Chapter 104
The side room at the medical center is empty when Anton opens his eyes. It is dark outside the window; he must have slept for a while after the doctor had examined him.
He is exhausted and feels nauseous, but the doctor explained that this is to be expected following a concussion.
His forehead is throbbing where it has been stitched, but it could have been so much worse.
If the hammer had struck him slightly lower down, he could have lost the sight in his right eye.
The doctor has told him to take it easy for a few days; he can’t go back to work until next week. Anton’s instinct was to protest, but then he realized the doctor was right—as soon as he sat up, his field of vision contracted.
He looks for his phone, sees his jacket on the end of the bed, and removes the phone from his pocket with slow, careful movements.
The display shows that his sister, Karro, has tried to reach him several times. Presumably Mom has contacted her, and no doubt she has told her about yesterday’s big argument.
Is Karro going to be dragged into this mess too?
Anton sighs, he can’t deal with this now, not the way he’s feeling. He will talk to his sister later.
He checks his messages, half hoping for a text from Hanna, an update on the case. He wants to know how it’s gone, whether Pontus has broken down and confessed, but she hasn’t been in touch.
Nor has Daniel.
Most of all he would have loved for Carl to have answered his message about meeting up this evening, but there is nothing. Anton’s pride prevents him from asking again. It is how it is between them, he just has to accept that.
There is a knock on the door, and a gray-haired nurse comes in. His name badge reveals that he is Dario.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m starting to feel a little better,” Anton replies with a forced smile, even though he really doesn’t feel too good.
“I’ve just spoken to the doctor,” Dario says. “We’re sending you to the hospital in ?stersund, where you’ll be kept in for observation for twenty-four hours. We’re just organizing the transfer by ambulance.”
Anton would much rather go home, but there is no point in arguing. After all, it’s not as if Carl is waiting for him in Duved.
“Do you have a friend or relative who can bring in a toothbrush and other bits and pieces before you go?”
Anton can’t contemplate calling his parents and asking them to fetch his toilet bag. He doesn’t want to speak to Karro either. And contacting Carl is out of the question. He refuses to beg and ask for his help just because he’s been injured; at least he can spare himself that humiliation.
“Maybe I can borrow what I need at the hospital,” he says, closing his eyes and sinking back on the pillow.
He never thought he would feel this lonely again.