Location: UNSC Field Hospital, Avenport, Virek
Date and Time: March 25, 2553 – 1400 Hours
The world outside the window is quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos that usually surrounds me. I can hear the faint hum of machinery from the hospital equipment and the soft murmurs of doctors and nurses as they move through the ward. It's strange—being here, in a place where the war feels distant. Almost like it's not even happening.
But the pain in my side reminds me that it is. I shift slightly in the bed, grimacing as the stitches pull tight. It's a dull ache now, the sharp pain dulled by medication. Still, it's a constant reminder of the firefight, of how close we came to not making it out.
I should be grateful. I know that. But lying here, unable to move, unable to fight—it makes me restless. It makes me feel like I'm not doing enough.
There's a knock at the door, and I look up to see Emily Carter stepping into the room. She's carrying a tray of medical supplies, her face lit up with that same warm smile I've come to expect from her.
"How are we feeling today?" she asks, her voice light as she sets the tray down on the table beside my bed.
"Like I've been shot," I reply, managing a weak grin.
Emily chuckles, shaking her head. "Well, that's because you have been. But you're healing well. A few more days of rest, and you'll be back on your feet."
She checks the IV drip, her fingers moving deftly as she adjusts the flow. I watch her in silence for a moment, noticing the way she moves—confident, steady. She knows what she's doing.
"You must see a lot of this," I say, trying to make conversation.
"More than I'd like," she replies, her tone softening. "But it comes with the job. You learn to deal with it."
There's something in her voice—something that tells me she's seen more than just battlefield injuries. Something deeper. I want to ask her about it, but I don't. It feels too personal, too soon.
Instead, I nod, glancing out the window. "I guess we all learn to deal with it, one way or another."
She follows my gaze, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah. I suppose we do."
She finishes her work, but instead of leaving like she usually does, she lingers at the foot of the bed, her eyes meeting mine. There's a moment of silence between us—comfortable, but charged with something unspoken. I don't know what it is, but it's there.
"You're lucky, you know," she says quietly. "A few inches to the left, and that bullet would have hit your lung."
"Yeah, I know," I reply, my voice equally soft. "Guess I've got good instincts."
Emily smiles again, but it's softer this time. "Or maybe you've just got someone looking out for you."
I chuckle, even though it hurts a little. "If I do, they're doing a pretty bad job."
She laughs too, the sound light and easy, cutting through the sterile atmosphere of the hospital. For a moment, it feels like the war outside doesn't exist. Like it's just the two of us, here in this quiet room, sharing a moment that's somehow more meaningful than I expected.
"I'll let you rest," she says after a moment, stepping back toward the door. "But if you need anything, just call."
"Thanks, Emily," I say, watching as she leaves.
When the door closes behind her, the room feels emptier. But I can't help but smile to myself, the memory of our conversation lingering in the air.
Location: UNSC Field Hospital, Avenport, Virek
Date and Time: March 26, 2553 – 1500 Hours
The days blend together in the hospital. Time moves differently here—slower, more deliberate. I spend most of my time staring at the ceiling, replaying old missions in my head, thinking about the squad. They're still out there, still fighting, while I'm stuck here.
But every day, Emily comes by. Sometimes she checks on my injuries, sometimes she just talks to me. And every time, it feels like the room gets a little warmer, a little less sterile. I look forward to seeing her, even if I don't fully understand why.
Today, she's sitting in the chair next to my bed, writing notes in her datapad. I watch her out of the corner of my eye, trying not to make it obvious. There's something about her that's different from everyone else I've met out here. Maybe it's the way she treats me like a person, not just another wounded soldier.
"You seem restless," she says, not looking up from her datapad.
"Can't stand being stuck in one place," I admit, shifting uncomfortably in the bed. "I should be out there with my squad."
She nods, finally looking up at me. "I get that. But you need to heal. Pushing yourself too hard could set you back."
I sigh, knowing she's right but not liking it. "Yeah, I know."
There's a brief pause, then Emily closes the datapad and leans back in the chair, her expression softening. "You know, it's okay to take a break. You've been through a lot. It's normal to need time to recover."
I meet her gaze, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. There's something about her presence that's calming, like she understands more than she lets on.
"Yeah," I say quietly. "Maybe you're right."
She smiles, and for a moment, the weight on my shoulders feels a little lighter.