Ramirez Gonzales.
“Kelly,” I say, propping two vile pills on my tongue before swallowing them with a grimace. My head feels like it’s splitting apart, my limbs burn with a relentless ache—it’s been this way since I woke up. Pain is my constant companion now, and all I’ve done is sit here and endure it. The nurse is packing up his things, ready to end his shift, while Kelly sits stiffly on the couch next to me. Her face is bad when she looks at my condition, but it’s nothing compared to Ariel’s. Ariel can’t even look at me without looking like she’s going to fall apart.
“You look…” Kelly starts, hesitating like she’s afraid I’ll snap at her.
“Bad?” I finish for her.
“You’ll be better in—”
“Months,” I cut Rufus off before he can spout more meaningless optimism.
“Sir,” he begins, probab
