Chapter One- So the Unknown strikes again

Everything was turning into a heaven-like place; the walls were fading and were replaced by clouds. The hospital beds were falling straight from the floor, the patients suddenly gone. What was happening? I tensed to look down on my feet and was surprised to see myself in heels. Heels…and a gown? I don't remember going to work in such an elongated, silky, dark red attire. No doctors wore those, mostly just scrubs or a coat. There wasn't any special occasion either, at least, not that I know of.

Strange.

I was abruptly blinded by an unbelievably huge spotlight, and all I could hear was a high-pitched, ear-piercing ring. I instinctively covered my ears with my hands and I felt two light taps on my shoulder.

My eyes slowly opened.

"Mel, Melanie! Your phone's ringing. Wake up." Again, someone tapped on my shoulder; only rougher this time.

"What? Wanda…" I was at first disoriented. That was a dream, just a dream. A very peculiar one, wherein I was wearing a gown and the atmosphere turning angelic. Extremely bizarre, there wasn't a connection to it that I could place a finger on.

Wanda suddenly groaned. "Jared Howe again? How many times in a day do you talk? Don't you get sick of each other? Well, thank goodness for Caller ID, then. Ha-ha."

I tensed at the sound of Jared's name, instinctively blocking Wanda from reaching my phone in the table in front of me, right beside the Starbucks coffee that did not do any justice to keep me up. But looks like my overtiredness got the best of me.

"Well, you might as well add 'The Love of my life' beside his name." She scoffed and rolled her eyes, crossing her arms at the same time. I ignored her insensitive remark and answered the still-ringing device the same time she added "Just tell him how you feel already."

I threw a displeasing stare at her whilst she exaggeratingly sighed and gradually walked away.

Is hasn't been long since Wanda and I have been working together. I met her when I was an intern here at Scripps Mercy Hospital. Not to be the bragging type, but as the years passed, Wanda and I have acclaimed our very much deserving titles of the best doctors here. San Diego is an exceptional place to work at.

I took a moment to glance at the screen that was showing his name in bright lights.

Jared Howe.

…The Love of my life. I mentally added. Maybe Wanda was right. I felt like I was in high school again; wanting to be with someone you couldn't really have. That was also the time I realized I fell for him, right when I was around 17. But the catch is graver than the reality, Jared's my best friend.

The one and only.

This unrequired love would've been bearable if we our friendship didn't mean so much for the both of us. His feelings never reciprocated, that I am sure of. Well, there never was a confrontation but I knew that Jared would never see me that way. That was something impossible, because apparently, I'm merely the best friend.

"Hey, Jared"

"Mel! Finally, I was just about to hang up on you and hunt you down myself." He chuckled carelessly; I could hear traffic noises and distant chatter in the background.

"Where are you? Is there something you want?" I yawned and pushed my feet to the ground and stood up.

"Not today, Mel!" Oh, his effortless charm. "Listen, I've got some news!" He chirped

"Okay, shoot." I walked towards the Nurse's Station and read the chart of Mrs. Newman, my current patient. "Oh no…" I heard myself whisper with disbelief. "Um, could you hurry Jared? I got some crisis here."

"Alright, alright. Meet me at Antonio's tonight, right after your shift. I got something important to say. And oh yeah, wear something—elegant." I took my gaze off the chart and stared into space. I was caught off guard, and the clipboard slid through my fingers, making me juggle with the two things in my hands.

"What? Jared, what? Could you repeat that?"

He laughed again and sighed, not like he was frustrated of the foolishness or as if he was exhausted, but like he was…pleased.

"I'll see you then." And the end of the line was dead.

Of course he was pleased, he recently just moved in with one of my other colleagues, Isobel, and she was just breath-taking, hands down. They have been together since the dawn of time, when Bell and I were just roommates from College. And now, I kick myself for introducing her to Jared, because they practically fell head over heels for each other right after their first confrontation.

Everything he does at work was gold. His business was flawless in every way, and his accomplishment perfectly fits his complacency. But still, that got me thinking. He obviously just set up dinner reservations in one of the most expensive Italian restaurants in town. He expects me to wear something awfully 'elegant', which I regularly don't. I'm not much for trends and styles.

Sure, we talk every day. Actually, we hang out every single day, not one goes by without having to not see him. Whenever my time here at the hospital is through, I go over my place, which is across the street by the hospital, and he meets me there. And when I'm on-call, he goes to the hospital… but with more than a lone reason to drop by.

So, I would have to wait and see then. Jared lives his life with secrecy and mystery anyway, always full of surprises. I should get used to that sooner or later.

I gave the chart back to one of the Nurses whose name was always confusing me, but asked her anyway.

"Um, Nurse…? Is Bell…Isobel, have you seen Isobel anywhere?"

"Dr. Dylan? I think I saw her leave a while back, maybe around noon." She obviously noticed my lack of information about her, and I could take in her reluctance in replying.

"Really? Huh…Well thanks." I carefully slipped away from her unsettling gawk and pretended to be pondering about where Bell was.

"And Dr. Stryder?" Darn it. I already had my back on her. I shut my eyes stiff for half a second and slowly faced her still-forceful stare.

"Again, It's Windfort. My last name." My cheeks started to slightly burn, and I awkwardly smiled and laughed at the same time as well.

