Like every unnecessary piece has been carved away until there’s only intent left. I remember sitting at the edge of the bed one night, not even tired, just… still, hands resting on my thighs, and there was this moment where I realized I hadn’t thought about consequences in hours. And instead of panic, there was something else.
Relief.
You shouldn’t like hearing that and you definitely shouldn’t look the way you do right now. Yeah, I see it. Because it’s not the violence that gets to you, it’s this. The control, the certainty, the way there’s no hesitation left to interrupt it. That’s what pullsyou closer to me. You want to understand it. No… that’s not right, you want tofeelit. Just for a second, just enough to know what it’s like to exist without that constant noise telling you who you’re supposed to be.
I can give you that, little Ghost. I told you, didn’t I?
That you should be careful with the way you keep listening. Because the longer you sit here with me, the harder it’s going to be to pretend you don’t understand. And I don’t need you to say it out loud, I can already see it.
You’re not scared of me, that’s the problem. You should be, but you’re not. You’re curious. And curiosity, it has a way of turning into something else if you let it linger too long. Something warmer, more intense. So stay, just don’t lie to yourself about why you’re still here, little Ghost. You’re not listening despite what I am, you’re listening because of it.
The Taint
Chapter 28
Emergency Department Medical Record
(Translated from original Polish documentation)
Szpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie (University Hospital in Kraków)
Emergency Department - Medical Record
Patient Name:Unknown
PESEL:Unknown
Age:4 years
Sex:Male
Mode of Arrival:EMS (ZRM - priority 1, with full emergency signals)
Accompanied by:EMS personnel only
Pre-Hospital Report (EMS)
Child found in residential setting. No responsible caregiver present at scene at time of EMS arrival. Patient was conscious, crying continuously, covered in blood and dirt. Report of possible domestic violence. Transport initiated under emergency conditions.
Triage (Category: RED – Immediate)
Patient admitted in extreme distress, continuously screaming, unable to be verbally soothed.
Vital Signs on Admission
Heart Rate:178 bpm (severe tachycardia; normal range ~80–120 bpm)
Blood Pressure:138/92 mmHg (markedly elevated for age)
Respiratory Rate:42/min (tachypnea)
SpO2:97% (room air)
Temperature:36.1°C
General Condition
Child presents in poor general condition. Marked signs of chronic neglect and malnutrition. Body weight visibly below expected for age. Prominent ribs, reduced muscle mass. Clothing heavily soiled, partially blood-stained. Strong odor of poor hygiene.
