Riverside State Institute was far busier than I had imagined.
By my third day on the job, I had already worked a 12-hour shift in the emergency department.
During the early morning handoff, my stomach was growling painfully from hunger. I crouched in front of the vending machine, trying to read the labels on the bread through the glass.
Someone tapped my shoulder from behind and handed me a carton of milk.
"Drink this first."
I turned around.
It was Lucas Whitmore, the chief emergency resident and my mentor.
He didn't ask why I had come to Southhaven alone. He only tapped my ID badge.
"Dr. Parker, you're working night shifts with low blood sugar? Are you planning to make your coworkers bring you back to life next?"
I took the milk from him.
"Thanks, Dr. Whitmore."
"Don't call me
