.

     "You're meeting him where?" Jake's voice echoed over the phone line, a blend of surprise and skepticism.

     "At the old warehouse by the river," Rose replied, her voice a tad nervous.

     "Seriously, you don't know what kind of people hang out there. It's not exactly the place you want to be discussing a doctor-patient relationship," Jake said, his concern palpable.

     "I know, but he said it's discreet, and he can help me out with something... important."

     "Fine, but promise me you'll be safe," Jake insisted, his voice a mix of protectiveness and resignation.

     "I will, I promise," Rose assured him before hanging up. She took a deep breath and checked herself in the mirror one last time. Her heart thudded in her chest, a drumbeat of anxiety that seemed to echo the rhythm of her footsteps as she made her way to the warehouse. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, leaving a bruised sky that mirrored her unease. The air grew thick with the scent of the river and the distant murmur of the city grew faint as she approached the deserted building.

     The warehouse loomed tall, a relic of a bygone industrial era, its windows shattered and walls scarred with graffiti. She pushed open the heavy metal door, the hinges groaning in protest, and stepped into a space that seemed to have been swallowed by the shadows. The only light came from a single flickering bulb that cast erratic shadows across the dusty floor. In the far corner, a figure emerged from the darkness. Lex, the Fea drug dealer, was exactly as Jake had described: tall, tattooed, with dark hair and piercing brown eyes that seemed to see right through her.

     He looked her up and down, his gaze lingering on the stethoscope peeking out of her bag. "You the nurse?" His voice was gruff, yet there was something about the way he said it that suggested a hint of curiosity.

     Rose nodded, her throat dry. "Yes, I'm here to discuss something with you."

     Lex strode over, his boots echoing through the cavernous space. He stopped a few feet away, sizing her up. "You're not what I expected," he said, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

     Rose felt the weight of his gaze, her palms growing clammy. "What did you expect?" she managed to ask, her voice betraying a slight tremble.

     Lex shrugged. "Someone... tougher, I guess." His smile grew a touch wider, revealing a set of teeth that looked like they had seen better days. "But you're here, so let's get to business."

     Rose felt the color rise to her cheeks. She took a deep breath, straightening her posture and lifting her chin. "I'm more than capable," she said firmly, trying to inject a confidence she didn't entirely feel. "I'm studying to be a nurse, and I can handle myself in tough situations."

     Lex studied her for a moment, his eyes unreadable. "Good," he said, his smile fading. "I don't have time for amateurs." He gestured to a metal chair, its legs scraping against the concrete floor as it was pulled out. "Take a seat."

     Rose sat, her heart hammering in her chest as she tried to compose herself. She knew this was a dangerous world she was stepping into, but desperation had driven her to this point.

     "I was told you're looking for someone to be on call for medical emergencies... after hours," she said, her voice steady despite her racing thoughts.

     Lex leaned against the wall, his arms folded across his broad chest. "Is that so?" he asked, his tone neutral. "What makes you think you're the best for the job?"

     Rose swallowed hard, her nerdy exterior momentarily giving way to a steely resolve she didn't know she had. "I've seen it all," she said, her voice firm. "I've worked in the ER, I've done night shifts, and I know how to keep my cool under pressure. Plus, I'm not going to ask questions."

     Lex's expression remained unchanged, his eyes never leaving hers. "That's good," he said, his voice measured. "But can you keep your mouth shut?"

     Rose nodded, a determined glint in her eye. "I know the importance of discretion."

     Lex pushed off the wall and approached her, the sound of his boots growing louder with each step. He stopped right in front of her, so close she could feel the heat from his body. "Look, I need someone I can trust," he said, his voice low and serious. "Someone who won't go running to the cops or try to play hero."

     Rose met his gaze, her brown eyes unwavering. "I'm not a snitch, and I don't have a death wish," she replied, her voice steady.

     Lex seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright," he said, taking a step back. "But I need to be sure. You're going to have to prove yourself."

     Rose felt a knot tighten in her stomach. "How?" she asked, her voice only slightly shaking.

     Lex's smile returned, but it was cold and calculating. "You're going to patch up one of my guys. He got into a little trouble earlier tonight. Nothing too serious, but he's lost a bit of blood." He gestured towards the shadows, and a figure stumbled into the dim light, his shirt soaked in crimson.

