Chapter 60: Back to Normal, Maybe.

CALEB I remained seated in the chamber for a few more minutes, until I finished my drink. I paid and left, wary of what the next few days had in store for me. Scratch what I said about being tired, couldn't sleep that night. The next day, I headed straight to the hospital and slowly walked into Kyle's ward. It was silent, and Kyle laid motionless on the mattress. 'Kyle." I called out as soon as I walked in. He moved slightly, turning his head to look at me. 'Are you okay?" 'Caleb. Nice to see you again." His voice was deep. A little deeper than I remembered. His eyes were dark and lifeless, and I could see his arms basically trying to rip through the hospital shirt he was in. He looked a little….normal. 'How have you been?" I said softly, sitting on the chair beside the bed. I flinched slightly as I sat. The chair was warm. 'I've been good. Just fighting for my life." He said casually, and sat up. Slowly, he took off the hospital shirt he had on. His entire chest was covered with bruises and scars, and I knew at that moment that they were self-inflicted. His eyes pierced deep into mine, and in that moment, I knew this wasn't Kyle anymore. Those eyes were too hollow, hands too pale, and his speech seemed a little distant, unreal. 'Why don't you tell me how you've been? It must be hard doing everything without me." There's the cocky side I was looking for. He glanced at some of the wounds on his arm. His muscles were far more defined now, and it added to his otherworldly look. Maybe I was exaggerating things, but hey, the dude is basically a full blown werewolf by now. There were a few markings on his arm that looked a little more than just scratches. They seemed to take another shape the longer I stared at them. 'Well.." I said, crossing my legs. 'We were all worried about you. Some crazy shit has been happening since you were….recovering." I didn't know what the right word was. He stared at me with a blank expression. 'But I'm totally fine. What's with all the fuss?" Just then, Brielle marched into the ward, carrying a leather bag. She took off her sunshades, revealing a pair of tired eyes, dark circles around them. Her face lit up the moment she saw Kyle sitting upright on the bed. 'Oh my gosh! Kyle! You're…awake!" She ran over to his side, almost tripping on her heels. She hugged him tightly, and began to cry softly. 'I thought we lost you. Like forever. I'm so happy." Kyle smiled, patting her back, but didn't respond to her words. Even weirder. She got off him, jumping towards the leather bag on the floor. 'Here, I brought you some food and a change of clothes. When do you get discharged? Never mind. We can catch up here until those idiots decide to let you go. They left you here for a whole month! Can you believe that?" Brielle rambled on, and Kyle smiled while listening to her. She hauled the leather bag onto the table and began unpacking. Her phone buzzed loudly in her pocket, and she excused herself to take it. I and Kyle remained alone in the room, trying to shake off the uncomfortable silence. I broke the ice. 'Kyle.. you really don't have to act so tough. Tell me exactly what's going on. A few weeks ago you were whimpering over the loss of your wife and yourself. What is this?" He had become a detached, un-Kyle-like. 'I'm over it, Caleb. People will come and go. I guess she never really loved me. But don't worry, I'll tell you everything. But know that pain changes a man." He got off the bed, checking out the things in the leather bag. 'These are some sweet kicks." He muttered, pulling out a pair of black cargo pants and a white t-shirt. 'I gotta try this on." He smirked, walking to the bathroom. My gut told me things were about to change very quickly. Kyle was discharged the next evening after Dr. Flora ran a last check-up on him. 'You've really wowed me Kyle. I'm impressed." She said after the examination. Kyle cast a side glance, and smiled. On our way out of the ward, Dr. Flora pulled me close and whispered, 'I noticed a change in the rhythm of his brain waves during the MRI. Make sure you report any strange behavior he displays. We may need to place him on suppressive medication. Good work, Caleb." She patted my shoulder. I nodded, a little concerned, but shrugged it off. Kyle can handle himself. He's proved that already. I decided to drive back to my house with both of them. The drive was filled with excited chatter between Brielle and Kyle. It was more of Brielle doing the talking, and Kyle spoke only when he felt like he needed to respond. So far Brielle didn't notice anything out of the ordinary with Kyle, but I'd take it because she was too excited with his recovery. Sooner or later, she'd notice the estrangement in his eyes, and the hollowness of his voice. 'Kyle, I can't wait for my graduation. It's in a month. Please tell me you'll be there." Brielle pouted, eyeing me from the side. I never went to her social events. 'I promise, I'll be there." Kyle chuckled lightly. 'You'd better be graduating with honors, otherwise I'd kill Gerome and his ‘study group'. No jokes." He added. 'Don't worry, I'll make both of you very proud." she beamed. My idea was perfect. I wanted us to spend the night as a family, and it was proving to go well. Out of everything that had happened between the three of us, this had to be the most wholesome moment. Brielle insisted on sleeping in the same room as Kyle. He didn't object, so I tossed him the air mattress in the basement, and wished him good luck. Brielle was a terrible sleeper. Regardless, we spent the night talking about our own problems and happiness, while still sharing our opinions. I only wished moments like this would last for as long as possible.