Page 32 of Rage

The curtain rustles.I whirl around, half expecting to see Peterson’s leering face.Instead, it’s Sarah, the nurse.

“Dr.Beckham,” she says, her voice low and urgent.“There’s a man outside asking for Mrs.Peterson.It’s her husband.”

My blood turns to ice.He’s here.In the hospital.

Mrs.Peterson’s monitors beep frantically as her heart rate spikes.“Don’t let him in,” she begs, her voice raw with panic.“Please, don’t let him near me!”

I squeeze her hand.“It’s okay,” I assure her, even as fear claws at my insides.“I won’t let him hurt you again.”

I turn to Sarah, keeping my voice low.“Call security.Now.And page Dr.Konrad.”

As Sarah hurries off, I pull out my phone.My fingers shake as I type out a message to Mason.

Peterson’s here.At the hospital.I need you.

My blood runs cold.David Peterson.The man who tormented me for months.The disgraced doctor.Her own husband.

Mrs.Peterson’s monitors shriek.Her body goes rigid, then she starts thrashing violently.Foam bubbles from her lips.

“She’s seizing!”I shout, leaping into action.“Push ten of lorazepam, now!”

Sarah scrambles for the medication while I try to keep Mrs.Peterson from injuring herself further.Her limbs flail, nearly hitting me in the face.The acrid smell of urine fills the air as her bladder releases.

“Come on, come on,” I mutter, watching the monitor.Her heart rate spikes dangerously high.

Sarah returns with the lorazepam.I grab it, injecting it into the IV line with practiced ease.“Page neurosurg, stat!”I order, not taking my eyes off Mrs.Peterson.

Seconds tick by like hours.Finally, her convulsions start to slow.Her body goes limp, vitals stabilizing.

I exhale shakily, adrenaline still coursing through me.As I check her pupils, my mind races.How long had Peterson been abusing her?Was this revenge for his firing?For her speaking out?

A chill runs down my spine.If he’d do this to his own wife, what else is he capable of?

A security guard enters, looking grim.

“Dr.Beckham,” he says, voice low and urgent.“Peterson managed to slip past the front security when they looked away.We lost him.”

My heart slams against my ribs, the security guard’s words echoing in my ears.Peterson.In the hospital.Somewhere.Fear and rage collide, setting my nerves on fire.

“Lock it down,” I snap at the guard.“This wing.Now.No one in or out without clearance.And get more security up here.Fast.”

The guard nods, hurrying off.I turn back to Mrs.Peterson’s unconscious form, my mind racing.Where would he go?What’s his endgame?

His threat replays in my head, each word dripping with venom.

“This is just the beginning.I’ll make you all pay.”

Ice floods my veins as realization hits.Not just his wife.Everyone who spoke out.Which means…

Me.

My hand trembles as I pull out my phone, typing furiously to Mason.

Peterson slipped security.In hospital.Be careful.

I start another message to Konrad, fingers flying over the keys.A rustle sounds from behind me.The curtain moves.

I freeze.My lungs seize.Slowly, I turn.

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