s ea

DERN

he door to Room 311. Clutching the file to my chest, I mutte

he first page. It's a name that already carri

st died in an MVA. A cocktail of meds. A ra

ife story could make an interesting book. A movie, even. But I'd hate to

uble in every conceivable way because he's one of those r

of him being a violent criminal. Nope. I sho

now I'll give this one the benefit of the doubt. Steeli

not lo

ns he's decent and he'

is

he's been smoking a pack all day. What's even more noticeable is his a

he prefers to sit like that even though it seems to be such an uncomfortable position. His dark and straight hair is cropped c

'bookworm'? Or I heard

o read." The guy tilts his st

"Nursing attendant, actually. Not an RN yet," I say i

eves of his rumpled shirt. The ink shows unfamiliar characters an

y flick up to meet my gaze while he restrains a smile. His jaw is angular, his cheekbones

on your progress. Make

ig

rolled than I expected. I take a step closer. With some caution, I pu

hink

y the way." I point at the greenish letters o

cold

s me watching him. "I'll check your vitals now. That okay?" I touch his forearm, waiting for him to nod or say yes. But I get zilch.

initial answer. "Do

rm and nearly back off. "So, er

es with a mild, crooked grin tha

feel uncomfortable or have some kind of

Not sure which brand. Probably an expensive one. Despite his rugged appearance, he doesn't look lik

n awkward silence fills the room while I inspect his pulse rate. Mostly normal. When he doe

long? An accident? It only adds to his mysterious and dangerous aura. Like he's s

like he belongs somewhere else. Not in the sterile confines of a facility like this one. He l

sisting you and checking your diet and

y, his sharp gaze trailing over me

s sights. Why is he staring at me? Because I'm a total stranger he doesn't t

Then his pale lips curve

ght? I think he just said so

ke he speaks a foreign la

ought his nam

tters, chuckling at my pr

h.

refe

nickname isn't Andy or something similar? "Noted. So, your blood pressure's only a li

this job," he comments,

ge to him? I'm taller

ld are

ng, either." I keep u

e awkward silence. It's not a big room. Not too small, either. It's comfo

privileges in this facility. I blink, still a little thrown off by his comment. "I'm

wn on the clipboard, a strangled no

basin on the bedside table. The guy retches, then

in withdrawal. From what I've read

ougher. Erian winces, saggi

sues. "You'll feel better in a bit." My hands move automatical

've done that more

cus on the task. "Come

're tougher than you look." My patient studi

not quite admiration, but close. Should

hithole like this?" He cocks his head, a weak

t plan on staying h

a real

he most part. Also, the fees aren't steep, and none of us are secretly homicidal as far as I know. Then again I don't really know

s forward, pressing his veiny forearm on his lower abdomen.

back to him. Erian grabs the plastic basi

Just let i

rry

s fi

ghtly trembles. He watches me closely as I clean his face and hands with

o the bin. "I took care of my grandfather

nted," he mumbles with another look of r

y his compliments. Don't know if he's being serious or if he's just bei

trying to impress him with some bullshit I've rehearsed. But his eyes sa

sk just to break the silence as I

N

Poor

re in

plain his accent. Some of his features,

His lips quirk into a half-smi

or something? I press my lips together as heat rises to my cheeks. "

tters somewhat sarcastica

pend the next few minutes checking and tidying up the rest of the room, including the restroom. Sink. Floors

beat, his voice softer now, almost w

ly. "Not all of us get ha

ond, but his lips re

nause

ad's startin'

s get you f

ha

l help with the nausea and migraine. Y

cent is pleasant actually. It's man

lp with that.

. You're not

N

ith a slight pout, I help him stand. I wrap my arm around his warm back as his wider frame towers o

we shuffle toward the bathroom. "Sorry." Erian coughs loudly, his dark

say you're feeling dizzy?

, don't you?" he mutters as

e patients and anticipat

ust that curious about me

right temperature as he strips down to his dark boxers under the showerhead.

ng like them. It'

out slipping, I turn on my heel before he can start t

y and slides the shower door close

know if you n

traumatize

I bite on the inside of my lip, just listening to his ga

off the showerhea

think he's feeling

er in my head. There's a fairly surprising humanity beneath his intimidating ext

derson Hughes" an alias?