I Love My Job

The bond we share is like brothers. Closer, really. Stuff you see in this job... it can fuck you up. If you're not careful. When you see that shit... when you experience it together. Do it... together... it does something. Trauma bonding or some shit, I don't know.

The shocking thing is just how much blood there is in the human body. Shocking to some, I mean. It can get all over, if something happens to the skinsack holding it in.

Sometimes, there's no blood. No screaming. That can be unnerving in its own way.

What normally happens is this: we arrive at the scene first, assess the situation, and work to stabilise the victim. Or victims. We save a life. Or lives.

What sometimes happens is this: we arrive first, assess, just like always. But this time the planets align. Everything is just right. A youngish person, badly injured, that's the ideal. That way, all the, you know, innards, usually work fine, and nobody really questions it when the person doesn't make it.

Yesterday a 14 year old boy got hit by a car while he was riding his bike. He was a bit bashed up, had some cracked ribs. But it definitely wasn't life-threatening. It would've looked fishy as hell if he'd upped and died.

We've got it down to a fine art now, Hugh and me. Sometimes our eyes lock over the victim, and something passes between us. Like telepathy. This one.

We are good at what we do. What we are officially paid to do, and also this other thing, where we ensure a steady supply of Product for Dr Healey.

Hugh kids himself he's doing it to help people, that for every life we... not exactly "take", but "let go"... At least one is saved. Probably more. He's not just doing it for the money. He isn't greedy, no, nothing so tawdry as that. He needs the money to pay for Addison's treatment. But here, I can be honest, really honest.

Deciding who lives, or not... You can get used to that. You can get to like it.

I take my cut from Dr Healey, but I'd do this for free.

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*Quick Author's Note* First, and most importantly: thank you so much for reading my story! The ha'penny that Vocal will toss in my hat for your eyeballs landing on this humble piece will be well-spent.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

A Year of Stories

I'm writing a story every day this year. This one continues my 190 day streak since 1st January. Please do consider lending your support to the other creators who are also on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They are putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Please do leave me a comment: I reciprocate as many as I can. Leaving a comment makes that easier.

The story behind the story: I hate this one. I have been working on it ALL DAY, and I just can't get it how I want it. I've restarted several times and I have lots of drafts that all look very different. I may re-work it at some point.

PS. My new laptop came, and the keyboard on it is absolutely gorgeous!

Thank you! Thank you again, most sincerely. Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! Edited to fix the formatting and add links.

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