Every breath he took felt heavier. His bruises throbbed, his limbs ached, an

place felt too quiet. Too controlled. He clenched his fists, trying to s

e scrubs walked briskly to the counter. She leaned in

lanced

s stomac

d, and without hesitatio

come here,"

Why was he being

ople waiting exchanged murmurs, thei

said, her voice unnaturally smooth.

stepped forward. His legs

n across the counter. "Here, si

s wouldn't stop shaking. The letters on

ed gently, "are you o

can," he

fered. Her tone was to

. Something about

to argue. "Yes, please. I.

st tell me your details, and I'll writ

h... Eliza

ered over the page f

er fr

her

enty

n quickly this time.

remember. His mind felt foggy.

d and kept writi

heartbeat

g about this place, these pe

m the patient card, her fin

said, smiling. "You shou

card in his hand. "

d to the bruises on his face. "Those cuts... they don't

uth to refuse-but the

asn't

as sta

roat we

said again, firmer

his wounds. Walker barely flinched.

way she kept

mpathy. Not

curi

s, then back to his expression.

to speak. "So... how lo

miled. "Oh,

t sound natural. It sounded li

clenched

to see Eliz

s, she handed him back the patient

bed the card, and stood up. But befor

urse inter

oard, her posture stif

ard, I need you to answer some que

fists. "Can't this wait? S

andard pr

ard pr

s skin p

nodded and sat down. But this

clipboard and immediately

her blo

quickened. "I.

eact. She simply wr

e a history of

No

ly transmitt

does that have to do with anyth

ook up. "Drug addic

t!" His voice ros

s. And for the first time, Wal

writing ever

she noted. Othe

lready knew

s breath

amed at him to

ed. "Any organ issues? Kidn

lms on his jeans. "She's ne

len

e final

any allergies

ed. His lips parted-b

idn't

ever need

nside, a small voice

ed as he answered

something and, for th

smi

irk

s blood

, stating you don't know some of the ans

grip tight. He scrawled his

idiculous,"

ooked up. And in tha

asn't

rea

said, voice smooth

orm back into her ha

ead straight to

stop

ur

nced back at the

men were wa

essio

smi

something