All Chapters of Blood and Mercy: Chapter 1 - Chapter 4

CassieI don’t know how long I sit there. Could be twenty minutes. Could be an hour. Time feels strange right now, like it’s moving too fast and too slow at the same time.Eventually I get up. My legs are stiff and my back aches from sitting on the hard floor, but I make it to the break room and pour myself another cup of coffee even though it tastes like dirt and I know it’s not going to help.The room’s fuller now. Day shift’s starting to trickle in, a few early arrivals getting their caffeine fix before rounds start. I take my usual spot in the corner, the chair by the window that nobody else likes because the air conditioner vent blows cold air directly on it.I’m halfway through my cup when Renee walks in. She spots me, raises an eyebrow. “You look like hell.”“Thanks.”She pours herself coffee. Leans against the counter. “Double?”“Triple.”“Jesus, Cass.”Two more nurses come in behind her. Shauna and Beth. They head straight for the coffee pot, already mid-conversation.“I’m ju

CassieKatrina goes still. Like she wasn’t expecting me to say yes so fast.Then she reaches into her bag. Pulls out a pen and slides it across the table.It’s heavy when I pick it up. The kind of pen that feels important just holding it.I flip to the last page.There’s a line at the bottom with the words Caregiver Signature printed underneath.I press the tip of the pen to the paper.My fingers tremble so badly the first letter comes out jagged. But I keep going. C-a-s-s-i-e. Then my last name. B-r-e-n-n-a-n.When I finish, I set the pen down.Katrina takes the contract. Looks at my signature for a long moment and then at me.“You start Monday,” she says. “A car will pick you up at eight in the morning. Pack for four days. Bring whatever you need to be comfortable. My housekeeper will show you to your room.”“Okay.”“And Miss Brennan?” She stands. Picks up her bag and pulls a few bills from her purse. Drop them on the table beside the untouched drink. “Thank you. Truly.”She leaves