AUTHOR'S POV
The heavy emergency room doors finally swung open with a sharp click.
Everyone in the hallway stood up immediately, their movements synchronized by sheer anxiety.
A middle-aged doctor in green scrubs stepped out into the corridor, pulling his surgical mask down around his neck. He carried a silver metal clipboard under his arm, his eyes scanning the exhausted, anxious faces waiting for him.
"Family for Landon?"
Nobody answered immediately. They all looked at each other, the painful reminder of their technical status as "outsiders" hanging in the air.
The doctor noticed the hesitation, and a kind, understanding smile touched his face.
"I'm guessing... close friends?"
Ryker stepped forward, his posture straight, taking the lead as he always did. "Yes, sir. We're his team
