The white lights of the clinic buzzed faintly overhead, sterile and far too bright for the way Alice felt. She sat on the narrow treatment bed, her hand freshly bandaged, the dull throb of pain syncing with her heartbeat. The nurse had applied antiseptic, stitched the cut, and wrapped it clean, but the sting still pulsed beneath the gauze like it held a memory of its own.
Across the room, Suzy sat quietly, her neck marked with a clean band-aid and her face pale. Her eyes hadn't met Alice's once since they entered. Her posture was stiff, hands clenched on her lap like a child waiting for punishment, but her jaw was tight.
The door clicked open and Milo stepped inside. His usual relaxed posture was replaced with subtle urgency.
"All done with the payment. We can leave now," he said. "I'll drive you two back to the estate. I'll come back for the other car later."
