Chapter 4

It was quiet in the hospital. Sarah found it unnerving. Just the faint beeps of heart monitors and her own breathing. It smelt of paint and medicine. Something to be expected in a hospital, but she still felt it... out of place.

A phone rang. Sarah knew she shouldn't answer it. It wasn't her job. But the silence was driving her insane. She needed to talk to someone. Besides, the secretary was on his tea break. Who would pick it up if she didn't?

Sarah hated being indecisive. She checked her clipboard. No patients needed a check-up any time soon. She had time. Reaching out a trembling hand, she grasped the cool, hard metal of the phone receiver. A satisfying click.

"Hello?"

Silence. Absolute silence. Had she taken too long to get to the phone? No. Something else was happening here.

And a scream. It hadn't come from the other end of the line. It had come from Sarah's throat. She dropped the receiver and fell to the floor. Clasping her head. A flash of revelation. She staggered to her feet and leant against the desk.

"Are you all right?" A quite concerned looking sun bear was standing behind her.

"I'm fine, Maria. But tell Dr. Fraiser that I'm going to leave early."

"Why?"

"Does it matter?" She snapped, suddenly feeling angry.

"Sorry. But Sarah, I worry about you."

"It's okay. I just need some sleep."

Sarah was getting dizzy. She hung up her coat and made her way into the car park. A small, blue convertible was waiting for her. She opened the doors and lent back into the smooth, cool leather. She inserted her key and turned it.

The engine completely backfired. It started billowing smoke. It started flaming.

She panicked. She fumbled with the doors. They stuck.

And then...

An explosion. Sarah blacked out...