«Take care of the drunk, maybe he’ll marry you!» — shouted the head nurse. But no one could have imagined WHAT would happen in a minute…

Tamara Williams’ face turned red from indignation. «If so, let her deal with a special patient», — she said with a cunning smile. Marina tensed, anticipating trouble.

At the end of the corridor lies a homeless man. Everyone thinks there’s no point in fussing with him. So let her deal with it.

Marina looked at Alex Peterson, but he only calmly nodded. «If she agrees, I don’t mind». She silently clenched her teeth and headed to the end of the corridor.

There, behind the screen, on an old cot lay a man, thin, in worn clothes, with many bruises and cuts. Marina carefully examined him and frowned. It feels like he fell from a cliff, — she muttered.

At that moment, Alex Peterson appeared next to her with the patient’s medical card. Strange, he said thoughtfully, examining the man, judging by the condition, he hasn’t eaten for several days, but he has no signs of dehydration, and he has severe frostbite on his fingers. Marina thought.

«So, he spent several nights on the street?» Judging by everything, in severe frost nodded the doctor. Marina clenched her fists. Whoever he is, she will do everything to help him.

She did not notice the gaze of Tamara Williams, who was watching them, clearly satisfied with her decision. But if she calculated that Marina would refuse, then she was mistaken. Marina had already made her decision…

She will fight for this patient. Like for any other. Marina carefully removed the worn clothes from the patient, trying not to cause him additional pain.

Under the layer of dirt and dried blood were hidden numerous bruises, deep cuts and traces of frostbite. She expected to see a dried, exhausted body, as is usually the case with people living on the street. But what opened to her gaze surprised.

Under the torn rags was hidden a strong, muscular body. This person clearly was not always homeless. «Strange», – muttered Marina.

«Something wrong». Next to her again appeared Alex Peterson, looking into the medical card. «He looks.

Not like ordinary homeless», – Marina answered more attentively. «The muscles are not atrophied, which means, earlier he led an active lifestyle. Athlete? Worker?».

Marina nodded. «But how did he end up in such a state?» Alex Peterson did not answer. Instead, he concentratedly checked the pulse, shone a flashlight into the patient’s pupils and sighed.

«Severe hypothermia, exhaustion, injuries. It’s unclear what happened to him. Marina quietly sighed and continued the work.

She carefully treated the wounds with antiseptic, applied bandages and made sure that the patient was breathing evenly. As soon as she finished, Tamara Williams entered the ward. «Still fussing with him?» Her voice sounded with mockery.

Marina tiredly straightened up and calmly looked at her. «He is a patient, he needs care». «Ah, just don’t imagine that he will thank you later», — smirked the senior nurse, folding her arms on her chest.

Marina disapprovingly shook her head. «Now the main thing is the patient». She turned to him, adjusting the blanket.

And suddenly. He stirred. Marina froze, watching as his eyelids tremble, and fingers weakly clench.

«Do you hear me?» — she asked quietly. The man with difficulty opened his eyes, they were cloudy. «Where am I?» — he croaked.

«In the hospital. Everything is fine, you are safe», — Marina gently put a pillow under his head. The man blinked, his breathing became a bit even.

«Water». Marina immediately took a glass and cautiously brought it to the patient’s lips. He made a few weak sips, after which he closed his eyes again.

«Thank you», — he whispered barely audible. Marina weakly smiled. «Everything is good, rest»…