Machine Man (serial)

After Cassandra Cautery left my hospital room, I was placed on suicide watch. I didn’t realize this at first. I just thought the nurses had become extremely conscientious about checking in on me. But when I asked where my wheelchair was, a nurse said I was no longer permitted to leave my room. “For your own safety.” There was an aggressive glint to her eye, as if she had gone up against plenty of smug, would-be self-harmers before me, and wasn’t about to let herself be bettered by me. No matter how cleverly I attempted to damage myself, she would be there to take me down and save me. It was an odd concept.

So that also explained where my underpants had gone. But that didn’t bother me. What bothered me was I wasn’t allowed visitors. In the afternoon, I heard Lola Banks outside, and sat up in bed, excited, because it was the first time she’d been back since she kissed me. Then I realized she was walking away. The nurses were explaining about my condition, saying maybe tomorrow. “Lola!” I called. But it was too late; she was gone.

27.