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“Lena is here too!” Abigail says, pointing at a group of people gathered outside the Angry Sparrow.

I wave to the group as we approach. Abigail joins the conversation. I smile, nod, and pretend to be engaged, but I’m not. Something feels off, like my shadow isn’t connected to me. Like it’s peeled away, and following someone else. Or searching for something. What? I don’t know. I may need an emergency appointment with Dr. Thomas if this continues.

After a brief conversation, we walk into the Angry Sparrow and order drinks. They only serve one. Green Syrup. Once I graduate, I’ll be able to buy fancy drinks made from fermented grapes and grains. Until then, the bittersweet thick concoction will have to do.

“Here’s to Calla!” Abigail announces. “Our next graduate!”

“Hey, don’t jinx it!” I groan, shaking my head. I already asked her not to do that, but she seems determined. Sometimes, I think it means more to her than it does to me, and it’s my future at stake.

“To Calla!” Lena chimes in, and the others follow.

“Celebrating my success already?” That voice—I don’t need to turn to know who it is. Clyde’s here.

Clyde is tall with muscles that suggest he did some training for something other than nursing before his aptitude test results came back. We all had training in other fields when we were in high school as part of our elective classes. I always felt a call toward helping and healing, so I was happy when I was assigned to be a nurse.

“Hey there, superstar,” Lena giggles, sipping some of her Green Syrup. “We’re talking about Calla, not you. You know she’s next to graduate.”

I feel a twinge of something different. Embarrassment? I haven’t felt this since I was in high school. The supplements usually mute emotions like that. It makes me shrink in on myself, instead of straightening my back like I’d usually do.

“We’ll see about that,” Clyde says, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than they should before he turns and saunters to the bar.

I say nothing in my defense.

The conversation continues, but once the topic shifts away from me, I’m able to relax. I feel a pleasant buzz from the Green Syrup that seems to help bring my emotions in balance like they should be. A couple of doctors and directors stop by, but they don’t stay long, and Clyde’s schmoozing doesn’t seem to be acknowledged.

Maybe I was worrying for nothing. I’ve put in the work. Long hours at the Academic Medical Center, after I finished two years in the classroom. More time studying books than required. I’ve even read old medical journals only doctors are required to read. Those who decide who graduates next know that. I’m not sure why my confidence is slipping. Clyde’s a superstar, but I’m dedicated. That still means something.

“Hey, I’m sorry about earlier,” Clyde says, leaning against the bar next to me. “I know you’re the next one to graduate, but I can’t resist a little teasing. It’s in my nature. I’m actually going to miss you when you’re gone.”

“Miss me?” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

“You won’t miss me? Just a little?” he laughs. “You’re better because of me.”

“In what way?” I feel another simmer, but this is a heat that creeps up my neck—anger. Clyde is trying to take credit for my accomplishments. The audacity…

“Before I came along, you were the best. You didn’t have any competition,” Clyde says. “You started putting in more hours and studying harder after you felt challenged.”

It’s true, but I don’t want to acknowledge it. Still, Clyde is being friendly. This is different from how he acts at work. I let my guard down a little and nod.

“Yeah, fine. You pushed me a little,” I sigh, noticing Abigail approaching out of the corner of my eye.

“Hey, Lena and I are going to head home,” Abigail says as she walks up to us. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah, I think so,” I say, reaching for my glass.

“Aw, so early? The night’s still young,” Clyde says, his tone smooth. “Stay a little longer. Just for one more drink.”

Clyde could never convince me to stay, but the doors open, and Director Regina walks into the bar. Abigail notices and her eyes get wide. She grips my arm, and it isn’t playful this time.

“Actually, you should probably stay,” she says, her voice lowering. “Just for a bit.”

“Yeah,” I say, feeling my stomach twist into a knot.

I’m tired. My supplements are wearing off. The alcohol is helping, but my shadow still seems disconnected. The fraying around the edges splits another thread. Everything just feels… wrong. Like the floor is uneven and nobody else notices. But I can’t run out the door the second Director Regina walks in, especially since she is approaching us.

“Nurse Calla and Nurse Clyde,” she says pleasantly. “Good to see you two getting along for a change.”

“Calla’s the best,” Clyde says, more sweetness in his voice than normal. “We were just talking about how much she’s going to miss me after she’s gone.”

“Nothing has been decided yet,” Director Regina says. “But I didn’t come here to talk about work. Not tonight. Tonight, I’m celebrating.”

“So, it’s true?” Clyde asks. “You’re…”

“The new director of Haven North General Hospital,” Director Regina says proudly. “I start next month.”

“That’s amazing!” Clyde’s face lights up. “That means we’ll get to work together again soon!”

Schmoozing. I need to get in this conversation before Clyde runs away with it.

“Yes, congratulations!” I say, forcing the words past the tightness in my throat. “You deserve it. You’ve helped so many students over the years…” There’s dampness gathering in my eyes. Tears? Oh, no. I grab my drink, down a gulp, and take a deep breath. “They’re so lucky to have you.”

Clyde orders Director Regina a drink. I should have done that, but it’s too late. I’m just trying to keep it together. Anger, tears… the strange feelings I had earlier. I may need to call Dr. Thomas tonight. There’s an emergency number, and this feels like one. Or maybe I’ll be fine after I get some rest. I worked hard this week, and fatigue can be an emotional drain. That’s it. It has to be. I’m just really, really tired.

“I think you may have had a little too much Green Syrup tonight,” Director Regina says, taking her first sip.

“No, Calla barely drank,” Clyde says, putting a hand over his mouth and yawning. “But if she’s feeling like I am, the week is catching up.”

What happened to staying for another drink because the night is still young? Is he… saying this for me? But why? Normally, he’d pounce on an opportunity to point out a flaw if it could make him look better.

“Don’t stay late on my account,” Director Regina says. “I’m meeting some friends…” She turns as the door opens. “And there they are. If you two will excuse me.”

Director Regina’s friends don’t work at the hospital, or if they do, I don’t recognize them. The fact Clyde seems disinterested is a pretty good indicator they aren’t important to our future. That means I can leave. I push my unfinished drink toward the bartender and grab my purse.

“I’m going to go,” I say absently as I get up from my stool.

“Yeah, me too,” Clyde says, downing his drink and following me to the door.

I feel another twinge in my stomach when I step outside. It causes my right knee to tremble, and I almost lose my balance, but put a hand on the wall. Clyde looms over me immediately, casting a shadow that makes mine disappear.

“I’ll walk with you,” he offers. “We’re both going the same way.”

“I’m going further than you,” I reply, trudging ahead on unsteady legs. “I’m fine.”

“Then you can walk me home,” he chuckles.

Clyde falls in step beside me, and I don’t argue. At least he’s being nice for a change. I don’t say much. He rambles on. An apartment in the Middle District. Shopping in the Upper District. All tied to becoming a nurse at Haven North General Hospital, and all the lavishness it promises. He exaggerates, of course, but I don’t have the energy to correct him. I just need to keep it together until I get home.

We turn down a darker street. My stomach is getting worse. It actually feels like I may throw up. Am I sensing… danger? But why? There’s absolutely nothing to worry about in Haven North.

“Is that Director Reynolds?” Clyde asks, astonishment in his voice.

“Huh?” I look up. Director Reynolds is in charge of the entire nursing path. I’ve only seen him at meetings. “Where?”

Then Clyde grabs my arm hard enough for me to cry out and I feel something cold against my neck. A prick. That’s a needle! I try to twist away, but Clyde tightens his grip.

“Shh,” he whispers.

I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out.

Then the darkness takes me.