Chapter 14
"Deliver these items to the room numbers written on their tags as quickly as possible. When you're done, come back for more." CR-SO1 dumps a truckload of flower bouquets and small wrapped presents onto my arms. I observe the objects and groan. He smiles skeptically.
"Don't worry, it goes by a lot faster than it seems. Now get a move on." He pushes me through his office door and closes it behind me. I gape at the wooden frame for a second, then mumble under my breath as I walk down the hall, careful not to spill any of the contents I carry.
When I am finally finish delivering all of the presents to each patient, my arms feel like they are about ready to fall off. I enter CR-SO1's office again. He is sitting behind his desk, filling out some paperwork. He glances up at me for one second before going back to his business. I step forward cautiously, not quite familiar with what to do yet.
"All done?" he asks.
"Yeah."
"Okay. You're next task is to…" He sets down his pen and looks at me with thoughtful eyes. "I haven't run my rounds yet. I suppose you can go do those next. Hold on." He reaches into a cabinet in his desk and hands me several stapled pages. I flip through them to find that they are all charts about his patients.
"You think you can do it?" he asks.
"Of course. See you, then." I quickly leave the room, scanning the paper on the top of the pile. My first patient is named Alex Tanner. I tuck the papers under my arm and head for her room number.
I soon arrive in her unit. When I open her door, I spot a young girl with long wavy brown hair and brown eyes. Her expression is blank and unsmiling as I enter the room.
"Hello. Are you Ms. Tanner?" I ask in a polite tone.
"How many other Tanners are there around here?" she asks, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She eyes the papers in my arm. "Who are you?"
Sheesh, talk about stingy. "I'm Cecilia Navarre, a volunteer working under Dr. CR-SO1. He's busy right now, so I'm running his rounds for him. Are you feeling okay?"
"You're a volunteer? Why the hell are you doing rounds, then?"
I give her a strange look. Was this woman usually this rash? "I've received medical training before, and I know what I'm doing and supposed to do. Now how are you feeling?"
She pauses for a moment. "Fine, I guess. I've been recovering well." I nod and look at the charts again. Check heart, breathing, ears, mouth, and incision. I take the stethoscope hanging around my name and place the eartips into my ears.
"Breathe in and out," I instruct, pressing the diaphragm against her chest. She does so. I listen intently. Nothing seems wrong.
I proceed to check the rest of the things listed. When I am done, I announce to her, "Your discharge is planned for this Friday."
This seems to catch her attention. "This Friday? Sweet." A small smile spreads across her face. I chuckle and bid her good-bye before leaving for my next patient. I check the papers just to make sure. Jae Park. Someone Korean?
I enter her room just a few doors down the hall. A small and cute Asian girl with straight and dark shoulder-length hair lies down on a bed, her eyes closed. They open to reveal brown irises as she hears me come in.
"Jae Park?" I ask. She nods and smiles politely. I approach her bedside and go through the regular routine. Jae is more well-mannered than Alex, but there is still a sense of aggressiveness in her body language – it is as if she is willing to hurt me if she has to. I wince and talk with her a bit about her discharge from the hospital before quickly making my way out of the room. What is up with these patients lately? They're so… strange.
When I am finally done with CR-SO1's rounds, I drag my feet into his office, reluctant to do anymore work. And to lift my spirits even more, I find the room empty.
"What. The. Hell." I groan and collapse onto a chair near his desk when I notice a piece of paper folded up next to me. I pick it up curiously and read it.
Sorry. It's another emergency operation. When you get back, you can go home. Sincerely, CR-SO1.
I can't help but smile as my eyes unfold the handwriting. That's thoughtful of him. I collect all of my belongings, making sure everything is with me, and then walk briskly out of the hospital.
The fresh air tastes good as I step outside. I take a deep breathe and exhale loudly, glad to be free at last. The sky seems to be nearing dusk; I check my watch to see what time it is. "5:30. Perfect." Kestrel and I had planned another date for 6:30 tonight at Mimi's Café, a large French restaurant.
There's still an hour left, though. Maybe I should stop by Starbucks first. I sigh and saunter towards my car, soaking in the hospital's surreal surroundings for the first time since I started volunteering here. The trees are full and bright, swaying rhythmically against the whispering breeze, and a complete view of a distant mountain is visible just over the top of a low-hanging willow tree growing on the lip of a small stream.
I stand next to the driver's seat and am about to open the door when something loud and abnormal rustles in the bushes nearby. My heart seems to stop and I instantly freeze, my head snapping towards the source of the noise. I stare intently at the area for one, long minute. Nothing happens. I slowly turn back towards my car, and suddenly a bright flash goes off from the same direction the rustling came from. I run towards the area and the ferns shake violently. Faint footsteps sound in the distance, as if someone is running away. I slow to a stop and glare at the forest. "Who's there? Come out! Who are you?" I yell at the top of my lungs into the empty darkness. Silence.
Grumbling in frustration, I walk back to my car, feeling slightly more paranoid. Was that a stalker? Did he just take a picture of me? I shiver and try to shake the thought away, but I can't help but let my eyes dart around as I turn up the engine and back out onto the road.
All other trains of thought lost, I head towards Starbucks. Too frightened to wait outside, I get out of the car, walk through the front door, and tell the man at the counter my order. Once he is done, I sit down at one of the tables and take a sip of my latte. My mind buzzes with what had just happened when I hear a familiar voice several feet away.
"So when will be the next time I'll see you?" it asks.
An unrecognizable, feminine voice replies, "Tomorrow?"
"Sure, baby. See you then."
I look up and cannot believe the sight before me.
Kestrel stands nearby, an arm wrapped around a slender and beautiful blonde woman. We meet eyes and a devastated expression falls over his face. The blonde lady notices and looks my way as well, confused.
I get to my feet and tighten my lips. Kestrel breaks away from the woman and takes a step towards me. I take a step back.
"Cecilia, I can explain…" He trails off as the woman grabs his hand and pulls him towards her, her eyebrows furrowing.
It takes me a moment before I can find my voice. And when I do, it comes out like I am spitting fire. "What the hell, Kestrel? What the hell?"
"Cecilia!" Kestrel dashes forward and I swivel around and sprint for my car. He is hot on my heels, his strides much longer and easier than mine. Right when my palm is wrapped over the handle of my car, his hand finds my arm. I whip it away and slap him. He stands there, stunned.
"Cecilia, I… I…" He is lost for words and his eyes are helpless. I suddenly realize there are tears streaking down my cheeks.
"I thought… I thought you were good! I thought you were nice and helpful and… everything! But it turns out you're just another one of those players!" I spit out the last word. He doesn't move as I throw open my car door, stomp inside, and loudly back out of my parking space. His blonde girlfriend stands at the door, looking lost and hurt. Our eyes meet. I shake my head in disgust before driving quickly out of there.
My heart beats fast and tears continue to stream down my cheeks in an endless shower. The hiccups interrupting my staggering breaths make it extremely difficult for me to drive. I go to the first and closest place I can think of – Resurgam First Care.