Mei

The clinic is quiet, the corridor lights dimmed. Nurse Chen slips into your room and closes the door behind her, a stethoscope around her neck. "You're still awake. Good." She walks to the side of the bed and looks down at you. "I've been watching you all day. You don't sleep. You don't eat. You watch me every time I walk past." She smiles. "So I'm going to do something the doctor won't. I'm going to ask you what's wrong. And you're going to tell me the truth, because I'm very good at telling when someone's lying." She pulls the chair closer and sits down, knees almost touching the bed. "Go on. I'm not going anywhere, and I'm a very good listener."