Welcome Home, Doctor Zack

Chapter 6

Amy

"Okay baby I have to go, be a good boy." I said and smiled at him. I brushed my thumb over his cheek without thinking. Zim and Ben walk into school together, Ben talking while Zim listened, half-smiling. Nothing warmed my heart more than knowing he was in good hands. Just before he disappeared through the doors, he turned and waved at me. My chest eased a little, the way it always does when he remembers me in the middle of everything else. Like an invisible string pulling tight, then loosening. Maybe he’d be fine here Maybe this school wouldn’t chew him up the way the others had. I winked at him as i sighed in relief. A problem solved, my boy now has a school and now I could focus on other things. Or at least pretend I could.

On the drive back to the hospital, my thoughts gradually returned to my dad. Even then, part of my mind stayed with Zim—wondering if he’d found his classroom yet, if he was sitting alone. I needed to know how dad was holding on and so. After yelling at him yesterday, I wondered what he would do to me today.

I pushed the door open and stepped out of my car, pulling my jacket closer against the morning chill. My eyes wandered almost on instinct toward the row of hospital windows. I checked the time, calculating how long it would be before Zim’s first break. I hope he isn't here again. I walked to the hospital and everything looked normal.

Just before I could open the door to lions ward, I stopped and listened to the two voices. I looked through the barely closed door. That’s when I saw him. Zack. It can't be. He's always here and I hate the feeling of him putting his nose in my dad affairs. And by extension, into my life. Into Zim’s life. He stood inside the ward, angled toward another man in a white coat.

A doctor I didn’t recognize at all, younger, with a sharpness in his posture that screamed new. The kind of polished confidence people wear when they’re still proving themselves. He was explaining something to Zack as they both examined Lions leg.

Zack stood there listening to him. I didn't know what to do. He couldn't just back off and he was now getting on my nerves. How could he still be coming here like he belonged here, speaking to the doctor while they hovered around my father’s leg. Of course. He always had to be in the middle of all of my business now. Like he hadn’t already taken enough from me.

I froze in the doorway, debating whether I should leave before they noticed me.

But I didn’t move. I just stood there, caught between leaving and forcing myself forward. Running was never an option anymore—not with a child watching how I handled things. I didn't want to interrupt whatever they were so engrossed in.

But then Zack’s eyes found me, like they always did, so fast that I couldn't move, sharp and too knowing. He gestured toward the hallway. I didn't say a word but joined them.

"Hi, Amy." Zack smiled at me cautiously, as if to check if I was put off by his presence.

I didn't want to make things awkward with strangers around. I didn’t want Zim to ever see me lose control. I politely replied, "Good morning, Dr. Zack."

“Amy. This is Dr. Peter,” Zack said when we stopped outside. “He’s a rehabilitation specialist. He’ll be handling your father’s post-op recovery and I am lions orthopedic surgeon." He said and now I could get why he was always here, but it was even worse. Why on earth would he be the one to treat Lion.

Peter gave me a professional smile, all gentle reassurance, he glanced between us before continuing “Your father’s responding to the therapy sessions, but strength-building is going to take time.it’s a slow process, and we’ll need to keep pushing him carefully. Progress is happening, but don’t expect too much too soon.”

I nodded, polite but detached. I didn’t trust my voice not to crack. Every word he said felt distant, like it was meant for someone else. Like the part of me that needed to be strong didn’t belong to me anymore—it belonged to my son. I could hear the hope in his tone, but hope was dangerous,it had let me down too many times already.

Peter’s words lingered in the air even after he stopped talking. Progress. Time. Patience. They always said the same things, but coming from someone new, it almost sounded hopeful. Almost.

Peter glanced between us, sensing perhaps that I wasn’t in the mood to continue. He cleared his throat lightly, shifting his folder under one arm. “Well, I’ll leave you both to it,” he said with a polite smile. “I’ll check back in later.”

He gave Zack a firm nod, then offered me a courteous one before stepping away. The click of his shoes echoed down the hall until the sound faded, leaving me standing there with Zack. Alone. Too exposed.

The silence pressed in on us.

Zack’s voice was low, steady. “Amy,” he said quietly, “I’m only here as a doctor, nothing else. I’ll only do what’s necessary for your father. Nothing beyond that.”

I stared at him, searching his face for cracks, for some hint of what he wasn’t saying. My throat felt tight. In the end, I just muttered, “Thank you.” Because starting a fight wouldn’t help Zim or my father.

It was the safest thing I could give him two hollow words. Anything more, and I might’ve slipped, might’ve let all the anger and ache I’d buried for years claw its way out.

He hesitated, then asked like he had just remembered something, “Where’s Zim?”

And just like that, my patience vanished. “That’s none of your business,” I snapped, already turning away. Protective instinct flaring sharp and fast. I couldn’t stand the thought of him prying into Zim’s life, into our life. He’d forfeited that right the moment he left me standing alone. He didn’t get to circle back now, pretending he had questions he deserved answers to.

I walked away from him and went back to the ward. My father was awake, his eyes landed on me, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing.

For once, he didn’t bark at me to leave. He just looked. The silence was heavier than any of his shouting had ever been as I walked every step approaching his bed. I straightened my shoulders, the way I always did when I needed to be someone Zim could rely on.

I set my bag down next to his bed and pulled out a container of cut fruit. “Do you want some?” My voice sounded too soft, even to me, a surprise to me how things were calming down. Maybe exhaustion was finally winning.

