onsciousness, the pain a relentless tide. But through it all,

n't recognize. He was tall, dressed in scrubs, and ha

m I?" I

rse from the clinic, she called 911. Said they weren't equipp

it felt like a physical blow. I sta

aid. "You're both stable

asn't calm anymore. His eyes were blazing with a fury that was terr

oice low and shaking with rage.

id, my voice weak but steady

snapped. "And you are coming bac

heart pounding. "I'm not

d, a sharp, warning jab. I g

ng dangerously persuasive. "You're not well. You can't take care of yo

filled with a strength I didn't know I possessed.

ol finally snapping. "Do you have any idea what's at stak

ing you stole fro

ok a step toward me, his hand raise

urst open. The kind doctor from before st

irm. "Ms. Sharma is my patient. She is not

sheer force of his will was a palpable thing in the room. But then he seemed to remember w

tion. "This isn't over, Anya," he whispered

ing uncontrollably. The doctor rushe

ave, can he?" I aske

said. "But Ms. Sharma... a man like that... he's n

s, threats to his perfect, stolen life. I had to disappear. Not just for my own sake