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A lump formed in my throat. That was a lot of money. But…what would they ask me in return?
“Will it be worth it?”
For a single second, the woman looked human, her eyes softening. But then she moved around me, leaving haunting words in her wake. “Only you can decide that.”
I didn’t have time to process what had just happened.
"Welcome." A black woman with long hair and blue nurse scrubs was waiting for us outside the elevator doors, and I had to rush out so that they didn’t shut on me. Olivia didn’t respond to her, brushing past her without even a sideways glance.
She took us directly back. “Please. Take a seat."
Within seconds, I was squirming onto a brown, cushioned bench. The nurse eyed me appraisingly and only gave Mrs. Dubois a cursory glance before leaving the room.
Mrs. Olivia Dubois’ tall, willowy stature towered over me, her bronze eyes inspecting the room just as carefully as she had me.
Fortunately for whichever doctor worked here, there wasn’t a speck of dirt or dust to be seen, and she made her assessment coolly and quickly. Once complete, she sat down, again, her rigid spine not touching the back of her seat.
It didn't take long before the door opened again—the nurse from before stood there, a polite smile frozen to her face as she waited, holding the door open.
Shortly afterwards, a small, elderly man shuffled his way into the room.
I couldn't stop the grin lighting up my face—he reminded me of Amara's grandpa, who used to sneak me treats of chocolate and mint from his fanny pack every time he visited.
The elderly doctor stared at his feet as he made his way into the room, until, finally, he waved a hand at the nurse and she closed the door behind her with a sharp click.
"Hello, Olivia." Once again, the hand, sun marked and wrinkled, waved, this time in Mrs. Olivia Dubois’ direction.
"Hello, Dr. Tyler," she responded crisply, not correcting him, I noticed.
He shuffled his way towards me, his eyes finally leaving his feet when he reached where I was sitting.
"Well, what do we have here?" He didn't ask for my name, but reached in his pocket, pulling out a small pen light. For some strange reason, I’d expected a piece of candy.
I blinked as he shined it directly into my eyes. "Please keep your eyes open," he stated patiently.
I forced myself not to blink, though my eyes watered briefly until the light disappeared.
I blinked away the spots as he checked my ears, then shuffled across the room towards the sink and counter. "Age."
“Eighteen.” Mrs. Dubois answered, even though I'd opened my mouth to reply myself.
I stared at her.
It seems as if she was right. I didn’t need to do anything, practically. They would do it all for me.
Dr. Tyler didn't respond, but slowly shuffled towards me with a tongue depressor in his hand.
I stared through his thick glasses but he didn't once meet my gaze. His thin, silver grey hair fell over his large forehead and into steel brown eyes. He tossed his head, moving it out of the way before he nodded towards me. “Perfect.”
Next, his hands went to my throat, pressing around there, then he checked my reflexes, muttering the whole time.
"Now lie down."
The paper crinkled as I awkwardly moved onto my back, wondering why they needed to check all this. My head was at an awkward angle because of my bun. The smell of talcum powder filled my nose as he leaned over me, pressing on my stomach and doing all kinds of random stuff.
I jerked upwards when the nurse reappeared, handing off a needle and some vials. "Woah, what's going on here?”
"Please lay back down." He didn’t look at me, but proceeded to patiently wait as the nurse began to wrap a band around my arm. "What are you doing this for?" I stared at him, waiting for an answer. When he didn’t give me one, I looked at Olivia. “Ma’am?”
