I pocket my phone and manage a short growl to let Dr. Jackson know she can enter. At least she's a good doctor. Always professional, always quick and efficient and kind.
The door opens and…
It's not Dr. Jackson.
Some guy in his fifties walks in, graying hair, weathered face, white coat with "BOYD" embroidered on the pocket.
No.
Fuckno.
Not a new doctor.
My entire body goes rigid. The panic that's been simmering under my skin explodes into full-blown fight or flight. My chest tightens like someone's squeezing my lungs in a vise.
"Mr. Belmont?" Dr. Boyd says, already reaching for gloves. "I'll be your doctor today. I'm filling in for Dr. Jackson for the next month?—"
Nope.
I'm up and moving before he can finish the sentence. My massive frame barely fits through the doorway with him still partially in it as I barrel past him. He makes some startled noise behind me, but I don't stop.
The nursing assistant tries to say something as I storm past her station, but the blood is rushing in my ears too loud to hear anything but my own panicked heartbeat. Margaret calls after me from the reception desk, but I'm already pushing through the doors.
The cold morning air hits my face even through the mask.
But it doesn't help.
Nothing helps.
My hands shake so bad I drop my keys twice before managing to unlock the SUV with a snarl. I practically fall into the driver's seat, slamming the door behind me like it can keep the panic outside.
I sit there hyperventilating, clutching the steering wheel hard enough to make it creak. Feel likes I'm suffocating through the fucking mask. My vision grays at the edges, spots dancing in front of my eyes.
Breathe, you fucking idiot. Breathe.
I can't do this.
I can't.
The drive back to the motel is a blur.
I don't remember most of it, just the mechanical motions of driving. Park. Engine off. Stare at the door that stands between Ivy and me for a full minute.
When the curtain moves and I see her peek out at the SUV, her brow furrowed in worry, I force myself to move.
The door opens before I even knock.
Ivy's there, already reaching for me.
"You're back early," she says, pulling me inside. I think she shut the door. Maybe I did. Who fucking knows. "What happened? Are you okay?"
"Wraith?" Thane's on his feet immediately, breakfast forgotten on the small table. "Don't pass out on me, brother."
Ivy's grip on my arm tightens. "Sit down."
Yeah.
Sit down.
