Max
set down the three trays she was carrying precariously in her arms, not wanting
to spill anything. The little girl slid off the bed to grab a tray when Max shook
her head, moving the table over to the father and child. I watched the three
converse—looking rather happy. Setting two of the trays before both patients, I
saw my sister grab a chair to join them. It was good to see her so joyful in
such a bleak time; all the patients she had to treat day in and out must have
taken some toll on her. Seeing her laugh and munch with others was a definite
change. Especially since these two patients were enemies of the military and
she so openly rescued them and chatted with them like friends.
Glancing around the patient room, some
shifting by the door caught my eye. Focusing on it a bit more, I noticed Jade
peek in and then pass by. Interested in the reason as to why she was trying to
be so stealthy and sneak past Max made me curious. I automatically trailed her
down the corridor of offices. Someone must have called to her as she left her
path and ventured into an office. She stood in the doorway, conversing—her
conversation slowly starting to become more audible.
So far I had discovered that if I
was anywhere around Jade, I could hear everyone, but the instance she left I
returned to my world of black and white silent films.
“…No, there really is no need for
that to be open. Let me see,” she said, moving to the computer the lone worker
was sitting before. He moved aside, letting her read over his shoulder. I
eagerly slid forwards to read what was on the screen to find out exactly what
they were talking about. They seemed to be staring at a file—probably some
personnel—and having a rather deep discussion about it. Not being able to see,
I stepped back, waiting for one of them to get out of my way. The man looked to
Jade, curious to know why she was so confused.
“Anything I should know about?” His
eyes observed Jade for several moments, examining her facial features as she
read. I was engrossed in what she was looking at. It seemed her features
darkened, almost like she were mourning or wanting some kind of revenge.
“Close the file down. It should not be open at all. Put a pass code on
it and hide it,” she said, pushing away from the desk. Jade’s feet
automatically seemed to carry her into the hall. Wanting to look back at the
screen to see what was so important I
instead followed her. Just seeing her shoulders shake, I reached out to attempt
to comfort her.
“Jade… Come on, it’s okay. You’ll be
all right and really I’m here still,” I said, dropping my hand to my side.
Staring down at it briefly, I moved past her and towards the doors of the
infirmary. Her voice was fading behind me along with all of the noise. Slipping
into the room a smile formed on my face as I saw my sister chatting away with
her patient, the little girl now curled up next to her father asleep. Every
cell within me wished to know what they were saying. If only Jade could come
into the room, then I’d know.
Seeing Max get up, I watched her
replace the chair and move the table aside. It was probably time for her to
return to her rounds, or at least go take a break. She took a blanket and
draped it over the child, carefully running her hand through the girl’s hair.
Waving to the father, Max walked out of the infirmary and towards the exit
doors. I followed, curious as to what was on my sister’s agenda now.
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