Trapping the Gazelle

Chapter 17

Kiera sat in the waiting room at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. She stared out the window of the waiting room. She did not focus on the events from outside, but on the reflections, the oversize window revealed to her. A drawn, pale reflection of Kiera looked back at her with grey-green eyes lined with dark circles. She felt as tired as she looked. She sighed and felt the reassuring pressure of Ryan squeezing her hand.

Kiera turned away from the window and glanced at Ryan. She noticed that his brow creased with deep concern. She smiled reassuringly at him, but saw that his expression did not change. The events from the early morning kept playing in her mind.

'It was real. I could smell him and feel the hot decaying breath,' Kiera thought and shuttered, 'How is that possible? Is the virus causing this?'

Kiera unconditional clenched her hands as she tried to understand what was happening. Her heart beat faster and beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.

"Kiera," Ryan said breaking her thoughts, "You're breathing heavy. Slow down your breathing honey."

"What?" Kiera said confused, "Sorry, I just can't understand what happened this morning." Kiera looked down at the floor feeling ashamed.

"Kiera, we will find out what happened." Kiera heard Ryan say as he squeezed her hand again.

Kiera felt her head lifted up, so that she looked into Ryan's china blue eyes. She felt her breathing return to normal and she leaned forward, kissing him lightly on the lips. She felt Ryan returning her kiss and warmth spread through her body.

"Doctor Kiera Reid?" A male voice asked.

Kiera and Ryan looked up to see a middle-aged Arabic man with receding dark hair and brown eyes. He was standing in front of them wearing a lab coat and portraying a cheerful disposition. Kiera glanced down at his nametag, which read Abd al Hakim.

"I'm Doctor Kiera Reid." Kiera answered, "But you may call me Kiera."

"Hello Kiera," Hakim said cheerfully as he held out a hand, "I'm so happy to meet you."

"Likewise," Kiera said with a strained smile as she stood and shook his hand. Strangely, Kiera thought his smile was forced and the cheerful look was hiding something else. Kiera kept the smile on her face trying to read pass the cheerful mask. "What does my friend Melissa have in store for me?"

Doctor Abd al Hakim swallowed slightly as he dropped his hand and produced a clipboard. He took a moment to read the document on the clipboard. Kiera watched him carefully trying to see pass the forced emotion, but she could not see the hidden emotion. This person was either very good at disguising his emotions or Kiera was jumping to conclusion with all the events that were happening lately.

Before he spoke, Kiera saw Doctor Hakim flick his eyes towards Ryan. She saw his eyes widen slightly in recognition.

'Ryan is visiting hospitals in the area. He might know him from his visits.' Kiera thought, 'I will have to ask him while we are alone.'

"Ah here it is," The Doctor's voice brought her out of her thoughts. "We have some blood samples to draw and an MRI scan."

"How long is this all going to take?" Kiera asked.

"I believe a few hours at the most," answered Hakim, "Your friend can wait here or come back later."

Kiera noticed Hakim waiting for a response from Ryan. His hands trembled slightly in nervousness.

"Ryan is my Fiancée and I would rather have him here today." Kiera interjected as she smiled and pulled Ryan close to her.

"If that is what you want Kiera." Hakim shrugged and feinted indifference, "It will be boring."

Even though the Doctor showed this indifference to her response, Kiera thought she heard a worried tone, but again she only saw the cheerful expression on his face. It was disturbing and frustrating to Kiera. She knew this man hid something, but her skills of detection false emotions failed her.

'I must be tired or this virus is affected me in some way.' Kiera thought as she sighed deeply.

"I really have nothing to do today." Ryan said a bit surprised by Kiera's interruption, "Shall we get started."

"Yes of course. Let's start with your vitals and blood work." Doctor Hakim suggested.

Doctor Hakim turned and led Kiera down the hallway towards an examination room. Ryan walked next to Kiera holding her hand. Kiera lightly squeezed Ryan's hand, tugging slightly to get his attention. Ryan glanced down at her as they walked slowly down the hallway.

"I think he knows you." Kiera whispered, "He is hiding something."

"Are you sure?" Ryan asked as he whispered back and glanced at the Doctor.

"I'm positive, but I can't see pass the cheerful expression." Kiera whispered back, "Please don't leave me alone with him."

"I promise." Ryan replied and squeezed her hand.

"Here we are." Doctor Hakim announced and Kiera looked up at him.

He led them into the room labeled 'examination'.

