Where Light Dies

26. A Matter of Circumstance

"Just two more Rey."

"I hate this physio shit! "

-- Carlisle, Base Camp -- 2016 --

Claire was at the edge of her patience, and surely what followed was a fury that would make hellfire look cute in comparison.

"You sure you wanna walk again?" Her voice was not as amiable this time around.

"No I don't. I just wanna live in a bed with three square meals a day. It's a fucking dream come true," Reyna replied, heaving as she dragged her foot forward.

Just how can I get mad at that?

Claire was holding her by her shoulders, making sure she wouldn't fall over. Reyna lifted the other foot, nearly stumbling over.

"You're still a bitch aren't you?" the woman asked.

Fortunately, the hostility in her tone had now given way to a childish mirthfulness.

Reyna sighed in relief. "Like anything can change that."

The door clicked open, a familiar man clad in a pristine white coat entering the conference room. "Out for a morning walk?" said Dr. Haines, walking over to Reyna who was now back on her feet. "It's good to see you with some flesh on your bones." His words were laced in sarcasm.

"Don't go on getting any funny ideas doc," the teen replied, flinching almost immediately.

Wait. That didn't come out right.

"Sarcastic as always."

The doctor grabbed Claire by her arm, yanking her away from Reyna in one swift move. The patient stood right in the middle of the hall, wobbling as she struggled to keep balance.

"Now walk."

"Really doc?" Reyna asked, trying to shuffle over to the nearest wall. She swung from side to side, stretching her arms wide to stay on her feet. A few steps into the tightrope, she fell flat on her face.

"Fuck that hurts!"

The thunderous clacks of leather boots against tile shook the still autumn air. Haines stomped over to Reyna, pulling her back up by her arm. "That kid is getting torn up by darks every single fucking day to make up for your treatment, while you wobble around like a loose nut cracking jokes," he bellowed, shoving her to the wall. "Get back on your own two feet before he loses his mind!"

Claire ran up to Reyna, catching her just before she fell. "What the fuck Haines!"

"Let's just, go back to bed. I'll walk." Reyna whispered, her arms trembling as she tried to get back on her feet. Claire helped the girl up, her bronze coloured orbs still fixed on the doctor's, brimming with rage.

It's been a month, Reyna thought, looking at her frail legs. The doors shut behind them as they walked forward. The doctor was gone. Despite what he did right now, Reyna knew that he was a good man. He cared deeply for Blake, that much was clear from the few times that she'd talked to him. As bitter as he was, he tended to his patients with all he could offer. It was the doctor himself who'd vouched for Reyna to have the conference hall as her treatment room.

"The sunlight can help with the bones," her mind reeled as she remembered Blake's version of what happened when she was unconscious. Reyna heaved as she flopped onto the bed, lifting her legs up onto the mattress. She was dying to see how Anne was doing, but the doctor had restrained her. He said that she could leave once she'd started walking properly. Just two more weeks left.

"How's Mark doing?" Reyna asked, pulling the blanket over her thighs.

"H- He's alright. Out on a surface run with Blake now."