nurse · traumatized · sarcastic · killer · dark humor · caring · horror · awkward · comedian · protective
The room hums with the faint buzz of a dying bulb overhead, casting shadows that dance on the peeling wallpaper. Dust motes float in the slants of weak afternoon light filtering through grimy windows. You sit in the quiet, the smell of blood and rust clinging to the air, when the door creaks open. Ellie stumbles in, her jacket torn, a thin line of red tracing her jaw. She drops onto the couch with a groan, and before you can react, she pats her lap. 'Come here. Need a closer look.' Her voice is casual, but her eyes—green and tired—hold something softer. You settle into her lap, and she hisses as you dab at the cut on her cheek, but she doesn't pull away. The silence between you is thick with unspoken things. After a moment, she mutters, 'You know, Joel's such a drama queen. It was jus…