Always.

Strike

Charles gathered all the needed supplies on the tray as he moved along the rack. Injections, stress-relievers, and other things were placed on the push cart as Charles hurried to Lucy's room. Five other nurses followed him bringing their own set of medicine so that when the operation fails, they'll be there to do their own thing.

Just as Charles was in front of the door, he checked his watch and nodded to the nurses. The women stood around the hallway like they were just passing by, trying to make Lucy think they were not back-up nurses for Charles. Sometimes, it made Charles wonder why he needed to have back-up. He was the King Doctor for Pete's sake! 

King Doctors don't need back-up! They can just be so kind and caring that the patient would calm down even in just their presence. But Charles reminded himself that Lucy was not an ordinary case, and that one mistake can bring him trouble. If the people found out a King Doctor couldn't save someone because he did a mistake, what would the higher ups would have done? Somehow, that sent a shiver down his spine.

As he composed himself, he pretended to glance around, but was actually just checking if the nurses were acting it out right. So far so good. He exhaled and stared at the door with determined eyes. He inserted his hand in his pocket(as usual) and pushed the cart forwards, causing for the door to open. He found Lucy sitting on the edge of her bed, looking at the scenery that she could see through the window. He didn't know why, but Lucy always said she liked birds. The reason for that was never known.

"Lucy?" Charles called. Said person didn't turn around but instead answered, "Yes?" From the tone of her voice, she seemed happy(as usual). Relieved that she was in a good mood, he entered the room and left the door ajar so the nurses can glace at them every now and then. He left the cart on the other side of the bed as he sat beside Lucy. He tried to seem friendlier and happier than before so Lucy could catch his drift.

"I... You know, I've always wondered why you liked birds." Charles started the conversation slow and easy so he wouldn't catch Lucy off guard. Lucy giggled and looked down at her feet, her hair covering whatever kind of face she was making right now. "Well..." She raised her pointer finger at the window as she pointed at something. 

Charles' eyes followed her gaze as he stared at a bird's nest. Outside the window was a tree perched on the perfect angle that when the sun sets, it makes the scene more beautiful. The tree was old and almost looked dead with its lack of leaves. You'd think no bird would make a nest there. But there was.