ATHENA

The room is so silent that you can hear a pin drop.

"In particr, a confidential file from six years ago. One we sealed for legal and ethical reasons." His eyes lock onto mine for a split second. "We have reason to believe the file was targeted. And whoever essed it... is someone on staff."

The air is sucked from the room. Others gasp quietly.

"This meeting is to inform you all that an internal investigation is already underway. All logins and system ess will be monitored, and any irregrities will be dealt with swiftly. This hospital was built on trust between staff, patients, and the system we represent. That trust has beenpromised."

He pauses and looks around the room again.

"If anyone has information, now is the time to speak up. Before we find you ourselves and when we do, it won''t just end with your license being revoked!"

No one moves.

No one speaks.

He nods once. "That''s all."

And just like that, he walks out.

The silence he leaves behind is deafening.

Everyone is glued to their seats. Ian stands with a small smile on his face.

"Forgive the harshness from Dr. Quinn. We do have that situation, but it''s not meant to threaten or make you feel uneasy. What we are pleading for is your help. If you saw anything out of the ordinary, please don''t hesitate to reach out to me or Dr. Dawson."

My eyes shoot up.

What is he talking about.

"That will be all. Thank you all." He says, and this time, everyone stands.

"What the fuck was that about?" Zayan asks, his tone irritated. "Did you know?" He checks me.

When I shake my head his face reddens in anger but I ce a hand on his arm to stop him.

"Dr. Dawson, a word please."n says and I turn to Zayan,

"You go on ahead. I''ll catch up with you."

"Like hell I will. I won''t let them take advantage of you being new and barely having any backing. I''ve got your back. So you don''t need to fear."

"Someone is feisty and ready to start a war." Ian mocks Zayan as he steps closer.

"Why would you put her on the spotlight like that?" Zayan takes a step forward but I move faster and block him.

"I''m sure he has a reason." I tell Zayan quietly, though my voice wavers. I''m not sure if I''m lying to him or to myself.

"What? You want tond punches on me?,"n says, "You''ve fallen so deep huh?"

Zayan''s jaw clenches. I ce my hand gently against his chest to keep him grounded.

"I''ll be fine," I whisper. "Give me a moment."

He hesitates, his eyes locked onn like he''s memorizing his face in case he needs to ruin himter. Then with a reluctant nod, he steps back and leaves the room, casting one final look over his shoulder.

Once we''re alone,n turns to face me.

"I used to babysit that punk!"n scoffs, rubbing a hand down his jaw. "Now look at him. All grown up and ready to throw fists in a hospital boardroom over you."

"I don''t have time for your games,n. Why did you call me out like that in front of everyone?" I snap, my patience thinning.

"I know you''re tired, I''m sorry about bombing you like that but it was the only way for me not to get resistance."

"Resistance from who?" I ask.

"Some board members."

"Over what?"

"Helping me with this case. You won''t say no. Will you?" He pushes his sses forward and I roll my eyes.

"That''s not how this works,n. Besides, why me? Zayan would be of great help." He drops the smirk, his eyes narrowing.

"You''re the only person I trust enough to find out who did it before this ce turns into a courtroom circus."

"Me? I joined you recently. I have no idea what file or how your system works." I respond.

His suggestion is almostughable but I hold back when I notice how serious he

is.

"What is going on?" I ask.

"I''ll tell youter. Meet me at Alex''s after your shift."

"I''m noting to Alex''s house." I cross my arms.

"Fine. Then meet me at Zayans." He says and I narrow my eyes.

"You''re enjoying this aren''t you?"

Heughs. The seriousness from a second ago untraceable,

"Enjoying what?"

"Meet me at my apartment over the weekend. Alex will have Rayen, so I can spare you some time. I haven''t said yes yet so don''t get your hopes high!"

"Weekend it is."

I grip the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white against the leather asfnf35f Checktest chapters at Find[?]ovel/fnf35f

the rain begins to fall in heavy sheets, blurring my vision.

I should have waited but I''m so tired I just want to sleep in my bed.

The wipers swing furiously across the windshield, but they do little to help. My thoughts race faster than the car.

Who could have leaked the file and what file is It?

One thing that''s for sure is it must be very important for Elias to address us himself.

My phone buzzes in the console and shes, "Asshole 101"

I hesitate for a second before answering, pressing the button on the steering wheel.

"What?"

"Hi to you too."

"I''m driving, what do you want?"

"I need to ask you something about Rayen," his voicees through, low and

patient.

"Now''s not really a good time."

"Okay, I''ll askter then. But you sound tired, where are you?"

I blink through the rain.

"I''m on my way home."

"The weather is not good, Athena. You should have waited. You can barely see when it''s dark."

"Alex-" Before I can release the colourful words I have for him, the sky cracks open and a bright sh of lightning shes across the road, blinding me.

A loud boom follows as a scream tears from my throat.

Maybe I should have waited.

My foot ms on the brake, but the tires skid on the wet road.

Fuck.

"ATHENA!" Alex''s voice roars from the speaker just as I lose control.

The screeching sound is so loud I feel it pounding my brain as my car crashes into

a tree with a deafening crunch.

My head whips forward then back, pain slicing through my skull.

The phone slides to the floor. I can hear him yelling though it''s now distant and

distorted.

"Athena? Athena, answer me please!"

I try to move, but my body won''t cooperate. Everything hurts.

Blood. I taste blood in my mouth.

My vision starts to blur as the rain taps angrily against the windshield like a

hundred urgent knocks.

It begins to pour so heavily seeing bes impossible