Page 242 of Scarbound

“Okay.”

Dr. Daniels nodded. “Thank you.”

He cleaned the injuries carefully. Noeul flinched several times but didn’t pull away. His eyes remained fixed on the far wall. His mind drifted in and out, voices stretching and contracting around him. Time slipped sideways.

When the doctor finished, he covered the wounds lightly.

“That’s enough for now.”

Noeul’s eyes moved toward him.

Dr. Daniels stood.

But Dr. Daniels didn’t immediately reach for the blanket. He pulled a chair closer instead and sat where Noeul could see him.

“Mr. Jung.”

Noeul’s attention returned slowly.

“There’s something else we need to talk about.”

His body tensed before the doctor even continued.

Dr. Daniels noticed. He stopped.

“You don’t have to do anything yet.”

Noeul stared at him.

“You were hurt in other places.”

His breathing changed.

Duri saw it immediately.

Noeul turned his face away. “No.”

The word was quiet.

Dr. Daniels nodded. “Okay.”

Ji-Woo looked at him sharply.

The doctor lifted one hand slightly, asking him to wait.

“No one is examining anything right now.”

Noeul’s breathing remained shallow.

Dr. Daniels kept his voice calm. “But I need you to know that some injuries can’t safely be ignored.”

Noeul squeezed his eyes shut. “I can’t.”

“I understand.”

“No…”

His fingers tightened around the blanket. “I can’t.”