Chapter 13 Ready for the Show?
Evelyn handed the last of the pills over to Rachel.
There were only ten left.
“This stuff’s hard to find,” she told her. “I’ll figure out a way to get more. For now, just make sure you take them on time. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Rachel could tell these weren’t everyday meds.
She guessed it must’ve been military–grade or something only soldiers had access to, which made it even harder to come by.
Knowing that, she could feel how much trouble Evelyn must’ve gone through just to get her hands on them.
Her heart was full
–she nearly dropped to her knees right then and there.
But Evelyn stopped her before’s could.
With a soft smile, Evely:.
k her head and said, “Please don’t. I really can’t accept that.”
She then gave Marvin a few mops and reminders before getting ready to leave.
.
Rachel carefully tucked the pills under the quilt like they were treasure, terrified of losing them.
Evelyn gathered the fabric she’d brought and headed out.
Because she stayed longer at Rachel’s place than planned, it was already pretty late by the time she got home.
Everyone had already shed washing up and gone to bed.
She knocked on the door with the fabric in hand. A second later, Yvonne opened it, looking surprised.
“I bumped into a classmate on the way back. We ended up chatting for a bit. She even bought me a hot dog, so I lost track of time,” Evelyn said.
Under the porch light, her expression looked calm and natural. She didn’t seem like she was hiding anything.
Yvonne didn’t think much of it. Honestly, she’d already forgotten she’d sent Evelyn on an errand.
She smiled and took the fabric from her. “It’s fine. You’re grown now. It’s normal to want a little space and have friends. Just try to come back earlier next time, okay? Now go on up and rest.”
Evelyn nodded and quietly made her way upstairs.
Over the next few days, she didn’t need anyone to remind her.
She always came up with a reason to go out or stay out past dinner.
Nobody really questioned it.
She was never that important in the house to begin with.
A full week passed. And Rachel’s condition finally began to turn around.
The swelling stopped. The oozing sores dried up. Scabs started forming, covering the worst areas in rough, dark patches. When Marvin peeled the old bandages off, there wasn’t any pus or yellow gunk stuck to them anymore.
He was stunned.
He never thought the pills would work this fast–or this well.
He and his mother had spent the last four or five years throwing money at treatment after treatment.
But now, with just a few days of help from Evelyn, things had already taken a sharp turn for the better.
1/3
Chapter 13 Ready for the Show?
+8 Pearls
“Dr. Schmidt… I can’t believe it. You’re incredible. You’re like a miracle worker,” Marvin said, tears falling down his face.
He even felt lucky about the night he’d tried to rob the old lady.
If he hadn’t done something that stupid, he never would’ve met her.
And his mother might’ve never had a shot at getting better.
Life really was strange sometimes.
Rachel wanted to make a grand gesture to thank Evelyn, but the scabs made her skin feel tight and sore.
Just moving her joints took serious effort.
Evelyn gently helped her settle down.
“If you keep moving
hat, your injuries might split open again. Everything we’ve done so far would go to waste.”
Marvin quickly wiped his tears and helped his mother lie back down on the wooden board. He tucked the quilt around her, making sure she didn’t mov
much.
Rachel let out a soft sigh. “Alright,st thank you in my heart, then, Dr. Schmidt.”
Evelyn smiled at that.
“As long as you’re healing, that’s all that matters.”
Then, she placed three pillsxt to the bed. “Since your wounds are starting to scab, we can ease up on the dosage. Just take one each night before bed. I’ll stop by again in three days.”
Marvin looked worried. “So you’re not coming at all the next couple of days?”
He was already used to seeing Evelyn every day, and her checking in gave him peace of mind.
Three days without her felt too long. What if something happened?
Evelyn gave a serious nod. “Don’t stress about it. Your mom’s already scabbing over. As long as she doesn’t strain herself, she’ll be okay. Just keep an eye on her.”
Rachel chimed in, “She’s got her own life too, Marvin. Don’t hold her back.”
Only then did Marvin finally stop pushing, though he still looked a little uneasy.
As Evelyn left, he called after her, “Don’t forget–three days, alright?”
“I won’t,” she promised with a light smile.
Marvin walked her to the bottom of the old factory building. From there, Evelyn made her way out of the rubble–strewn demolition zone.
The trap Yvonne and Alice had spent so long setting was almost ready to spring.
With that thought, Evelyn hailed a cab and headed to school.
Just as she reached the gate, Hannah rushed out from the side and grabbed her wrist.
There wasn’t much wind, but Hannah’s hair was a wild mess–she must’ve been running.
“What’s going on?” Evelyn asked, brushing Hannah’s bangs back into place.
Hannah looked like she was about to lose it.
She batted Evelyn’s hand away. “Quit it! Come with me. Something major just happened.”
“What kind of major?”
213
Chapter 13 Ready for the Show?
While Evelyn stayed calm, Hannah looked like she was about to explode.
+8 Pearls
She bounced once in place and lowered her voice. “Your thesis. Someone’s calling you out. They say it’s a total disaster. Professor Lloyd’s trying to find you. If this gets out of hand, you might not graduate.”
That wasn’t just bad–it could ruin her record and mess up any shot at jobs or internships.
For someone about to enter the working world, that kind of mark was a nightmare.
That was why Hannah had sprinted straight to the school gate to wait for Evelyn.
They’d arrived nearly at the same time.
Before Evelyn could even speak, Hannah was already dragging her inside. “Go talk to Professor Lloyd now. She likes you. Maybe you can explain before it’s too late.”
Evelyn stopped andged her.
Her voice was soft and warm. “I’m really lucky to have a friend like you.”
Hannah rolled her eyes and glared. “What are you even talking about? Go handle your mess first! You still have a chance to fix this. Don’t just give up.”
Evelyn grinned.
Her eyes sparkled as she shot Hannah a playful wink.
But there was something deeper in her expression–calm, cool, and unreadable. Like she was waiting for something.
“You ready for the show?” Evelyn asked.
“What show?” Hannah blinked, totally confused.
Why does she seem so chill about all this?
Did she know this was going to happen the whole time?
Hannah was more baffled by the thought.
If she did… why didn’t she stop it?
Before she could ask, Evelyn grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the faculty office. “Stick close and don’t blink. You won’t want to miss this.”
“I don’t think I can stop myself from blinking,” Hannah mumbled. Still, she widened her eyes, determined not to miss a second.
The two of them moved quickly across campus–not like they were rushing into a fight, but more like they were heading into a theater, waiting for the curtain to rise.
Send Gifts
