Through the open door where Elion was talking with Rebecca, it was possible
to hear sounds coming from inside.
House's trio of assistants, who wanted to know Elion's performance in his consultations with patients who had been seeking House for a long time, were slightly surprised by how far ignorant people could go.
And now, they wanted to see whether this had affected in any way Elion's manner of dealing with others, as he seemed exhausted.
Foreman, quite annoyed, handed Chase ten dollars and said: "Honestly, that woman from before is crazy. How can she even think that her son's medication can be stopped just because she wants to? If I'm being honest, you should call child protective services; we're still in time."
"I don't think so. Elion did a good job persuading that woman." Chase thought there was no need to go to such extremes as he put away his ten dollars.
"What he's facing is good. As an intern, patients not trusting him much is something even we have experienced. Even though it's wrong for them to be underestimated, I hope that motivates Elion to keep getting better." Cameron, as an intern, was also underestimated; only her talent proved to others that she was not just a pretty face.
But this is the reality everyone lived with.
Even Rebecca, who had previously been helped by Elion with first aid—how could she know that the person who saved her was this young doctor who was now about to give her the medication?
Now, Elion earning Rebecca's trust was something everyone hoped to see, and if he didn't succeed, it would serve as experience. That was why they were here, waiting.
"Without our accompaniment and testimony, it's already difficult to get a patient to believe what an intern doctor says. When young interns perceive a lack of trust from patients, their enthusiasm diminishes and they generally stop trying to persuade them and instead choose to let the veterans intervene."
"Yes, well, I think that won't happen."
Foreman looked at Chase and asked him: "How are you so sure?"
"I just think so."
"If that's the case, I think we should go get something to eat. Who's staying to supervise this until it's over?" Cameron believed in Chase and knew Elion would find a way in his own manner.
"No, I think we should go in now and finish this once and for all. Every second lost puts the patient's life in danger." Foreman said, ready to enter the room and reason with Rebecca.
Just as Foreman was about to enter the room, Cameron approached and stopped him: "Wait, he still hasn't come out to ask us for help. There's no need to rush."
"Have you thought that maybe he would like to try again himself in a different way? We can learn a bit more about what the new intern is like to help him improve, and we could also learn new things."
Foreman looked at Cameron and said: "There are few things I need to learn nowadays, and an intern isn't going to teach them to me."
"That sounded really bad."
"It's the truth."
"Silence, let's listen."
The reason they were here was not to see Elion fail, but to help him as it was their responsibility.
Just when everyone thought Elion would probably give up, the voices inside the room began to speak.
After hearing what was said, Foreman looked at both of them, and the idea of entering the room vanished.
…
Inside the room.
Elion looked Rebecca in the eyes, but his gaze went beyond that, as he could feel her pain, anguish, and exhaustion.
"My intention in being here, right at this moment, is to save your life. You have an opportunity; here is the solution, and if you don't take it, don't you think it would be unfair to those who don't have one?"
"I have also waited to die. You would be surprised at the ways I've thought about ending my life without suffering because of the scars of my past. But here I am, doing the same thing the doctors did to save my life."
Elion paused and sincerely opened his heart: "I know you think the best thing is to die, but have you thought about your young students? They are still waiting for their teacher to recover; they have sent letters, flowers, and balloons. Do you really think I would be here if there weren't a way for you to recover?"
Upon hearing Elion's words, Rebecca's expression changed slightly.
If someone who sought death is here fighting against it, isn't it unfair for her not to fight as well?"
No one wants to die unless they truly can't live anymore.
She wanted to escape simply because she was terrified by all the uncomfortable medical procedures she had been subjected to in such a short time.
Radiotherapy, laryngoscopy, electroshock...
These methods are enough to send chills down ordinary people's spines just by hearing their names.
But she truly endured it.
As a result, the pain persisted and the disease did not improve; any mentally sound person would think there was nothing left to be saved.
And truthfully, everyone would rather die than continue being tortured in that way without any hope of continuing to live.
That was why she feared taking more medication that would bring her more problems.
However, upon hearing those ominous words from a young doctor who only sought to save lives, just as his own life had been saved when he only thought about dying, Rebecca took the pills and the glass of water and swallowed them all in front of Elion.
Then she opened her mouth to show Elion that she had indeed taken both pills.
"I'll trust you…"
"Thank you."
"Now, can you tell me if this medication can really save me?"
Elion smiled faintly and said: "Do you think these are false hopes? I didn't lie to you; what you just took is albendazole."
"The rest of your medication can be obtained at the pharmacy. From now on, take two pills once a day after meals for a month." Just as Elion was about to leave, he reminded Rebecca: "Ah, by the way, long-term use of albendazole can cause some adverse reactions, but don't be alarmed."
"The symptoms include, among others, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, dizziness, fever, and it can also cause hair loss." Elion thought it was a bad idea to say this; he only wanted to clarify that other adverse symptoms did not come from her illness.
As Rebecca listened to Elion's words, her mouth gradually opened, filled with disbelief.
"That's all. You'll notice improvements in a short time." Elion said goodbye after making it clear to Rebecca that she would be saved.
Rebecca, in silence, simply began to cry with happiness, still somewhat doubting whether everything Elion had told her was true.
"[Congratulations, you have intervened and saved a life from the hands of death.]"
[Reward]: Six days and eleven hours.
[Remaining lifespan]: Sixteen days and ten hours.
…
As soon as Elion left the room, he was stunned.
Because his three mentors who were outside were looking at him with strange eyes.
Elion looked at the clock hanging in the hallway with a puzzled expression. "Huh? Isn't it already four o'clock? Haven't you gotten off work yet?"
Chase, who was looking at him oddly, suddenly spoke: "Have you really been on the brink of death?"
"Who was it that saved you, House?"
"That would make sense now that I think about it."
Elion thought it was a bad idea to say that, but skillfully said: "I was just lying, I'm a good actor."
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
"By the way, does the emergency department need extra support? I'm willing to help them if you recommend me." Elion, who suddenly had an idea, shared it with his superiors.