teenage wasteland ;; the maze runner

2.3

florence winced as dr. hennings pressed her fingers against the inside of her elbow. although the doctor had quickly determined she hadn't broken anything, it was clear a serious jam took place, plus a bit of hyperextension.

    florence hissed, and hennings gave her a quiet yet sympathetic look. "sorry," the blonde woman whispered, but not without pressing her fingers against a new spot.

    flo's skin glowed hues of purple, green, and even a tinge of yellow right around the outside of her elbow. it was nasty, if anything, and florence hadn't even noticed it before her shower. it'd been hidden deep beneath layers of dirt, she was sure, which was embarrassing in itself.

    "okay," hennings breathed, finally lifting her hands away from florence and standing upright to look her patient in the eyes. instantly, flo relaxed knowing she wouldn't have to suffer through anymore unnecessary pain.

    hennings barely issued her another glance before moving her gaze over to her chart, now scratched with different black, green, or red marks given the three pens that scattered across her desk. "like i said, it's not broken, but it is hyperextended. it's... not great, and is on the more severe side, but with some time and cold compress, it should heal right up."

    florence blinked, furrowing her brows. "time? do we even have time?" flo was used to always having to run, always having to prepare for the next time everything fell apart. were they really safe enough to give herself time to heal?

    hennings' eyes softened. "oh, florence," she sighed, sitting back on her spinny stool. she scooted up, putting a few feet distance between the two of them, before she said, "for the first time, yes, you do have time. you are safe here, you know that right?"

    right, florence stifled her sarcasm, and instead used a far more approachable tone. "right." her words were slow, careful, and far more serious than she'd first answered in her head.

    "even so, we will have to wrap it to try and limit movement. you'll be wanting to move it often, but if we restrict it, the healing process may move forward."

    florence blinked. "i know that," she huffed. "i'm not dumb, you know."

    hennings looked up, taken aback. she opened her mouth, then closed it, and then dared to open it again. "right, sorry, i just—our usual patient isn't keen on medical knowledge the way you are. i just... i forgot."

    she looked at her, gaze unbreaking, until she finally accepted it with a nod. "okay," she sighed with a shrug. then, deciding she had enough, she threw her arm out towards the doctor. "just wrap it and get it done with."

    hennings nodded instantly, scooting even closer with new tools and material in hand. "it shouldn't hurt too much."

    florence held back a roll of her eyes. "i know."

    hennings swallowed, suddenly far more timid beneath flo's scrutinizing gaze. flo hadn't been expecting such a reaction from her attitude, and if she was being completely honest, the obedience was oddly entertaining.

    although, flo couldn't help but wonder, why was hennings so scared of her? was it florence, or was it the gladers in general?

    florence let her gaze wander across the room while hennings worked on her arm. as soon as the first pieces of tape were stuck against her ulna and up against her humerus, she felt herself grow bored.

    sooner or later, she would finally be free, but until then, she felt as though it was only her job to keep tabs on each and every glader that sat in that very room.

    instantly, her eyes found newt who sat in a distant corner with a different scientist. he looked clean, almost healthy, although still just as skinny. flo felt a smile pull at her lips, but she bit her lip before it could escape.