Thomas swiped his badge, letting us back into the building. We were headed back the same way we had come before. This time, I took more care to look at any labels written on the doors we passed. A lot of them were different forms of lounges, including 'sleep rooms'. This floor must be one dedicated to rest then.

“So, the cafeteria always does a special,” Thomas started, causing me to direct my attention back to him. “Today’s special is meatloaf.” He made a face that suggested the meatloaf was not a very suitable option. My stomach gurgled once more. I am really hungry, but I can also feel pain edging in. Any pain medication that I was on must be starting to wear off. Can I even digest real food right now? How long ago was I shot? It feels like a lifetime.

“Is there any way that I could get a plain broth soup?” I try to recall what dietary restrictions patients like myself might have. Being shot in the abdomen must have affected my ability to digest foods. Usually patients who have abdominal surgery have a liquid diet to start... Maybe my professors were right when they said I should have gone into pre-med. I never realized how useful this type of knowledge would be in my daily life. Thank you medical dramas!

“Oh, absolutely! I was just about to say that they can also make anything to order. But darlin’, is plain soup going to be enough? I don’t mean to pry, but your tummy’s been growling something awful for awhile now.”

My cheeks flush with embarrassment. “I am rather hungry, but I am fearful that I caught my patient’s stomach flu. If I did, I do not want to have anything too heavy in my stomach.”

“That makes sense,” Thomas smiles. “I’ll just have to take you out to dinner another day when you don’t have that worry then.” He winks. I don’t know if I should feel flattered or creeped out. I am going to go with flattered.

“I’d like that very much,” I wink back. Right as I do so, Thomas stops and puts his hand to his ear. I give him a look that asks why he stopped so suddenly.

“Sorry ‘bout that," he says after a moment. "I was just receiving a message. Shall we continue?” I give a small nod and we walk on. We must be getting close because I can see the door we entered through to get into this hallway.

We had only made it another three feet before Thomas stopped again, putting his hand back up to his ear. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, sorry, my boss is calling for an emergency meeting. At first it didn’t seem urgent, so I was going to ignore it, but now I am not sure. He usually doesn’t send out double messages. I need to ask him if it is okay for me to miss it, given I have more important matters to tend to.” He gave me a reassuring smile and raised a finger, asking me for a minute. I nod and he takes a couple of steps away, giving his earpiece a couple of taps. I know it’s rude to eavesdrop, but I can’t pass up an opportunity to possibly get more information, so I pretend to not pay attention when he begins speaking. “Hey, how important is this meeting… Are you sure you need all of us?... Well, I am trying to help a nurse out… Okay! Okay! I got it… Don’t give me that. You know I take my job very seriously… Yes, yes, I’ll be right there.”

He taps his earpiece once more, walking back towards me. “Hey, I am so sorry Jacy, but I am going to have to raincheck on dinner.” He seemed flustered.

“That is totally fine,” I couldn’t pick up much from the one sided conversation he had, so this was my chance to get some answers. “Is everything okay?”

“Not really,” he sighed. “There is a high profile missing person. The emergency meeting is a briefing to discuss the situation. My boss said that I had to get there now, implying that I’d have my ass handed to me if I didn’t.” I hadn’t noticed, but we had begun walking and now we were back at the staircase. “I would love to bring you back to the medical unit, but I have to go. I am sure they will buzz you in. Then, you can grab some money and maybe hit up a vending machine? I am so sorry. Do you think you will be able to find your way back?”

“Hey, I am fine,” I smile so it can be seen in my eyes. “I think I can make it back on my own. A missing person is much more important than I am.”

Thomas looked saddened. “I wouldn’t say that, darlin’. I will swing by the medical unit later and check on you. You don’t get off any time soon, do you?”

I nod to say no. He smiles, bidding me goodbye. He turns towards the wall, placing his hand on a tile. At his touch, the wall slides open, revealing an elevator. Thomas enters and turns to give me one last wave as the door closed.

Well shit.

There went my dinner.