The study was huge. Seren wasn’t prepared for the sheer amount of floor space, or the bay windows with an open balcony that over-viewed all the Summer district. Mrs. Houper shut the door behind them and left Seren alone in the room. Only then noticing the owner of the study sitting at the large desk surrounded by files, papers, and cabinets.

Seren held still, unsure if he knew they were there or not. He had to know they were there. But still they couldn’t move.

“Come over here,” He grumbled. Breaking the spell over Seren and allowing them to rush to the desk. “I have a very low tolerance for nonsense today and unfortunately Mrs. Houper has used up most of my patience so we will make this quick. I don’t want to hear anything more than simple, clear answers. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” Seren nodded.

“Good. How old are you?” He asked, his eyes were piercing right through Seren’s soul. They felt like they were in trouble. The question itself gave them pause. They knew how old they really were, but they also knew how old they were supposed to be.

“Sixteen.” Seren hazarded a guess at which he wanted.

“Good. If law enforcement asks, how old are you?”

“Sixteen.”

“That’s right.” He said, making a note. “You know your rights as an enforcer?”

“I.. uh.” Seren started but the sharp look they were getting only intensified. “No.”

“You have the right to finish your job by whatever means necessary. You are prohibited from causing death or destruction of property. You have the right to medical attention for any issues caused by or during a job. You are not permitted to keep any items, regardless of nature, acquired on a job. In the event of your death, your next of kin will be delivered a modest sum equal to a percentage of every job you’ve done. Any other accommodations will not be covered. Neither will any action be taken against your alleged killer. Do you understand?” Mr. Asche said all the rights and conditions with a practiced even tone. He didn’t even need to look at a paper, he could just remember them all. Seren stared blankly past him as they tried to keep up with and remember all the things he said but also what all the words actually meant when strung together like that.

“Yes.” They said, even though they didn’t entirely mean it. It just felt like he expected it of them.

“Good. Today you need your medical evaluation and after that you have work to do.” Mr. Asche picked up a mug and glared at it disappointedly. “There’s a physician waiting in the second floor library. Go straight there and come right back.”

“Yes.” Seren nodded, swallowing through the lump in their throat as it occurred to them that this was real. It was real, and they were agreeing to it. Seren turned from the desk and left the study. Panic set in deep when they found Mrs. Houper wasn’t still on the other side of the doors.

Seren looked back and forth down the hall. They took a breath and went down the stairs, feeling that at least they needed to get to the second floor before looking for the room in question. Getting down to the second landing and looking about the halls, There was only one open door and Seren hoped that was the door they needed.

Approaching the door, they found it was a room filled with shelves of books. They sighed in relief that the only open door was theirs. Seren walked through the door, eyes falling immediately on a man in a white coat and slate gray scrubs. He had a black leather bag laid on a table awkwardly placed in the center of the room.

The only thing Seren could see and focus on was his mechanical skeletal arm he had instead of a left arm.

“Ah, I was just about to give up on you.” The doctor said. “Come on in and shut the door.” Seren heard ringing in their ears as they entered the library. As slowly as they could, they closed the library door. They felt like they were going to throw up. Seren walked to the table feeling floaty, barely even present.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Hmm… bit smaller than I expected…” The doctor mused.

“I’m sixteen.” Seren said automatically.

“Whoa there, calm down firecracker.” The doctor chuckled, holding up his hands. “I believe you,” Seren nodded, they couldn’t breathe properly. It was like they had to focus on breathing or else they would stop.

“Getting down to the brass tacks, I’m Dr. Johnson Smithson but most just call me Bones.” The doctor said pulling up a board with papers on it. “On account of the arm, here. I see you staring.” Seren dropped their gaze pointedly to the ground which made Dr. Bones laugh.

“It’s all right, I’m used to it.” He chuckled, moving to his bag and rifling through it. “What I need from you, is to go around that privacy screen and strip down to your unders.” Seren clenched their jaw hard.

“I don’t want to.” They said.

“Makes you a bit uncomfortable?” He paused and put all the things down to focus on them, which made them even more uncomfortable. All they could do was nod. “You’re free to leave, but without a physical you aren’t permitted to work as an enforcer.” Seren swallowed hard, feeling tears welling up in their eyes.

“Okay,” they murmured. “I’ll go-”

“Glad to hear it, I’ll be waiting.” Dr. Bones picked up his board again. Seren was barely conscious as they turned away and started toward the privacy screen. Behind the screen there was a little table, equally out of place.

“You can put your clothes on that table back there.” Dr. Bones called. “I do have other appointments to keep so if you want to get through this you better hurry.” Seren sighed hoarsely and took off their hat and scarf. Shaking as they tossed each article of clothing onto the awaiting table until they were down to their shirt and underwear. The shaking in their hands was too strong for them to remove their shirt.

Seren held their arms and gave themself a comforting squeeze before turning and walking out from behind the screen.

“No, the shirt too.” Dr. Bones frowned at them. Then he waved his hand. “Oh nevermind, we don’t have the time. You can take it off on the table here.” Seren felt like theory were going to throw up. But they approached the table and pulled their shirt over their head.

“Stop wasting time and hop up. If I’d known you were so small, I’d’ve brought a lower table. But you still should have no problems getting up there.” Dr. Bones said. Seren hoisted themself up onto the table and sat with their legs crossed.

“Sit up straight and uncross your legs,” Dr. Bones tapped Seren’s knee to prompt them to unfold. Seren did as they were told. Dr. Bones consulted his clipboard.

“Little on the slim side,” he mused while poking at their ribs. He took out his stethoscope and put the end on Seren’s back.

“Breathe deep.” He instructed. Seren did their best to take a deep breath without shaking. “Good. Again.” He moved to the opposite side of their back. Seren breathed again. It didn’t help to calm them. The physician moved to listen to their chest and then started writing on the board.

Seren felt like their consciousness left their body as the rest of the physical progressed. Dr. Bones either didn’t notice or he didn’t care. Not pausing for a second in his examination. However, he did occasionally check his watch and click his tongue disappointedly. Seren felt grateful his touches were straight to the point and brief.

“All right, we’re finished here.” Dr. Bones said after the longest fifteen minutes of Seren’s life. “You’re a bit on the small side and certainly malnourished. But hearty and healthy all the same.” Seren heard the words he was saying but didn’t really register them as they slung their shirt back on. The physician kept writing as Seren jumped off the table and ran for the screen. Throwing their clothes on as quickly as they could.

“I’ll run this upstairs and be on my way. Great meeting you.” Dr. Bones said casually, not an ounce of genuine feeling behind the words. Seren buttoned their coat as much as it would go, listening to the door shut as the physician left. They shut their eyes and held the edge of the table. They knelt down, holding onto the edge of the table. Hanging their head as they focused on their breathing.

“Get it together,” they whispered. “It was a routine checkup and you're healthy. Stop panicking.” Their pep talk somehow cleared their head enough they could stand again. They took as deep a breath as they could until their lungs felt like they would burst. Head spinning a little as they let the air out.

Seren turned strode out of the library and toward the stairs. Taking ahold of the banister with confidence. A confidence that ran away in terror as they saw the physician coming down the stairs checking his watch. They scrambled out of the way as Dr. Bones mumbled to himself, rounding the corner and heading down the last flight without sparing even a second to glance at Seren.

They watched him go. Once he was out of sight, Seren ran up the stairs.