Damien’s POV

The faint hum of the hospital’s air conditioning mixed with the soft drag of smoke.

I stood by the open window, one hand holding a cigarette, the other pressed against the cool metal frame. The morning air carried the faint scent of rain from the night before, sharp enough to cut through the sterile smell of antiseptic that clung to the room.

Across from me, the physician, an old friend from our academy days, leaned against the counter. He turned the cigarette I had offered ...