A/N: The last couple times I tried to post this, my computer seemed to implode with worthlessness. So I'm a tad bit annoyed with my stupid, stupid, stupid PC as I type this. Bear with me.

In other news, two small chapters for the price of one regular-sized chapter. Hooray!

Book One – Chapter Thirteen

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The first patient Simon Tam ever lost was named Nancy Fyor.

She was 17 years old and suffering from a gunshot wound to the right leg. It would later be determined by federal officials that Nancy Fyor was selling contraband in a Black-Out zone of Osiris, which accounted for the unhurried arrival of medical transportation.

By the time, Dr. Tam, who was in his second month as resident, got to Nancy, the wound had already been infected, which then progressed into septicemia, a bacterial infection of the bloodstream. Dr. Tam was able to keep Nancy in stable condition, prescribing her with antibiotics and drotrecogin alfa. However, the infection spread to her kidneys causing critical failure. Since she was a suspected contraband dealer in a Black-Out zone, the hospital couldn’t declare her insured for an emergency surgery, nor did they really try.

Nancy Fyor died two days later.

Simon had blamed himself for the death, even though he had very little reason to do so. According to federal officials, the bullet Nancy Fyor was shot with seemed to be doused with one of many Core-produced toxins that sped up the septicemia. She didn’t have a chance.

Nevertheless, Dr. Tam, being young and a bit too proud of his intellect, was unable to accept this notion. He went on to spend a large sum of his inheritance on research for an antidote for the toxin as well as training for a select group of interns to administer the remedy.

Simon often took things for granted, such as his family wealth. Also, to a greater extent, he took his intellect for granted. Five years ago, when one such strength came up short, the other seemed to b