Chapter 17: London Doesn't Wait for You
The airport air still clung to her coat when she stepped out.
Cold.
Not the weather kind.
The unfamiliar kind.
London didn't feel like a place that welcomed her.
It felt like a place that expected her to keep up.
A driver held a sign with her name.
Kim Monami Anxin.
She adjusted her bag and followed without asking questions.
Dorm Allocation
The hospital accommodation wasn't what she expected.
Not luxurious.
Not poor.
Just... practical.
White walls. Neutral bedding. A desk that had clearly seen too many late nights.
The staff handed her keys.
"You're in Block C," the nurse said kindly. "Second floor. Quiet side."
"Thank you," Anxin replied.
She didn't ask for more.
But the nurse still added:
"You'll get used to it. First week feels strange for everyone."
Anxin gave a small nod.
Not agreeing.
Not disagreeing.
Just acknowledging.
First Moment Alone
The door closed behind her.
And suddenly—
There was no movement.
No alarms.
No patients.
Just silence that felt too wide.
She placed her bag down slowly.
Looked around.
Then sat on the edge of the bed.
Still in her gloves.
Still fully in "work mode."
But for the first time—
No one needed her.
Her phone vibrated.
Once.
Then again.
No caller ID she needed to think about.
She already knew.
She answered.
"Settled?" Hedi's voice.
Simple.
Controlled.
Familiar.
"...I think so," she said, looking at the empty room.
A pause.
"Room okay?"
"It's fine."
Another pause.
Then—
"You sound like you're lying."
That made her exhale lightly.
"I just arrived."
"I know."
Silence.
Not uncomfortable.
Just... measured.
Then she asked:
"Did you arrange this place?"
A fraction of hesitation.
Then—
"No."
That was technically true.
But not complete.
She didn't push.
Instead:
"Okay."
And somehow—
That was more telling than any argument.
Outside her window, rain started.
Soft.
Not dramatic.
Just present.
She leaned back slightly.
Still holding the phone.
"I don't know anyone here," she said quietly.
There was a pause on the other end.
Then—
"You know me."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the phone.
"...That doesn't count."
"Why not?"
"Because you're not here."
Silence again.
Longer this time.
Then Hedi said, quieter:
"I am."
But he didn't explain.
And she didn't ask.
First Night
After the call ended, she didn't sleep immediately.
She just sat.
Listening to the building settle.
Somewhere down the hall—someone laughed softly.
A door closed.
A faint TV sound through the wall.
Life.
Normal life.
Not hospital life.
Not emergency life.
Just... people existing.
And for the first time—
She noticed how strange that felt.