44. Vacation

Once again, August's consciousness slowly awoke. It seems that the body began to hurt even more than before, but the fever was gone.

" I think I overdid it and passed out. "

He opened his eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling, completely white.

" Am I dead ? "

But turning his head to the side, he realized that he was not in heaven, but in a hospital room.

--- I see you're awake.

Augustus turned the other way and saw a woman in a dressing gown. She was sitting on a chair by his bed, writing on a form. She looked very familiar, but he had never met her.

--- And you...

--- Priyanka Maheswaran. Connie's mother and your doctor.

--- O. What's wrong with me, Doc ?

--- Well, you're physically exhausted, your muscles are stretched to the limit, there are a few cracks in your bones, and you also had a high temperature.

--- And then what ?

--- And then the young man - she walked over to him and looked earnestly into his eyes.

--- You will rest.

--- Rest ?

--- Yes. We can't cure you. your body will heal itself. You'll be here under my supervision for a week. After that, I will let you go home, where you will rest for 3 days.

--- So long. Can't it be sped up somehow ?

--- Must not. I am responsible for you, and I am being walked away from on two occasions. Either dead or healthy. Take your pick.

--- Um, I think I'll take the second option.

--- Good. Lie down and rest, if you need anything, press the button. I'll call your friends and let them know you've regained consciousness.

She left the room and left Augustus with his thoughts.

" A week. It's too long. How am I supposed to fight Diamonds if I can't handle a cold ? "

He was left alone for a short time. Lapis literally flew into the room and fell into the arms of Augustus.

--- Thank God you're awake ! You've been sleeping for almost a week.

--- I slept for a week ?!

--- We were all worried about you, going crazy. Don't do that again, ever.

--- It's not my fault, I promise.

Then the other gems came running into the room. Pearl and Peridot also jumped into Augustus ' arms.

--- August !

--- Yes, yes, I'm alive. You're going to crush me.

--- Sorry

He quickly gave him a free seat.

--- Dude, you've been sleeping for a week.

--- I know Amethyst.

--- What did the doctor say ? - everyone was watching Augustus closely.

--- I'll be here for another week, and then I'll be released .

--- It sucks.

--- What about Connie and Stephen and Jasper ?

--- Connie and Stephen are sick, too, but not like you. After two days, they recovered. Jasper ...

--- She's here, standing outside the door. - Amethyst pointed at the door.

--- Seriously? Why doesn't she come in ?

--- She seems to be ashamed.

--- Because of him ?

--- I dont know

--- Jasper ! Come in !

It became quiet. The door slowly opened and Jasper stepped inside.

--- Hey, Jasper.

--- ...

--- How are you feeling ?

--- I should ask you that.

--- Haha, I'm fine.

--- You people are so fragile that you fall into a swoon just from the temperature.

--- It's not for you to talk about it. You were the one who almost died of frostbite.

--- It was a moment of weakness. It won't happen again. - she looked away

--- I believe. Don't overdo it, you should rest too. - he smiled, and she clenched her fists. Why does he sound like her ?

--- Now get out of here. The patient needs peace and quiet. - Dr. Priyanka entered the room and kicked everyone out.

--- Time to take your meds.

--- Do I need them ?

--- They will reduce the load of the body, relax the muscles and accelerate the fusion of bones. Drink and don't show off. - she gave him a small bottle. He opened it and a pleasant smell came out. But here's the taste...

--- How disgusting ! I've never tasted such horror in my life !

--- Sometimes you have to sacrifice something to get better. Well, now let's move on to a serious topic. - she took a chair and sat down opposite Augustus ' bed.

--- What's the matter, Doc ?

--- Your guardian.

--- I don't have a guardian.

--- That's the problem. You don't have an official representative, someone who can pick you up.

--- There are. Gems.

--- They are not your guardians, and the hospital cannot hand you over to them.

--- And what will happen ?

--- You'll be sent to an orphanage.

--- Isn't it a little late for me ?

--- No. They keep you up to 18. So, either a miracle happens, or you have someone close to you.

---....I hate to say it, even the thought of it makes me throw up, but...I have a ... m...mo....mother in town.

--- Then why wasn't she here ? As your parent, she should have been here.

--- We're with her...not in harmony.

--- In what sense ?

--- When you examined my body, you should have noticed the scars.

--- Yes. I've never seen such horror on a child in my life.

--- So, guess who did it.

--- You mean...

--- Yes.

--- Oh - she covered her face with her hands and mumbled to herself.

--- You have no other choice. for this is either a shelter.

--- I know. And it pisses me off.

--- Good. Dictate the address.

--- XXXXXXXXXX

--- Understood. Wait.

....

--- August ! - this is the third time a thief has broken into his room.

--- Are you all right ? Are you feeling dizzy ? Are you thirsty ? Are you hungry ?

--- ....

--- Why do I know you're in the hospital from a stranger ?

--- ...

--- Are you listening to me ?

--- ....

--- I'm worried about you ! Answer me something !

--- You didn't care before. And now you're pretending to be a loving mom ?

--- I know I've made a lot of mistakes. But that's not what matters right now, it's that you're in the hospital.

--- When you threw me out on the street, which caused me to catch a cold for 3 days and lay with a huge temperature, you didn't care. When I asked for help, you didn't care. When I was dying of a cold, you didn't care.

--- August, I....

--- I think that's enough. - Dr. Priyanka entered the room.

--- Miss Evans, please follow me to fill out the paperwork.

Polly started to say something, but stopped. She nodded and left the room. When she turned around for the last time, August was looking out the window.

" I'm sorry. I'll do anything to make you forgive me. I want to be there for you, I don't want to lose you anymore, I'll do anything to make up for my sins, even if it takes my whole life. " - Polly thought to herself, and quickly wiped away her tears and left the room.

August stared out the window, his hands clenched into fists, his teeth gritted with anger.

--- You don't know anything about the pain I've been through. I'll never forgive you, never.

A liar knows when a person is telling the truth or a lie. But the curse of liars is that they themselves can not know what they are saying, the truth or a lie ?