Tangled

84 Ava: Doctor’s Care

Dr. Ellison never appears before me again. @

My new doctor is an older woman who smells like a mix of raw meat and chocolate chip cookies. Like a bunny–slaughtering, chubby grandma. It’s an odd mix that makes my nose wrinkle a little.

“Good morning, Miss Grey,” she greets me, her voice gentle and sweet, belying her stocky frame. It only adds to the Disney grandma effect, still with a side of vicious killer. “I’m Dr. Annise Beaumont, and I’ll be taking over your care from now on.”

She moves closer, and I flinch without thinking, tensing at her approach.

The rational part of my mind knows she’s here to help,

but after the disastrous encounter with Dr. Ellison, I

can’t shake the sense of unease that settles in the pit of my stomach. I don’t want to be touched by people

who hate me.

Dr. Beaumont seems to notice my apprehension, knitting her brows together as she watches me. “I’ve heard of your issues with Dr. Ellison. He’s well known

C 84 Ava: Doctor’s Care

to be a bit of a problem child. Too big for his britches after heading

ng off to university. No need to worry, dear. I don’t care what pack you’re from. I’m just going to check your vitals and take a look at those wounds, make sure everything is healing properly.”

Of course. All important things a normal doctor would

1. do.

myself to relax a little beneath her

over with another whiff of bloody cookie grandma scent, her fingers surprisingly deft as they press against my wrist to check

almost maternal touch

-more to herself than to me. “But that’s to

clucking her tongue at my blood pressure. “That should go up with some medication changes,” she says,

been ill from

13

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Doctor’s Care

out, she’d eaten something she shouldn’t, and there was no horrifying epidemic taking down

my initial reservations, I find myself drawn in by her soothing cadence, the tension slowly ebbing from my body as she works, carefully checking every wound on my face and neck before replacing

of the fight with Todd flash through my mind,

murmurs, her voice a gentle anchor pulling me back to the present. “Just focus on my voice,

her face as she carefully peels back

revulsion I would expect at the sight of my mangled flesh.

Ava: Doctor’s Care

her fingers ghosting over the edges of the wounds, just shy of touching them. “They cleaned it up well. We’ll need to keep them

works in silence for a

she applies fresh dressings to my wounds. When she’s finished, she steps back, giving me an appraising look that makes me feel like I’m being evaluated on more than just my

through quite an ordeal, haven’t you, dear?” she says at last, her voice laced with sympathy. “But you’re a fighter, I can see that. And with the right help, you’ll come through this stronger

to respond, but she holds up a hand, effectively silencing me.

time to talk later. I’m going to reduce the frequency of your pain medication, and now that you’re awake I’ll have you swallow

Doctor’s

giving them through

pauses as though she’s

of the government. I’m not sure how it was in your old pack, but

her

you need anything, your call light

Hmm.” Dr. Beaumont takes a moment

it up

the floor. “Here. Nurses are around

and night, as I’m sure you’re aware. If you have any more questions, let them know, and I or my colleagues. can come chat with you, okay?” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of