Anya's arms tightened protectively around the mattress.
"So?"
"Well, you see, I have a very bad back. Sleeping on the stone floor has been absolute agony."
"And I was thinking—since you're young and resilient—perhaps you wouldn't mind letting me use the mattress instead?"
The audacity of the request left Anya speechless.
This woman who had done nothing but complain and eat the food Mika had found and refuse to help when Mika was stuck—wanted to take her mattress?!
"No." Anya said.
The nurse's smile tightened. "I beg your pardon?"
"I said no! This is my mattress. Mika gave it to me. If you want one, go find your own in the rubble!"
The nurse's face flushed with anger.
"Well! Such disrespect! In my day, children knew how to respect their elders. Your mother may be a Battle Angel, but she clearly hasn't taught you any manners—"
"Don't you dare talk about my Mommy!"
"Then perhaps you should act like the lady you're supposed to be!" The nurse shouted back.
