It's surprising what human beings can accomplish when death is staring them right in the face. When things began plummeting, few knew how to react. Most were confused, seeking guidance from the very foundations and institutions that, once meant to h...
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Declan and Remy bicker the whole drive to The Bode about which team is going to win the Wolf Cup this year. I purposely chose to sit in the back seat because I knew as soon as Remy walked in the door wearing a BloodMoon United jersey, there would be arguing.
They've been passionately debating the issue for the last twenty minutes as if their children play on both teams and they have to personally defend their honor.
Declan whips his old-or as he likes to say "classic"-car around each curve of the road, pressing me against one door then the other. Remy flails her arms to prove her points, occasionally twirling a curl in her annoyed fingers.
I almost dive out of the car before Declan even comes to a full stop in front of the main building.
Once I manage to uncurl my fingers from the edge of the seat, I suggest they wager a months supply of snacks to settle this once and for all, before organizing my satchel and hopping out of the car.
During the day, The Bode seems less ominous, but the forest around it remains covered in dark hues.
We walk into the building and the Director doesn't even give us a minute to greet Ms. Judy before pointing me towards the intensive care unit and sending Remy on a fool's errand.
My mind races as I walk through the tunnel, absorbed in thoughts of methodical beeping and broken body parts.
Pausing in front of the door marked with a number twelve, I give myself a pep talk before taking a couple of deep breaths and turning the knob. My feet move into the room, protesting each step, as I circle around the bed to routinely check the machines. Satisfied, I examine his vitals and do a quick scan of his body for open wounds.
I notice that the swelling on his face has drastically decreased overnight and some of the cuts and bruises that covered his body have almost completely vanished. His hands and knuckles are blue and bruised, but they look like human hands again. I can almost see the outline of his face and jaw under the red, irritated skin.
So you're a fighter, I think.
A small smile forms on my lips as I take a few moments to admire the patient's progress and determination to get better. I busy myself with organizing the medical supplies and realize Remy is not supposed to come and replace me for another hour.
I reach into my satchel and grab the recent book I have picked out from Aunty Clara's collection. In this one, a man's ability to time travel unpredictably leads him to fall in love with his wife over several different moments in her life as she deals with his constant absences.
I sit on the small sofa near the patient's bed and make a mental note to check in on Malia and the kids right after this shift is over.
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