Page 28 of Exit Strategy
I could feel beads of sweat popping up on my brow that had nothing to do with the heat.
“Hello,” a woman said, walking up to where I had parked. She was tall, with black hair and wearing a white coat. This had to be the doc.
“Doctor Carter?”
“Yes, you must be Owen,” she said.
“I prefer Kurt, but yes.”
“Let’s see my patient, eh?”
10
Callie…
“…should have brought her to me sooner.”
“I should have, aye, but I couldn’t.”
A heavy sigh.
I slipped back under.
I felt like I was surfacing like a deep-sea submarine, the weight of the ocean over my head making my ascent slow.
“…permanent damage.”
“And what’s that going to look like?” Kurt asked quietly.
“I don’t know, only time will tell, but she can’t take any more hits to the head or face like that.”
“She won’t.” His voice was hard as steel, his resolve impressive, but I didn’t know how it would fare against Arik or New Eden.
“How long have I been asleep?” I asked weakly.
“Don’t try to get up.” The doctor came to the little hospital bed’s side and I raised my hand to my head. I froze and squinted at the IV in the back of my hand.
“Imaging revealed that you’ve had a small brain bleed. We’ve been keeping you sedated, letting it heal on its own further. You’ll be alright.”
“Please don’t lie to me,” I murmured. “I just heard you say that I have permanent damage.”
“Perhaps motor sensory issues, maybe memory – it’s hard to say,” the doctor told me while she adjusted things. “Sleep for now, Callie. It won’t be so bad tomorrow.”
My vision blurred, from medication or tears I couldn’t tell.
“Kurt?” I asked and my voice cracked.
“Aye, I’m right here,” he said, and a large warm hand slipped into mine.
“I don’t want to stay here,” I said and sniffed. “Can we please go?”
“Not just yet,” he said and squeezed my hand firmly.
“Then will you stay?” I asked. I squeezed my eyes shut and felt hot tears slide down my temples.
“I’m not going anywhere, Love.”
“Promise?” I asked and the fact the word slurred scared me.
