"Dr. Rivers, why don't you come with us to Subrind? You would be provided with more than what Dilrik ever offered you," Craig said as the car came to a stop in front of Sienna's residential area.
"Because I happened to calm his other side?" Sienna asked, a brow raised in amusement.
Craig opened his mouth to reply, but Isaac's voice cut through before he could form the words. "That would be too troublesome. I will come as frequently as I can for my treatment. I hope we have a good partnership, Dr. Rivers."
Sienna rolled her eyes. Partnership. There was no partnership; he was clearly holding her hostage, even though it seemed like she had been enjoying herself.
"Goodbye," she said and stepped out of the car.
As soon as she was a few paces away, Craig began quietly, "Master…"
"Drop it," Isaac interrupted, his tone allowing no argument. "There are no words there."
Craig had no choice but to fall silent. His master had his thoughts, and questioning them was not his place.
"Head straight to the airport. We're returning to Subrind," Isaac commanded.
"Yes, Master."
Craig started the engine, unaware that in the backseat, Isaac's fingers were twirling a handkerchief, the delicate pink one Sienna always kept with her. Bringing her back to Subrind would attract troubles he wasn't ready to face, even though she could be his key to the life he had always dreamed of. So instead, he took her handkerchief. It would keep him under control for a short while, at least until the scent faded. And in that borrowed time, he would be able to visit some of his creations, the things he had built in the shadows over the years.
---
For the rest of the day, Sienna buried herself in her library, devouring medical journals and textbooks that mentioned anything related to IAD. She was too excited to eat, too consumed by the puzzle to do anything else. Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she fell asleep sprawled across her cluttered table.
"Doctor."
Ava's voice outside the door pulled her from sleep the following morning.
"Are you in there?" Ava called again.
"Yes, Ava." Sienna answered groggily as she stretched, wincing as her stiff muscles protested the awkward sleeping position she had maintained all night.
"Did you sleep in the library again, Doctor?"
Well, Sienna had done it many times before, especially when a new and exciting case captured her attention, and she always ended up with a sore body for the rest of the week.
"Of course not. Why would I?" Sienna denied immediately.
Ava said nothing. Even if it was a lie, she had no proof.
"You should listen to the news this morning, doctor." With that, Ava's footsteps began to recede.
Sienna paused. The news? What about the news? It had never interested her before, always the same diplomatic drivel, except for updates on the impending war between Subrind and Dilrik. Ava knew she didn't care for it and had never bothered her before. This morning was the first time she had mentioned it.
She picked up her phone and opened a news website.
The headlines were chaotic.
Dilrik had struck a nuclear power plant in Subrind overnight. And this morning, Subrind had answered with devastating speed, striking multiple military bases within and outside Dilrik. Any target belonging to Dilrik had been attacked, even those in neutral countries. No one had expected Subrind to be so prepared, so clearly waiting for the slightest provocation.
The country was in turmoil.
The more Sienna read, the deeper her frown became. Countless soldiers and innocent civilians had been killed or injured in the attacks. Some people were still missing; no one knew if they were dead or alive.
Her phone rang. Rowan.
She answered immediately.
"I'm so sorry to disturb your rest, Sienna, but I have no choice. We need your help here, immediately." His voice was filled with utmost urgency; it was the first time she was hearing Rowan like this. He had always been a preacher of doing things with calm and carefulness, except this morning, of course.
"I'll be there in a few minutes, Director," she replied.
She hurried out of the library. "Ava, get ready. We're heading to the hospital."
Then she rushed to her room to get dressed, her mind spinning.
This was all too sudden. She had expected action between the two countries soon, but not this soon. Not with this level of destruction. Subrind had been fast and brutal, unbelievably so. It felt almost as if they had been waiting, armed and ready, for the moment Dilrik made a move.
As if they were waiting for Dilrik to be the villain and they the victim that had no choice but to retaliate, she thought grimly, pulling her coat on.
She pushed the thought aside. There were lives to save. The rest could wait.
——
The hospital was in chaos.
Bodies crowded every available surface, corridors, waiting areas, wards, and everywhere possible. Blood stained the floors in dark, drying trails. The air was thick with the metallic tang of it, mingled with antiseptic and the thick scent of fear. It didn't look like the hospital had nearly enough staff to handle the scale of the catastrophe; doctors and nurses moved like flashes through the chaos, their faces serious and their movements desperate.
Cries echoed from every direction. The injured begging to be saved, their voices holding great terror and pain. Families clutched at anyone in scrubs, pleading for their loved ones, their words frantic. It was madness.
Other patients, those already admitted before the attacks, had been pushed aside, their treatments put on hold. There was no room for routine when Dilrik was burning.
"Dr. Rivers!"
A nurse's voice cut through the noise from somewhere down the hallway. "Thank goodness you're here. Your attention is needed in Ward B3."
Sienna slipped on her lab coat as she moved hurriedly towards the nurse, her fingers working efficiently.
"patient's chest wall was pierced by a missile. Lung is collapsing rapidly," the nurse explained briefly and immediately as she matched Sienna's hurried pace.
Sienna's mind began to run; by the time she pushed through the doors of Ward B3, she was already in motion.
The medical team parted for her without a word. They knew she could handle the situation quicker and with a higher rate of success.
She stepped into the gap they created, took in the patient with a single, sweeping glance, and began to work.
From there, she got very, very busy.