Phantom Chained

Chapter 19. Return. Ingrid.

The immediate feeling that my body is a giant clump of pain turned out to be incorrect; the clumps were all over my body and refused to be ignored.

My right hand was digging into my side like a numb hook. My legs rebelled against my commands but that was for a completely different reason; when I opened my eyes, I discovered that the lower part of my body was tangled in a sleeping bag that turned me into a winter version of 'The Little Mermaid', curled up in the backseat of a car.

Each thought was accompanied by a jolt of pain. The lump of dough that used to be my brain wanted only water, darkness and death.

I carefully lifted my body and glanced around. Johan was sleeping, his face buried between the hands that were crossed on the steering wheel. I decided to wipe the foggy windscreen to figure out where the hell we were, and that's when my neck decided to remind me of its existence.

After a couple of minutes, Johan finally started to show signs of life, yawning and looking around. He then winced in pain, rubbing a bruise that covered almost the entire right side of his exhausted face.

"How bad are you feeling?" He sluggishly asked.

"A solid eleven out of ten. Do you have anything to drink?"

"Not anymore. But we're parked right outside your house, so don't torture yourself by staying here. I was about to wake you up anyway but the way you snored was very amusing."

"Me? Snoring?"

"I'm kidding, don't move so suddenly. Go, take a hot shower and take some painkillers, you still have school. Just act natural, okay?"

"Like hell am I going anywhere! I'm sick! What time is it, anyway?"

"Half past six."

"Only six? Too early, I'll wait until mom leaves for work... I really don't feel like talking with her right now."

"Are you scared she will smell the alcohol?"

"That, too."

"I'm telling you, go show yourself so she at least knows you're safe. I don't want them calling me to try and locate you later. Caroline doesn't even know you ran away."

"But I used to sleep over with Sophie all the time and nobody cared."

"That was before your episodes started. Now everything you do is viewed with suspicion. What if Sophie is a bad influence? Or even me..." Johan chuckled. "So here, grab your jacket ... and try to brush your hair, you look like a witch. Don't do it in this cramped car, go outside! I parked at the back, there are bushes everywhere so nobody will see you."

"Hold on! What happened with the incubus yesterday? Did you succeed? Is he going to leave me be? Johan!"

"Give me some time. I'll call and tell you everything later."

The door banged shut and soon the screeching car disappeared behind a corner. I was left alone to battle with the jacket sleeves, as well as cold, nausea and a feeling of being hurt, despite there being nothing to be hurt about.

Johan was right, as usual. And acted the same as usual; cold and condescending, as if nothing happened between us! Even though we almost... I don't know why Johan stopped at the most important part despite me saying that I was ready and wanted it. All he said was that it wasn't time yet and I did not persist. I started to pass out soon, anyway. I remember getting to the car, and then... nothing.

He could've at least been a little warmer to me. Although it is good that he didn't kiss me, my breath doesn't exactly smell like roses, but was I wrong to expect at least a couple of romantic words? Oh, I'm so unlucky when it comes to romance.

And what the hell did I drink yesterday that made me so sick?

I decided that running into my mother wasn't worth it so I ended up circling the house, crunching on the frost-covered ground until I saw the red Skoda leave the garage. I then ran in with determination, even waving at the leaving car on the way.

Home was warm and smelled of food, but that only brought a new wave of nausea. The path to the fridge was blocked by Olaf, who was handling a roaring vacuum cleaner in his black pyjamas. Noticing me, he squinted and exclaimed:

"You're so early! Good morning! Have you eaten yet?"

"N-yes... doesn't matter, can I get a glass of water? The colder the better."

"Of course, of course..." Olaf scurried to the fridge and stuck his huge hands inside. "Water is good but I have something even better; I made this just for you!"

"No-no-no-no..." I protested as I stared in horror at the murky substance inside the glass jar that Olaf lowered onto the table. "Please, I want water, not another one of your brews."

"This one is made from fifteen different healing herbs." Olaf already had a glass of it stretched out towards me with an assuring smile on his face. "It cleanses, calms and tones you up. And you haven't been looking very healthy lately, your face is pale and your eyes have very dark bags under them. You don't happen to have a headache, do you?"

"I do. I just want some peace and quiet."

You have a disturbance in your prana-vata; nervousness, exhaustion, hoarse voice and dehydration are all symptoms of that. The herbs will definitely help you with those."

I grabbed the glass and skulled the mixture. "Done?"

Unfortunately, that was not the case.

I don't have anything against Buddhism, veganism of becoming one with nature but Olaf really gets on my nerves sometimes. Mom supported the weekly trips to the forest at first but after a while managed to snap out of it, and that made me very happy. Nowadays Olaf goes out by himself, always bringing back some random plants.

"Can we talk?" Olaf began. "Just for a few minutes, I fully understand how worried you are about the current situation... Inga, don't roll your eyes, please. You clearly want to isolate yourself from the issue but that is the wrong approach, trust me, I'm talking from experience! I'm not going to annoy you and I'm certain that you should figure out what caused these changes by yourself. Just be honest with yourself. But if, and I mean if," Olaf raised a finger. "You feel like you need support, your mom and I are always nearby and ready to help. Okay?"

"Thanks, Olaf. I really appreciate that, honest! But can I go now?"

"One second! You should understand that a healthy mind and a healthy body are a part of a single process, so I prepared a special diet for the next few weeks that will eliminate any stress and help you heal."

"Please don't tell me it's a mushroom diet."

"Oh, a joke! See, your mood is already improving! Am I wrong?"

As if I would say no. I just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

Why are all good people so annoying?