“Yes.Shewasdiagnosedwhenshewaslittle,”Eliansaid,nodding.“Doctor—whatyou’represcribingnow,andtheIV—willflictwiththese,right?”

        “Don’tworry.I’llusethemoststandard,safestfever-reduIV,andI’lvoidanythingderivedfromthosemediilies.”ThedoctorhandedElianthebillingslip.“Payatthefrontandpickupthemeds,theotheIVroom.Afterthedrip,observeherforthirtyminutes.Ifthefeveresdown,thenyougo.”

        Eliantooktheslip,walkedtoCra,andreachedout—steady,firm—grippingherupperarmtopullherupfromthechair.

        “eo’sgogettheIV.”

        Thewordshitsomethinglikeaforbiddenswitch.

        Cra—who’dbeelyenduringuntilnow—jerkedbackasifshe’dbeenshocked.Shetriedtowrenchherselffree,andthesuddeneffortmadehercolpsebatothepatientchair.

        “Idon’twantanIV.”

        Shegtothepsticarmrestswithbothhandsandturhedoctor.“Doctor,justprescribefevermedie…I’lldrinklotsofwaterathome.IfIsleep,thefeverwillgodown.Idon’tneedanIV.”

        Thedoctorshookhishead.“Miss,you’reat39.2°C102.6°F,andit’sadryfever.Oralmediewilltakehourstowork.AnIVisthefastestway.”

        “ButI…”Crabitdownonherpalelowerlip.Herfiightenedsohardaroundthearmrestsherknucklesturnedwhite.“Idon’tlikeneedles.”

        Eliansteppedinfrontofheraslightly,bragbothhandsonthechair’sarmrests—boxioaspaceshecouldn’tescape.

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