Fear

14 • Meeting Sam

The next day, my mind was still buzzing with the tension and revelations from my encounter with Tyler. Processing everything was proving to be a challenge when a soft knock interrupted my thoughts. The door creaked open, and James stepped in again, clipboard in hand.

"Emily, I hope you're feeling a bit better. I've arranged for you to meet Sam, the doctor. He'll be able to check your wounds and answer some of your questions."

I nodded, grateful for the distraction and the potential to learn more. James helped me up, and together we walked down the sterile hallways until we reached a door marked "Dr. Samuel Thorne."

James knocked lightly before pushing the door open. Inside, the room was a stark contrast to the rest of the facility. It had a warm, inviting atmosphere, with shelves lined with books and soft lighting that made the space feel almost cozy.

"Dr. Thorne, this is Emily," James introduced.

Dr. Samuel Thorne stood up from behind his desk. He was young, tall, with brown hair and soft brown eyes that immediately put me at ease. His kind smile felt genuine as he extended a hand, and I shook it, noticing the warmth of his grip.

"Emily, it's a pleasure to meet you," Sam said, his voice gentle. "Please, have a seat."

I sat down, feeling slightly more relaxed. Sam took his place opposite me, folding his hands on the desk.

"I understand you're here for a check-up and have a lot of questions," Sam began. "I'll do my best to help with both."

I took a deep breath, holding out my arm for him. He nodded. "Let's take a look."

As he carefully unwrapped the bandage on my arm, I winced and looked away. I caught a glimpse of the half-healed gash Tyler had inflicted, and it made my stomach churn.

"It's healing well," Sam reassured me, his voice calm. "You're lucky. It could have been much worse."

As he dressed the wound with a fresh bandage, I noticed a tattoo on his left hand-a detailed image of a human heart. Curiosity got the better of me.

"What's the tattoo for?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the pain.

Sam glanced at his hand and smiled softly. "It represents my fear. I used to be terrified of blood. As part of the treatment here, once you overcome your fear, you receive a tattoo of it."

My mind wandered back to Dylan, and I remembered the tattoos on his body. "Dylan has a blood droplet tattoo and a fire tattoo on his arm. What do those mean?"

Sam's expression turned thoughtful. "I wasn't here when Dylan was treated, but those tattoos indicate he was cured of his fears of blood and fire."

I absorbed this, a mix of curiosity and unease washing over me. "And you... your fear is blood? How did you get through medical school with a fear of blood."

Sam nodded, a slight sadness in his eyes. "I've learned to manage it, though it was a long journey."

As he finished securing the bandage, his movements were deliberate and careful. Despite the unsettling environment, his presence felt like a small beacon of comfort. He felt like another ally in this hellish institution.

"Thank you," I said quietly.
Sam looked at me with understanding. "It's my job to help. If you have any more questions or need to talk, you can always come to me."

I stood, feeling a bit more hopeful. I appreciated the honesty and support he offered.

As James and I walked back to my room, my mind was still spinning, but I felt a newfound sense of hope. I was starting to piece together the dynamics of this place, and with Sam and James on my side, I felt better about my chances of survival.

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