Page 253 of Scarbound

“No one should touch you without explaining why.”

“I don’t care.” His voice cracked. “I don’t want to go.”

Dr. Daniels studied him. “Can you tell me what you’re afraid will happen at the hospital?”

Noeul’s gaze dropped. “People. Questions. Touching.” His fingers tightened around the blanket. “I can’t.”

“I understand. But before I accept your refusal, I need to know that you understand what you’re refusing. Tell me what I’ve explained about your head.”

Noeul swallowed. “There could be bleeding inside my head that you can’t detect here.”

“And what could happen if it became worse?”

“I could become seriously ill.” His voice weakened. “I could die.”

“Knowing that, do you still refuse transport?”

Noeul met his eyes. “Yes. I’m not going to the hospital.”

Ji-Woo turned toward the doctor. “You’re accepting that?”

“He understands the recommendation and the consequences of refusing it,” Dr. Daniels replied. “We continue close monitoring here for now. But if his neurological condition worsens, this decision changes.”

He looked directly at Noeul. “If you begin vomiting repeatedly, become difficult to wake, develop weakness, suffer a seizure, or become more confused, they call an ambulance immediately. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Even if you don’t want to go?”

A pause followed. “If something changes, I’ll go.”

Dr. Daniels documented the recommendation, the risks he had explained, Noeul’s answers, and his refusal of transport.

Ji-Woo nodded reluctantly.

Noeul looked exhausted already.

Dr. Daniels waited before continuing. “There is something else.”

Noeul’s body tensed.

“We don’t have to do anything yet.”

Noeul stared at him.

“But we need to talk about the injuries from the assault.”

Dr. Daniels kept his voice clinical without becoming cold. “You were bleeding when your friends found you.”

Noeul turned his face away.

Ji-Woo’s eyes closed briefly.

“I need to examine the injuries properly at some point,” Dr. Daniels continued. “There are also tests and preventive treatments that are usually discussed after sexual assault.”

Noeul’s breathing became shallow.

“I don’t want to.”