Page 11 of Echoes

"I disagree but I think you should try to consider other perspectives."

"Are we finished yet?" I snap back.

I hate how vulnerable I become in this room. I hate that there's a risk someone will see this information again. I don't feel safe, and I'm not sure I can handle that situation happening again.

Dr. Smith kicks his feet up on the desk casually, cupping his hands in his lap. His professional demeanor fades, like we're two old friends having a chit chat. "I'll pass on my assessment conclusion to Mr. Whittingham, but he won't be made aware of anything we have discussed today. However, I would just briefly like to discuss one more thing before we finish."

I sag in my seat. "What?"

He nods toward my hands. "Are you in pain?"

Looking down, I open my palms from their tightly squeezed balls, examining the red skin. "It's fine."

"I'm going to have the guard take you down to Dr. Markel to check for chemical burns. Bleach, I assume from the smell?"

I scoff. "Obviously."

Dr. Smith stands up, crossing his office to open his door. I hear him mumble a few words to the guard before he stands back, smiling at me again. "I'd like to see you again tomorrow, Avery.But if you need to chat beforehand, just let a member of staff know."

"I'll be fine," I mumble, stalking out of his office.

The guard barely looks at me as he escorts me further down the hallway until we arrive at Dr. Markel's room. He pushes the door open after a sharp knock, Dr. Markel's surprised wrinkled face glancing up from his table.

"I'll just be one moment," he says, tending to another patient.

I linger next to the guard, hugging my body until someone pushes past me. It jolts me out of my thoughts, eyes landing on Vivian.

Her eyes are red and puffy, cheeks still stained with fallen tears. Despite the pain across her face, she still manages to glare venomously at me.

White bandages catch my sight, and I frown at her injured wrist. It doesn't take a genius to put two-and-two together, her eyes even more pained and angry when she notices me watching.

"Get out of my way," she hisses, deliberately slamming her shoulder into me.

Another guard appears out of nowhere, quickly following after her, but before I can think too much about it, Dr. Markel calls out my name.

"Come in, Ms. White. I'm just quickly sanitizing the table but you can take a seat in a moment."

I hover awkwardly, eyes shifting between him and the guard, until I'm finally able to sit down on the examination table.

"What can I do for you?" he asks, humming to himself afterward.

I shrug. "Dr. Smith wanted you to give me a quick check over."

The mention of his colleague makes his eyes light up. He nods, pulling on some fresh gloves. "Could you direct me to where?"

I open my hands, palms facing up. He leans over, eyes scanning over the redness. "Slight chemical burn. Did you use water?"

"I was cleaning," I quickly interject before he can categorize me in the same way as Vivian. "And no, I haven't washed them yet."

Dr. Markel looks up, surprised. "Go to the tap in the corner and give them a wash with some lukewarm water. I'll grab some ointment."

The feel of the water on my hands has me longing for a shower, but at least I'm able to wash off my hands and knees at his basin. When I sit back on the table, Dr. Markel applies some ointment to my palms and legs, the cream taking away the burning sensation.

"I know we discussed some pain relief previously, so I'll give you a dose now."

"I don't want it," I say, but he ignores me to my surprise. I watch as his figure disappears through another door in the room, the sound of a cabinet opening and the rustling of plastic before he comes back. He holds a little white pill in front of my face, staring at my mouth.

"Say 'ahh'," he mutters, like I'm a fucking child.

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