“It’ll only take a little longer,” she said as she stood up to continue her work. “Then tomorrow I’m sure it’ll be taken care of much better and you can start to heal. The good thing about the hospital is that it takes care of your injuries in no time…”

She wasn’t talking for the sake of an audience, but that the sound of her voice might provide an anchor for the man, instead. All things considered, though, with the bleeding mostly under control (or at least control enough to get him through until morning), rest was the best thing for him, whether he was able to stay conscious or not.

“Should I get something for the pain?” If he slipped unconscious, that was one question he wouldn’t be able to answer for her.