"Mr. King, I believe you realize how fortunate you truly are."

Alweiss had been at my bedside for nearly twenty minutes after his initial introduction. He leaned back in his swivel chair and conversed quietly with the nurse. The short-haired woman studied the chart and glanced in his manila folder before handing it back to him. She glanced awkwardly at me before leaving the room. Poor Alicia seemed still in a state of shock, but that hadn't deterred her from fulfilling the necessary change of bedding and my gown. I tried to force a wink at her but merely closed both eyes with a jarring flutter.

I turned my head to the left to get a view of the doctor. His face was round and his hair beginning to thin on top, coifed in a sweeping fashion to the right and beginning to cover his ears. His dark-rimmed glasses sat low on his wide and pointed nose and he pulled them away to wipe clean on his coat before shoving them assuredly into their proper position. His eyes were dark brown with flecks of green and though obviously tired, shined with care as he smiled.

"Seven days is a long time to be unconscious let alone partially paralyzed. Truthfully, I'm surprised you're as recovered as you are. Testament to the human body and its ability to heal. Twenty years in the medical profession, it still astonishes me on occasion," he mused.

I pondered how much of the healing had been spurred by Lily's night time visit. I closed my eyes and remembered her skin against mine. I clenched my fists in the sheets, an urge to scream her name and beg for her overcame me. I instead stifled it as my love scars ached and I began to sweat momentarily. When it passed, I opened my eyes and readjusted to the glaring bright light overhead.

He leaned close and started lifting my arms and pulled the sheets back to get a view of my legs, which still hadn't moved despite the return of the majority of my motor functions. He asked me to do a variety of exercises, lifting my arms, twisting my upper torso and moving my fingers. I repeated words back to him as he ran my vision through a few clinical evaluations. The eye flutters had decreased some but I still could feel the lull in their reaction times when focusing.

"I'm going to be honest, doc. I was fully aware of most of the last few days. Like I was trapped in my own body but unable to react. Fucking harrowing experience. I'm glad to be out of that shit." My voice was sleepy and words slurred, but my thankful tone genuine. I grunted as I went through the motions again until Alweiss seemed satisfied.

"Still seems to be some lingering muscle fiber issues. Reaction acuity seems mostly improved. Your legs-" He gave a look of concern before pausing to pull the blanket back into position and patting me on the shoulder. I scoured his eyes looking for the truth inside the lie, if he had any information to hide from me. He just smiled reassuringly and stood up.

"Unsure about those, huh?" I asked with a moan as the dull pain from moving began to settle in. I tried to move my toes, swing my hips and legs to the side to prove both of us wrong, but not even a twitch answered back. I pulled myself up with my arms and adjusted my pillow and waited.

"I'm sure that given time, feeling will come back and eventual movement is in the cards. How long, we can't really guess but the important thing is to realize that you've come this far this quickly. We've been checking for possibility of slight neuromyotonia. It's an alternating stiffness and twitching of muscles. We are doubtful of anything like that, but we try to be prepared you understand."

I thought of my twitching and trembling hands and reality dawned on me: I'd been sober for a week. Megan may have been proud of me if not for the obvious predicament. I chuckled and swallowed hard, my throat dry at even the slight thought of a drink. Addictions are stubborn that way. My mind began piecing together possibilities of smuggling a bit of whiskey in here. I glanced around and thought at the very least, I could get my typewriter in here. Trading one addiction for another had never been one of my prouder characteristics but thought it would comfort me all the same.

"Um, sorry about spooking the nurse. Poor girl earned her money tonight," I said. We both laughed at that and he shook his head. He walked towards the door and smiled again in my direction.

"Mr. King, as awkward as that moment may have been it's not unheard of in this field. Further proof that leg functions may return, perhaps. The best thing to remember is that there doesn't seem to be any spinal damage that we can detect, so that bodes extremely well for you. It seems muscular but ewe will continue to run tests the next few days. I understand you have a visitor in the waiting room. The one who found you at the scene. Would you like me to send her in shortly?"

I smiled at that. It seemed even reclusive authors can find it in themselves to enjoy unexpected company. Unfortunately, it usually didn't involve a car crash and week-long coma to induce that feeling of elation. I was sober and honestly, I couldn't remember the last time that I had interacted socially without that crutch. If it was who I thought it was, I owed her a gratitude larger than I thought I'd ever have to repay anyone.

"Send her in."