Page 138 of Encounter

“And after?” I asked, clenching my teeth.

“No...contact sportsfor eight weeks, at least.” The tone he used made it clear he hinted at other physical activities my profession might require. “No heavy lifting, driving, no exposing yourself to places or situations that might result in you getting sick or injured...” The doctor cleared his throat anxiously once I gave him a disgruntled expression.

I tightened my fists. “So I can’t do my job—thatwhat you’re sayin’?”

I knew the day would come—when I would be too damn old and weak to keep doing the only thing I was ever good at. But I didn’t expect it to be so soon. Hell, part of me counted on me dying on one of those jobs, and I was good with that. And if not, I was supposed to decide thatmyself, after I had found some other thing to entertain me to the end of my days.

Now, it was being ripped away, and I had nothing.

“I... That—” Nervously glancing at Mia like she was going to help him, he tightened the chart in his hands. “Like I said, you’ll still be able to live a normal life, and do physical activities, but... The risk of infections will be much higher. Considering the state of your body; the many scars, broken bones, cracked ribs—I’d worry about your chances of getting over more serious injuries, their frequency, and the inevitable snowball effect it could have on your health.”

Not knowing if it was the concussion, aftermath of the surgery or everything the goddamn doctor said, I was getting sick to my stomach.

“You’ll also need to receive a few immunization vaccinations in about two weeks. These should help protect you against conditions that might have been insignificant before. I would also strongly suggest getting flu shots every year and—”

Seeing my increasingly disturbed expression, Gregory interrupted him. “Alright. Thanks doc. Could you give us a moment? Come back in half an hour or so.”

Without any resistance, the man started backing out into the door. “I’ll send a nurse here in a bit to... check on you.” He gave me one last tense look and disappeared.

“God, I hate dealin’ with normies,” I groaned, rolling my eyes.

Mia stretched out to gently pat my hand, smiling. “Pretty sure he saved your life, you, grumpy old man!” she said playfully, but it didn’t make me feel any better.

He just told me I can’t do my job. He told me I can’t do fuckinganything.

“Hey.” Gregory’s voice was careful and low. As I met his eyes, I could clearly sense his guilt. “I... Try to relax for now, aight?”

“Wasn’t your fault,” I told him preemptively, to Gregory’s dissatisfaction. He stepped away and started pacing in front of my bed, snapping his fingers out of frustration like he always would.

Mia followed him with somber eyes. “He’s been like this since we got here. Must’ve walked miles by now.” She noted bitterly. “I’ve been tellin’ him you wouldn’t blame him.”

“Well, I don’t,” I assured them firmly. “Not like a lost limb or somethin’... You didn’t force me to take that gig, Greg. I knew what I was gettin’ into. I was sloppy... Let my emotions get the better of me. Got involved when I shouldn’t have. I should’ve took them all out right there and then.”

But I didn’t. I didn’t want to meet Galen after with so much blood on my hands, so I got careless and stupid.

Sharp stings rushed through my chest when I remembered Kitty. God... I managed to zone it out, to push it on the very back of my mind. Now, I felt the pain bubbling up, making my headache worse than it already did. The image of her little thin body displayed on the wall made me shiver. Numbing agony mixed with anger—anger toward myself.

I did that. It wasn’t Gregory’s fault,Iwas the cause of her life ending in terror and pain. At least I made sure Galen was protected from that... At least I hoped I did.The sensation of his embrace as we fell asleep at Gregory’s added up to the miserable sense of loss. I had never been that vulnerable with anyone. Hell, maybe not even with Lydy. Around her, I couldn’t help but act likeThe Man—what was expected of a man to be. Strong, stoic, brave. And she loved me for it.

But Galen truly saw parts of myself I hadn’t shown to anyone before.That’s all gone now. I never should’ve let it happen in the first place.

It was hard to not feel like I lost everything, just like that night after Lydy died. Only now, I was unable to distract myself with my job. So, what the hell was I supposed to do?

All the death I caused... The lives I took—maybe karma’s real, and I’m finally getting my share. Someone like me could never have a happy ending.

“Oh, darling!” Mia blurted out, twisting her face into empathetic expression.

Blinking, I touched my face, realizing it was wet.Fuck.

“It’s going to be alright.”

I didn’t want to be upset, and I didn’t want their worried eyes on me, but the heaviness in my chest, and the empty space that burned with Galen’s absence couldn’t be ignored.

Gregory finally stopped pacing and joined us at the bed. Leaning on the side of it, he moved in to give me a hug—something I would usually laugh off. “We’re here, Chast. Alright?”

I close my burning eyes, holding back a trembling breath that would open the floodgates. They were here with me, and they were everything I had left, but Kitty wasn’t, and neither was Galen...

---