Hey guys,

I'd spend forever apologising but then we won't get to the story, so here is the short version. School, assessments, friends, fight, extra work… you get the idea.

Chapter 8: Discharged

I waited at the entrance of the hospital with my suitcase beside me. I had been inside for the last two weeks, constantly doing exercises for my body and talking to my imaginary Rebecca.

I swayed from my feet and watched my dad and his eyes as they remained fixed on the elevator. Rebecca's funeral was a few days back and since I couldn't attend, my dad did. I wasn't sure if Mum and Don went just to support him, Mum probably went. Don was most likely busy.

The elevator door dinged and a women out Marilyn walked out. I slowly strode to her and hugged her.

"Andy… bones?"

"You saved me life!"

"Can you do mine a favour and stop squeezing me?"

"Oh… right sorry."

"It's all good."

"Did you hear?"

"Bout Rebecca? Yeah, I still feel like she's here and we can have a Nerd Tour as a 'You've gotten better' present…"

"Yeah… we can go tonight and see the guys though."

"Strange, feels like we've known them forever but we only knew them for a few nights…"

"Probably because we constantly visited them and all…"

"Hmm…"

"Girls.." Dad came up with my suitcase.

"Time to leave. Marilyn, you'll be spending the next few nights with us… Andy you're room is a mess."

"But I cleaned it the Friday before I came here!"

"I know, you're new room is a mess!"

"What do you mean my new room?"

"I was going to tell you when it was finalised but we got a new apartment." My eyes widen.

"A new apartment?"

"Yeah. We have the old one for another week but I have already gotten everything moved."

"But… why? Did you get evicted?" Dad smiled slightly.

"No. We got some extra money when I reported these guys to the police. We got a lot of extra money so I thought why not get a place closer to the museum. It's near a subway too so you can easily take just the train to school instead of the bus and train. It's not to far from Nick's school too."

"That's great Dad!"

"Yeah, so once you get home you can unpack, bit by bit. Nothing too strenuous."

"Ok, can Marilyn help?"

"If she wants. Let's go kiddos."

L

My new room was slightly bigger than my old room. I actually had space for my desk and my bed. My closet was the same size but that never mattered to me. I had a lot of free wall space. I immediately went for the box that said Posters and grabbed the Blu Tac I borrowed from Dad. I hung up all the music posters and photos of Marilyn and myself. Afterwards, you couldn't see the boring white wall.

Marilyn helped stick up my various movie star posters including one of Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn got it as a joke for me and would go up and greet the poster every time with:

"Yo Marilyn, how's life?" She would also pose along with the poster. I have to may pictures of that.

After the posters were done, Dad knocked on my door.

"I got you a new bookcase too, for all your books." I laughed.

"How much did the police give you?"

"This came out of my pay missy so use it properly!" He pulled in a black box like bookcase.

"I guess it will do…" I said in an unsure voice. Dad snorted and Marilyn laughed.

"Lunch is at 12. I'll see you in the kitchen."

"Ok Dad."

It took us another hour to unpack my books. We had finished putting up half of my books when it was 12.

"I guess I wasn't wrong…" Half my books had left only three free boxes out of five.

"Put some on top. It should do."

"Yeah, let's go and eat." Dad got us some sandwiches and afterwards we went back to putting the books on. It was only when I came across the book on Egyptology I called out to Dad:

"DAD, WHERE'S NICK?"

"HE'S WITH YOUR MUM. HE'LL BE COMING TONIGHT!"

"WHAT ABOUT HIS STUFF?"

"I"M UNPACKING IT NOW!"

"OK!"

Marilyn sat there with her finger in her ears and said:

"I forgot how loud you guys were!"

"Same here." We resumed our book stacking.

Soon, we had finished. Marilyn was flat out bored.

"I do this almost everyday for my dad and I hope to have fun with you but no! I have to stack books! Is that mu purpose in life?!" She collapsed dramatically on the floor. I laughed.

"No, it's to go and visit the exhibits with me!"

"Yeah, that's more like it!"

"Andy! Nick's coming now. Be ready to leave for the museum immediately after!"

"Yes Father!"

"Don't be smart!"

"Ok Daddy Dearest!"

He sighed.

Soon after, Nick and mum appeared at the door. Mum came in and hugged me.

"Sweetie, I am so sorry about what I said earlier. You do want you want to do. Okay? Just, don't let me get angry at you again. I don't want to last words I said to you to be harsh."

I'd normally push mum away and tell her I was still pissed but I was tired of it so I just hugged her back.

She went and hugged Marilyn slightly and asked if she was ok. Marilyn just nodded and smiled.

Mum left in a matter of 2 minutes leaving us to grab coats and a packed dinner Dad bought before Nick came.

We zipped up and walked down to the ground floor and out into the streets of New York. We walked down the street and after a few rights and lefts we got to Central Park. We kept walking down until we reached the museum.

I suddenly felt reluctant to go inside. I slowly walked behind everyone else and drew a deep breath. I opened the doors and walked to the reception. I sat down in Rebecca's chair which was vacant. I sat there till Marilyn tapped on my shoulder.

"The sun has gone down. Your dad said we can explore… wanna come?" I nodded and followed her down a corridor.

I then heard the sound of a third pair of steps, coming right towards us in a fast and hurried way. I stiffened and Marilyn pulled me against a wall.

Ahkmenrah turned the corner and beamed like a thousand suns. He swooped down and hugged me and whispered:

"I thought I'd have to visit you again!"

"If you had, you'd be so dead even your tablet couldn't bring you back to life."

"Dark much?"

"I never thought I was too dark for you?" I said sarcastically. He tilted his head, confused. I rolled my eyes.

"I was going to be discharged later but I was progressing well."

"Well my dark one, I am going to make sure that you never get hurt again. You will be surround by my protective spirit till the day you leave this earth." Ahk said releasing me from the hug.