"Kiera please undress, except for your undergarments, and put on that hospital gown." Doctor Hakim instructed pointing to the green hospital gown on the examination bed. "A nurse will be in to take your vitals and take the blood samples."

Kiera nodded and the Doctor left the room. Kiera removed her jeans, sweater and shoes, placing them on the chair. She felt Ryan's eyes on her and she glanced up at him as he admired her slim figure.

"Do you see something you like?" Kiera smiled turning around to grab the green hospital gown.

"I wonder how much time we have before the Nurse shows up." Ryan responded as he stepped up to her and placed his hands on her bare hips. The feeling of his warm hands on her hips sent a shiver of warmth pleasure through her body.

"I'm sure not enough time for that." Kiera chucked, she felt his thumbs slip under the waistband of her panties. "Now can I put on my gown/" Kiera's face then grew serious, "I really believe the Doctor is worried you are here."

Even though Kiera knew their time alone was short, she sighed in disappointment as Ryan slowly withdrew his thumbs from under her waistband.

"I'm going to check up on him after this appointment and see what I can find out about him." Ryan answered as she rubbed his thumbs across her lower stomach just above the waistband.

"It might be nothing," Kiera added as she pulled on the gown and Ryan removed his hands from her hips. "You have been visiting several hospitals in the area and he might have recognized you from your visits."

Ryan about to answer Kiera stopped short as a knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

"Are you all dressed," A woman's voice asked from behind the door, "May I come in?"

"Yes, please come in." Kiera replied.

Ryan took a seat in the corner and Kiera sat on the examination bed. The nurse in her mid-twenties with blond hair entered the room. The nurse startled at first to see another person in the room, quickly recovered.

"I see we have another guest today," The nurse said with a smile, "Good day Sir and Doctor Reid. I am Nurse Glover and I will be taking your vitals and drawing your blood."

"Thank you Nurse Glover, but you can call me Kiera and this is my Fiancée Ryan." Kiera replied.

"Of course Kiera," Nurse Glover nodded, "Shall we get started?"

"The sooner the better," Kiera said with a smile feeling better about the Nurse who seemed genuine.

Nurse Glover was quick and efficient. She nodded with approval after taking Kiera's vitals. She noted that her blood pressure was slightly elevated. Besides that, Kiera was in excellent health. The nurse instructed Kiera to sit down in a chair, to draw her blood. Kiera eyes when wide as the half dozen blood vials.

"How much blood do you need?" Kiera chuckled nervously.

"Apparently someone ordered a lot." Nurse Glover said looking at the paperwork.

"That would have been Melissa." Kiera rolled her eyes.

"Well let's get started then." The nurse said in a no nonsense attitude.

"I think that is it for the blood samples." The nurse said after a few minutes as she placed a bandage over the needle mark.

"So what is next for the science experiment?" Kiera heard Ryan ask as he chuckled a bit and stretched.

"I'm so glad that you are taking my condition serious." Kiera said sarcastically as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"If you care to follow me, I will take you to the MRI room," Nurse Glover said and added, "You will need to remove your bra. No metal in the MRI scanner."

Kiera removed her bra and glanced at Ryan who smirked. Kiera rolled her eyes and gave him a, 'do not think about it,' look. In return, Ryan gave a 'who me,' Look. Kiera placed the bra on her clothes and they followed Nurse Glover out of the examination room and down the hall. Kiera shivered as the coolness of the hallway caused goosebumps to form on her skin.

After a few minutes, they came to the MRI room. The nurse opened the door and they walked into the small room with computer monitors. A glass plate window looked out into a well-lit room with the MRI scanner. Kiera saw Doctor Hakim typing at the computer terminals as they entered the room.

"Doctor Hakim," Nurse Glover announced, "Kiera is all done with her vitals and blood work."

"Ah, thank you Nurse," said Doctor Hakim swiveling around in his chair, "Please inject Kiera with the contract dye."

"Of course Doctor," The nurse replied then turned to Kiera, "Kiera would you please follow me into the MRI room."

Nurse Glover walked over to another door leading into the MRI room and opened it up. Kiera felt nervous and Ryan sensing her nervousness lightly squeezed her hand. Kiera gave Ryan a light kiss on the cheek and let go of his hand. She handed Ryan her glasses before following Nurse Glover into the MRI room.

Nurse Glover pointed to the bed next to the MRI scanner. Kiera walked over to the bed and sat down. Nurse Glover walked over from a cabinet to Kiera holding a syringe.

