Humanity

CHAPTER 10

As soon as the sliding doors opened and I passed through the security officers standing guard, bright lights and loud voices crowded me. It only fueled the fire burning through my veins as I gave a hard stare—not toward the cameras—toward every visible reporter's eyes, my own flickering from face to face. 

I stood stock still with my arms crossed, a stance of defiance as I dared any of them to take the initiative and ask me their insensitive questions. I didn't have to wait long before they were hurled at me for the second time that day. 

"Can you tell us anything about the case with the 8 year old werewolf boy?" Was the only question I could make out from the crowd, so I furrowed my brows and began to form a response. 

"If I thought I had lost faith in humanity before now, I was wrong." I started, disgusted by how excited that simple sentence seemed to make them all. 

"You all are supposed to inform the people of what's going on in the world, NOT exploit a minor. That patient in there is a CHILD! A child who went through something so traumatic, most of you couldn't handle it for five minutes, let alone YEARS!" I ground out through gritted teeth, then turned my gaze directly to the cameras. 

"And to anyone watching this, the people sitting at home on their asses and seeing what these reporters are doing to a clinic that is just trying to help people and thinking to themselves about how overdramatic I'm acting? How about, instead, you think about the little kid in your life and how you would respond if—Goddess forbid—something happened to them and the news decided to try and make a spectacle out of it? All of you should be ashamed of yourselves and take a hard long look in the mirror, because guess what! You're part of the fucking problem."

Some of the reporters had the audacity to actually look ashamed, while the rest just shoved cameras and microphones closer to me, making me feel physically ill. I had said my peace, so I didn't bother waiting for their reactions to fully set in. 

I quickly rushed to get back behind the security guards before any of the reporters could try and follow me to press for another statement. Upon passing them, I noticed Easton Thatcher standing right outside the doors to the clinic with a shit-eating grin on his face. I couldn't focus on how awed he seemed by what I had done when the wind was tousling his hair like that. His eyes seemed to have gained a new spark to them, as well, making it all that much harder to focus on anything else.

"That was amazing!" The officer announced once I got close enough to hear him. I averted my eyes and quickly walked past him to reenter the building. There was no reason for him to praise me for just doing the decent thing, taking a stand for the children that couldn't speak up for themselves.

Easton reached a hand out toward me in what I assumed was concern after getting a closer look at my face. I was quick to shove him off.

"People like them make me sick." I muttered in response. 

I could hear Easton hesitantly following me as we both stepped back into the clinic to find a straight faced Aaliyah staring us down. She had her arms crossed over her narrow chest and one foot tapped repeatedly against the linoleum floor, looking exactly like the annoyed yet amused parent I knew she was at home.

"Well, do you feel better now?" She asked, looking me in the eyes. 

"No." I sighed, coming to a stop right in front of the woman. "They won't leave. What kind of sick person gets enjoyment out of a child's trauma for money?" 

I hated the knowing look Aaliyah sent my way after that. It felt like all the anger I had in me over the reporters being so awful just went away in an instant, leaving me nothing but an anxious shell. 

I need a minute alone. 

"I'm running to the bathroom. I'll meet up with you in front of Jax's room, I have a plan for introducing him to the needle." I rushed out in a breathy voice, already walking toward the bathrooms before I even finished speaking. 

"Dr. Hope, are you okay? You look a bit pale." Officer Thatcher called out in concern, making my stomach roil with dread as he stepped in front of my path. It seemed the officer had a pattern of blocking people's walkway.

"Yep, fine. Just the redheaded genes. Now, if you'll excuse me." 

I was relieved to have no one follow me after that.

My shoes echoed as I marched toward the bathroom and words couldn't express how relieved I was to find the space empty. I quickly locked the main door behind me to ensure I remained alone before I finally let myself break.

Trembling like a leaf, I used the walls for support as I walked further into the bathroom and tried to catch my breath. Eventually, I took a hesitant seat in the corner, sliding down the wall and curling my knees under my arms as I rested my face against the tops of them. The wetness on my face was a shock.

Had I really gotten that worked up over some measly reporters? 

Pathetic.

A/N: So sorry for the hiatus! Some crazy shit was happening, but consistent updates will be back to normal now:) Read chapter 11 now on Patreon and Ream (PS: if you prefer Patreon, I recommend subscribing on the website as it helps me as a creator a lot more and I believe there are less fees for you guys as well!) Thanks so much for the love<3

QoTD: How was your weekend?:)

Answer: Mine was BUSY! I was trying to get these chapters posted on Saturday, but clearly that didn't go to plan xD