The Ugly Love of Monster Girls

Chapter 20: Aftermath

I sat beside her hospital bed, the rhythmic beeping of the machines filling the quiet. The air smelled sterile, clean and cold.

“…And you should’ve seen Nora when she got her acceptance letter,” I said, leaning forward, my hands clasped between my knees. 

“Top of the entrance exams. Like, literally the highest score in the region.” I huffed a soft laugh. “Of course, she acted like it was no big deal. But I swear, she was so happy when she received it.”

I shifted in the chair, ignoring the ache in my back. It still hurt when I moved too fast, but compared to everything else, it felt… manageable.

“She’s already talking about dragging me with her,” I added, my voice lighter. “Says there’s no point in me waiting around. And, well… I guess she’s got a point. Not like there’s much left to hang around for.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them, and for a second, my throat tightened. I forced myself to keep going.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m fine. And Dorian’s…” I trailed off,

Sometimes it felt like… if I stopped, maybe she’d slip even further away. Maybe I would, too.

I rubbed my face with shaking hands, trying to push down the pressure building in my chest. But it wouldn’t leave.

I wanted to disappear. Just… stop feeling for a while. 

Maybe then, the ache in my ribs wouldn’t be so sharp. Maybe then, I wouldn’t feel like I was drowning in the air around me.