She waited. To her satisfaction, the door slid open. Kait craned her head up to see a young man in a white uniform step uncertainly into the room.
“I uh, I don’t think they expected you to be awake so early. The doctor’s not—” he began.
Kait cut him off. “Who are you?”
The young man flushed. “I’m a medical assistant. Look, do you really need to pee?”
“I do,” insisted Kait. “So you can either undo these restraints, or—”
“You’re not gonna make trouble, are you?” he asked nervously.
Keep the upper hand with this one. This kid is scared as fuck. Let’s see what you can get.
“No, I’m not,” she said calmly, looking at his ID patch, “Nevin.” She paused. “Is that your first name or your last name?”
“Last name,” he said automatically. “My first name’s Lawrence.” He flushed again, suddenly aware he probably wasn’t supposed to be telling her.
“I’m Kait, Lawrence, and I really do have to pee. I promise I won’t make trouble if you release me. I just want to pee.”
Lawrence started forward, hesitated, then shook his head and moved forward again. With the press of a button on the undercarriage—Kait tried to see where without making it obvious—the restraints slipped free.
Kait got off the gurney, carefully testing her balance. Her legs were a little shaky, but she felt all right. She moved over to the toilet and put a hand on the waistband of the scrubs she had been changed into. She started to lower her pants then glared at the staring Lawrence.
“Do you mind?” she said indignantly, making a “shoo” gesture with her hand.
She held her breath. Would he actually turn around?
For a brief moment, he looked as if he was going to, but then he blushed and remained where he was.
“I, uh, better not turn around,” he said, still blushing furiously. He fixed his gaze on the wall behind her. “But I won’t look,” he promised.
So close. Kait dropped her pants, squatted on the toilet, and gratefully relieved herself. Lawrence kept his eyes on the far wall and looked like he was trying to ignore the sound of her urination.
Kait finished and stood up. “Thank you, Lawrence,” she said warmly. “What should I do now?”
“Um…I think you’d better get back on the gurney. I think I’d be in trouble if you weren’t there.”
Kait tilted her head as she looked at him. “You’re going to tie me down again, Lawrence?”
He looked down at his feet. “I’m sorry…Kait. I think we might both get in trouble if I don’t.” He looked up. “But maybe I can visit you later? I’m alone on night shift an awful lot, and it would be nice to have someone to talk to.”
Kait looked up at the camera then back at Lawrence. She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
“Aw, that’s no problem.” Lawrence shrugged. “Those are pretty easy to spoof. Could you uh, get back on the gurney, Kait? I really would be in a lot of trouble if they found you like this.”
Kait climbed back onto the gurney and lay flat. “I don’t want you to get into trouble, Lawrence,” she said. She locked eyes with him. “And I’d love it if you could visit me when you get the chance.”
Lawrence carefully reattached her restraints. “Yeah, Kait,” he said softly. “I’d like that, too.” He checked the straps once then headed for the door. He looked back and gave her a little wave then shut the door.
With a sigh, Kait let her head fall back and closed her eyes.All right, Kait, well done. You got as much out of that situation as you possibly could. Keep playing the hand you’ve been given, as well as you can, and you’ll be out of here in no time.
Aurelian, I miss you so much. Please find me.
***
Kait wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she was startled by the sound of the door abruptly opening. A grey-haired man in glasses and a surgical mask, wearing a medical smock, walked into the room. Two large men remained in the doorway.
“Now then, Kait, let’s see how you’re doing,” said the doctor—Kait assumed—briskly. “I’ll be conducting your medical examination.” He paused. “I’m going to release your restraints, and I hope you can see the two gentlemen behind me, yes?”
