My shift has just hit that rare, delicate lull, a fleeting moment of calm that I know better than to expect to last. I'm charting some final notes at the nurse's station when Ada, who's leaning over the counter, nudges me with her elbow.
"So, have you shaken him off yet?" she teases, giving me that knowing grin. "Or is he still haunting your dreams?"
I roll my eyes, smiling despite myself. "This is the last time I tell you anything," I say laughing, "No dream haunting" though it's not the full truth. Harry's ghost hovers in the corners of my mind far more than I'd like to admit. The scent of his leather jacket, the rough warmth of his hands—it all feels frustratingly tangible, despite three weeks of silence. Not that I'd ever let Ada know that.
Ada tilts her head, unconvinced. "Uh-huh. Your eyes say otherwise, sweetheart."
"Yeah, yeah." I wave her off, but my smile betrays me. "I'm just focused on work. Plenty of other things to think about around here ."
She laughs, standing up straight. "Right, I'll believe it when I see it. Anyway, thought you'd appreciate the heads up—Mr. Daniels is up to his usual antics in Room 2."
"Perfect. Just what I needed." I sigh, but I can't suppress a grin. Mr. Daniels is our resident pain in the ass. I've caught him wandering the halls enough times now that I'm practically on call as his unofficial babysitter.
I grab his file from the counter, scanning it as I walk down the hallway. The hospital's halls are bright but quiet at this hour, a comforting hum of activity muffled beneath the low hum of fluorescent lights and the occasional murmur of voices. My steps echo softly as I head toward his room, skimming over recent notes on his behavior and the new prescriptions he's protesting in his usual dramatic fashion.
Just as I reach the door, I glance up to see Ada rounding the corner, her face slightly flushed. Her expression shifts from exasperation to something more serious, and she raises a hand to get my attention.
"Piper," she calls, lowering her voice as she approaches. "There's someone here asking for you specifically. He's at the front desk, and he wouldn't give much information."
I frown, instantly curious. "Someone looking for me?" My mind races, running through any recent cases or patients who might have a reason to follow up with me directly.
Ada nods. "Young guy, looks a little rough around the edges but nothing too wild. Says his name's Caleb?"
The name instantly registers, and a wave of relief mingles with apprehension. Caleb. I'd been hoping to see him eventually but not like this. "Oh I'll go check on him," I say. Ada gestures to the file in my hands.
"I got it" I throw her a smile in thanks before heading back down toward the reception area.
When I turn the corner, Caleb's standing there, his thin frame swallowed up in an oversized jacket. His hands are jammed into his pockets, and his face looks far too serious for a kid his age.
"Caleb?" I greet him, surprised and worried. He looks up, relief flickering in his eyes. "Hey, are you okay?"
Caleb shifts on his feet, looking away for a moment before meeting my gaze, and I can see the conflict flickering in his eyes. "Yeah". "Sorry I... I didn't know who else could help." My eyes are watching him carefully, as he speaks lowly. I drop down a little to get close to his level, meeting his eyes.
"That's okay, I'm always here to help" I say softly with a smile, knowing not to pry no matter how badly I want to. He looks around the hospital sheepishly.
"It's my sister"
I feel my stomach drop, and I gesture for him to follow me, leading him into a quiet consultation room just off the main hall. I close the door behind us and motion for him to sit, though he just stands there, looking even more unsettled than before.
YOU ARE READING
Stitches
FanfictionShe was always drawn to helping those in the shadows. But when a stranger's world of shadows and secrets seeps into her life, Piper finds herself drawn to a darkness she doesn't understand. The line between saving others and saving herself blurs. Ho...