Chapter 40: Mummy Misunderstandings and Test Tensions
“…Damn it. Familiar ceiling.”
The paramedics must’ve taken me to the nearest major hospital, so it’s probably the same one I was admitted to last time.
I tried to get up to head to the counter and see a doctor, but something felt off—like I was tied down, unable to move.
“What’s this? Why can’t I move?”
What did they do this time? No matter how much I strained, it was like I was tightly bound by ropes, completely immobile.
Forget moving—the suffocating feeling was unbearable. Something was wrapped tightly around me, and with a thick blanket on top, I was so hot and claustrophobic I thought I’d lose it.
“If I roll around enough, maybe I can get out of this heavy blanket?”
Wriggling to push the blanket off, I finally saw my condition.
“Bandages…? Why are they wrapped so tightly?”
Am I a cocoon or an ancient Egyptian mummy? The bandages binding my entire body made me look like one.
“What kind of crazy hospital slathers bandages on minor abrasions?!”
As I struggled to free myself, the door opened, and a little kid walked in.
“Oh? Corpse lady! You’re awake now?”
“Corpse lady, my foot… Kid, I’m not a corpse. And who said you could call me that?”
“Mom said not to, but… you look so much like a corpse! Now you look like a mummy!”
“I’m neither a corpse nor a mummy. If you’re gonna talk nonsense, go over there.”
Pointing to a chair by the TV to shoo the annoying kid away, they shook their head, refusing.
“I’m not a kid! And the doctors said this is my room.”
So this isn’t a private room like last time, but a shared one? At least I won’t be bothered with intensive care nonsense. Sighing in relief, I organized my thoughts when the kid approached with a curious look.
“So, corpse lady, what’s wrong with you? Your head? Your body?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I don’t even know why I’m here.”
“Liar! You look super sick! Mom said lying is bad!”
“It’s not a lie. I may look like this, but I’m not in pain.”
Judging people by appearances is wrong, but this kid’s already learned bad habits. Clicking my tongue, I humored their teasing because their bright smile was oddly cute. After playing along for a bit, the kid, seemingly less bored, poked my bandages and said,
“Sis, it smells weird here.”
“That’s the disinfectant the doctors used. If the smell bothers you, go back to your spot.”
“My spot’s boring—no toys or games! Even with the weird smell, playing with you is way more fun!”
“Fine, do whatever you want…”
I hadn’t noticed the smell until the kid mentioned it. Was the alcohol scent of the disinfectant so strong my nose got used to it? How much did they douse these bandages with?
If the smell was noticeable even after I’d adjusted, it must be intense. I hoped the kid would rest instead of straining to smell it.
“If you’re not gonna help with the bandages, go back to your spot. You’re making the bed feel cramped.”
“If I help with the bandages, can I stay?”
“Sure, of course. If you undo them, you can play here all you want.”
If the bandages come off, I don’t care what chaos you cause. Once they’re off, I’m confronting the doctor and getting discharged. But the kid just fiddled with the bandages, not actually undoing them.
“Talking big but can’t do it? Guess you are just a kid.”
“I’m not a kid! I… I mean…”
Stammering, the kid’s voice dropped, sounding dejected.
“If I undo the bandages… the nurses said the mummy will curse me…”
“Pfft…”
“Don’t laugh!!!”
If I could move my arms, I’d have ruffled their hair like crazy. The kid’s innocent purity was adorable.
Maybe that’s why I made the mistake of teasing them further.
“They’re right. If you undo these bandages, I was gonna curse you. Hehe, too bad~”
“You’re really a mummy!”
“Of course, why would I be fake? Why do you think I look like a corpse? Mummies are basically corpses, you know?”
“Waaaah!!! Mommy!!!”
My teasing sent the kid running out, crying. Left alone, I wrestled with the bandages again.
“Hey, wait! Undo these first…”
I teased too hard. I didn’t expect to make them cry.
“Sigh… When are the doctor and nurse coming? They can’t leave me like this and expect me to call for help.”
There was an emergency call button right by the bed, but with my body sealed in bandages, I couldn’t use it. Maybe I should’ve asked the kid to call instead of undoing the bandages.
“They’re not coming back for a while, huh… What do I do?”
Physiological needs would hit soon. I drank with Tonia while eating that frozen food. If I had to deal with that on the bed because of these bandages? I’d probably choose to end it all.
[Suicide is one of the greatest sins. Don’t even think about it unless it’s dire.]
“I’m saying the shame would be that bad. Wouldn’t getting mocked as a bedwetter by a kid under ten make you feel suicidal?”
[Maybe. I haven’t experienced it, so I don’t know. Why not try it and tell me about that unique experience?]
“Don’t say weird stuff.”
God really has no filter.
[I was curious, but too bad. Maybe next time…]
“I’m never doing it, so drop it.”
Arguing with God passed the time, and finally, the doctor and nurse arrived.
“Patient? How are you feeling?”
“Fine enough to be discharged right now. Can you let me out and take off these annoying bandages?”
The doctor shook his head firmly.
“We can loosen the bandages for now, but no discharge. We need to run tests to confirm you’re okay.”
“If there’s nothing wrong, why test?”
“I’ve seen too many patients claim they’re fine and then drop dead.”
“I’m not like that, so don’t worry.”
“My gut says you’re 100% that type. You look like you’d keel over if we let you go without tests. No way we’re discharging you.”
His gut’s off, isn’t it? God himself vouched for my health.
[Sure, you’re healthy—if you don’t abuse your body.]
“What’s that mean?”
[If you get tested now, you won’t get the same clean results as last time. You’ve overworked your heart, so you’ll have to face the consequences.]
Oh, right. The penalty.
He’s right—my last clean test was before the contract. With penalties piling up, a full checkup now would definitely flag me as frail.
“Can’t patients refuse tests? If so, I refuse.”
“Yes, you can refuse, but there’s a condition.”
“What condition?”
“Both the patient and guardian must refuse.”
As he spoke, Ji Yoon entered the room, and the doctor pointed to her.
“You refused, but your guardian consented, so we’ll proceed with the tests. They’re scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning. Here are the pre-test instructions—please read them. We’ll take our leave.”
“…I need to use the bathroom, so can you undo the bandages before you go?”
“Must’ve been uncomfortable. Alright.”
The doctor and nurse removed the tight bandages and left, leaving just me and Ji Yoon in the room.
“I’m fine, totally fine.”
“With all those scratches, you’re fine?”
“They’re not that many—just minor abrasions. They don’t even hurt.”
I smiled, but Ji Yoon’s expression hardened. I racked my brain for any verbal slip, but nothing stood out.
“Ji Yoon? I have a question.”
“Go ahead, sis.”
“Why insist on the tests? The last checkup showed I’m completely healthy.”
I tried dodging the tests by citing my recent health check, but Ji Yoon, unlike her usual self, raised her voice.
“You went through that today and think you don’t need tests? Are you out of your mind?”
“Rolling on the ground doesn’t cause health issues. I don’t see the need for tests.”
“You…!”
Frustrated, Ji Yoon shouted, then sighed and spoke in her usual tone.
“Fine… Tomorrow’s test results will show what you’re hiding from me and why.”
Muttering quietly, she left the room. Watching the door close pitifully, I gave a hollow laugh.
“I’m screwed.”