On the Run

Aftermath

I'm not a medical professional, so this information will be inaccurate. 

CW: Sedation, Aggressive behaviors due to fear, medical inaccuracies, Reader is going through it,

She paced the hallway, her long pants swishing and swaying. On her face, one could see the days of no sleep and barely any eating. Her skin lacked its usual glow, riddles with worry wrinkles, and the like.

She was just too worried. The people at the house weren't to come, due to circumstances she did not understand. She was tired. So tired.

She was tired of waiting for phone calls about her friend's condition, wondering if she was alive. She couldn't even see her, the doctors saying that she didn't want to look.

How bad could it have been then? She didn't get it.

Before she could spiral more, someone cleared their throat. She looked up from her pacing, glad to see Dr. Ramirez.

"Ms. Jackson? Have you been here all night?"

Maya nodded, wiping her eyes. A sympathetic expression crossed Dr. Ramirez's face.

"We, unfortunately, do not have any empty rooms, else I would've offered you a place to sleep."

"No need. I want to be right here when she wakes up." 

Emphasis on the 'when'.

The doctor nodded, then checked her notes. She led Maya into your hospital room.  When she laid her eyes on you, she gasped, tears springing to her eyes. 

Your entire body was bandaged as if to hold you from falling apart. Your chest rose unsteadily, and the oxygen mask fogged with each breath. Patches covered your eyes, keeping the fluorescent lights from hurting you. Maya rushed to you, holding your bandaged hand in her own. She listened as the heart monitor beeped steadily.

"She lost a lot of blood. Lacerations on her body, multiple muscle tears, 3 broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung, punctured lung, and a shattered ankle," the doctor listed, flipping through the clipboard. "We aren't sure if she has a concussion, though likely. But she'll live. If not for her healers, I don't think she would've survived."

I don't think she would've survived. 

"Also, did you know?"

Maya turned to Dr. Ramirez. "Know what?" 

"Her condition?"

"Which condition?" a worried expression crossed her face. Were you sick, and she didn't know? She couldn't handle any other news right now. Not when she feels like throwing up.

"She has iron deficiency. It is very common in women due to menstrual cycles."

Maya sighed in relief. "Yes, I know. It's curable, right?"

"Not exactly. If not remedied or managed, there may be consequences."

"She told me most of this. So, what's wrong?"

"Her iron levels are concerningly low. Her recovery will be delayed. We've noticed that it's been like this for a while, even before the attack."

Maya couldn't stomach any more news. "What do you need to do?"

"We'll do a blood transfusion to bring those levels up. But the rest of the healing is up to both her and her decisions in the future."

Dr. Ramirez hesitated for a moment.

"What is it?"

"The rest of this information should be disclosed when the patient wakes."

Maya stayed quiet, her thoughts swirling in fear and anxiety. "May I have a moment?"