Chapter 8: A Candle On A Hill
2077 Words
“You look handsome, Dr. Sage.” Mike teased and sat on the vacant seat of the kitchen table. He was shirtless with only ripped shorts beneath. “I guess you're dressed for work.”
Sage chuckled and slipped his coffee mug over after adding milk and sugar. She sipped from her mug.
“No. Termination of my appointment.”
“What?” He scoffed, spilling coffee on his body and the table. “I thought you already accepted your fate.”
“I've done that before,” she wiped off his mess and dumped the disposable napkin in the bin. “I'm not doing it again.”
He knew what she meant. “How about you think about it, Sage?” He set his mug down. “It may turn out to be what you want. Aside from the pay, the experience will be great.”
Sage shook her head. “I want to create my own experience. Besides, we've talked about this, I have a vision.” She spread whipped cream in her coffee. “I'd need the strength.”
He didn't smile. “Working miles away may possibly split us apart. I could just stop by and say hi.”
She twisted her lips and studied him closely. “Did you do it?”
“No.”
“Mike?”
“No, for real.” He sighed. “I'm just being concerned. Don't forget that leaving for a far-away clinic means adapting. What if your secret spills?”
She smiled and sipped again. The creamy mix left edible foam on the top of her lips. She licked it off and walked across the counter.
“I know you'd miss me,” she pulled his hand in hers. “I'd miss you too, Miky.” They laughed. “But I promise to be careful, alright?”
He tsked and shrugged, left with no choice.
“So, how about you make something sumptuous for my cancellation party?” She picked up her suit jacket and threw it on over the white sleeves.
“Think of a better way to die.”
They laughed. “Yeah, I meant to ask, how is job hunting?”
“Uh… Technically, I'm not job hunting yet.” He randomly pointed at his workstation. “I'm trying to finish up with this new app I'm working on… who knows, I might be the next Elon.”
“Hmm,” Sage grinned. “Finding happiness, I see.” She slipped into her leather shoes. “I wish you luck and a great day, too.”
“Love you.” He smiled and watched her leave.
Sage hopped in a cab and relaxed in the back seat after telling the driver her destination. It took long minutes of driving around the buzzing city before she arrived. The area seemed to be fully developed; there was barely any good impact her presence would leave.
“Thank you.” She paid the driver and got down.
The hospital was humongous and in the center of the city. It was well-sculptured and equipped. She walked down to the lobby, which was equally big and finely polished. She caught her reflection on the transparent glass. Satisfied that she looked manly and presentable, she approached the receptionist.
“Hello, I'm Dr. Sage, the new houseman.” She kept a straight face. “I'm here to see Dr. Ted.”
The receptionist smiled back. “You're welcome. A moment, please.”
Sage waited for her to dial her boss. She set the landlines down and signaled for Sage's attention.
“Use the elevator to the fifth floor,” she pointed to the elevator car beside the stairs. “The last office by your right.”
“Thank you.” She squared her shoulders and walked gently to the elevator. She was used to the posture.
In the car, she pressed the button to the fifth floor. As directed, she walked down to the last office on her right. ‘Dr. Ted Grey was boldly pasted on a door. She knocked and waited.
“Dr. Sage? Come in.”
She opened it and walked in. “Good morning, doctor.” She managed a thin smile.
He appeared to be in his late forties. He wore white sleeves with a black necktie. His office was neatly arranged and comfortable. He had a few bronze and gold medals on his shelves. He won the position of leading CEO among the hospital's board of directors last month.
“How may I help you?”
“I got accepted here for my one-year housemanship program. First, I want to say thank you for considering me worthy to work in such an establishment.” She paused to catch her breath. “But I must decline, sir. It’s not what I want.”
His brows furrowed. “You didn't think it through before sending in your application?”
“I'm sorry for the mix-up, but I didn't send an application here.” She straightened. “I guess my school did.”
He stopped dabbling from her to the screen and focused on her. “Why do you want it terminated?”
“Because I want to work in a rural setting and lend a good hand in the areas that are lacking.”
“Hmm,” he motioned for her to bring her document.
Suddenly, his door burst open without a prior knock. A nurse matron rushed in, panting. It drew their attention.
“Dr. Ted, one of the hospital's shareholders, got rushed in. He's in a critical condition.” She sucked in cool air. “Sir Gozanlo.”
“Crap.” Dr. Ted sighed and rushed out of his seat. “Leave, young man. Come later for your dismissal.”
Sage rushed out while they followed behind. The nurse locked the door and hurried after Dr. Ted.
“How bad?”
“Very bad. Bleeding terribly, unconscious, lots of broken bones.”
Dr. Ted sighed. “Set the theater. Get the team organized.” They got into the elevator. “Send his record to the lab and get pints of blood.” He continued dishing out instructions.
*** ***
The team was fully scrubbed and in the theater. Gozanlo lay weak in bed, with tons of tunes connected to his body. A drip set with injected drugs is fixed to the cannula on his left hand.
