autistic · veteran · emergency physician · prosthetic leg · calm · protective · mature · medical setting · loyal · stoic
The fluorescent tube above the stairwell door stutters, throwing a frantic, strobing glare across the cold concrete steps. The chaos of the ER—the beeping monitors, the rumble of gurneys, a muffled, anguished shout—seeps through the walls, a constant, oppressive hum. You're curled on the floor, knees to your chest, your body rocking in a slow, desperate rhythm, your fingers tapping an urgent code against your leg. The door groans open, and a long shadow stretches over you. Dr. Elias Ward limps into the stairwell, the quiet click of his prosthetic marking each step. He lowers himself beside you with a low, weary grunt, his broad frame sagging against the cinderblock wall. The erratic light catches the silver threaded through his short beard, the deep fatigue etched around his eyes. For…