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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"Is he still in there?" I ask Remy, who is gently closing the door to room twelve behind her when I reach the middle of the hall.
"Yes, he hasn't moved a muscle since you left. It's been three hours of me trying to do my job with him breathing down my neck," she replies, tossing her gloves into the nearest disposal bin. "How's Malia?"
"She's doing great actually. The baby is due any day now and the two little monsters were energetic as always," I chuckle, remembering Luke and Ally falling over while dancing with each other. "I was finally able to quiet them down with some new coloring books."
Remy smiles and begins inputting her updates on our patient into the detail log for the healers and surgeons. I peak over her shoulder and confirm my suspicions that he is gradually healing.
"Did we get a full name and story yet? For either of them?" I ask, leaning on the wall opposite her.
"Nope. I tried here and there, but didn't feel right interrogating him about the patient. Plus, I'm not particularly interested in his own story, so I couldn't bring myself to make small talk," she replies, slightly shrugging. I playfully scowl at her and shake my head in disapproval of her dismissal of a potential source.
"We need info on the patient and he's our best bet right now," I scold. "Our only lead really. You're supposed to be my partner in crime here and investigate."
"Well, he would've been suspicious," she sighs. "He was adamant about watching me like a hawk when I was cleaning the patient's wounds. I would breathe and his eyes would be on me in a flash."
"I think I heard him mention the name Lawton as I was walking out earlier," I say. "It was hard to tell because I was trying to be polite and leave, but-"
Before I can finish my thought, the door to room twelve opens and the young man steps out, searching for someone. His blue eyes rimmed with red lock onto mine as he finally spots Remy and I leaning on the wall.
We straighten up in an attempt to seem more professional as he makes his way towards us. His face calm, he walks with an air of authority and grace, but his disheveled hair gives him away.
"The bandages you put on him are already soaked in blood and I think he needs a new I.V bag," he states looking at Remy. "This facility really needs an update on its medical software, you are centuries behind compared to other places."
"Well, if you want to get your hands dirty and volunteer alongside us, be our guest. There are plenty of others like your friend that could use the assistance," Remy states, not sparing him a second look as she heads back into the patient's room.
I notice the slightly shocked expression on the man's face as he watches her strut away in all her attitude. He glances in my direction, uncertainty and worry in his eyes mixed with a little bit of anger.
"I apologize, I did not mean to offend-"
"It's fine," I interrupt. "We have both been doing this long enough to know how emotional this whole situation can be. You just want him to get better soon and so do we." I offer him a small smile of reassurance and cross the hall to the floor kiosk. I reach behind the desk and grab a cold bottle of water.
"Here," I say walking back toward the young man. I hand him the water bottle and he quietly thanks me, taking desperate drinks. "I know you are worried, but you need to take it easy too."
He wipes some of the liquid that runs down his chin from the bottle and closes the cap tightly. Lowering his eyes, he shakes his head and chuckles sadly.
"You can't possibly understand the bond we share. Humans are so fickle and deceiving," he states with a gaze meant to pierce through me. I lock his blue eyes in my light gray ones, challenging his confident posture.
"Don't be so sure about that. Whatever we're made of, it's the same celestial dust...human and wolf alike." I stick out my right hand before he can reply and he gives me a questioning, distrusting look.
"I'm Adelaide by the way. I think I've at least earned an introduction after taking you to your friend and breaking all protocol." I smile in hopes of easing the tension between us. He examines my outstretched hand and sighs, finally giving in.
"I'm Asher," he replies, "Asher Wilder. I don't know how your friend would feel knowing we're getting all buddy, buddy out here while she's taking care of Lawton."
"That's just Remy for you, she'll come around when she cools off," I reply, "and don't get too comfortable thinking I fully trust your intentions. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt." I move past him to grab the log and clutch the pen hanging on my lanyard.
"Okay, so, if you could answer a couple of questions that would really help with the patient's treatment. We have no information on his medical history or what happened to him and we did not even have a name until now," I say, looking up at him from the chart with an encouraging expression.
"...Lawton is it? Does he have a last name?"
A conflicting look crosses Asher's face as he stares at the closed door. He begins to fidget in his spot and runs a hand through his hair.
"I don't see what any of this has to do with getting him healed," he mumbles, avoiding my eyes.
"That's the problem," I push, "he's not healing as he should and we cannot figure out why. If you know something, anything...it might save his life."
Before I can interrogate him further, the door swings open and Remy rushes out, frantically searching for the call button for the floor.
"He's crashing," she cries, "Page the surgeon, I'm calling the healers." I rush over to the kiosk and press the SOS button for the surgeons. I hope they're already in the building.
I see Asher frantically pacing from the corner of my eye. His calm and collected façade crumbles as he rubs his hands up and down his face.
Boldly, I reach for his arm to stop his pacing and nudge him away from the door so that the emergency team has easy access. He doesn't budge easily, but moves out of the way as soon as the team comes to wheel the patient to a more sterile operating room. With tears in his eyes, he looks at me, begging for answers.
"Please, stay here. He'll make it through this," I insist, "you know him...he'll make it through." I give his arm a small squeeze trying to convince both of us that everything will be okay.
Remy appears around the corner, gesturing for me to follow her down the hall.
They need me, I think.
I let go of Asher's arm and hastily run to where Remy is standing. Tying my hair up out of my face, I don't look back, trusting that Asher will not follow.
I grab one of the medical bags from her hands and we both sprint down the brightly lit hallway, avoiding the commotion of onlookers and other curious volunteers.
He needs me, says my inner voice.
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