BROKEN WING, BROKEN CAGE

but she could not. The footsteps came around the bed, and her mind raced, is it a doctor, a nur

thes; dark golf shirt, dark brown belt – snakeskin? Alligator? – with a gold bu

d, no beard, no mustache, but well-trimmed sideburns with a 10

s person appeared too high status to be called that. She watched him weakly, as he gazed down at

ed on his face. He looks pale, she thinks to herself, as his

ving, but Karen could not hear what he was

like the ocean, but with an edge to them, a broad forehead, ending in a strong brow. A Roman nose, square jaw, and

e of his arms was i

s he injured? Why

aned in closer and Karen could smell his cologne,

oice hit her ears. She tried to say yes,

s voice gentle but with a hint of wo

nked once

a whisper as he gazed at her, his ocean eyes

doctor," he said as he quickl

he door ope

and without realizing

e next ste

also need to get some rest, have you had a checkup since las

he entrance, away from the window. He noticed that her eyes were open, though they were heavy-lidded; probably from

.tall, not giant, he's tall, Karen thought as

he was not mistaken – white coat, clipboard in h

ifted of

It will take a while before she is ful

family. The stranger had not shown up since the last time she opened her eyes, but men in suits occasionally looked in on

ringing all these gifts, but she knew something was up because t

service at any hospital in Colorado Springs. Yet, she was looked after by top-notch doctors, nurses, and atte

but she trusted that things were somewhat okay; after all, she was

after she woke full

e secretly called him Doctor Bear, the honey color of his eyes calling to mind one of the favorite foods for bears, and their br

glanced down at her heavily bandaged right arm and her left leg, in a thick cast and wi

acing a hand on her shoulder. He looked sideways at the nurse beside hi

you here and you really ha

...? How do I...," she asked, tears starting to

doctor responded, his voice gentle and kind. Karen shifted her eyes up to

will my leg work properly after this?" She asked, t

e wounds heal perfectly. The mindset of the patient plays an important role in this. You need to be confident." He s

en felt so helpless, so afraid,