“What kind of picture is this?” He felt ice-cold all over, an indescribable terror swept through his body, and he couldn’t help but let out a loud scream.

Sand Sea I: Phantom Shadows in the Desert

Chapter Three: Seven Fingers

Eric Bennett’s scream was definitely one for the history books of Peking University First Affiliated Hospital. For the rest of his stay before discharge, everyone called him “the Screaming Guy.” It was said that even people in another administrative building heard the scream clearly, and the hospital leadership thought some major medical accident had happened, or that the obstetrics department had finally delivered something extraordinary.

After his outburst, Eric Bennett kept trying to rip the tape off his back, but it was obvious the doctor had anticipated this. The tape was wound several times around his stomach with medical adhesive; although he managed to tear off a large part, it was nearly impossible to remove it all. He tried several times without success, and eventually, the nurses called in a few male orderlies who pinned him firmly to the bed.

Fortunately, before the movie-like scene of sedating a madman could play out, Eric Bennett was already calmed down by the strong men holding him in place.

When he was forced to sit back on the bed, his mind was still a mess, and his head kept wanting to turn to look at his back, his hands reaching behind him. Luckily, the orderlies were as strong as oxen and held him tightly.

At this point, the doctor was alarmed and rushed over, asking as she entered, “What’s going on?” But she understood immediately at a glance.

Several other patients from nearby rooms followed behind her. The doctor turned and pulled the curtain around the bed, then reached out to feel Eric Bennett’s forehead. As soon as Eric Bennett saw the doctor’s white coat, he immediately quieted down.

She was a young female doctor in her thirties, clearly someone he hadn’t met before. She wasn’t exactly beautiful, but she had a graceful figure. Eric Bennett had always had a soft spot for female doctors since he was a child—he didn’t know why, but just seeing a female doctor always made him feel at ease.

But this brief calm didn’t really settle him; the pain in his back brought the fear rushing back.

“Doctor, what’s on my back?” he shouted at her. “What did that bastard carve on me?”

The doctor shot a reproachful look at the nurse, then frowned and said to Eric Bennett, “This isn’t the right time to talk about it. Wait until you’ve recovered a bit more, and when your father is with you, I’ll tell you.”

“Screw y—” Eric Bennett’s temper flared instantly, and he almost cursed, but seeing the female doctor in her white coat, he forced himself to swallow the rest of his words.

The female doctor clearly didn’t want to say more, so she signaled to the orderlies on either side. Eric Bennett immediately realized that, in this situation, his age meant he had no say. If they tied him to the bed, he’d really be in trouble.

Even though he thought he understood life better than his father, no one else would listen to him. That was the tragedy of being a kid. Thinking of his old man’s face, he suddenly felt annoyed. No way—he absolutely couldn’t let himself end up like that.

“Wait a minute.” He decided to take action, at least to try. “Sorry, I lost control of my emotions just now, but I really want to know what happened to me. I can’t rest well with this question hanging over me.”

Maybe hearing this kind of thing from a young guy surprised the female doctor. She looked at him and said, “It’s nothing, just some scars. You suffered a very serious knife wound, and it’s likely to leave permanent scars. That’s why we didn’t want to tell you so soon. Just focus on resting.”

Eric Bennett took a deep breath and cursed inwardly: If you want me to relax, at least come up with a better excuse. What I felt just now was definitely not that simple. Seeing the female doctor about to leave, Eric Bennett immediately said, “I don’t believe it! Doctor, my parents are already divorced, and I’m seventeen. I can take responsibility for myself. Please tell me the truth.”

This was the truth, and Eric Bennett said it calmly, but with a hint of pleading.

The female doctor paused, and the nurse and orderlies beside her looked awkward. Eric Bennett knew he had a chance—he’d used this line to intimidate plenty of adults before—so he continued, “Auntie, I’m begging you.”

The female doctor sighed and gestured to the orderlies to let go. She said to Eric Bennett, “Alright, come with me to the office. As long as you don’t tear at your bandages again, I’ll tell you.”

“Thank you, Auntie.” Eric Bennett breathed a sigh of relief.

“Don’t call me Auntie, call me Sister.” The female doctor walked out without looking back. “You act so mature for your age, I like that. Call me something nice a few times, and when you collapse after seeing your back, maybe I’ll comfort you a bit.”

Eric Bennett stumbled after the female doctor to the office, the pain in his back making him very uncomfortable.

There was no sofa in the office, only a bed. The female doctor gave him a look, and he had no choice but to sit down. At that moment, he saw her name tag hanging on a coat rack to the side.

Grace Thompson.

“Sister Thompson,” he asked, going with the flow, “what department are you in?”

“Is that any of your business?” Grace Thompson replied in a full Beijing accent, pulling a large envelope from the drawer and handing it to him. “Inside are photos of your back. Take them out slowly, and don’t scream again. No matter how strange it is, you have to hold it in.”