5
Scout vaguely remembered doctor visits when she was a child, but after her parents died and she was left on her own at age ten, those had become a thing of the past.
Until a week ago. Now she had been inside so many examining rooms, medical pods, and other doctor-related spaces she was heartily sick of them.
“Hello, Minato,” said the woman who was already in the room. She looked like a plump grandmother with rosy cheeks and long white hair in a braid wrapped several times around the crown of her head. She smiled at Scout, then at each of the dogs in turn. “Scout Shannon and company. I’m Dr. Schneider, but as we’re all friends here, you can just call me Heidi. I’m all ready for you; this should just take a moment.”
“This is about the thin air?” Scout said as Heidi turned to look at so