     Rose's eyes widened at the sight of the injured man, but she quickly composed herself, her nurse's instincts kicking in. "Okay, I need some supplies," she said, her voice surprisingly calm.

     Lex nodded towards a nearby table cluttered with various medical supplies. "You've got what you need there. Make it quick."

     Rose's heart raced as she assessed the situation. The man was pale, his breathing shallow, and blood still seeped from the gash in his arm. She knew she had to act fast. She rummaged through the supplies, finding gauze, tape, and a bottle of something that smelled faintly of antiseptic. The adrenaline coursed through her veins as she set to work, her hands moving with surprising deftness.

     With each passing moment, the tension in the room grew palpable. The flickering light threw eerie shadows across the man's pain-stricken face, and the scent of iron grew stronger. Rose focused on the task at hand, blocking out the fear that whispered in the back of her mind. She applied pressure to the wound, watching the blood flow slow to a trickle before wrapping the gauze tightly around his arm. She worked with a precision that seemed almost out of place in this grimy, makeshift medical bay.

     The man, one of Lex's henchmen, groaned through gritted teeth as she worked, his eyes squeezed shut in pain. His skin was cold to the touch, and his pulse was weak. She knew she had to be quick and efficient. She didn't have time to be gentle. When she finally finished patching him up, she stepped back, her own breathing ragged from the effort.

     Lex's eyes never left hers. "Good," he said, his voice still low. "You've got a steady hand. That'll come in handy."

     Rose felt a bead of sweat trickle down her spine, but she didn't dare break eye contact. "Is he going to be okay?" she asked, her voice a whisper.

     Lex nodded. "He'll live. You did good, for a newbie." He pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket and tossed it on the table. "That's for your services tonight."

     Rose's eyes followed the money, but she didn't move to touch it. "What happens now?" she asked, her voice still steady despite the tremor in her hands.

     Lex's smile was cold, his eyes calculating. "Now, you go home. You've proven yourself capable. I'll be in touch." He turned to the injured man, who was now leaning against the table, his breathing a bit steadier. "Take care of her," he said to the man before walking away into the shadows.

     Rose didn't need to be told twice. She grabbed her bag and the cash, her mind racing. This was it; she had made the deal with the devil she'd been warned about. But what choice did she have? The debts she needed to pay off were mounting, and the regular hospital shifts weren't cutting it.

      The injured man, whose name she hadn't even learned, took her arm gently. He was surprisingly gentle for someone who looked like he'd been in more than his fair share of brawls. He guided her through the warehouse, back towards the exit. "You're not in any trouble," he rasped, noticing her fear. "Lex just needs to know he can count on you."

      The cold air outside was a slap in the face after the stifling warehouse, and she gasped for breath. The man walked her to the edge of the property, his steps careful despite his own injury. "You did good," he repeated, his eyes holding hers for a moment before he disappeared back into the darkness.

      Rose walked quickly to her car, her eyes scanning the surroundings. The night had grown darker, the moon playing hide and seek behind the clouds. She unlocked the door with trembling hands and threw her bag onto the passenger seat. The engine roared to life, and she peeled out of the desolate parking lot, her heart pounding in her chest. The cash was tucked safely into her pocket, a silent reminder of the deal she had just made.

     The drive home was a blur, the neon lights of the city streets flashing by in a haze of anxiety. She kept expecting sirens or the screech of tires, but all she heard was the hum of the car's engine and the occasional splash of water from the potholes. When she finally pulled into her driveway, she sat there for a moment, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. She didn't want to go inside and face the reality of what she had done.

      Her small apartment felt claustrophobic after the vast emptiness of the warehouse. She tossed the cash on the kitchen counter and collapsed onto her couch, her thoughts racing. What had she gotten herself into? But the weight of her student loans and the constant phone calls from her creditors pushed aside any doubt. This was the quickest way to get the money she needed.

      The adrenaline from the night's events slowly began to wear off, leaving behind a cold, hard knot of reality. She had crossed a line, one she wasn't sure she could ever come back from. Yet, as she lay there, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of excitement mingling with the fear. It was a dangerous thrill, one she hadn't felt since her rebellious teenage days, sneaking out to parties she had no business attending.