Unmasking

The hallway outside the infirmary ward was eerily quiet, except for the faint sound of the fluorescent lights overhead. I sat cross-legged on a stiff steel bench, a chewing gum lazily rolling in my mouth. I chew it slowly enough to pass the time. Beside me, Seraphine walked back and forth, her heels clicking against the cold, tiled floor. Her worry was written all over her face, her lips pressed into a thin line, and her brows knitted together as if that alone will bring good news out of the doctors.

"You're too calm," she said, finally stopping in front of me, her voice sharp and tinged with frustration. "How can you just sit there like that? You saw how badly Alex was hurt. He's—"

I tilted my head slightly, my gaze meeting hers. "He'll be fine."

"Fine?!" she snapped. "He was nearly dead out there! You saw him! You—"

"I also saw you nearly dead once," I interrupted, my tone even, unbothered. "And look how that turned out."