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they used to be and often try to isolate themselves in order to feel some level of security. The world is not a safe place for them anymore.”
    Bradley’s jaw tightened. He turned away from Dr. Thorne and his gaze rested on Mary.
    “Did you rape her?” Dr. Thorne asked sharply.
    Bradley turned back quickly. “What? Hell no,” he whispered fiercely.
    Dr. Thorne nodded and stepped up to face Bradley. “Then stop clenching your jaw and letting your anger get the best of you,” she said. “Yes, whoever did this deserves the worst punishment available. But that’s not going to help Mary. What’s going to help her is you being calm and supportive. Do you understand?”
    He took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah, I got it Doc.”
    “You got it, but can you do it?” she asked, her eyebrows raised .
    He nodded. “Yeah, I will do it.”
    “Good, now let’s get her checked out of this hospital and home as soon as we can,” she said.
    Shaking his head, Bradley wondered if he heard her correctly. “Home?” he asked. “Doesn’t she need to be in the hospital?”
    Moving to the bed and scanning the clipboard at the end, she nodded. “Oh, if it were anyone else, they’d be staying,” she said. “But being here adds more stress than benefits. And I know that between you and the rest of your tight knit group, she’ll be well watched over. Although, I need you to promise me if you see anything that concerns you, you’ll call me immediately.”
    “Yes, I promise,” he agreed. “And you’re right, she will be well looked after.”
    Dr. Thorne grinned. “Yes, I thought so. Why don’t you go down the hall and get something to drink while Mary and I have a conversation.”
    She put the clipboard down and moved along the side of the bed. “Mary,” she said, “Mary, I need you to wake up so I can examine you.”
    Mary mumbled in her sleep and nestled further into her pillow. “Mary, I really need you to wake up,” Dr. Thorne said in a firmer and louder voice.
    Mary’s eyes sprang open and she turned quickly. “Oh, Dr. Thorne, I’m so sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.”
    Then she saw him, the translucent ghost standing behind Dr. Thorne. But he wasn’t trying to get Mary’s attention; he was just watching Dr. Thorne.
    “Mary, Mary,” Dr. Thorne repeated. “Now, how are you feeling?”
    Mary shook her head. “Sorry. I’m better, much better,” she quickly answered. “I really don’t think I need to stay here any longer.”
    The ghost moved closer, but the sunlight streaming through the window onto his face blurred his features.
    Cocking her head, Dr. Thorne took Mary’s wrist in her hand and checked her pulse. “And why don’t you think you need to stay here?” she asked.
    “Well,” Mary paused for a moment and then brightened. “I actually have a doctor staying with me. Right in my home.”
    Dr. Thorne looked over her shoulder at Bradley. “You never mentioned that,” she said.
    He cleared his throat. “I guess I didn’t think of Ian in that way,” he responded, earning a grateful smile from Mary.
    Giving Mary a speculative look, she pulled the cloth screen around the bed, separating them from Bradley. She pulled her stethoscope from around her neck and put it on. She bent over and placed the end against Mary’s chest. “Okay, Mary, take a deep breath,” she said.
    Mary complied and Dr. Thorne moved the stethoscope to the left. “So, what kind of doctor is Ian?” she asked.
    Mary coughed and Dr. Thorne lifted the stethoscope. “I didn’t need you to cough, Mary,” she said. “And although I know you’ve stretched the truth from time to time, I’ve never known you to lie to me.”
    Mary sighed. “He’s a Ph.D.,” she said. “I don’t think he even knows how to take someone’s temperature.”
    Dr. Thorne laughed. “Well, good, a Ph.D. is just the kind of person you need to look after you. I’m releasing you immediately, provided you take it easy and call me if there are