Chapter 25: Chapter 24: Is Pain the way?
The following days in the hospital were a blur of routines for Max. He dedicated himself to reading every book on meditation that Margaret had brought. He devoured the material, absorbing the teachings and techniques, hoping to find a way to access the strange dreams that had been haunting him. Yet, despite his newfound understanding of meditation and the profound sense of calmness it brought him, the dreams remained elusive.
One morning, the doctor entered Max's room, a solemn expression on his face. Margaret was already there, her hand gripping Max's. The doctor cleared his throat and began, "Max, we've reviewed your leg's condition. The damage is severe. Unfortunately, it won't recover to how it used to be. You'll need to use crutches from now on."
Max felt like the ground had been pulled from beneath him. The room seemed to spin, and a crushing sense of despair enveloped him. He barely registered Margaret's comforting words or the doctor's attempts to soften the blow. This was the day when Lily and Tommy had come to visit. They burst into the room, their faces alight with the eagerness to cheer up their friend. However, their expressions quickly shifted to shock and concern as they saw Max's condition and heard the devastating news.
Margaret had explained Max's absence to them when they visited his home, worried because he hadn't come to play for days. The reality hit them hard. They stood awkwardly by his bedside, not knowing what to say.
Trying to maintain composure, Max finally asked everyone to give him some time alone. "I just need a moment," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Once the room was empty, the loneliness crashed over him like a tidal wave. He felt an intense, crushing pain in his chest, as though his heart was being squeezed. Tears streamed down his face as he struggled to breathe. Suddenly, as if driven by some unconscious force, Max's body moved into a meditation pose. He closed his eyes and began to focus on his breath.
To his surprise, the dream returned. The eerie and hazy realm where the landscape was twisted and grotesque, with shadows dancing and twisting in unnatural ways. The dream only lasted for a second, but it was enough to confirm that there was something significant about it. Max tried desperately to hold onto the dream, but it slipped away, and woke up just to find himself drenched in sweat. Despite his sticky condition, he noticed that his mind was calm, his breathing normal, and the pain in his heart had vanished as if it had never existed.
Max composed himself and attempted to meditate again, hoping to recapture the dream. He was deep in concentration when Margaret entered the room with his dinner.
"Max, it's time to eat," she said gently, placing the tray on the table. "Your friends waited for you, but they had to leave because it was getting late. Martin dropped them home."
Max nodded, a little disappointed but grateful for his mother's care. "Thanks, Mom," he said, taking a deep breath. He realized that meditation had indeed provided him a way to access his dreams, albeit in a limited manner.
A week after his admission, Max was finally discharged from the hospital. He left with Margaret, Martin, Tommy, and Lily by his side. As they exited the hospital, Max felt a mix of relief and apprehension. He was grateful for his mother's unwavering support and the presence of his friends. "Thank you, everyone, for being here with me," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
At home, Max continued his meditation sessions diligently. That's when he noticed that, his comprehension, intuition, and retention abilities had increased exponentially. He could now grasp complex concepts in his books much faster and recall details with remarkable clarity. One evening, as he sat in his room surrounded by his books, he realized that he could now solve complicated math problems effortlessly and remember every detail of his conversations with friends and family.
The next day, Max was about to ask his mother about school. He didn't want to return just yet, feeling too overwhelmed by everything that had happened. But before he could speak, Margaret interrupted him with a warm smile. "Let's focus on your recovery now, son. School isn't going anywhere; we can talk about it later."
Max felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thanks, Mom," he said, smiling back. He appreciated her understanding and support more than he could express.
That night, as Max lay in bed, a sudden realization hit him like a lightning bolt, "Pain might be the catalyst that connects me with that dream". The realization was both unsettling and intriguing. If pain was indeed the key, he had to find a way to harness it without much damaging the already damaged body.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ye_Feng_6696
Ye_Feng_6696 Max's Pain is giving me Pain. So how about some stones?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone