Color

Chapter 2

I glared at my pasty white ceiling and shifted to my side to look out the window. Even though spring was already here, everything was gray to me. The sky, trees, birds. Everything. I tried to remember the last time I saw color in life. It was four months ago during Erica's last visit. I punched the wall next to my bed. I commanded myself, "Don't think about her." She only made the gray world seem even more bleak and painful. The door slammed open, and I couldn't help but perk up. I was immediately disappointed when I saw Anthony.
I turned my back to him and blandly asked, "Didn't I tell you to knock?"
"Quit moping, Derek! It's not like I don't take you outside, people don't visit, and I don't hang out with you! It's just that Erica isn't here." I jerked upright and glared daggers at him.
"That's the problem! Erica isn't here!! And nothing any of you will ever do will fill the gaping hole she punched through me!!!" I tossed my pillow at him which he easily caught. I pulled out the be-be gun that Erica had given me one birthday and relentlessly shot at him. He rushed out of my room. I sighed and lay back down, wishing I could see her again.

The next day, Anthony stormed back in, and I was ready to repeat our routine. I couldn't believe that after two weeks, he still hadn't gotten the picture. I shot at him again and heard clicks. I thought, "Oh shi-" Anthony maniacally laughed and forced me out of my bed.
"And you thought I was stupid~!"
"… You are…"
"Shut it." He yanked the bullet-less gun out of my hands and forced me into a tiny cramped office overflowing with papers.
"What are all these?" I picked one up, and it was a letter. They were all letters.
"These are all the letters that don't have specific details about who their addressed to. You're going to help me organize them!" He grinned, and I threw the letter at him.
"I can't believe that you're making a patient work…" He shrugged indifferent.
"You need something to keep you occupied! Instead of staring off into space." I thought, "Why not? I might even find something for myself."
"So why are there so many?"
"We're kind of short on staff, so there's no one to sort this out. We only do it during our free time, but it's always piling up." I nodded while separating the letters.
We spent the entire morning and afternoon sorting through the letters, but I noticed something strange. One letter had Erica's handwriting. I lunged for it and stared at who it was addressed to. Me. And it dated back one month ago. I ripped it open and quickly read it.

Derek,
Why aren't you replying to any of my letters? Are you really blaming me for that accident? I'm so sorry, and I acknowledge that it was all my fault. If you want to blame me then fine but please don't stop talking to me. I really miss you, and I really want to see you. Even if the words are "I hate you," please send me a letter.

I felt tears well up and grabbed the nearest apron. I wiped the tears away and stuffed the letter into the apron's pocket. I worked like a mad man and organized during the entire night. Anthony had tried to stop me, but I told him that he had to get five guys to tie me to my bed if he wanted me to stop, so he left me alone. My efforts weren't fruitless, as my apron started to become half full with letters from Erica.

After sorting letters for two days straight, I collapsed from exhaustion and hunger. Anthony burst in and had some nurses help him put me on a gurney. I closed my eyes and fell into still dreamless slumber.
"Are you crazy?!" Anthony threw his arms into the air.
"I don't want to hear that when I wake up." I rubbed my eyes. "And yes. I am crazy."
"GGGRRRAAAHHHH!!!!!" I jumped at his roar. "I am your doctor, so do as I say!!!"
"And what is it that you want me to do?" I hungrily devoured the meal that the nurse offered me.
"I want you to rest at least twenty four hours."
"Eight."
"Wha- Eighteen!"
"Eight."
"Twelve!"
"Seven."
"Ten!" I narrowed me eyes at him.
"SIX." He smacked his forehead with his palm.
"Fine. But you can't do anything besides sleeping and eating."
I lay down and said in a monotonous voice, "Wow. An adult that advocates laziness. How admirable."
"Hardy har har." Anthony turned off the lights and went out, probably to wait in front of my door in case I tried to escape. But I decided to keep my word and lay there for six hours. They were the longest six hours of my life. When Anthony slid open the door, I immediately shot out and went to the little office.
I continued til every single letter was filed and that I was sure that I had all of Erica's letters. She had sent me a letter every other day since she had left. There were around eighty letters. I locked myself in my room and opened the first one.