Fate Breakers

Chapter 13

Liam

Hawthorne... ginger... rose... motherwort...

"Liam."

Not nearly enough cerassee for Warrant Officer Rosthvolt's normal dose of blood pressure medication.

"... Liam..."

Substitution is too risky. Better to give him a lower dose and-

"Liam, please."

I shrug off Nefeli's hand from my shoulder. She's hurt, but not surprised. I don't know why she would be. I do know why she's here. I turn away from her and go back to balancing doses for Rosthvolt. "I told you I'm not going, Feli."

"You know you don't have a choice, Lee." I see her hands on the workbench. The iron promise ring taunts me in the lamp light.

You breathe, and you keep going.

I breathe, and I keep going.

"I am a medic, Feli. With Rowan's examination earlier today coupled with the successful blood transfusion after the unit test, I will be receiving my license by the start of the next week. I am no soldier."

Not anymore.

"They need a field medic."

"That's not my problem."

"It is now." It goes quiet. My chest tightens. I know what she's going to say before she says it. "I miss him too, Lee... but this isn't healthy."

You breathe, and you keep going.

"Spending every waking moment in this tent won't help. You chide your peers for how poorly they care for themselves when you are the worst example."

You breathe, and you keep going.

"You can't do this anymore, Lee."

You breathe, and you keep going.

"You're going to kill yourself."

It should have been me.

"Lee...?"

I wish it was me.

"If I go, will you stop pestering me?"

Silence.

"Liam. Look at me."

My heart jerks. I turn. Seeing the tears in Nefeli's eyes makes my own burn with tears. I lost my past, and she lost every hope of a beautiful future. I don't resist when her arms find their way around me. I shut my eyes, and I let myself melt in her arms.

"Please, Liam... for me?"

You breathe, and you keep going.

Slowly, I nod. "For you, Feli... I'll do it for you."

↻

"Of all the fucking avaliable medics, we got Specialist Rojas' fucking cripple?"

I adore Warrant Officer Rosthvolt. He's old, having transferred from being a field medic to being a full time trainer. Rosthvolt lost his right eye two decades ago, and he's still treated with respect. He respects me and my opinion.

Warrant Officer Crestmont doesn't, and truth be told, I don't respect him either. Not only is he barely thirty-two and balding, but he still acts like he's a child in an academy. Like all of this is some popularity contest. I thank Asclepius that no one has died under his care.

"Officer Crestmont, I assure you that my vision and prosthetics in no way will hinder my ability to care for yourself and Unit 66." I remain at parade rest, wanting to carve out my own tongue for showing this clown any shred of respect, no matter how fake it may be. "I was chosen for my unique abilities and skill. I will be of service to you."