After what seemed like an eternity to Leo, whose sighs were getting more and more rampant, the door finally opened again.
Footsteps immediately became the music in the corridor as the team doctor came out with his assistants and the other team staff into the stale air.
The doctor spotted Leo immediately and tilted his head toward him.
"Alright," he said. "Let's get you up."
One of the assistants stepped forward with both crutches already in hand, but Leo shook his head before they reached him.
"I'm good."
He leaned forward, took the single crutch from the assistant's grip, and pushed himself up from the chair.
The leg held, stiff, but it was obedient.
The doctor sighed, rubbed a hand across his jaw, then turned away.
"We need to move. The team's ready to leave."
With that, they all turned towards the exits.
...
Outside St Mary's, the night had settled properly.
Rain still hung in the air, lighter now, catching in the glow of the floodlights that were beginning to dim.
