A chill runs down Rafael’s spine. He doesn’t know who or what Natural Order is, but the implication is clear. Their previous medic is gone, not by choice.
“We lose anyone else?” Echo sighs.
Kane nods, and Rafael’s stomach twists. These people may be his captors, but they’re still human, grieving for others.
“Move some credits around for their families,” Kane orders. “Pulaski’s husband gets his end-of-year pay. Not nearly enough, but all we can manage.”
“Got it, boss man. Have Coda send me their contacts.” Shetaps her wristlink. “What about civilians?”
Civilians?Rafael blinks. Were innocent people at risk during whatever happened?
“No one saw fire in the residential zone. Those zealots didn’t breach any farther than the border.”
Relief floods Rafael, even though he doesn’t understand all the details. Echo merely nods, treating the answer as standard protocol.
Before she can respond, the door slides open with a beep.
His original kidnapper steps inside, white hair disheveled and armor askew. “You’re alive?” she breathes, rushing over to Echo.
A laugh escapes Echo. “Of course. You still owe me credits for Antonius’s win on Wednesday, remember? Gotta collect.”
Wren’s lips twitch, almost smiling. “No!” she argues. “You said he’d win in the first match! He didn’t win until the second—”
“Wren.” Kane’s command snaps through the room, making Rafael almost jump. “Visiting hours are over. Hand off the patrol switch and prepare for tomorrow.”
Her shoulders slump. “Yes, sir.” As Wren turns to leave, she catches Rafael’s eye and gives him a small nod.
Rafael isn’t sure what to make of the gesture. This is the same woman who dragged him here at gunpoint. Still, he stays quiet while she slips out, muttering into her commlink.
Echo leans forward the moment she’s gone. “Seriously, doc. Thanks for the patch-up job. Guess I owe you one, huh?”
The warmth in her tone catches him off guard. He shouldn’t care what she feels. Rafael didn’t have a choice in treating her. Then again, this is more appreciation than he’s got from patients at work in months.
“I…” He clears his throat.
“He’s no doctor,” Kane cuts in.
“What?” She blinks at them. “You’re kidding. Who is he then?”
Kane scoffs. “A nurse from Midtown. We wouldn’t waste our time on anyone else.”
“A nurse?” Echo shakes her head. “VitaCorp? Wow, we must be scraping the bottom of the barrel here.” Her hand twists, activating her wristlink. “Did Coda check my contacts? I’d recommend Dr. Hayashi. She’s been looking for an excuse to leave the Heights for months.”
Hayashi.The name doesn’t register, but Rafael grasps the implication. Another doctor will replace him. His heart lifts at the thought of freedom, of leaving this all behind.
“Yes. But she won’t be here for a few more days,” Kane declares.
Rafael’s stomach drops. Days, not hours. His grip tightens on the bed’s railing. What does that mean for him?
“So he’s…” Echo trails off.
Kane doesn’t answer her. Instead, he pivots to Rafael. “Thank you for tending to Echo.”
More acknowledgment. From a man who threatened his life hours ago, no less. Rafael nods stiffly, unsure how else to respond.
“You’ll be staying here until further notice,” Kane says.
Each word falls like a hammer. He’s staying here. Cut off from his family, his job, his apartment—everything that made up his life in Midtown.