Page 14 of Brax (Voodoo Guardians #36)

“Ines, I can’t keep giving you the pain medication without more tests,” said the doctor.

“Please, you know that I’m in pain. Look at me! I can’t be anything but in pain. I just need a little more. I don’t want to do the tests. I know what they’re going to say. I’m dying. Just help me to be comfortable.”

“You don’t know that you’re dying. Let me do these tests, and we’ll figure it out together.”

Ines bit her lower lip, knowing that she couldn’t keep coming to him without allowing him to conduct the tests he wanted. But she also knew what he would find and even he couldn’t fix what was wrong.

Instead, she’d be another experiment. Poked, prodded, and tortured like the lab rat she was.

“Alright,” she nodded. “Can we do them on weekends? I can’t take more time off work. I’m already going to be late today, and they’re angry with me.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll give you a doctor’s note explaining that you had to be here this morning. If you have any issues, just let me know.”

Ines really didn’t care about any of that. She just needed the medication. He handed her the prescription, and she thanked him as he reminded her of her promise to return on the weekend.

Leaving the medical building, two young men were walking toward her, and she immediately ducked to the side, lowering her head. She allowed them to walk past her, and then she heard the inevitable.

“Damn. Did you see that? What the hell does she have?” said one man.

“I don’t know, but I hope it’s not contagious.”

It didn’t really bother Ines any longer. She knew that they were stupid children who didn’t understand anything. Making her way to her car, she watched as people turned away, afraid to stare at her. Mothers hid their children’s faces, afraid that they’d scream or, worse, ask, ‘what’s wrong with that lady.’

She’d heard it nearly her entire life.

That’s not true, she thought as she headed toward the office. Once, she was a normal, healthy young woman. Then, they started their biopsies and surgeries and blood draws. It was never-ending.

Then, one day, she looked in the mirror and noticed something was wrong. Her left eye was drooping, and her right shoulder was raised with a large hump on it. The doctors said it was nothing, just go back to the laboratory. She knew it was something.

Parking her car, she shuffled into the office only to be greeted by her boss once again.

“I have a doctor’s note,” she said before he could speak.

“Ines, I’m sorry. We can’t do this any longer. The company will be very generous with you and provide one year of severance. After that, you’re on your own.”

“But I need the medical insurance!” she yelled. He shushed her, waving his hands.

“We know. We’ll provide medical benefits for one year. You’re a smart woman, Ines. Maybe you can get a job where you’re working from home.” She was quiet for a moment, glaring at him.

“You mean, get something where the public won’t have to see me. That’s what you mean.”

“No. No, that’s not what I mean,” he said emphatically. “Don’t put words into my mouth. I’m just saying you’re sick a lot, and you’re moving slower lately.”

“Wouldn’t you!” she screamed. The entire office turned to look at her. “That’s right. Stare at the freak! Wouldn’t you move slowly if you looked like this? Wouldn’t you be sick a lot? You have no idea how much pain I’m in every day. I asked for an ergonomic chair to accommodate my disability, and you gave me that piece of shit that does nothing for me!”

“Ines,” he whispered.

She shoved him, causing her to scream in pain at the effort, then swept an arm across the desk, sending everything to the floor.

“Ines,” he said calmly. “I know this is difficult for you, but you haven’t been happy here in a long time. You’ll find something better. You’ll get a good recommendation from the company.”

“I bet I will,” she laughed. “Anything to get rid of me.”

“Ines…”

“Stop! Stop saying my name. Don’t ever say my name again. You’ll regret this. I do more work and know more about what happens here than anyone. You’ll regret letting me go.”

He said nothing just stared at the woman. He did feel pity for her and compassion, but he also had a business to run. Her physical features were difficult to manage, but it was her outbursts, tardiness, and absences that really caused the issues.

She turned and left the building, slowly as always. She couldn’t move quickly, or the pain would send scalding daggers through her bones. He watched as she got into her car, concerned that she might do something stupid. She sat for a few minutes, and he could tell that she was crying.

“Should I call the police?” asked the receptionist.

“No. She’s just grieving. Let her have that. Lord knows the poor woman has enough to grieve about. She’ll need a lot of time.”