43
The next morning, no one comes in for the daily therapy session.
Orlando can hear something, but he's not sure what.

44
"Yes, he was fired. Or he quit. Everyone's telling one version or another, pick your favorite. If he was fired, it's because of the whole radical bleeding heart thing. Asking to down medications for patients," Andrew takes the right pills from the right bottle on his trolley and grabs a glass of water from it. "And maybe it's about the fact that he was cutting on actual therapy time during your sessions. I heard he wasn't quite good at sticking to the centre's general instructions, always bending the rules."

Orlando recognizes the sound now. It's the squeal that water-breathing dragons make when they fall from the sky, mid-flight.

45
"Yes?"
Dr. Peter Landon raises his glance and sees one patient Bloom comma Orlando, rolling on his wheelchair into his office.

No more medications for him. The patient puts it plainly enough. No more or he will speak with his mother and check into another rehab centre. Dr. Landon nods.

"You sure you can do without the painkillers?"

The bloke nods. Seems determined.

"Fine," he says before he returns to his report and pays the patient no more attention.

"No," says the boy. "I want to see you issuing the order for the nurses, now."

Peter raises his eyes again, curiosity in his eyes. Whatever 'evil doctors plotting' script this boy has in his head, he's about to discover that it's not true. The papers are signed quickly and Dr. Landon makes a mental note to check up on him more often. With his strong will, he has a good chance of getting out of the hospital earlier than expected.

46
His space was growing inwards and if Orlando were to swallow the moon now, there'd be far more room for it to shine out from.

But Viggo was fired and ever since, even the Delishoons rarely care enough to hide in Andrew's form.

47
When Orlando is willing to talk to anyone, it's Chris. He asks her for news on Safi, the girl in room 22c. How is she doing? Is she also heartbroken about Viggo leaving? She should know that Viggo didn't leave her.

Does he want to tell her himself?

Of course, but can he?

48
Orlando's wheelchair is steered in the right direction by Chris, but she leaves him at the door.

"I doubt you two would have any trouble getting along," she tells him and smiles.

He knocks at the door and wheels himself in.

"Safi?" He asks and she looks at him from the window.

"Orlando?"

49
He meant to talk with her, a long, serious talk with many pauses and moments in which he'd be lost. They find themselves instead playing together with a board game that Safi got some time ago from her aunt. She hasn't had anyone to play with since Viggo left.

When she's ahead, Orlando tells her that Viggo didn't leave because of her, that he'd still want her to do well.

"Do you think he's happy?" She asks and he has no answer for her. She moves her pawn again and wrinkles her nose in thought. "I think he's sad. He always laughs, but he's still sad.

"I hadn't noticed," Orlando admits and throws the dice. A few seconds later, Safi is hopping around, raising her arms in the air in a triumphant motion, though her right arm is not stretched out straight.

"I win, I win, I win…"

He chuckles at her glee. She'll be alright and he'll surely come visit her again.

To be continued...