To my surprise, he nodded. No fight, no anger. Just acceptance. I sat down beside him, passing him a piece as I took a bite, and for the first time since I’d come back, we shared something close to peace. I wished Zim could see this version of his grandfather.

And maybe that fragile quiet was worth holding onto like Zim’s wave, like the hope I kept swearing I didn’t need.

Zim

The bell rang, and the classroom filled with the sound of my classmates scraping chairs and talking like they’d known each other forever. I wasn't interested in all the chattering but just stayed at my desk, my hands in my lap, trying not to look as lost as I felt.

My hand stays clenched on the edge of my desk, knuckles turning pale. My head felt full, too heavy, like it was stuffed with all the questions Zack had planted there earlier. His voice wouldn’t leave me alone.

I kept on thinking about what he said to me. He seemed so nice but I can't seem to understand why mom doesn't want anything to do with him. I like him. Who even was he? And why did it feel like the things he said… connected to the weirdness I’d been feeling all along?

I was so lost in my thoughts I hardly recognized the figure standing before me.

“Hey.” I looked up and saw a girl standing next to my desk, her hand stretched out, her smile wide and fearless, “I’m Bibi.”

“First day?” she asks, even though it’s obvious.

“Yeah.” I nod, picking at my sleeve again. “How did you know?”

She grinned, showing me her neat, clean teeth. "My dad told me. He's the principal."

"Oh," I realized. She is Ben's daughter. "Nice to meet you."

I hesitated for a second, trying to read her, she was indeed beautiful, her long brown hair perfectIy fell on her shoulder, and her eyes bright, curious, and too steady locked on mine without flinching.. I shook her hand. Her grip was firm, confident, like she already knew we’d be friends.

"You haven't told me your name yet."

"I'm Zim." I said to her reluctantly. She walked around and stood beside me. Trying to read everything about me. Looking at my new school uniform. I moved a little.

“You’re not playing with the others? Are you gonna just sit here all by yourself just frowning,” she asked, nodding at the kids chasing each other around the room. She slid into the seat beside mine.

I shrugged. “I…I'll need some time to catch up, I don't wanna get into fights here like in my previous school.” My voice was quiet. She looked at me. I half-expected her to laugh, or worse, scold me.

But she didn’t. Her eyes lit up, and she leaned closer. “That’s okay. That’s exactly how it should be Zim, it's okay to get into flights, it seems you are really strong and brave..”

Her words startled me. Brave? No one had ever called me that. At home, Mom just told me to calm down or to control myself whenever i freaked out. Teachers before had said I was a pain in the ass. But brave? That sounded like something good, it looked so unreal coming from such a beautiful looking girl.

“I know a fighter when I see one, and you are definitely strong.” She said and I couldn't help but smile.

“I do that too, a lot.” She says as she turned and saw a boy watching her.

“I'd never let anyone pick on me.” I got the overall idea. She looked sweet on the outside but she was tougher.

I didn't know when the bell rang since I was so engrossed in our chat. Bibi looked different from the other kids, so cautious and careful with her words. I couldn't help but steal a glance of her every time she answered a question, leaving the teacher speechless too.

After the long lesson, we all headed to the field for our next lesson. I tried to keep along. Seeing everyone excited only made me more confused.

I stood at the edge of the group, arms folded, pretending to look calm while my stomach flipped.

A tall man in a whistle and track pants clapped his hands sharply. The noise died down instantly.

“Alright, listen up kids! I’m Mr. Collins, your gym teacher.” His voice carried across the field, steady and commanding. “Some of you already know me. For the rest, I’m the guy who’s going to make sure you learn discipline, teamwork, and stamina. This class isn’t just about running around, it’s about pushing yourselves boys and girls..” I felt everything go silent and spotted Bibi smiling at me from the far end.

A couple kids groaned under their breath as Mr. Collins’ eyes narrowed down to them, catching the sound. “And before anyone thinks they can slack off, let me make this clear, everyone participates. Everyone gives their best. No excuses.”

The murmurs died completely. He had that look, strict, but not cruel. The kind of teacher you didn’t want to test.

“Good,” he said, satisfied. “Today’s simple. We’re running laps. I want to see where everyone stands.” He tapped his stopwatch. “This isn’t about being the fastest. It’s about effort.”

I swallowed, shifting my feet. Running? That… I could do, so easily. Maybe too well.

The whistle shrieked, slicing through the chatter, and the whole group launched forward. Sneakers slapped against the track. The air filled with the sound of quick breaths and pounding feet.

At first, I tried to blend in, my strides matching the kids around me. But then, the kids around me moved so fast, one after the other, quicker than anyone should’ve been. My chest tightened as I stopped to grab some air.

Bibi jogging beside me, not out of breath, not even pretending to be impressed. She smirked like she’d been waiting for me to notice her.

Bibi noticed me staring. She jogged up beside me. “Don’t worry about them,” she said easily. “You’ll get faster, it doesn't come in a day.”

“Is…is everyone like that?” I asked, my voice low as I tried so hard to hide my shocked expression. “I can barely catch up.”

She grinned, looking proud and certain. “Of course. Speed is basic for us. It’s a werewolf skill.”

A completely unexpected word just jumped out of her mouth. I stumbled, my heart pounding louder than the sound of sneakers on the track. 'Werewolf'. The word rattled around in my head, from nothing to a blur, then suddenly reminiscent of what Zack had told me, and my unique sense of smell and... speed.

My mind suddenly cleared. "A what?!"