He was sedated and in a sterile gown, with the injured areas exposed. A vital signs machine is connected to his body. Above him was a bright theater light.
“This is bad.” Dr. Ted mumbled, his mask covered his nose and mouth. He scraped broken tissues from the wound site.
The wound was inflamed, with the surrounding areas dark and purplish. Brownish-green fluid seeped out.
“It's infected.” He handed the slap over to a random nurse. “Send it for sampling.” Then he signaled to the theater nurse. “2mls of Cipro.” He snapped his fingers. “Withdraw an ampoule of Naproxen.”
Ampoules broke, and the sound of the syringe drawing out fluid and fingers smacking off bubbles was heard. The team rallied around.
Sweat broke off Dr. Ted's pores. He wasn't exhausted, but simply confused. He had never seen this in all his years of practice.
“The blood.” His tone cracked.
“NO!”
The shrill cry of a strange voice caused the team to pause and look in her direction. It was a stranger in his sterile wear.
“Giving him just antibiotics will only extend his lifespan by a few hours.” Sage tried to be audible. “His wound isn't just infected, it is poisoned.”
Now, the whole team was focused on her. “Young man, leave.” The nurse in charge tried to maintain decorum.
“Let her.” Dr. Ted intruded. “Go on.”
“His body is producing anti-immune that needs to be combated. Introducing fresh blood may cause a severe allergic reaction.”
“What are you waiting for?” He motioned for her to join in. “Scrubbed?”
Sage nodded. He had lied to get through the theater out of curiosity and watched the whole procedure on the large screen.
She walked through the paved way and stood next to Dr. Ted. “Neurotol.” She demanded while examining the wound. “It will prevent nerve damage.”
“How did you know this?” Dr. Ted questioned.
“My pack was invaded…” She immediately stopped herself from spilling more secrets. “I worked in an invaded pack and saw similar cases.” She corrected herself.
“We all thought it was infected, but it never heals. The toxin takes over their system, and they die.”
‘But this is worse than I've seen.’ She almost spat out, but kept it to herself. The venom was spreading faster like a virus. Their late alphas and Petra's wounds took weeks before they died.
“10 mls.” She doubled the normal dosage. “Also withdraw Toxiban.” She controlled the bleeding while the team rallied to get her demand.
The theater nurse handed the mixed drug over to her in a 20 ml syringe.
“Sagin. It's an anti-toxin I worked on over the years.” She injected it into his vein, eyes on the badly poisoned wound. “The combination will help bind to the venom and neutralize it.”
“His pulse is weak.” Dr. Ted informed her. “He needs blood.”
Sage nodded. “Sagin works like magic. He can be transfused in about ten minutes.”
“Alright. Get the set ready.” He randomly passed an order.
Oddly, Gozanlo went into a fit. The rigorous spasms caused the bed to jerk. The BP machine sounded a blaring alarm as his vital signs skyrocketed. Equipment clatter, the team was thrown into a state of shock.
Sage's mind was all over the place. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, as if she were the cause. Her mind was about to explode. If he dies, her license might be revoked.
‘Calm down, Sage.’ Ariana whispered. It's been a while since she spoke.
The murmuring made it hard for her to focus. The inflamed wound was oozing infected fluid. The team tried to get him to lie sideways.
‘No. No. No.’ Sage cried in her head. ‘What am I going to do?’
‘This is like a bad reaction to the medications. Maybe the dosage was too much.’ Ariana suggested.
‘Then we need to counter it?’
‘That’s the best step, I think.’
“5mls of Diphen!” Sage cried like it was his last minute. Once she was given the syringe, she stabbed his bicep and delivered the dosage.
The fit continued. It made her mind cave in. Like a miracle, it reduced and eventually stopped, and so did her heartbeat. For a second, she thought he had died. The alarm of the bleating machine reduced as his vital signs returned to normal.
Sage released her held breath. She grabbed the edge of the bed to stabilize herself. Her heart was still racing hard in her chest.
“You can proceed with the transfusion.” She mumbled and took a few steps backward for Dr. Ted to take over.
The members of the teams stole glances, but no one said anything.
*** ***
Sage was back in Dr. Ted's office. She was relieved after her crazy first day in the hospital. After Gozanlo got stabilized, she allowed the team to take over, and she went to get chilled soda in the cafeteria.
“He’s now transferred to a private ward.” Dr. Ted broke the icy silence. “You did a wonderful job.”
Sage smiled and nodded. “Thanks for believing in me.” She was still in shock. It could have gone south. “Here.” She slipped her file over.
Dr. Ted took it and paused. He signed on the bottom against his name and stamped it.
“Approved?” Sage mumbled. “I mean dismissal.”
“You literally saved a VIP.” He smirked. “If you think I'd let you go, think again.”
“What?” Sage scoffed. “That's not fair, Dr. Ted.”
“Life isn't.” He shrugged. “You're resuming tomorrow, Dr. Sage. Welcome on board.”
- Writer
