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Chapter14:AFistForcedOpen—andanIVSheFinallyAccepts
Intheend,Cra’sbriefescapedownNanyangStreetehElianhalfpushing,halfcarryingherbatotheic.
Batheiionroom—wheretheair-ditioningbstedcold—Crahadpletelyburhroughthestthreadthshehad.Sheressedontothereerintheiionarealikeasoullessragdoll.Butthemomentthenurserolledthestainless-steelcartcloser,andthatsharpalcohol-swabsmelldrilledintohernoseagain,herbody’sdefeemkickedinoninstinct.
“Lin,deepbreaths.Rex,okay?”Thenursehelduptheyellowtour,readytotieitaroundCra’sleftupperarm.
Crasqueezedhereyesshut.Herlorembledviolentlywithfear.Shedidn’thavethestrengthtorunanymore,butherhandsstillcurledintofistsontheirown—sotighthernailswerepracticallydiggingintoherpalms.
“Miss,ifyouchyourfistthishardandyourmusclestenseup,it’llbedifficulttogettheneedlein—andyou’llbruisemoreeasily.”Theedthebackofherhaly,remindingherinasoftvoice.“Openyourfist.Rexyourpalm.”
ButCra,woundsotightshewasabouttosnap,couldn’thearaword.Therationalpartofherbrainhadfullyclockedout.Allshehadleftwasinstinct—white-knugthatfistlikeitwasherstlineofdefenseagainsttheeedle.
Elianwatchedherlikeshewasfaganenemyarmy,aahelplesssigh.
Hesteppedcloserandcrouchedbesideher.
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