Word Count: 10,095 (oof. This took way too long to get published. I wrote two chapters before realizing that I despised writing in first person so I had to go back and edit it 😭)
"Here are the forms you requested." Cassandra Shepherd informs Head Nurse Jennifer. The nurse diverts her gaze from the computer at the front desk, her jade eyes emitting a cold and condescending air. She pauses, eyeing the young girl's outstretched hand, holding the manila folder of patient records she had asked Cassandra to gather. Reluctantly, and after a moment too long, she takes them-her action delayed until the papers start to tremble. With a flick of her auburn hair, secured in a low ponytail, she dismisses Cassandra without a word of thanks. Said girl releases a slow breath, an attempt to quell the rising irritation within her.
'Don't let her make you angry, there's no reason to. Some people are just rude. Let. It. Go.' Cassandra lingered for a moment, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, waiting to see if she required anything more before she was to head home.
"Um, Nurse Jenniffer?" She hummed, red nails tapping away at the keyboard in front of her. "Is there anything else-"
"No, you may leave now," She says indifferently, cutting her words short. Cassandra could never grasped how individuals like her manage to care for the sick and injured. Working in a long-term care facility like Beacon's Crossing Home, one would assume empathy and compassion are essential. Yet, her brusque manner doesn't deter her; Cassandr's resilience is something she was known for. Perhaps it is a bit excessive, her forgiveness that is. At times, Cassandra knowingly allows others to exploit her goodwill. Stiles, her friend, more so like her brother, thinks she was overly generous, while Danny believes her to be too submissive. But she sees it differently; she is kind because it's her choice, not for reciprocation. Holding the door isn't about expecting gratitude. There's no hidden agenda; she seeks nothing in return. So, what if people take advantage of that?
Cassandra is neither naive nor irresponsible-she understands her value and her limitations. If being kind to someone proves beneficial for them in the long term, that brings her joy. Thus, instead of mirroring Nurse Jennifer's demeanor, she offers a smile and wishes her a good night, advising her to 'make good choices'-a phrase Cassandra's mother cherished before her passing. She offers no reply, as usual. Cassandra pivots on her heel, heading for the exit, but first, she veers down another baren white corridor to visit a patient who's been here for some time. Soon, the door comes into view, and she pauses to knock before entering.
"Hello, Mr. Hale!" She greets with a smile, dragging a chair over to sit opposite him. "It's a bit later than usual, and I missed our daily chat, but I still wanted to update you on today's news. Nurse Jennifer may not approve of me reading the news to you, but she's not exactly the most fun person, and what she doesn't know won't hurt her." She extracts the newspaper hidden beneath the paperwork on her clipboard and begin to summarize the day's events. To be honest, there's not much to tell, especially in Beacon Hills. Rarely does anything noteworthy happen here, but for Mr. Hale, in his condition, it's a welcome change.
Peter Hale was tragically involved in a house fire around a decade ago, which led to the loss of most of his family. He sustained third-degree burns across most of his body and has been in a vegetative state ever since. With the remainder of his family too young to care for him, Cassandra made it her responsibility to check on him regularly. Her motivation extends beyond mere kindness as her father, James Shepherd, was the Deputy Sheriff of Beacon Hills County. He was on duty the night of the fire, saw the smoke while patrolling, and called for backup. Despite this, he entered the burning house to rescue those trapped inside. Peter was the only one he managed to save, but sadly, her father lost his life in the heroic effort.
YOU ARE READING
LYCANTHROPY
FanfictionCassandra Shepherd was no stranger to loss. She lost her mother and brother at a young age, followed by her father shortly after. She then moved in with her godfather, Noah Stilinski, and his family. When his wife died, both she and Stiles were left...
