The Problem Solvers Club

Part 16

Hippolyta

I can't help but begin to pick at my fingernails as Nurse Waine lays out her terms. Fake confidence has failed me. The woman's face has completely changed, now hard and scheming. I turn to look at Keira who has dropped her arms to her sides. She glances over at me as well, her face an expression of pure terror. She looks so betrayed. I can't help but feel disappointed at my own performance, I was supposed to lay out the terms, not her. I turn back to the nurse.

"I'm sorry, but that just won't do." I try to fix myself, straightening up and doing my best to look intimidating. Nurse Waine sighs and as she does I can't help but notice her breath. I really notice it. After all, it's visible. It can't be that cold in here, can it?

"Listen, I'm not going to do anything with her, I just need a helper. You might not trust me, but I think-"

"Fine." Keira steps next to me, her voice a mix of defeat and confidence. "I don't trust you, but I know we need to keep this a secret. I'll take one for the team." As she says this I feel a rush of relief and nervous energy. As happy as I am that I don't need to negotiate, I feel afraid for Keira.

Nurse Waine smiles, her mouth stretching farther than a mouth should. "Good, I'm glad we've come to an agreement. You can continue your little project, and I'll help you when I can." I nod and she holds out her hand. As I take it I almost jerk back my hand. Her grip is frigid, making me feel like my blood is freezing.

As we shake on our agreement, I feel Nurse Waine's hand go slack and warm-up almost instantly. Her eyes seem to lose sharpness and her smile melts leaving her giving our clasped hands a confused glance. I let go and she looks around, giving a confused shrug. What was that? "Nurse Waine, you won't tell anyone, right? We made a deal."

She runs her hands through her hair nodding. "Yeah..." Scratching her head, she turns around, screwing her face up in contemplation. I turn to Keira and Logan who both seem paralyzed, the latter completely lost.

"What just happened? I am very confused," says Logan, stating the obvious.

Keira shrugs, smiling a little like she hadn't just agreed to help-out a shady nurse. "She'll keep what happened to Rory a secret, that's all that matters." Logan nods, still not looking like he understands.

"Boss." The sudden voice makes me jump. What now! I spin around and release the breath I hadn't known was caught in my throat. Autumn stands behind me, unfazed by my over the top reaction. She smiles at me, a calm, collected smile. I hadn't even realized I'd needed it. "Rory's fallen asleep."

"Good, he's probably exhausted from what happened. We'll need someone to get him home though. I'm getting driven home today so I can do that."

"Awesome," Logan says walking over to Rory. He leans down, putting the smaller boy on his back. Standing back up, Rory wraps his arms around Logan's neck instinctively. Logan smiles and nods to me. "Let's go."

"See y'all round." Keira gives me a solemn wave before leaving the room. Nurse Waine follows after, clutching her forehead.

"Get home safe boss," Autumn says picking up her laptop. "I'm going to finish up here."

"Okay. Just don't work yourself too hard."

"I won't."

I turn back to Logan and head out the door.