Or sleep. S-so I'm guessing it's still t-true." Dan face becomes red with embarrassment. He doesn't like discussing his problems. Especially in front of the person who helped point all of them out on a daily basis.

"Have you been through treatment?" Dan can hear him scribble something down on his notepad.

"Y-yes, for my sight." Dan rubs the tiredness out of his eyes.