The Tiger Inside

by Nasu Hasami

Orthopaedic surgeon Mulan Hua is dedicated to her career and determined to rise above the statistics of her profession. But that shouldn't mean she has to compromise on the things she wants. Surely, in the 21st Century, a girl can have everything. (Flash fiction series. Companion story to The Nightingale's Song.)

13. With

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"I'm waiting for you."

~U2~

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13. With

It's Friday. Shang's stuck in another elevator, but he's alone this time.

He tells Tasunka about it at lunch.

'Mulan's not in,' says the oncologist. There's a funny turn in his voice that Shang doesn't like. 'She came into Emergency last night. Pretty beaten up. Didn't want to talk about it. The police were here this morning, looking into it. Su said the cops were looking at felony assault. Apparently, her boyfriend hit her.'

Suddenly, Shang's pastrami reuben isn't nearly as delicious. 'Is Mulan okay?'

The few small words don't convey the rising panic in his chest.

'Broken nose. Bit of bruising on her neck, like she'd been strangled. Grade two concussion.'

The conversation from the parking lot repeats on a loop in Shang's mind. He wonders if he should have done something more or if there was some kind of warning sign he'd missed. Mulan Hua was so carefree and effervescent, it was a difficult thing to process that she'd been assaulted.