章 34: Masks and Mirrors

The repetitive beep of hospital equipment filled the air as Avery stood watch beside her father's bedside. Marcus Chen remained unmoving, tubes and wires a sharp reminder of how close she'd been to losing him again. The choice to hurry him to the hospital had been loaded with peril, but faced with her father's life ebbing away, Avery had made the call.

Now, as light dawned over the city, Avery felt herself divided between two worlds more than ever before. The continual stream of physicians and nurses was a harsh reminder of the "normal" existence she'd been striving to keep alongside her illicit activities.

A quiet tap at the door jarred Avery from her thoughts. She stiffened, fingers unconsciously going for a weapon that wasn't there, before forcing herself to relax when a familiar face approached.

"Professor Russo," Avery welcomed, surprise clear in her voice. "What are you doing here?"