I hurriedly strode to my patient's room, hoping for a quick getaway. Clouded by embarrassment, I missed Mrs. Newman's room and headed back to the other direction. Her test results came back, and I would have to bring the news to her. These kinds of things are those that we actually avoid, things we wouldn't want to anticipate. Telling your patient that she was going to die and her disease was untreatable. This was the heartbreaking craze of them all.

I cleared my head and gathered all the courage I could find in the deepest parts of me and started towards Mrs. Newman's room.

Even though I had worked here as an Attending for several years now, nothing's like a bad day when you specifically have the right, and apparently the authority, to tell someone she's dying.

Surprisingly though, Mrs. Newman almost instantly accepted her imminent death.

"Knock, knock. Hey, how are you feeling today, Mrs. Newman?"

"Dr. Stryder. I'm…kind of numb right now. But, how's my leukemia?"

I remember choking on my approaching words to that, probably holding back the quiet sobs. I never really quite got used to this...I don't think anyone would. This was constantly one of my weaknesses, and how ironic it was if you come to think of it. We do, sooner or later, fail at some point.

Jared used to incessantly warn me about this; about being a doctor would give you more headaches than you ever could imagine. He stopped in the end, now that he clearly sees how I am every time I fail at the hospital. Truthfully, he's the only one that's just tying me to the earth, keeping myself from falling. A Safe Harbor.

I took a deep breath and eventually explained.

"Y-your cancer has unexpectedly rushed to the final stages…and it appears to be that the treatment is no longer effective."

"Oh. So my cancer's blocking all the treatment?"

"Not so much as blocking but…It barely affects the cancer. I'm sor…we all absolutely did our best, the most that we could do…"

"Its fine, Doctor. I've always had a great life, perfect even. I always knew there would be a catch. Well…at least maybe I get a glimpse of heaven."

And just like that this woman's life would be gone forever.

"I'll give you some time to be alone. So sorry, Mrs. Newman." With a slight smile and a heavy heart, I exited the room, faintly hearing the quiet sobs of the dying woman.

My shift came close to an end, and I left the hospital not being too sociable to others. But my mind shoved it quickly, knowing that I had my dinner with Jared to worry about. For one thing; what dress could I possibly wear? Maybe…even the slightest…to just steal Jared's eyes for yet a fraction of a second.

Crazy, what was I thinking? I highly doubt he would look at me that way. Of course that wouldn't happen, he thinks of me in a completely platonic manner. It's ridiculous to even think about it.

The environment outside turned misty, and rain began to pour. With me quietly thinking and walking on the puddles, my feet unconsciously dragged me to my chaotic condominium. I didn't exactly have the time and effort to arrange all the mess so I briefly explored my uninteresting closet and reached out to one of the few dresses I owned. The soft, floral outfit fell into my hands when I stumbled on some scattered rubber flats. Great, this would do wonderful.

I rushed to the only unbelievably clean area in my condo, which was the bathroom, and raced against time. I yanked the brush that was closest to the rest of the toiletries and speedily fixed my hair. Wouldn't want to miss out on the big surprise that Jared had planned out.

I didn't bother with what purse I'd be using and merely grabbed my phone and rushed out of the building. To my astonishment, Bell was right outside the door.

"It's about time, don't you think?"

"Bell! Why did you leave so early? I kept looking for you." The first thing that caught my attention about her was what she was wearing. Her figure was wrapped in a strapless maroon bondage dress and standing next to her surely would make me look underdressed. Her light, clean blonde hair was highly tied above hear head and slight envy snaked up on me.

Her arms were suddenly around me then looked at my face.

"Melanie Stryder, are you wearing eye shadow? Huh, that's a first! You look beautiful! I should convince you fix up more often!" She squeezed in a tiny giggle and I fought the urge to frown at her. We started walking out the building and headed for the crosswalk. Since Antonio's was just a few blocks away, we had a couple of minutes to walk by ourselves.

"Please, I'll never look as good as you. And no, you still wouldn't be able to force me to wear these…monstrous garments. They can only make you feel uncomfortable, how can you feel pretty at the same time?" I said, and now she was the one who had a grim expression on her face.

"Well, there's no point in arguing with you now. But! I am so thrilled! I can't wait! But Jared and I promised to break the news to you together." Being Isobel, she fanned herself with her hands like she needed air and her voice was stepping on an octave higher. She always did these gestures every time she wanted to squeal something out. But I was anxious; because this now included Jared.

"Isobel Dylan, are you pregnant…?" My voice sounded smaller than I expected and my eyes grew wider in considering that opportunity.

"No! Heavens, no. I'm not that careless. Of course not! And thinking about that gives the possibility of stretch marks." She laughed nervously and her face went blank for a moment. The way she regarded getting pregnant like it was such a horrible thing and innocent, heart-warming children were terrible always made me tense on the inside. The negative kind of tense. I didn't exactly favor anyone talk about that issue like that but talking to her about that is much useless.

"Uh…No. And don't say another word! I might slip." Her indifference went back on and she turned her gaze to me, which only made me more curious than before. "Besides, Jared is waiting. He told me to come get you; he knew you would be late. You know, sometimes, it bothers that you guys are closer than we are. But then again you have been inseparable buddies since…ever! I always did wonder why you guys never considered being together…" She seemed to be talking to herself on that last part and vaguely drifted away. She abruptly shook her head and cleared her throat then.

"Aw, Melanie. You have no idea how happy I am! I don't know how much longer I can keep this."

And that's when it occurred to me.

It can't be, could it? Is that what was really happening?