Clara checked her reflection one last time in the bathroom mirror. She didn't know why she was nervous—her work was solid, she'd rehearsed it enough times to do it in her sleep, and nothing about today was unpredictable. Well… almost nothing.
But she shook the thought away. Lily comes in the evening. She's fine. Focus.
She needed to talk with her because she'd been behaving very strangely in the past days
She walked out into the hallway just as Dr. Patel waved her down.
"There you are," he said, relief spilling across his usually stern face. "Good. Everyone's already gathering. And—" He hesitated, his expression flattening to neutrality. "Laura will be assisting."
Clara stopped. "Why?"
Before Dr. Patel could answer, Laura stepped into view, hands clasped behind her back, smiling too sweetly.
"Oh, you know," Laura said with a shrug, "just thought I'd help in case another… accident happens. Just being careful. Just in case."
