«Take care of the drunk, maybe he’ll marry you!» — shouted the senior nurse. But no one could imagine WHAT would happen in a minute…

“I really want to talk to you, Susan Thompson,” — he said calmly, putting away his glasses. The senior nurse sharply turned to him. “Yes, and what do you want to tell me?” “That in your department works a talented nurse, whom you should not create obstacles for,” — he answered coldly.

Susan Thompson’s face turned red from indignation. “Since so, let her take care of a special patient,” — she said with a sly smile. Emily tensed, anticipating trouble.

At the end of the corridor lies a homeless man. Everyone thinks there is no point in fussing with him. So let her deal with it.

Emily looked at Alex Peterson, but he just calmly nodded. “If she agrees, I don’t mind.” She silently clenched her teeth and headed to the end of the corridor.

There behind the screen, on an old bed lay a man, thin, in worn clothes, with many bruises and cuts. Emily carefully examined him and frowned. It feels like he fell off a cliff, — she muttered.

At that moment Alex Peterson appeared nearby with the patient’s medical chart. Strange, he said thoughtfully, examining the man, judging by the condition, he hasn’t eaten for several days, but he has no signs of dehydration, and also he has severe frostbite on his fingers. Emily pondered.

“So, he spent several nights on the street?” Judging by everything, in severe frost nodded the doctor. Emily clenched her fists. Whoever he was, she would do everything to help him.

She did not notice the gaze of Susan Thompson, who was watching them, clearly pleased with her decision. But if she expected that Emily would refuse, then she was mistaken. Emily had already made her decision…

She would fight for this patient. As for any other. Emily carefully removed the worn clothes from the patient, trying not to cause him additional pain.

Under the layer of dirt and dried blood were hidden numerous bruises, deep cuts and traces of frostbite. She expected to see a withered, emaciated body, as usually happens with people living on the street. But what opened to her gaze surprised.

Under the torn rags was hidden a strong, muscular body. This person clearly was not always homeless. “Strange,” – muttered Emily.

“Something wrong.” Next to her again appeared Alex Peterson, looking into the medical chart. “He looks.

Not like ordinary homeless,” – Emily answered more attentively. “Muscles not atrophied, which means, earlier he led an active lifestyle. Athlete? Worker?”.

Emily nodded. “But how did he end up in such a state?” Alex Peterson did not answer. Instead he concentratedly checked the pulse, shone a flashlight into the patient’s pupils and sighed.

“Severe hypothermia, exhaustion, injuries. Unclear what happened to him. Emily quietly sighed and continued working.

She carefully treated the wounds with antiseptic, applied bandages and made sure that the patient was breathing evenly. As soon as she finished, Susan Thompson entered the ward. “Still fussing with him?” Her voice sounded mocking.

Emily tiredly straightened up and calmly looked at her. “He is a patient, he needs care.” “Yeah, just don’t imagine that he will thank you later,” — smirked the senior nurse, folding her arms over her chest.

Emily disapprovingly shook her head. “Now the main thing is the patient.” She turned to him, adjusting the blanket.

And suddenly. He stirred. Emily froze, watching as his eyelids tremble, and fingers weakly clench.

“Do you hear me?” — she asked quietly. The man with difficulty opened his eyes, they were cloudy. “Where am I?” — he hoarsely.

“In the hospital. Everything is fine, you are safe,” — Emily gently placed a pillow under his head. The man blinked, his breathing became a little more even.

“Water.” Emily immediately took a glass and carefully brought it to the patient’s lips. He took several weak sips, after which he closed his eyes again.

“Thank you,” — he whispered barely audibly. Emily weakly smiled. “Everything is good, rest.”

She thought that he would fall asleep again, but in a minute he opened his eyes again and looked at her with unexpected seriousness. “Listen,” — he whispered, his voice trembling from weakness. “You must listen to me.

And to no one, tell no one.” Emily frowned. “About what?” — “This is important.”..