A Lamb Or A Fox?

"A mixture of medicines was found in her body. Individually each of them was a lethal poison. But she was lucky that they worked as antibiotics for each other. She was saved because of her luck or ignorance of the attacker." Max shook his head and pinched the space between his brows. 

"I have checked the security and found a nurse with a mask entering the room. She looked scared and almost ran away when she was leaving." Alric laughed at the last line earning a dark galore from Max.

"Why the hell are you laughing, Alric?" he swore since no one was around, "you knew since school that i do not want to work in a big hospital but i wanted to open a charity hospital in my town. Yet you dragged me here with the promise that you would help me with a better cause. You would help me in saving the people who need me and in exchange I will work for you and treat those rich patients of yours." he warned his school time friend without reservation now that they were alone in the room.

His cold glares made Alric sigh. His eyes instinctively move toward the screen showing serene Nora sleeping on her bed after taking her medicines.

Even from the screen, he could feel the pitiful looks of hers. No wonder his friend was hooked like that.

"Have I ever stopped you from helping someone, Max? You have already given me warning that you would leave the work though i do not understand why? Is she not here already living in a private room when we both know she would not be able to pay her bills." Alric's lips curled into a mocking smile and Max looked away at the screen.

"She is just a child. I have investigated a bit. Her uncle and aunt were living in her house. The business and property belong to her parents. But in the will, it was stated that they would be the owner if they adopt the girl and they have completed the procedure. It would be a rough and failing battle. Poor girl." he sighed, his heart bleeding for girls like Nora. She is so young. She should have a flourished life ahead but now only struggles were left in her fate.

"Poor indeed." Alric nodded too. His eyes filled with mirth making Max shook his head again. No matter how much time he had spent with his friend, he could never fathom his reactions. But he knew that Alric was a kind man and would never hurt innocents. And those who are guilty.. Max did not care what Alric did with them. 

"I can not believe someone can whip others in this century. Nora had so many old and new marks on her skin and her body is malnourished. That family is really evil. If only i can teach the uncle a good lesson." he cursed as his blood boiled thinking about that arrogant uncle and bitch of a sister.

"Father now." Alric corrected as he looked at the file, "you can not take custody from them since she is a minor. More than that, she had nowhere to go after the treatment." Alric started the facts only for Max to frown again.

They sent kids to orphanages but the orphanage did not take kids above sixteen. For a year, they did not have a place for Nora.

"We can offer her a small job here. Or I can sponsor her college and hostel fees. But she is not returning to that hellhole. If they send someone to give her poison in the hospital, they will kill her the moment she returns to her house." Max salpepd the table with both of his hands, his eyes filled with rage and determination to save the young girl, making Alric sigh.

"Fine! I will see what i can do." he finally nodded with exhaustion. "But remember Mr Camberlin."

"Yes, I know, I will look at his reports again and treat him personally." earning a nod of approval from Alric, Max left the room.

The moment he left, many nurses were already waiting for him and he sighed. It took him three hours to deal with all the patients. How much he needed sleep now, but thinking about a young girl suffering like that, he went to her room instead.

Nora was a light sleeper to be cautious all the time. She heard the footsteps but did not open her eyes. If it was another assassin, he would have chosen either night or busy hours. Noon was a bad time since most of the staff would be lazing in the hallways chatting.

Yet, her hands clenched into a fist, ready to attack and shout if needed. The footsteps stopped in front of her bed and silence followed. She strained her ears only to hear Max sighing, 

"Poor girl, I did not keep you safe as I promised." Nora's body relaxed instantly. 

She slowly opened her eyes to see him writing something on her medical report and then checking the medicine personally. He was making sure that she did not get attacked again. Her heart warmed at that thought. She never understood why Max was this kind to her in her both lives, but she would pay this debt one day.

And that day would come soon. She was only upset that she could only help Max by breaking his heart.

"Doctor, you are here." she whispered softly, making his head snap to her direction.

"You are awake? You should rest more." Max smiled at the young girl and walked to her. He touched her forehead and then her pulse.

"You are much better. But are you still in pain?" Nora shook her head. She tried to sit but he did not let her.

"Doctor, I will be discharged today. So I need to prepare myself. You do not need to be so kind to me."