Chapter 9
“Yes,” Aria said, nodding firmly.
Joel let out a harsh laugh, disbelief all over his face. “She’s better than me? Are you silly or just plain stupid? You’re risking your sister’s life!”
Aria hesitated, glancing back at Linda.
Linda gave her a small nod.
For some reason, something in Linda’s calm vibe steadied Aria.
“My sister needs her life and her leg,” Aria said. “Without her legs, she won’t want to live.”
Joel looked like he’d heard a bedtime story, ready to snap. “You’re saying that high school kid can save her leg?” he asked.
“Yes,” Aria replied, standing her ground.
“Are you nuts, or am I? Brain waterlogged? Need me to crack your skull and drain it?” Joel barked.
He was half–tempted to grab Aria’s collar and shake her.
“You’re betting your sister’s life on a teenager? Where’s your family? Get your parents here!” he demanded.
Avery’s life was on the line. Joel wasn’t letting some kid ruin this.
Aria, barely eighteen, was only needed to sign the consent form because of the emergency.
Now she was pulling this move.
‘What, does she want her sister dead?‘ Joel thought to himself.
“My dad’s out of town. I don’t have a mom,” Aria said quietly.
Joel was ready to swing.
“So you’re making the call to let her die?” he asked.
“I want my sister okay more than anyone!” Aria cried, her eyes red with tears.
Linda, aka THE Sneaky Teen, saw them still arguing, and she couldn’t wait.
She knew she shouldn’t wait. Every second put Avery at risk.
She edged toward the operating room
Adrian, right on cue, cracked it
“No one gets in,” Linda said sharply.
Adrian flashed an “OK” sign. “You got it,” he replied.
The OR door slammed shut.
Joel caught the move and nearly lost it.
“You’re all out of your minds!” he shouted.
Aria kept silent. She bit her lip, holding back tears.
‘Did I mess this up? she thought.
Did I mess this up?‘ she thought. All she wanted was Avery safe and whole.
Joel clenched his jaw, snapping at his assistant, “Get the patient to sign a waiver! So they don
hospital–let them die outside!”
He stormed off to his office.
The
crowd scattered, giving Aria looks–some confused, some judging, some pitying.
M
W
We
e when this crashes. No more weirdos in my
1/2
Chapter 9
They were thinking, ‘Doctor Preston’s done. That patient? Doomed.’
The assistant shoved a form at Aria.
Her hand trembled, but she signed it.,
The assistant rolled her eyes. “Ungrateful,” she muttered.
Aria stayed quiet, lips pressed tight.
She leaned against the wall and stared at the closed OR door.
Her back went stiff, like she was holding her breath.
Adrian stepped over, patting her shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”
‘Why am
I Iso sure?‘ he wondered, confused by his own trust.
Five hours later, the OR door swung open.
Linda stepped out.
Five hours of intense, solo surgery should’ve drained her.
though.
She was just tired, though.
Her previous worlds‘ physical training had carried over.
Her hair, tucked under the hoodie, was damp with sweat.
“You worn out?” Adrian asked, handing her a water bottle he’d ready.
2/2
