Page 43 of The Edge Of Us

The hallway lights are too bright.

Each step back to the ward feels heavier than the last. My legs ache from the treatment, but it's the kind of ache I can't name-like my bones remember something I've already forgotten. Everything is quiet. The kind of quiet that rings in your ears.

Dr. Bennett walks beside me, holding my chart, not saying much. She's always calm. She doesn't say things unless she means them. That's one of the few things I trust about her. But today, even her silence feels louder than usual.

We stop outside my room-or what used to be mine.

"I have some news," she says, adjusting the strap of her clipboard. "There was a pipe leak while you were in treatment. Your room flooded."

I blink at her, not quite processing.

"Water damage," she clarifies. "Your things were moved out quickly. Nothing's ruined, but the repairs will take a couple of days."

I nod. Slowly. "So... where am I sleeping?"

She gestures down the hall. "Room 27. You'll be sharing with Brittany. Just for a little while."

"Brittany?" I repeat.

"She's quiet. Kind. She won't bother you." Then, as if reading the question on my face, she adds, "I'll check in with you both tonight. If it's too much, we'll adjust."

Roommates.

God.

I don't say anything else. Just walk.

When I enter the room, it smells like lavender and antiseptic. There are stickers-cartoon stars and rainbows-neatly lined on the dresser. A few small stuffed animals are sitting in a row on one of the beds. I realize which side is hers immediately.

She's sitting cross-legged on the floor, in pink socks, humming softly to herself as she flips through a coloring book. Her light brown hair is tied up in two puffy buns, and she's wearing pajama pants covered in little cartoon ducks.

She looks up when I enter.

Her eyes are wide, cautious. Like I'm some animal that might bite.

"Hi," she says quietly.

I pause in the doorway. "Hi."

A long beat passes.

She blinks, then points to the bed across from hers. "That one's yours now."

I nod. "Thanks."

I walk in, dragging my small bag with me. They'd already moved most of my things. Neatly placed, labeled. I sit on the edge of thebed, my body still sore from earlier, my throat like paper. I don't look at her, not right away. I don't know what to say.

I didn't expect to be seen today, much less seen by someone new.

After a minute, she gets up and walks over, still humming. She's holding a green crayon. "Do you like ducks?"

"What?" I blink up at her.

She points at her pants. "They're funny. I think they make good noises."

I stare at her for a second before letting out a breath-half a laugh, half an exhale I didn't know I was holding. "I never really thought about it."

She shrugs and goes back to her coloring book. "I think they're happy."

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