"I'm not Cody. I'm not Cody. I'm not Cody. I'm not-"

"Cody Jackson?"

I went silent.

"Has anything changed?" The man, who's name I'd learned was Mr. Wu, asked the nurse.

"I'm sorry. No. But the doctor said he could leave. He doesn't think Mr. Jackson will get any better." She gave me a sympathetic glance.

I continued my quiet rant, taking my eyes off the nurse and placing them onto the ceiling. "I'm not Cody. I'm not Cody. I'm not Cody."

Mr. Wu sighed. "Okay. We'll take him now."

"A nurse is already on her way with a wheelchair. She'll be here shortly." The woman turned and stepped out of the room.

I sat in the backseat of Mr. Wu's car, leaning my head against the window. "I'm not Cody. I'm not Cody. I'm not Cody. I'm not Cody. I'm-"

"Cody!" Mr. Wu was furious. "I don't care who you think you are! Because you're Cody Jackson! And that's what everyone's gonna call you by! Think of it as a new name if you want! But that's who you are! So shut up!"

"Yes, sir."

"Dang! You're getting on my nerves! You've been saying that for over a month!"

"I'm sorry, sir."

"So just be quiet!"

"Yes, sir."

"I don't wanna hear another word come from your mouth all the way home! Got that?!"

"Yes, sir. I understand, sir."

"Good!"

I was in tears. I didn't dare speak.

Mr. Wu had helped me up the stairs and into a room. He lay me onto a bed, then stepped out after turning off the light and closing the door.

I immediately burst into tears.

I lay in the dark room, crying for hours.

I'm still B****. I knew that. But I had to listen to Mr. Wu. Master isn't here right now. But when he comes home, I'll be ready to go home with him.

"Cody?" There was a knock at the door. It was Mr. Wu.

"Yes, sir?"

He opened the door and came inside quietly since everyone else was asleep. "I need to talk to you."

I pushed myself up weakly, ready to get yelled at. "Yes, sir?"

"Look. I-"

"Yes, sir." When he looked at me, I said, "Sorry, sir."

He wiped my tears, causing me to flinch. "What I said in the car…"

"I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't trying to make you mad at me. I'm Cody Jackson. I know that now."

"I didn't mean to yell at you."

"It's okay, sir. I deserved to be yelled at."

"No, you didn't. I just wanted you to know that you didn't do anything wrong."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

He gently patted my shoulder. "Goodnight, Cody."

"Goodnight, sir."

The man kissed my forehead, then left me alone in the dark.