She could have sworn the room was empty, a pile of blankets marking where a patient once laid, the curtains whispering as the air conditioning kicked in.

Whatever—she'd straighten up the bed before asking her supervisor for the correct room number. With all the security measures they'd taken to prevent anyone from knowing the correct room, things like this were bound to happen.

Checking the tablet one more time, she glanced at the plaque screwed to the door.

This is room 29B alright. I better get a break after I check on her.

Digging around in the pocket of her scrubs, she took out a cough drop. She was still struggling to unwrap it one-handed when she caught sight of the tiny figure, all but hidden in the tangle of fabric.

Stumbling back, a gasp escaped the nurse's lips. The child didn't stir.

The nurse stroked the wispy brown hair back from the girl's face, causing her long eyelashes to flutter and open. Such beautiful eyes she had, a surreal blue faded by tears that glowed in the light from the many monitors surrounding her...

"She pra-promised," the girl said, stuttering over the larger word.

"Promised what, sweetie?"

The nurse tried to adjust the blankets but the girl was already struggling to sit up.

"Mommy said she won't go away again."

It had been a long night, and the nurse wanted nothing more than to make sure the patient's condition was stable, make her report, and clock out. A warm shower and the first real sleep in days awaited her at home. But when tears began to well up in the child's eyes, she sighed.

"Aww, honey, Mommy will be waiting for you when you take your nap in a little bit. And when you wake up, she'll take you home." A quick glance at the tablet confirmed it would be roughly an hour before the surgery.

The girl didn't move, even when the nurse straightened out the blankets and re-draped them around her hunched shoulders. With wide eyes, she watched the nurse as she took note of the various readings on the monitors.

"I'm going to go out there for a bit, okay?" the nurse said, gesturing towards the door. "You're so brave, I know you'll be alright here for a little more."

The nurse tapped the girl's nose and offered a tired smile even though she didn't receive one in return. When she turned to leave, tiny fingers wrapped around her scarred hand, tugging her back.

She bent down, straining to catch the whispered words.

"Promise Mommy will wait for me?"

"I promise."

The child bit her lip, unblinking. Finally, she released her hold on the woman.

"Goodnight, sweetie." And the nurse left without a backward glance.