Besides them, there didn't seem to be anyone else in the room.

"Dr. Windsor," the guard said in a raspy, deep tone.

"I'm here," said a lively voice from one of the cubicles that had the curtains closed. "Just a moment. I'll be right with you."

The guard sighed heavily while tapping his shoes on the ground and leaving a small trail of dirt on the shiny floor. A short woman appeared between the curtains wearing a white coat and walked towards them as soon as she saw them standing near the door. She had brown skin and her curly hair was tied up in a low bun. When her eyes, which sparkled with life, landed on Ethan, a strange glow lit them up, a glow that oscillated between surprise and relief.

"I don't have any patients scheduled for today," she said to the guard as she looked through some papers on her desk. "What seems to be the matter?"

"The prisoner needs a new dose of Allofinil," said the guard, with one hand on his belt. 

"Here it says that his injection is not until next week," she said, reading from the tablet she was holding in her hand.

"There's been a change of plans," the guard said, and he stepped forward to hand her over an authorization.

Dr. Windsor took the paper and read it without showing a single expression on her face.

"Mhm," she took a peek at Ethan. "Follow me," she said calmly. And before the guard could follow them, she turned her head towards him with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You may wait outside."

"I'm here under the orders of the General," the guard said, narrowing his eyes.

"You must know the Force is not allowed to enter the medical area," she replied. “There are reasons—”.

"He is a prisoner of great importance." His teeth clenched together. "I was instructed to keep a close eye on him. He has already tried to escape once."

"I highly doubt that will happen.” She took a step towards him and clasped her arms behind her body. "Don't worry, I'm pretty sure you've done enough so that he won't be able to walk properly for weeks. Let alone run."

The guard looked at Ethan up and down.

"You have five minutes." He crossed his arms.

She turned her back to the guard and took a deep breath while closing her eyes. She pressed her lips together as if she were holding back from saying something.

"Come with me," she said to Ethan.

Dr. Windsor led him to the end of the corridor and pointed to a chair for him to sit in. Ethan noticed the chair of the same color and cleanliness as the room and hesitated.

"I'd rather stand." He looked down at the floor.

"Mhm? Why? You look like you'd fall down if the wind blew you," she said. "Are you in pain?"

"No, no. It's just that—Um..." He fidgeted. "I'm going to get the chair dirty."

"Oh, it's okay dear, don't mind it. You can sit down." She smiled. “I imagine your legs hurt like hell."

Ethan sat slowly and took a look at his surroundings. There was almost no furniture. He looked for a door, seeing that there weren't any windows nearby, but he couldn't find any. There was not much he could do with the guard waiting for him at the exit. Ethan didn't feel capable of knocking him out in his current physical condition, especially with his hands in handcuffs. The only thing he had to defend himself in case he decided to try to escape was a pile of soft pillows and the chair he was sitting on. Not very promising.

"Roll up your sleeve a little, please," Dr. Windsor said, opening a drawer using a key that she took out of her pocket.

"What is that for?" his voice quivered.

"It will restrain your magic," she said. "It's only temporary, though. You might feel a bit tired the first few days but the effect will eventually wear off."

She put her gloved hand on his bruised arm, and Ethan turned his head, looking away from the syringe.

"Take a deep breath," she said in a soothing voice.

Then, she injected his arm. A warmth spread and traveled down Ethan’s body. Even after it was over, he could still feel the burning sensation in his arm.

"It will only be a few days." Dr. Windsor's voice brought him back to his senses. "Just hang in there, Ethan," she whispered.

He turned his head abruptly to her.

"What did you s—".

The sound of footsteps approaching and rumbling in the silence of the room interrupted him. But Ethan was unable to sit still.