Charmaine sat on the edge of her hospital bed, staring at the packed bag on the floor. For the first time in what felt like forever, her body didn't ache.
Her mind wasn't swimming in confusion or pain. She felt... better. Stronger. It was almost strange, the absence of sickness.
The doctor had just left, a clipboard tucked under his arm, and his words still rang in her ears: "You're ready to go home, Charmaine. You've made excellent progress."
She hadn't expected to hear that. After all these years of weakness, of treatments and medications, the idea of going back to normal life felt foreign.
A mixture of relief and uncertainty bubbled in her chest as she glanced around the room. It had been her home for so long, a place of suffering but also of safety. Now, she was being asked to leave it behind.
Charmaine rose slowly, still cautious despite the doctor's assurances. She stretched her arms and legs, feeling the strength in her limbs return.
