Chapter 52: Fertile

Be slow to fall into friendship: but when thou art in, continue firm and constant. - Socrates

She pulls a sleek silver tube from her smock pocket

"What are you doing?" I ask. "What's in that?"

"I am administering additional medication to ensure an infection does not set in, and something to help control the discomfort."

"When will you discharge her?"

"I can release her now. However, she will require bed rest for the next twelve hours to heal properly." Freya removes the silver pen device from my neck.

"Wait. My wound will heal by then? In less than a day?"

"Yes, the elixir prompts the body to mend quickly." Freya purses her lips together. "Usually, the body heals much faster. But the damage to your shoulder and chest was more extensive than originally anticipated. You almost died and would have, if not for the elixir."

"I would like to take her home as soon as possible."