It's a windy day today. A little too windy to be honest - I hadn't really bothered putting on long sleeves so the wind sucked away any body heat I may have leaked into the surrounding air. I really should go inside, I have things to do in there anyways. Yeah, I'll go inside.

I start to get up from the bench, but don't. The passing cars are simply too mesmerizing to look away from. All the different shapes and sizes and colors. I take a deep breath, pretend I'm smoking despite the fact I'd never touched tobacco in my life. Maybe it would be relaxing? Everyone I know who smokes says it relieves their stress, but that seems counterintuitive, given the fact that nicotine is a stimulant drug. Wouldn't it just increase that stress? I take another deep breath and reconsider. It's probably the action of smoking that helps, not the nicotine itself. A comfortable habit, something that won't change.

I feel her presence land somewhere to my right. It surprises me at first. "Aren't you, like, tied to the woods back home? How'd you make it this far out?" She chuckles, as much as she can. Of course, that makes sense. There were a few logs in the back of the car, needing to be split into firewood, which probably came from the woods. There's probably enough energy in them to keep her here. 

She wraps around my shoulders, which sends a shiver down my spine for a moment. The feeling always does that, I'm never sure why. I sense her concern. "Yeah, I should go back in. It would be for the best." I don't move. Her concern grows to annoyance, which is never good. "I just want to stay out here a while longer, okay? You know how I am. This is hard to process." She softens immediately. Good.

The softness doesn't last particularly long though. She grows impatient so quick nowadays. I sigh, standing up, bending backwards to try and crack my back a little. It doesn't work. "I don't think you can come inside with me. Too much metals and stuff. If you wanna stay in the area you should stick out here, alright?" Her presence shifts off of me, back towards the car. I resist the urge to wave, or to simply join her there and drive away. I have things to do. I turn to enter the building.

I go through the revolving door, of course, and into the reception area. I don't look at the receptionist - if I greeted her for the fourth time today she may think I'm weird. Instead I take a straight line to the elevators nearby and call it. There were people inside, I let them pass before I enter, and hit the button for the fifth floor. No one joins me in the elevator.

When I reach the fifth floor I look down at my palm. I scratched directions there earlier so I would not forget. It hurt but it's the best way to keep myself from getting lost. I follow the directions and when I reach the place they leave off I scan the right wall. I find the room I was looking for, and step inside. The privacy curtain is closed, and I hear the nurse speaking, meaning the occupant will most likely be awake, finally, for the first time yet today. 

I step into the bathroom near the door and wait there for the nurse to leave before re-emerging. No need to interact with them. I step in the privacy curtain, and the twisted being turns its head to look at me. It speaks, but I can't understand its words anymore.

I sit down at the chair by its bedside, and offer my hand. It takes it, holding my hand. I feel what used to be bones warping by my very touch. Its skin, a mix of greys and greens and oranges and blues, clings to mine. I feel it trying to suck me in. I try to control my breathing. The air tastes of hand sanitizer and smells of nothing. I hate the colors here. I hate them so much. So very much. So very much.

Her presence works its way up through the walls and around my shoulders again. I shiver. The twisted being fades out, leaving the weakened body of my grandfather in its place. I smile, and remember to thank her later when I get home, as I can already feel her presence weakening. 

I hold my grandfather's hand tighter, being careful not to squeeze too hard and hurt him, with how fragile he's become. "I'm sorry I haven't been here in a while. I know I should be visiting as much as I can, but..."

He shakes his head slightly, and tries his best to speak. "Don't.. Don't worry about it. I know this is hard for you, and... even more so on your mom. Say hi to her for me when you get home, won't you?" I nod. I wonder if she'll be awake. Her new medications make her sleep too much. But they help her so I won't complain.

My grandfather smiles at me, but I see the pain in his eyes. It makes me feel nauseous, and I think he can tell that, as he lets go of my hand. "You should... go home now. Make sure your mom is okay. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?" I nod again. I don't really have the words to speak yet. I wish she didn't fade away already, I need her strength right now. I don't have enough of it on my own. 

I get up and lean over him, hugging him as best I can. It's an awkward hug at best, but it's all I can really do. I kiss his forehead as well, for good measure. It's really all I can do. I manage to get out an "I love you, Grandpa" before the nausea truly sets in, and I walk out the door and follow the signs back to the elevator.

No one's in it this time. I return to ground floor, and take a straight path to the exit. I don't have the willpower to take the revolving door. I exit the building and start walking to the minivan. The wind blows past, making me shiver and messing my hair up. Like I said, it's too windy.

It takes a little while but I finally reach the minivan. I get in the front seat, and look back at the logs in the trunk area. Her presence is gone, which is a shame. I sigh and shrug it off - she'll be home when I am. The sun is setting, which is a problem, as I don't see well in the dark. I start up the minivan, and begin the drive home.