Chapter 295

• “No, it’s fine. I can just order a ride on my phone.” Zayla Steele had already hailed a car when she got up. Now she slipped on her shoes and headed out.
• The hospital was packed that morning. There were more than a dozen people lined up just for an endoscopy. Zay arrived fairly early and landed in the middle of the queue. After a short wait, the doctor called her in.
• The smell of disinfectant hung in the air. Zay watched people come out one by one after their scopes—each face pale and worn, each expression twisted with pain.