forehead resting on the cool glass. Her eyes stung from lack of sleep, but closing them only made the memories from

body, though it wasn't the cold she was s

en Street!" the

ne as she got down from the bus. The faint morning breeze carried the smell of roasted corn from

cked, the door swung open, and Maya, already dre

ht you'd overslept," Ma

her lips trembling. "I

vous. First day at the hospital, can

had happened the night before. Nora dropped

ed, tying her shoelaces. "But aren't you working y

wly. "Yeah. Jus

glance. "You're going to b

laugh. "I don't re

. Wish me luck, bestie!" She hugged No

taring at the ceiling. She allowed herself only a few minutes of rest b

--------------

time Nora arrived. The manager, a stout man with a perm

again, Nora

ry, sir.

four needs the

lite smile on her face as she took orders. One customer snappe

d? Wipe this!

cing herself to bow slig

in her mind, weak and pale in the hospital bed. She reminded hers

ft finally ended, she peeled off her apro

------------

ried down the hall. She entered her father's room quietly. He was

spered, her vo

ed when he saw her. "No

g by his side. "I'm fine.

Better. The doctors a

hand, hiding the l

t it?" he asked, pride flickering in his e

at her. If only he knew what she ha

whispered. "I'

----------

entation, the other interns were already gathered. Maya wav

presence sucking the air out of the room. Dr. Adrian Black.

he ducked her head, prayi

nition flared in his eyes. H

e said s

turned. N

rns?" His voice was smoo

r face burning. She cou

elief. The other interns exchanged confused glances, whisperin

a could feel Adrian's eyes on her more th

could slip away unnoticed. But

he list. "Miss Nora Da

ly buckled, bu

y against his desk, arms folded. His

as glass. "This hospital is not a marketplace. If you think you

widened. "

ce any of the doctors or even the patients for money, I will pers

Tears stung her eyes, but she bit her

ugh satisfied with her

e tears could spill. The door shut behind her, an

under fire. And the one man standing in he