**POV: Caius**

The medical report lands on my desk just after noon. I open the folder without hurry. The first page is clean, clinical. I read it once. Then I read it again, slower. The words do not change.

Fractured rib, left side, healing stage consistent with injury sustained approximately ten days ago. Second-degree burn on the anterior collarbone, treated but still raw at the edges. Six separate contusion sites across the torso and upper arms, patterns consistent with repeated blunt force impact from fists and possibly objects. No internal bleeding detected at time of exam. Patient presented with elevated stress markers and signs of prolonged sleep deprivation.

I set...