Shadow of Us

Chapter 2 - Thomas

The hum of the ER was almost comforting. A mild fever here, a sprained ankle there—easy cases that blurred together, nothing that demanded my full focus. Emergency medicine might seem intense to most people, but after years of practice, I could handle it on autopilot. There was a rhythm to it, one I'd grown to rely on, a rhythm that drowned out the rest of my life whenever I needed it to. I'd just finished the notes for my last patient when the PA system crackled overhead, breaking through the familiar sounds around me. "Dr. Thomas Reed to the administration office, please. Dr. Reed to the administration office."

I press my lips together, wondering what my boss could need right now. Harrington isn't exactly the type to call anyone in for a casual chat. He's a straight-shooter with little patience for anything less than peak performance. Frowning, I slipped the patient's file back into the stack. Samuel Harrington didn't call me to his office unless it was something serious. A complaint, maybe? Or was it something to do with my upcoming rotation change? I let out a breath, smoothing down my coat before heading through the hall, already running through possible reasons for this unexpected call. When I stepped into Samuel's office, I could tell right away this was no routine conversation. His face was set, his usual warmth replaced by something more guarded. Samuel Harrington doesn't look up right away. He's studying something on his computer screen with the familiar intensity I've come to expect. Finally, he glances up and motions for me to close the door. I shut the door behind me, feeling a prickle of concern.

"Thanks for coming in, Thomas," he said, gesturing toward the chair across from him.

"Of course. Everything alright?" I asked, sensing the tension in his voice.

Samuel let out a sigh, then fixed me with a steady look. "Thomas," he begins, cutting straight to the point. "There have been threats made against the hospital. Enough that the board's decided on extra security measures."

A threat? My chest tightened. The words sank in, heavy and strange. I looked at Samuel's face, hoping to catch some hint that he was exaggerating, maybe even joking—but his expression was all seriousness. Who'd target a hospital? Why here? But before I can voice my thoughts, he continues.

"A threat... as like someone actually wants to harm the hospital?" I asked, still processing the idea.

"Exactly plus they added, they're after doctors. We're not certain what the motive is, but the threat's been deemed credible enough. That's why we're implementing some new security protocols," he explained, his voice firm. I nodded, feeling the weight of the news settle over me. I'd worked here for years; the hospital was more than a workplace—it was a safe place. The thought that someone would want to harm it, harm the people in it, felt surreal.

"So... what kind of measures are we talking about?" I swallowed hard, taking in every move he made or was about to make.

Samuel's gaze held mine. "You'll be assigned a personal protector." He said softly. Maybe too softly, for information he just gave me. You gotta be shitting me. I held his gaze a little longer, trying to find the bigger problem, he was saying it so slightly like the biggest shot hadn't come yet.

"A... what?" I breathed out, processing. I fell into the chair near to his desk, I hadn't even noticed my legs were moving before. "A... protector?" I repeat, feeling my eyebrows shoot up. I try to wrap my head around the concept, picturing some hulking, expressionless guard following me around, which feels strange enough.

"A personal protector. Bodyguard, if you prefer." He paused, as if gauging my reaction. "Given the nature of the threat, we feel it's best to err on the side of caution." He added, like it would change something.