Chapter 255: Discharge Papers

XENOIS   The discharge paperwork took longer than I'd expected, every form requiring multiple signatures and careful review of Lake's post--coma care instructions.    Dr. Sloane walked us through the medication schedule, the warning signs to watch for, the follow--up appointments that would need to be scheduled once we settled in Silver Creek.   Riley stood beside Lake's wheelchair----hospital policy, despite the boy's insistence he could walk----with one hand resting protectively on his shoulder.   He'd barely let Lake out of his sight since he'd woken up, as if afraid that looking away might cause him to disappear again.   "Remember," Dr. Sloane said, directing her words primarily at Riley since he was clearly going to be Lake's primary caretaker whether we liked it or not, "no portal usage for at least a week. His body needs time to recover from the magical exhaustion, and pushing too hard too soon could cause another collapse."   "I'll make sure he doesn't," Riley promised with a f