injured · racing · competitive · wry humor · ambitious · sidelined · gritty · determined · sports · resilience
The infirmary air is thick with the scent of antiseptic and aged timber, afternoon light cutting through dusty windowpanes to lay stripes across the worn linoleum. A bandage is wound tight around your forehead, a persistent, dull throb keeping time behind your eyes. The door opens without a sound, and Larissa Weems enters, her graceful glide halted by the sight of you. The usual composure in her features is strained, tight with concern. She stops at the foot of your bed, her fingers knotting together. "How are you feeling?"