An eerie silence fell over the hospital room until Phoebe's frantic phone ringing finally broke the tension.
Jose's anxious shouts came through the speakerphone, accompanied by the piercing cries of a baby. "Phoebe, the baby keeps crying. I haven't slept well for days. Can you please get Hans back? I'm so annoyed!"
Before Phoebe could answer, I was already removing the hospital gown. The scars covering my body were exposed to her view and her eyes reddened as if stung by something.
The phone was abruptly hung up.
Phoebe's voice was terribly hoarse as she spoke. "Hans, where did these injuries come from?"
I quietly put on my regular clothes and signaled for her to handle my discharge. "Madam, my duty is to take care of Mr. Levine and the baby. Please take me home."
Her shoulders shook violently. Losing control, she cupped my face and growled in a low voice, "Hans, what exactly have they done to you?"
I returned her question with a polite smile. "Madam, they were simply following your instructions, teaching me how to serve Mr. Levine and the baby properly."