Seren’s knees were tingling with pain. The stitches the doctor put into their skin itched, it would hurt less if Seren wasn’t cross-legged. But the pain was an outside reflection of how they felt on the inside. Like two opposite melodies finally syncing up for once.

Beside them, their dad slept. The hospital was anything but quiet. Movement and coughing from the roommate that was sharing half the room with them. Separated by only a curtain. Nurses and doctors past the open door with whispered conversations. Clicking of heels on tiled floors. Buzzing robotic conversations on intercoms. Trilling bells of ringing phones. Seren leaned their upper body on the bed and watched their dad’s chest rise and fall.

Seren had been pulled away from him when they came to the hospital. They had raised a fuss about it but ultimately they were taken to an exam room to be treated for the cuts on their knees and shins from kneeling on the broken glass. It hadn’t hurt, not really. Just felt more interesting than anything else.

The doctor was gentle in cleaning up and extracting the glass. Detailing to them every step of what he was doing and why. Seren remembered it feeling weird, as did the curved needle going in and out of the worst of their cuts.

They’d been called brave for sitting so still and not making fuss. They’d been called poor dear and unfortunate by the nurses when they were finally allowed to see their dad. Already asleep in the hospital bed.

Idly, they scratched at their stitches. They’d watched the lights outside the door go from bright to dim. The people being plentiful to scarce. Then the lights came back on and people were moving about again.

The nurse came to check in every once and while. With a clipboard and a whisper. Offering Seren practically the sun, the moon, and the stars but there was nothing Seren wanted. Nothing the nurse could give them. They wanted their dad to wake up, they wanted to go home. Breakfast had been offered but Seren didn’t want to eat. That felt like forever ago.

“Serenity?” A nurse poked their head into the room. “The doctor would like to see you,” Seren glared at the nurse and didn’t get up at first. But with the nurse continuing to stare at them, they begrudgingly slid out of the chair and stomped out of the room. The nurse led them into a private exam room.

“Okay, the doctor will be in shortly. I also have a few vaccinations for you and we’ll do that afterwards.” The nurse said, Seren’s head snapped up in alarm.

“What? Why?” Seren asked.

“Your guardian requested it?” The nurse said, confused.

“My dad?” Seren asked, equally confused.

“No, we had to look up who your father has on record to care for you if he’s indisposed.” The nurse explained and Seren went cold.

“It’s not my grandparents or my aunt is it?” They asked quietly.

“I’m not sure. You can ask the doctor when he comes in though.” The nurse said apologetically. “Are you sure you don’t want anything to eat or something to drink?”

“No.” Seren said and looked down at their hands. They were shaking. The nurse left and Seren chewed on the inside of their lip until it bled. Once it was too tender to chew on, they started picking at their fingers instead. The doctor knocked and entered.

“Did Miss Jass put you up to this!” Seren blurted out. The doctor looked up from the clipboard a little shocked.

“No. I did.” Mr. Asche said from behind the doctor. Seren stared only more confused, though with a hint of relief. “And your records have you behind in your inoculations and you haven’t had an actual physical in an unacceptable amount of time.”

“I-” Seren tried to defend themself as the two entered the room and shut the door behind them.

“Don’t argue,” Mr. Asche said. Stopping them from saying anything more. “We’ll just get it all done as fast as possible and it won’t be a problem anymore.”

“Okay,” Seren said. A sort of comfort came from his sure-sounding voice. His direction was like sitting in a safe little corner. The doctor continued with his check-up, checking the stitches and asking questions. Mostly to Mr. Asche but occasionally Seren got to answer one or two.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

“I would recommend some blood work,” The doctor said and Seren felt like they would throw up. “And then once those results come through we might have some more questions for you.”

“I understand.” Mr. Asche said, he looked at Seren who had lost all their color.

“Normally, we’d request that the patient fast for twelve hours before getting blood work done but it seems Seren’s been refusing food all day so we can do that right now if you would like?” The doctor suggested.

“Yes, we’ll do that now.” Mr. Asche nodded and the doctor gave them directions to the next room. Once alone, he turned to Seren. “You haven’t eaten all day?”

“Dun wanna,” Seren mumbled, struggling to make their voice work.

“After this, we’re getting something to eat for you.” He said with a sigh. “Come on, let’s get that blood draw over with.”

