Chapter 2
I stare at the ceiling feeling frustrated and confined. What the heck is wrong with me? Am I really overworking myself?
My thoughts are interrupted by Ayame's chipper voice, "Sayuri, you are awake! How are you feeling?"
I bolt upright, "Ayame! Great to see you! I'm feeling great! I gotta go check on some patients!" I hurriedly throw my legs over the edge of the bed.
"Hold it right there!" Ayame says sternly. "I haven't even examined you yet!"
I let out a frustrated sigh and allow Ayame to perform her examination. While listening to my heart, Ayame looks at me and asks, "How have you been sleeping? Are you drinking enough fluids?"
Knowing that I would never get away with a lie, I tell Ayame, "Well, I honestly haven't been sleeping as much as I should. Most nights I can't seem to fall asleep and when I do, I wake up in a cold sweat. I'm not sure what is wrong."
Ayame listens to me carefully and then asks, "Are things going well between you and Issei? I know Issei has been going through a tough time after his confession. Try not to let his moods affect you too much. Eventually everything will blow over and things will return to normal."
Checking over my chart, Ayame finally informs me, "I think it is safe for you to be discharged. You must, however, take it easy for at least another day."
"Wait, you mean I can't work?" I ask.
"Exactly, I want you to take the rest of the day off." Ayame says.
Sighing, I agree and slowly get my things together as Ayame leaves. As I'm grabbing my white coat, Nurse Narumi sticks her head into the room,
"Dr. Takahashi, are you getting ready to leave?"
"Yep, unfortunately Dr. Yukishita ordered me to go home and rest." I reply.
Nurse Narumi smiles, "I think it is for the best. You've been working so hard lately. The dark circles around your eyes show it." Smiling Nurse Narumi leaves the room.
I slowly make my way down the hall and to the front of the hospital. I hail a cab and watch the city go by as I am taken to my apartment. Paying the driver, I get out and stand in front of my apartment building. It is late in the afternoon and the sun is starting to set. A cold breeze sends goose bumps over my exposed skin. I suddenly realise that it is oddly quiet. Feeling an urge to get out of the chilly wind, I walk through the front door and climb the stairs to my floor. As I approach the top step, I suddenly see a shadow scurry away near my apartment door. Stopping in my tracks, I listen for any kind of odd sound.
Nothing.
I must be imagining things.
Unlocking my apartment door, I drop my bag onto the floor and call into the empty apartment, "Mom! I'm home!"
I make my way to the hallway armoire and pick up my mom's picture. I run my finger along her face and smile at the memories of the day we were in the poppy field. Setting the picture back down I walk towards the living room. Before I reach the door, my mother's picture tips over and falls forward. Startled I spin around and stare at the fallen picture. Feeling the prickle of goose bumps forming and the hair on the back of my neck rising, I am overcome by an uneasy feeling. What the heck? Why does this feel like some kind of creepy harbinger?
I walk over to the fallen picture frame and set it upright. Suspiciously, I keep glancing at the picture frame as I make my way into the kitchen. I get a glass of water and stare out the window at the setting sun. While sipping my drink a wave of dizziness hits me. I stumble forward and cling to the kitchen counter. Taking two deep breaths I pray that the stars will fade. This is ridiculous! What is going on with me?
Slowly the stars fade, yet in their place blobs of darkness appear along with an excruciating headache. Staggering I proceed to the bedroom having decided that sleep would be the best option.
