Orphaned Without Refuge Chapter 17

Probably because I had no more attachments, my condition rapidly began deteriorating.

Not long after admission, I went completely blind.

After losing my sight, my hearing also declined significantly.

At first, I could still get out of bed and move around.

But as my condition worsened, I began experiencing paralysis again.

Now I was completely confined to bed, like a living corpse.

Each day I woke up, I hoped for death more than life.

Although my physical suffering was great, because the hospital caregivers were very patient, I lived fairly comfortably.

Originally, an older woman cared for me.

The most common thing she'd say when seeing me was: "Such a young, handsome man. What a pity."

Before long, my caregiver was replaced by a young woman who never spoke.

Probably new to the work, many of her movements seemed awkward.

As the care time lengthened, recently her technique had become much more professional.

These past days I felt my spirits had improved considerably, so I had the young woman push me outside to get some sun.

After so long without touching sunlight, my heart suddenly felt reluctant to leave this world.

On the way back to my room, I said to the young woman behind me: "Thank you for taking care of me during this time. It's been hard on you."

Though she didn't respond, I heard her sobbing.

That night, I dreamed again of that forest from before.

Because I wasn't disturbed, this time in the dream I walked alone for a very long time.