‼️ PAUSED ‼️ ❝ 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘 ❞ ~ [ᵂᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᴴᵒᵐᵉ/ᴿᶠ ᵂᵃˡˡʸ ˣ ᴼᶜ]

[𝟕.] 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

"Strength is not in self-sufficiency but in recognizing the support that fuels their greatness."
 
 
              _______ 💉 ______
 
 
The success of the mission did little to alleviate the heavy burden of guilt that weighed on Vincent's mind due to the teen's death.
It took a concerted effort for him to pull himself from the depths of his thoughts.
The eeriness of the familiarity between their situations sent shivers down his spine...

{{{ a̶s̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶a̶ ̶s̶h̶a̶r̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶o̶w̶n̶ ̶p̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶h̶a̶d̶ ̶r̶e̶s̶u̶r̶f̶a̶c̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶u̶n̶e̶x̶p̶e̶c̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶m̶ }}}
 
 
Shoving these perplexing thoughts aside, he refocused his attention on the road ahead, his mind now occupied with the impending visit to the clinic.

 
 

  
  
  
  
"Excuse me? What do you mean by 'pausing my duties for the whole week'?"
He questioned, his tone a mixture of disbelief and resignation.
  
  
The news of his week-long pause from duties came as a blow, the reality of his predicament sinking in.

The head nurse, unfazed by his tone, meticulously reviewed the papers on her clipboard before addressing him.
  
  
  
"My deepest apologies. But I'm afraid you'll have no other choice but to abide by our medical protocols." She stated firmly.
 
 
Her explanation that his wound was deep and required careful treatment made sense, even if he was reluctant to admit it.
The nurse's reprimand about his attempts to self-medicate with alcohol earned a nod of understanding from him, his fingers absentmindedly touching the gauze wrapped around his waist.
 
 
As the nurse continued with her examination, his conflicted expression didn't go unnoticed.
 
 
She paused and met his gaze with a sigh, acknowledging the tumultuous thoughts swirling within him.
  
  
  
"Again, I am deeply sorry... This is all for the best for your own well-being.
However, all medical procedures that were done by your team were on point, right from the time you were injured."