"Okay, Axel," Alpha Norman said, his arm crossing Axel's shoulder in what looked like a friendly, reassuring gesture.
Axel stiffened instantly. The touch was light, almost casual, but it sent a sharp unease through him.
Coming from anyone else, it might have felt comforting. Coming from Alpha Norman, it was frightening.
"You can now go see the doctor," Alpha Norman continued calmly. "After that, when you feel better, come and tell me so that we can schedule your class. In the course of this week, so it's either tomorrow- thursday or the day after tomorrow- friday. Not after that."
"Okay," Axel said. His voice barely rose above a whisper. It didn't feel like his own voice. Everything about him felt distant, as though he were moving through the moment from far away.
"Do you need anyone to escort you there?" Alpha Norman asked.
