He positioned himself and checked her shoulder, rotating it with practiced care. Dislocated, but only partial. Not torn. He adjusted it quickly, precisely, murmuring reassurance even though she could not hear him.
When she flinched again, just barely, he exhaled through his nose, masking the flicker of pain he felt.
"You're alright," he whispered under his breath. "You're okay now."
Finally, he stepped back. He wiped his hands on a sterile towel and nodded toward the scanner again. "Send those X rays to radiology so the orthopedics team can review. She will need full rest for at least three days. Then physio."
Nnenna lay still. Peaceful now. As if even her unconscious self trusted him.
Carl sat beside her for a second longer than necessary, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest.
His hand hovered, then gently tucked a stray curl away from her face.
"Just a few bruises, huh?" he murmured, voice soft. "You are stronger than you know."