“Dun wanna,” Seren said again. Almost less audible than the last time.

“Understandable, but it’s to make sure you’re healthy.” He said, “You can live better and easier.” Seren shook their head, they had so much to say but their jaw felt locked shut. He walked over and took their arm.

“C’mon, we are getting you checked out and there is no room for discussion here.” He said sternly. Seren shook their head and yanked their arm back, but Mr. Asche had a better grip and he yanked them off the table. Seren dropped down to their knees and hit their injured knees. Hissing at the throbbing that radiated from their knees.

“Get up,” He commanded. Seren tried to get to their feet but their knees weren’t cooperating. Instead they began to cry, crumbling down to lay on the floor.

“You’re too big to be throwing a tantrum like this,” he snapped at them. Seren cried harder and only curled up tighter. Mr. Asche took a deep breath and sighed.

“Okay, let’s negotiate then.” He said “Blood work today, we get you something to eat and then we do the vaccinations.” Seren shook their head. They didn’t want blood work or vaccinations.

“Best you can get.”

“T-tomorrow.” Seren mumbled to the floor.

“You’re pushing it,” he grumbled but rolled his eyes in defeat. “But fine. Blood work today, cause the situation is perfect for it. Then tomorrow we’ll get the vaccinations.” Seren looked up tearfully. Trying to guess if he was lying or not.

“Serenity, I do not break the deals I make. It’s obscenely wrong to make a bargain and break it.”

Seren nodded but covered their eyes. The lights were too bright and their head felt like it was full of pudding.

“All right, get up now.” Mr. Asche said sternly.

“Can’t. Pudding.” Seren whimpered. Mr. Asche sighed and crossed his arms.

“Kid, I am not going to bring you pudding to get off the floor.” Mr. Asche said, he leaned down and grabbed their arm. Seren shook their head, letting him help them off the floor with their face screwed up tightly in concentration.

“Tired.” Seren struggled to say.

“I understand but you can’t be tired right now. There’s too much to do.” Mr. Asche said, he thought for a moment. “What can I do to help you now?” Seren felt all their weight in their legs, they couldn’t think of anything so they just shrugged.

“All right, let me know if you think of something.” Mr. Asche kept a hold of their arm and led them out of the room. “Oh, wait. Mrs. Houper had me bring this for you.” He pulled a messily made yarn scarf out of his coat pocket. Seren took it and held it, barely recognizing that it was their knitted project off the needles.

“I don’t care what your records say! This is unacceptable!” A screeching voice came down the halls. Mr. Asche grabbed Seren’s shoulder and pulled them close.

“Don’t say a word,” he said. “Stay close to me.” Seren held their breath as they saw their grandparents at the front desk. Their eagle eyed grandmother spotted them and charged over to them. Forcing Mr. Asche to hold Seren tighter.

“You! What right do you think you have to take custody of MY granddaughter?” She yelled, jabbing a bony finger into his face.

“I have several legal rights over custody of them.” he said calmly, moving her hand out of his face. “The first and most obvious being that I was named the guardian in the event of their parent being incapacitated.”

“And just what did you do to him? You must have forced him into that decision! Why wouldn’t he want his daughter to be raised outside of the family?” She sniffed at him, reaching to seize Seren. But they were moved out of her way and her hand was slapped away.

“Do not touch them, they are not yours to touch.” He said, his voice raised. Causing Seren’s grandmother to flinch.

“Outrageous!” She snapped. “I am her grandmother! We are blood! You have no right!”

“I have every right. The law of the ancient kings decree that when a debt is made it is to be repaid by whatever means agreed upon.” Mr. Asche kept Seren sturdily behind him so they couldn’t be grabbed again. “Serenity is that means, so they are my right.”

“I expected nothing less,” Mrs. Winters sneered. “Fine. What is the price? I’ll pay it.”

“No. You won’t.” Mr. Asche said. The statement slapped the smug look off of the elderly woman’s face.

“Excuse me?” She snapped.

“I am refusing your service, another of my rights.” He said, “excuse me.” He turned Seren and walked off toward the other side of the room. Seren tried to turn their head but he stopped them.

“Never look back, Serenity. Your choice has been made, now look ahead and face the consequences. Never look back.”