Page 6 of ’Til You Break

I make my way to the kitchen, ashamed that I can’t wrestle with my loneliness for more than an hour, especially after Vik has had a lifetime of horror weighing on his shoulders.

Still, my pity party brings its own resolution. I want and need to get out of here before I become a burden to him. As strange as Vik’s offer is, it’s ultimately kind. But it isn’t a long-term solution to my problems. The only way to do that is by finding a damn job.

I grab a glass of water, and slide my phone out of my pocket, scrolling through the most recent online job listings. I actually find one that looks promising, so I search out the clinic’s details and give them a call.

“Mayard Clinic, how can we help you, today?” a female voice answers.

“I’m calling about the position you have listed as a junior nurse,” I say, stifling a dejected sigh.

Applying through the platforms feels like a waste of time. My previous employers have already dragged my name through the mud and, once any potential clinics or hospitals see it, they’ll scrap my application without a second thought.

However, getting in touch directly might give me the edge I’ve been lacking.

“Ah, okay. Well, we have an application process online which yields the best results for our screening—”

The word screening makes me ache inside.

“You can send your resume through and we’ll get back in touch if we think you’ll be a good fit,” the voice continues.

“Yes, of course,” I say, putting on my best professional voice. “I did already try to go through that process, but I had an issue at the end of it. It wouldn’t let me press submit. I am more than willing to send you an email with all my details, though. I’ve got them right in front of me, so I can do it straight away.”

“Well, you sound like a lovely girl and your determination is something we really look for at the Mayard Clinic. Why don’t you send it and I’ll take a look,” she says.

Oh. My. God.

Has it genuinely been this easy the whole time? Moving away from platforms that show my worst side, and trying to engage with an actual human?

I send the email directly from my phone without hanging up, then bring it back to my ear once it’s done.

“You should have it any second now,” I say.

“Let me see here,” she mumbles to herself. “Ah, here it is. Hannah Clarke, is that correct?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say.

“Miss Clarke, your experience in the field far exceeds the junior nurse requirements,” she states.

She isn’t wrong, either. I’ve fallen so far. From being next in line for the head nurse position to begging for the scraps of a beginner once more. But there isn’t much I can do about that.

“Yes, but I’d rather not jump the gun. I’m willing to work my way up and prove my worth.” I’d say anything to get the job.

Who am I kidding? I’d do anything just to get an interview, let alone the position itself. It’s been months since I lost my job and I’ve gotten by selling my things to make ends meet. It’s why I arrived here so empty-handed.

So, there isn’t much left to do but start from scratch. I will take what I can get and give it my all to prove I’m still worthy.

“Are you sure you’d—” she falls silent before finishing the question. The gap persists until my nerves coil into a tight knot in my belly.

“I’m not sure if we got cut off,” I say.

No answer.

She’d recognized my name.

Shit.

I make my way over to the corridor that separates the west wing from the rest of the house. I call Vik’s name one more time. For comfort, I suppose. I stare down the corridor while I wait, watching the doors of the forbidden rooms for any sign of movement. I turn my head to catch it, listening for any squeak or sound he might make. Would he shout out a response, or would his reserved nature have him speak and hope I hear?

Either way, nothing comes back. I peer out the front door and see that his car is gone from the driveway.