Ashley's POV:

We came out of the operating room in the middle of the night. The patient was sent to post-operative care. Not to mention, the operation was a success.

Professor patted my shoulder as we came out, "I didn't expect such expertise from you, well done."

I was beyond happy. I was overwhelmed by his compliments. I bowed and removed my gown and mask and gloves and shoved them down in the disposal bin.

My whole body was betraying me, I  couldn't just stand any longer cause my legs were already giving up. I carried myself up to the break room for the duty doctors. Too tired to go back home now.

I took few minutes to wash up and reached the bunk bed at the corner. Before closing my eyes, I just wished that I could sleep so deep that I don't wake up with the others coming in or out until the morning.

I closed my eyes and drifted away in no time.

When I finally woke up, it was already late. I was still in my scrubs.

The whole room was a mess as always. Piles of books and journals on the table and couches. Dr. Emil was almost disappearing behind several books.
Someone is curled up into a ball on the couch. Scrubs and aprons were scattered here and there. Empty coffee cups, instant noodles cups,  empty pizza boxes, and take-outs were piling over the coffee table. The bunk beds were occupied with some tired off-duty doctors after a long night shift and who still got another shift later.

I woke up and yawned,
"Good morning, Dr. Emil."

"Morning sunshine." He smiled,
"long night?"

I resisted another yawn, "Yeah. Pretty much."

I stood up and reached the changing room and changed into my dress. I always keep a spare toothbrush and toiletries in my locker. These came in handy now as always.

I brushed my teeth and tried to untangle my bed hairs in an attempt to make me look like a little more human, not anyone from a zombie apocalypse.

When I again came back into the break room, Dr. Emil looked at me with his same unbothered expression, "Going home?"

"Yeah," I replied while turning on the coffee machine. I need strong caffeine in my system now.

"Nurse Shermen told me to give you this." He put the pendant on the table.

"Oh right, thank you." I picked it up and wrapped it around my neck.

"And Andrew asked if you could make time today," he said.

"I'll go visit him. Bye, Dr. Emil."

I took my jacket and the coffee cup and headed out to the elevator. I exchanged few greetings with others on the way.

I knocked on the door. On it, an engraving was there saying,
Dr. Andrew Newman, M.D, P.hd, senior consultant, department of psychiatry and psychology.

"Come in," a voice came from behind the door. I opened it and peeked my head in, "Is it a good time? Or should I  just come back later?"

Andrew seemed busy but he gave a wide smile, "Come on in."

I went in, "Hi there."

"Hi, you. It's been days!" he smiled, putting down the file he was working on.
I sat down in a chair in front of him.

"Better make it quick. I am hungry. And badly in need of a shower," I said, sipping the last portion of the coffee and throwing it in the bin.

"Why don't you relax a bit? I can order you something from the cafeteria if you like," he said.

I agreed, he went for his phone.

He was a senior here. But our relation was closer than that. He was maybe one of the few friends I have here. After almost two and a half years, he was probably the only person apart from Maya who knew me.

He took out a clipboard and a pencil.

I groaned at the sight. He was up to his P.hd research paper on clinical psychology and I definitely dug my own grave when I agreed to his request about analyzing the psychology of the volunteers among the patients and professionals in this hospital.

Now after these years, I am his only regular. Damn my promises.!!!

"So how have you been, Ash...anything exciting?" he asked.

"The usual. Nothing special," I  shrugged, "No, wait....I've performed my first AC last night if that counts?"

He wrote something down.

"I am seeing something unusual today." He pointed at my necklace.

I looked at that, "People changes."

"Did the nightmares happened again?" he asked.

"No, I told you, it stopped a while ago," I answered leaning on to the backrest of the chair.

He tried to look into my eyes, " you know, you don't have to pretend in front of me, don't you?"

I avoided his eyes and closed them, " I  am tired. Is the food here yet?"

He sighed. "Ash, can't you just open up to me this once?"

" I did already. There's nothing new. And for God's sake, why is everyone telling me to open up lately?"
I  questioned making sure he knows I  am annoyed already.

"But I want to know that I can help you, and I want you to know that I am here if you need me," he said sincerely.

I looked at him.
"Thank you, Andrew. But you know that I don't need your help. And I can handle myself, don't you?"

He smiled, "That's why I trust you, Ashley. You know, you are a wonder to me. I just can't praise you enough for everything who you are."

I decided to answer him, "Yes, I have the nightmares, still. "

He looked curious, "And?"

I shrugged, "The usual. You know I am not trying to escape them. I confronted myself long ago. And I  made a pact with myself. I am not struggling here, Andrew, that's why I  don't need help. This nightmare, these are just too persistent. These too, I hope will pass."

He smiled encouragingly and put down the clipboard, "you know, you are one of the strongest people I  know?"

"I know." I smiled teasingly, "But where is my damn food by the way?"