THE HOSPITAL RECORD
256 Words
That night, Zahra could not sleep.
Amara’s words were stuck in her head. Someone will get hurt.
She needed proof. Not fear.
At midnight, she went back to the hospital. The night guard was sleeping.
She walked to the records room. The door was open.
Inside, there were old books. Dust everywhere. Dates from 20 years ago.
June 3rd, she whispered.
Her hands shook as she opened the big register. Two names were there.
Baby Girl A: Mother - Mrs. Nwosu
Baby Girl B: Mother - Mrs. Ade But the second line was crossed out. Red ink.
Under it, someone wrote: Error. Baby swapped.
Zahra’s heart stopped. It was real. The hospital knew.
She took a photo with her phone.
Footsteps.
Who is there? a voice called.
Zahra ran. She did not look back. The paper in her bag felt heavy.
Now she had evidence. And real danger.Zahra’s legs were weak.
She hid behind a door.
Her phone light was off.
The guard walked past.
She held her breath.
When it was quiet, she ran out.
The night air was cold.
She gripped the photo tight.
This was her proof.Zahra ran outside.
Her heart was beating fast.
The photo was safe in her bag.
She did not trust anyone now.
The hospital had lied for 20 years.
Who else knew the truth?
She looked back one time.
No one followed her.
She entered ataxi fast.
`Drive,` she said.
Her hands would not stop shaking.
She had the red ink proof.
But she was not safe yet.
- Writer
