They didn’t stop coming.

At first, it was manageable.

Five. Maybe six. People I could track.

Recognize. Categorize.

Then—

Ten. Fifteen. More footsteps. More voices. The door opened again.

And again.

And again—

“…okay, no,” I said flatly, stepping back as another two walked in like this was a scheduled meeting. “No. Absolutely not.”

No one stopped. No one even slowed down. If anything—

They looked more comfortable the longer they stayed. Like they belonged here. Like this was normal. I turned slowly toward her.

“…what is this?” I asked. I thought it was only a few people.

She blinked at me.

“What do you mean?”

I gestured broadly at the room.

Which was now—

Full.

Completely.

“This,” I repeated. “This is not ‘a few people.’ This is—” I paused, scanning the crowd. “—a small army.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“Three years,” she said simply.

I stared at her.

She shrugged.

“You’ve been busy.”

That—

That wasn’t—

I dragged a hand down my face. That was me though.

“…I didn’t sign up for this.”

“You didn’t have to,” someone muttered from the back. “We did.”

A few quiet chuckles followed. I ignored them. Focused and Refocused.

Because this—

This wasn’t just noise. This was—

Resources. My gaze sharpened slightly as I looked around again. Really looked this time. Not as patients. Not as names on a chart.

But as—

Options.

“…alright,” I said finally.

The room shifted.

Subtly. But I felt it. At Attention. Focus. Waiting.

Good.

“Let’s get one thing clear first,” I continued, stepping forward just enough to be seen without raising my voice. “This isn’t a group outing.”

A few expressions changed. More serious now.

“This is controlled,” I added. “Planned. And if you can’t follow instructions, you leave now.”

No one moved.

Good.

“Names,” I said. “Skills. Limitations. Speak up.”

A beat.

Then—

“I can drive.”

“Handled security detail before.”

“Good with close-range—no long distance.”

“Left arm’s not what it used to be, but I can still—”

I held up a hand.

“Stop.”

Silence.

“Not what you used to do,” I said. “What you can do now.”

That shifted things.

Forced them to think.

To adjust. To be honest. Better.

One by one, they spoke again.

Cleaner.

More precise this time.

“I can drive. Fast.”

“I can keep watch. Good eyesight.”

“Limited mobility, but I can stay back and coordinate.”

“I know the area.”

I nodded slowly, processing. Sorting and Assigning.

This—

This I could work with.

“You,” I pointed to one. “Driver.”

Another—

“Perimeter.”

A third—

“Stay with me. If I say move, you move.”

No hesitation.

No argument.

Just—

Acceptance. My chest tightened slightly. Weird. But I ignored it.

Focus.

“Minimal contact,” I added. “We’re not there to fight. We’re there to intercept and help the injured if needed..”

A few looks were exchanged. I didn’t explain. Didn’t need to.

“Stay close. Stay alert. And if something goes wrong—”

I paused. Just for a second.

Then—

“You follow my lead.”

The words came out steady. Certain. Like they belonged to someone else. But they didn’t question it. Didn’t challenge it.

They just—

Nodded.

“…right,” I muttered, more to myself than them. “So that’s everyone.”

A breath.

Then—

“Alright,” I said, clapping my hands once lightly. “We’re basically the Avengers now, so let’s—”

Dead Silence. Complete. I froze.

Slowly—

I looked up. Every single person in the room was staring at me. Blank. Confused. Suspicious. I guess they didn't have that here.

“…the what?” someone asked.

My brain stalled. Just for a second.

Then—

“…never mind,” I said quickly, turning away. “Forget I said anything. That’s—irrelevant.”

A faint heat crept up the back of my neck. Embarrassed. But I ignored it. Mostly.

“…just move,” I added, sharper now. “We’re wasting time.”

A few quiet murmurs followed.

Low.

Confused.

But they listened.

Of course they did.

They started moving almost immediately—grabbing what they needed, heading toward the exits, falling into place without needing to be told twice.

I adjusted the strap of the bag over my shoulder, exhaling slowly as I followed.

Beside me, she stepped in easily.

“You’re handling this well,” she said under her breath.

I huffed lightly.

“Don’t start.”

“I’m serious.”

I glanced at her. She wasn’t joking.

That—

That did something.

I looked away first.

“…just stay close,” I muttered.

She nodded.

Already doing exactly that.

Outside—

The night air hit sharp and Cool.

Grounding.

Cars were already being pulled around. Engines low and Ready.

Doors opened. People moved. And just like that—

It stopped feeling like a clinic. Started feeling like something else. Something bigger.

Something—

Dangerous.

I slid into the nearest seat, the weight of everything settling in all at once.

This was it.

No more planning.

No more thinking.

Just—

Action.

I exhaled slowly, resting my head back for a second before opening my eyes again.

“…don’t mess this up,” I muttered under my breath.

Because this time—

I wouldn’t be too late, but I also can't risk making it worse.