14.2 Unrest

Deciding you can't take anxiety any longer, you call the hospital and make an appointment with Doctor Underwood. Thankfully, he has time available later in the day. Though you're **** to see the man again, you're quite ready to have your casts removed so you can try to get on with your life. You spend the rest of the day wandering around your house aimless, making a half hearted attempt to straighten up the now disheveled rooms. Eventually, it's time for you to leave although you find that rather difficult at the present moment. Since you've left the hospital it seems as though you've become increasingly sensitive to the harsh summer sunlight. After throwing on a light sweater and pair of shades, you make your way outside and quickly head to your car. Taking the quickest route there you park and apprehensively enter the large building. The cool air inside feels quite refreshing on your already slightly sunburnt skin.

You head to the reception area and check in, acutely aware of the oddly distrusting look the clerk gives you when you provide your name. Deciding to ignore it you go and take a seat on the other side of the room. Fidgeting nervously with the hem of your dress, you try not to think about the events that happened the last time you were here. As if on queue, you hear a familiar voice call your name. Glancing up you're slightly annoyed to see the same nurse who was there when you first woke from the accident. The annoyance only grows when you see the wary look on the young woman's face. You're well aware Sarah has never liked you, the fact only made further known after Luke first asked you out. However, you'd be willing to forgive all that had it not been for her several attempts to end your relationship.

You suppose given the current circumstances her feelings towards you are the least of your concerns. Still, it's frustrating to know she's still in the habit of judging you even in your current state. Standing up, you give her a slight nod of affirmation before following her through one of the doors. She keeps her eyes focused ahead as she quickly shows you to one of the exam rooms.

"Doctor Underwood will be with you in a minute." She states hurriedly before exiting the room.

Rolling your eyes, you take a seat on one of the nearby chairs and prepare yourself for another long wait. To your surprise, there's a swift rap on the door a moment later. Sighing, you tell the person to enter and are soon greeted by the sight of the strange doctor.

"Lillian." He smiles shrewdly as he enters and closes the door behind him. "So good to see you again."

You don't echo the sentiment and instead wait as he casually flips through your chart. You continue to remain silent when he sets it down and gestures for you to move to the exam table. It's a bit awkward to manage given your casts but you're able to take a precarious seat on the edge of the table. The doctor glances over at you doubtfully before taking a step forward and placing his hands around your waist. You're about to voice your protest when he helps you back further onto the table then steps away. Scowling slightly, you bite your tongue and allow him to begin his examination.

"It appears these are more than ready to be removed." He states after a moment to your relief. "Allow me to get the right tools."

"You're going to do it?" You ask in surprise, having assumed such a task would be delegated to someone else.

"We're a bit short staffed at the moment." The doctor explains, flashing you another smile. "Don't worry though, I'll be gentle."

Despite your **** you nod in agreement before the doctor leaves. Once the casts are removed you're certain you won't have to see the man again. A few minutes later he returns with some type of hand held saw and some other tools. Moving to stand at your side, he powers on the appliance before setting it down on the nearby counter. You stiffen as he leans in to speak in your ear.

"I just need it to sound like I'm using that." His warm breath brushes across your skin sending a shiver down your back.

"What are you talking about?" You question as you begin to shirk away.

Before you can react, his hands are around your arm holding you in place. The loud noise of the saw drowns out your protests. Ignoring you, he slides his hands down the cast and slips his fingers in between it and your arm. To your confusion, the hard plaster easily breaks away beneath his grasp.

"Get off me!" You continue struggling, now concerned by his abnormal strength.

"Hold still, please." He responds as if you were nothing more than an unruly patient.

Using one arm to pin your legs down, he moves the other over to your other cast. You can feel it crumbling away as he pulls it free. Once it's completely removed he steps away and turns back to where the saw is lying. Wide eyed, you watch anxiously as he casually shuts off the appliance then moves back over to you.

"There now." He tisks patronizingly as he runs a hand down along your now freed arm. "Was that so hard?"

"What are you?" You demand breathless, your heart pounding rapidly in your chest.

"The same thing you are, Lill."

You shudder when he uses your friend's nickname for you. Pulling away from his touch, you falter when you finally take a look at your arm. To your confusion both it and your leg look completely unaltered. You broke your arm once before as a child and distinctly remember it being thin and rather sickly looking after the cast was removed. Instead now your appendages look as healthy and toned as the ones that had been unbound.

"Why am I already so healed?" You continue to press, setting fear aside in your desperation to get answers. "Everything has healed abnormally quickly, why?"

"You already know the answer." The doctor replies in another frustratingly vague manner. "I can see in your eyes he's visited you in your sleep."

"What?" Your blood runs cold at his unexpected words.

"You've been plagued with abnormal dreams. Haven't you?" Underwood smirks darkly, leaning down slightly as he speaks. "That's not a coincidence or some other typical explanation. It's the one who turned you trying to reach you."

"You're crazy." You shake your head and push past him as quickly get to your feet. "You better stay away from me, I'm warning you."

"Deny it all you want, Lill." He chuckles dryly as you head for the door. "It won't change anything."

Ignoring him, you swiftly make your way back to your car and speed off. Your heart is still pounding in your chest as his words echo in your mind. You consider heading back home but the thought of being there alone suddenly terrifies you. Cutting the wheel sharply, you quickly turn and head towards the highway. Though you have no idea what you're doing, you know you have just enough gas in your tank to make it to Houston.