Page 46 of Out for Blood
The way her shoulders have stiffened. The way her hand keeps opening and closing at her side, channeling emotions too volatile to contain.
“Ghost.”
Only my code name, but the weight in it makes my stomach plummet.
I near the table, angling myself so I can see what she sees.
Two patients. Both male. Both are newly dead.
The one lying peeled open with his insides on display has a slightly paler skin tone.
The surgical incision covers his entire upper abdomen, an upside-down “Y” shape.
The other one, a white male, prepped and on standby for I’m assuming the same.
This isn’t a hospital.
There’s no question that these men did not give their consent.
No safeguards or protocols.
This isn’t medicine, it’s something sinister.
This is taking.
An illegal liver harvesting on one, who knows what is in store for the other man.
The realization of what is happening sends a chill through my body.
Monitors are nearby but they have no place here.
“They’re already dead,” Cassidy breathes the words out.
Not a question.
I gape at them, my lungs burning, reminding me I’ve been holding my breath.
“Yeah,” I answer, robotically.
Something in her seemed to shut off.
“We were too late.”
For the first time, her voice wavered. The admission looked like it cost her something to say.
The nurse starts shaking, tears forming in the corner of her eyes, “You don’t understand! “
“I understand enough.” My voice comes out clipped.
Cassidy can’t seem to make herself move, her eyes never leaving the tables.
I let myself take a full breath.
But Cassidy doesn’t step back.
She doesn’t look away, imprinting every detail into her memory.
I close the gap between us, allowing my arm to brush hers.
