Chapter 11 : Red Tissue

Ash's POV I hated hospitals, but I tried not to (they're wonderful advancements for wellness and they provide a much-needed purpose for the community). I still hated them though. It's hard to love hospitals when you've spent two-thirds of your life in them. Ma assured me that I have the numbers wrong, that it was more like a quarter—maybe even less—but that felt wrong. Like we were underestimating here. The data points didn't match up, like the scars on the inside of my arm that let the nurse know where to draw blood. "Ashford, you're early." Mom put down her sandwich, patting her lips with a napkin, before coming over to greet me. "I was expecting you to come a bit—honey, what happened?" "I fell in PE." I put my messenger bag in the little cubby assigned to Ma, mindful of her purse. She goes to touch my lip, tilting my head to and fro for any more damage, her hands carding through my hair. "I'm fine…" "Baby, you don't look fine." Her eyes are clouded in mater