Page 38 (2/2)

The doctor claspedaway but rasp "You gave us quite a scare, Mr A my emaciated throat to lubricate "Th--that isn’t m--my--" I cut myself off before I could finish

My name…as my name…?

It only took a fraction

I’e, firstborn, and recentlyof my past, my trials, andme clearheaded and aware

As far as my father knew, I’d died when the bullet meant for Jasmine tore into my body Whoever had delivered me to the hospital was onh whatever painkillers they’d givenme onto another subject "W--who are y--you?"

The doctor studied me His brown handlebar ht green scrubs he wore or the softness of his hand around mine He looked like an eccentric far a patient back to life

"My naeon who operated on you" His eyes cast down to my stoo for a bit, but you responded well to treatment"

"W--what treat--treat from him, his emotions of a job well done and workplace satisfaction buffeting me "I don’t kno much you remember, but you were shot"

I nodded "My m--memory is fully in--intact" The more I spoke, the reat news As you are aware then, a bullet sliced through your side" He leaned overa fatal wound An abdominal injury can rupture intestines, liver, spleen, and kidneys There are also major vessels that can be nicked--all of which equal a lower possibility of survival--especially in your case, since you were unable to seek treatht away"

Why was that?

I couldn’t recall

Me tried to make sense Kestrel had been besidethe doctor’s wrist My body flared with agony, but I ignored it "The other m--man Is he here, t--too?" I didn’t dare say his name I doubted he would be under it anyway--same as me

Doctor Louille paused, his happiness at hts "Your brother is still with us, but…we don’t know for how long His injuries were htforward to operate" He cleared his throat "I’ll tell you about him soon First, let me explain your condition and then you need to rest There is ti else later"

No, there is no ti well, I wanted to see him before it was too late

I need my brother My friend

"You’re what I call an extraordinary luckster" Louille smiled "I once had a patient who slipped in the bath and shattered aThe glass sliced his neck but ular and carotid artery Do you kno nearly impossible that is? But he was lucky I’ve had ht, should be dead but so them alone" He patted my shoulder "You’re the latest luckster The bullet sliced through the high side of your abdo core vitals, and never entering the abdominal cavity You would’ve passed out from the overload of adrenaline and pain, and it would’ve been horrendously messy and bloody, but here we are"