Silence stretched for a fraction of a second. “Let me do my job.”
Nobody moved. The swarm of leather had stopped. But it hadn’t stepped back, their presence heavy.
“You stay out there, or he doesn’t get the care he needs.” I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, knowing what I’d done. How that command landed. Another voice now. Calm. Quieter. Authority dripping from the words themselves.
“Everyone out. Let the doctors do their thing.”
There was a shuffle of feet behind me and the sudden feeling of space.
“And Dr Mercer,” the same voice continued. “Don’t let our brother die.”
I closed my eyes again, feeling the pressure strike at my chest. Not here. Not now.
“Waiting room, now.” My voice sounded stronger than I felt, but even the grey-haired man wearing the president patch stepped back, nodding at me solemnly.
*****
The doors swung shut behind me, the noise of the department dulling slightly as I stepped out into the corridor. They were all still there, spread out across the waiting area like they owned it, tension rolling off them in waves thick enough to feel. Security hovered in the corridor, unsure, watching. Waiting for something to tip. I scanned the room. I thought I’d counted eight when they came in. Now there were more, like they’d multiplied in the time I’d been working.
Other patients watched them cautiously. Eyes darting towards them and glancing away again as quickly. Even the staff were nervous. My eyes found him first.
Ryan.
He didn’t move. Didn’t step forward. Just watched me, like whatever I said next mattered more than anything else in that moment. Two women stood slightly apart from the rest. I recognised neither, but the small blonde held herself differently, and the way her eyes flicked constantly to the doors told me enough. Her gaze fell on me, our eyes connecting right then, and I watched the grey-haired man step in behind her, drop his head and speak something into her ear. She started towards me.
“Is he…?” her voice caught.
“He’s alive,” I said, cutting in gently but firmly. “But he’s very poorly,” I continued. “We’ve stabilised him for now, but he’s being taken to intensive care. He’s not out of danger.”
The woman gave a little whimper of distress, pushing her hand across her mouth as she tried to contain it.
“Shush Suzy.” The president wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “It’s Magnet. He’s the luckiest fucker any of us knows. He’s been in worse scrapes. He’ll be fine. He just needs time.”
The man looked at me then, searching hard, looking for an answer I couldn’t give him. Silence followed. Heavy and oppressive, everyone’s eyes on me, expectation on their faces. I glanced at Ryan then, holding his gaze for just a second longer.
“Can I see him?” she asked, her voice as small as she was.
“I’ll get someone to take you through.”
“It’s ok Dr…”
“Mercer. Sophie Mercer.” I added.
“I can take her. I know where it is.” The other woman with the light ginger hair spoke.
They turned back to the mass of leather, and the small crowd opened up. Men stepped forward, hugging and comforting the small woman. I watched quietly at the leather arms that swallowed her up, at the gentleness with which they embraced her, and the quiet words spoken that I couldn’t hear.
Someone touched my arm. Ryan. I smiled weakly.
“Well done in there, Soph.” His voice was quiet, thick with emotion.
“Just doing my job, Ry,” I muttered.
“Just pleased it was you treating him.”
The words sat strangely in my chest. Heavy. Personal. Dangerous. Before I could answer, the double doors behind me burst open.
“Dr Mercer.”
