Nine

Chapter Nine: She saw him.

The whole hospital was chaotic.

From one emergency to another and many nurses, doctors and residents has been active for almost twenty four hours.

Since Daisy started working at St. Joseph's City Hospital, she'd had her fair share of hectic shifts. But nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to today. From the moment she stepped into the building, the entire place felt like it was buzzing on a different frequency—faster, louder, heavier.

She had barely clocked in when she was handed a list of things to do. It started with the smallest, most routine tasks: checking patient vitals in the pediatric ward, restocking the supply shelves, delivering samples to the lab, logging test results into the database, and updating patient files. Then came the more demanding duties: assisting with wound dressing in the trauma unit, helping a senior doctor with a minor surgical prep, dealing with a family who refused to accept the reality of a diagnosis, and comforting a teenage girl in the psych ward who refused to eat again.

Daisy barely had time to breathe.

She was doing alright, keeping her pace steady, her expression calm, but her body was screaming for rest. Her shoulders ached from moving so much, her feet felt like they were seconds away from crumbling beneath her, and her stomach growled at her for skipping lunch again. But she reminded herself over and over: You're not the only one.

Everyone was tired. Everyone was overworked. Everyone was pushing. And just like the rest, she had to keep going.

She had just finished updating the medication records for the new in-patients when Ms. Roy—her ever-so-sour supervisor—stormed in.

"Ms. Hubble," she barked sharply, already halfway out the room. "There's a patient waiting in the lobby. You're attending to them. Ms. Veronica was supposed to, but she's tied up in the emergency ward. Go. Now."

Daisy could've rolled her eyes. She wanted to. So bad. But she didn't even have the energy to think about how annoying Ms. Roy was being today. Instead, she tucked the clipboard under her arm and made her way to the waiting room.

There, sitting on the little blue chair with a stuffed lion in his hands, was Benny. A small boy, maybe around six years old, with dark curly hair, wide brown eyes, and a look of dread on his round face. His tiny sneakers kicked against the chair leg nervously.

Daisy walked up to the desk and picked up his chart. Just a quick glance told her everything she needed: Benjamin Black. 6 years old. Diagnosed with pneumonia. Final treatment day.

Her heart softened instantly.

"Hey there," she said as she walked up to him, kneeling so she was at his level. "Benny, right?"

He nodded but kept his eyes fixed on the floor.

"Well, Benny, looks like today's a very special day for you. Know why?"

He gave her a confused glance.

"It's your last treatment. After today, no more shots. No more hospital visits. You'll be all better soon."

That made him perk up just a little. But then his face crumpled when she brought out the syringe. He scooted further into the chair, shaking his head violently.

"No shot," he said in a trembling voice. "No, no, no!"

Daisy gently put the syringe down and placed a hand on his small arm. "I know it hurts. Believe me, I know. When I was your age, I had pneumonia too."

He looked at her with wide eyes. "You did?"

"Yep," she nodded, giving him a soft smile. "And it wasn't fun. The coughing, the fevers, the chest pain—awful. But I took my medicine, just like you are. And now, I don't get sick like that anymore."

He still looked unsure, tears threatening to well up.

"Tell you what," she leaned in conspiratorially. "If you let me give you the shot, I'll give you the biggest, juiciest red lollipop you've ever seen. Deal?"

He hesitated, clutching his lion tighter. But then, after a moment, he gave a slow, brave nod.

Daisy worked fast. She cleaned the area, gave him the shot gently, and praised him the whole way through. "Almost done... You're doing amazing... And—there! All done!"

Benny didn't even cry. He looked up at her, surprised that it didn't hurt as much as he thought it would.

She ruffled his hair with a soft laugh. "Benny, you did so well today."

He grinned shyly. "What's your name, Doctor?"

"Daisy. I'm Doctor Daisy."

"Will you be my friend, Doctor Daisy?" he asked in the most innocent, hopeful voice.

Daisy smiled, something deep in her chest melting at that. "I'm already your friend, Benny."

They sat and chatted a bit more—about cartoons, about his stuffed lion's name (it was Maximus), and how he wanted to be a superhero doctor one day too. Soon enough, his parents arrived, thanking Daisy with tired smiles before leading Benny away.

As they left, Benny waved. "Bye, Doctor Daisy! Don't forget my lollipop!"

"I'd never!" she laughed, tossing the sweet red candy into his hand as the door closed behind them.

—

The rest of her shift dragged on, filled with patient updates, walking back and forth across the floors, and filing until her eyes were blurry. Finally, finally, her day ended.

The sun was already setting as she made her way to the parking lot, her bag slung over her shoulder, her scrubs rumpled, and her bun barely holding itself together. Her legs moved lazily, almost giving out every few steps.

She reached her old, blue Corolla and dug into her bag for the keys. But just as she pulled them out, she froze.

Someone was standing by her car.

Not close—just across from it, in the quiet corner of the lot. A tall figure in a black coat, leaning lightly against a silver SUV. He wasn't moving, just watching.

Her breath hitched.

The shape of his body. The posture. Even from that distance, she could recognize him.

No.

No way.

It couldn't be...

But it was.

Williams Black.

Her heart skipped. Then stuttered. Then raced.

What the hell was he doing here?