Coleman clears his throat. “We don’t have all night, Doctor.”
I ignore him, focusing on Lexi. “Why don’t you have a seat on the table and we’ll start with some basic vitals? Blood pressure, heart rate. Simple stuff.”
She moves toward the table like she’s facing her execution. Climbs up. Lies back. Stares at the ceiling. Her fingers tap against the smooth vinyl table.
I pull on gloves, and while I’m over there, take the taser out of my bag and arrange it next to my other tools. Better to be prepared.
“Okay, just about ready.” Grabbing the blood pressure cuff, I step beside her. “I’ll just listen to your heart first.”
I press my stethoscope against her chest. Her heart is racing. I’m sure she’s terrified.
“Lexi,” I whisper, quiet enough that hopefully the guard can’t hear. “I’m not really here to do this. I’m here to help you.”
Her eyes widen, but she stays silent.
“My partner is in the building,” I continue, pretending to check her lungs now. “We’re going to get you out. But I need you to trust me.”
There’s hope in her expression. It only lasts a second, but it’s there.
Then her gaze shifts past me, to Coleman by the door. Then to my equipment on the counter where the taser sits in plain view.
I see the exact moment she makes her decision.
Her body tenses beneath my stethoscope.
“Lexi, don’t?—”
She’s already moving faster than I expect from someone who looked so defeated seconds ago.
She shoves me hard, I stumble backward, knocking into the IV pole, and she launches herself off the table.
Her hand closes around the taser.
“Hey!” Coleman moves from his position by the door.
But Lexi’s desperation makes her quick and reckless. She spins and hits Coleman with the taser before he can reach for his weapon.
Fifty thousand volts.
He drops like a stone, his body convulsing on the floor.
Then she turns to me.
Our eyes meet, and something passes between us. I don’t know if it’s recognition of the same panic, the same dread coiling in our guts. Her breathing is ragged, matching mine. Her pupils are blown to black globes.
“I’m sorry,” she gasps, while tears stream down her face. “I’m so sorry but I have to… This is my only chance?—”
I hold my hands in front of me. Pleading. “Lexi, wait?—”
In one stride she’s in front of me, jamming the taser into my side.
Lightning cracks through my ribcage, igniting every nerve ending at once. My jaw clamps shut, my teeth grind like bone on bone. My limbs… I lose control. They’re useless, no longer a part of me. The world tilts, and darkness creeps into the edges of my sight.
I’m falling.
I know I should brace myself for impact. But I can’t.
Crack.
