Thunder: Back Through the Rain-Chapter 2.

By MyNameIsCAL

---Fang's POV---

The hospital was like some kind of living hell to me. Not only was I stuck in a bed and in excruciating pain, but the doctor thought I had some kind of mental problem now. They didn't realize that the pain I was experiencing was real. This wasn't some Dr. House joke to extort morphine from the hospital. Even if I got morphine, it wouldn't have helped anyway.

I refused to speak to the shrink. I'm not mental. For a person who just almost got their leg ripped off, I thought I was doing pretty well. And for a person who had just said "I hate you" to their best friend who was also the person they loved the most, I was doing ok.

"She took it hard," Iggy muttered.

He was always looking out for everyone. That would be good for Max. Someone would watch over her when I wasn't around. But I really was mad at her. She got me into this mess. I couldn't stand the pain. It made me want to jump out of my body and run off until I died of exhaustion. The pain itself would probably kill me.

"You can't hate her forever," Iggy continued since I said nothing.

I sighed. "I can't let go of what she did…"

I can't let go of how she was so in love with me that she didn't even think about the others. Was it because injured Fang wasn't good enough for her? Or was it her pride? I didn't need to be cured, she just hated to see me suffer. I would have been fine the way I was before. And here we are, having gone in a complete circle and worse off than we were before.

"Forgive and forget," Iggy muttered.

A wave of pain hit me and I gripped the bed sheets, hoping it would pass quickly. I said through gritted teeth, "Do you think I can just forgive and forget this?! The pain will always be there to remind me. I can't forget."

Iggy sighed. I had no idea what was going through his head. His eyes were still fixed on me, even though he couldn't see. He spoke to me and then looked away. "Alright, Fang."

It sounded like I disappointed him, and maybe I did. But sometimes I disappointed myself for ending up like this. If I had never gotten hurt in the first place, then I wouldn't have to hate Max. Then again, Max could have hated me. She could've gotten hurt and I'd only have myself to blame.

I've got a week left in the hospital. But I'm hoping Mom can talk to the doctors and get me out of here sooner. Her salary can't possibly support food for us and a hospital room for me every day. I wish I had money. She shouldn't have to do this for me.

"I'm going to the office now," she told me.

"When are you coming back?" I asked.

"Tomorrow probably after work. I have to go home and feed the others. But if you need anything you can call me," she replied.

"Ok, thanks," I said.

She waited for a moment, a little longer than she should have, before walking out the door. I had a feeling whatever she was going to say would have to do with Max. Either that or she was waiting for me to say something. Probably something along the lines to tell her to say something to Max, but I didn't.

The pain hit me again and I closed my eyes, trying to forget it existed.

Max came here every night and sat on the couch in my room. I never knew if she knew I was awake, but that didn't matter. She would sit, and watch me, from about 1AM to 2AM before leaving quietly. I guess the nurses didn't stop her from coming in. I suppose I should be flattered because even though I've refused to talk to her, she still cares about me. I'm just not ready to talk to her.

I started to feel stressed out again and the pain started to intensify. When I turned on my side to face Max, she bolted to the door. I watched the door close softly and after a while, exhaustion set in because I fell asleep.

"I can't discharge him," the doctor argued with Mom. "I really think you should have him talk to our psychologist. He can't possibly be in that much pain."

Mom shook her head. She knew the truth. "If it really is all in his head, I think he'd be much more comfortable. Hospitals stress him out. He hasn't had any good experiences here."

The doctor sighed. "Alright. I'll discharge him in two days, but he has to come for an examination once a week."

Mom glanced at me and I nodded in agreement. I think I could suffer one day each week to come here. As long as I didn't have to spend every day here, I would be ok.

"I won't be giving him any medication," the doctor added.

I didn't need it anyway. Mom could get that for me.

Next Chapter will be in Max's POV. Then the POVs will start alternating. Thanks for reading.