"What is that?" Kiera asked with curiosity.

"This is a contrast dye," The nurse explained, "It will help improve and enhance the MRI images. We will be able to see the point of entry and flow path for the virus."

"Like painting the body the inside of my body with a road map," Kiera replied slowly understanding the process.

"Yes," The nurse nodded with approval, "Now you might feel a cold sensation traveling up your arms. Some people experience mild headaches and nausea as a side effect."

Kiera gave her a perplexed looked of confusion at this statement.

"I have to always go through the usual stuff with patients." Nurse Glover explained as she prepped her arm for the needle.

Kiera felt a slight stinging sensation as the syringe plunged into her arm. She looked towards the plate-glass window as saw Ryan's mouth moving as he talked to Doctor Hakim. The lights in the MRI room caused a reflection against the glass. This made it difficult for Kiera to make out Ryan's or the Doctor's expressions.

Kiera sighed and gave up trying to see what they were discussing. Without her glasses, she would never be able to see them. She felt the cold sensation travel up her arm just like the nurse said. She shivered at the feeling it truly felt odd as the contrast dye flowed through her veins.

"Now I need to lie down on the bed," Nurse Glover instructed, "You will have to remain still during the scan or we will not be able to get any accurate results. Would you like some earplugs?"

"What would I need earplugs for?" Kiera asked.

"There is a thumping sound while the MRI is scanning. Some people like it and other do not. You are pleased to do what you want." She shrugged.

"I will take them please." Kiera said holding out her hand.

Nurse Glover pulled a small plastic package from her pocket and handed it to Kiera. Kiera opened the plastic bag and dumped the orange foam plugs into her hand. As she rolled the plugs and inserted them into her ears and handed the empty bag to the nurse. She heard the voice of Doctor Hakim speaking through a loudspeaker.

"Kiera can you hear me?" Doctor Hakim's voice echoed throughout the room.

Kiera gave thumbs up motion and smiled nervously.

"The scan should take about 60 to 90 minutes. It is highly important that you lie perfectly still during the scan." Doctor Hakim instructed over the loudspeaker, "Please lie down so we can get started."

With a deep breath, Kiera lied down on the MRI bed and watched as Nurse Glover walked out of the MRI room and into the computer room. Kiera never felt nervous or scared in tight places, but as the bed moved slowly into the enclosure of the MRI scanner her heart began to beat faster.

"Kiera," The Doctor voice came over the loud speaker, "You need to calm down before we start. Your heart rate spiked."

Kiera closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.

"That is better," The voice replied, "Now lie still and we can begin."

Kiera saw the lights dim in the MRI room and she felt a light vibration from the scanner. Her eyelids felt heavy as exhaustion from the early morning events took hold of her. Kiera tried to keep her eyes open, but the act became to difficult. Her eyes closed as she drifted off to sleep.

Kiera unexpectedly awoke feeling cold. Opening her eyes she saw the room was still dim, but noticed that she was no longer in the MRI scanner. She removed the earplugs and rubbed her arms trying to warm them up. Scanning the room, she noticed it empty and oddly quiet.

'Something is not right.' Kiera thought as she swung her legs around and slowly stood up.

"Hello." Kiera called out, "Ryan? Doctor Hakim?"

Her voice echoed around the room repeating her. Kiera felt fear creeping up her spine and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as the echo died off and silent pressed in all around her. Suddenly Kiera jumped in fright as the door to the computer room slowly swung open.

Kiera swallowed as her hugged herself. Her heart beat hard against her chest and the blood thumped in her ears. She stared hard at the opening to the computer room. The room backlight only by the greenish lights of the computer screens looked empty. Kiera noticed she was holding her breath and let out a deep sigh of relief.

"I'm driving myself crazy." Kiera said aloud to herself trying to relax her tense muscles.

"Driving yourself crazy or are you crazy." A young voice said from the semi-dark computer room.

"What did you say?" Kiera blurted out as she took an inhale of breath from shock.

Kiera stared as a girl of about five years old stepped out from the semi-dark room. The girl had copper colored hair, which had a greasy stringy look to it. As if it had not been washed in a long time. The girl wore what appeared to be a white nightgown, but it too was dirty and had dark stains on it. The part that caused Kiera to take a step back and cover her mouth was the girl's eyes. They were grey-green, exactly like Kiera's eyes.

"Who...who are you?" Kiera whispered from behind her hand. She bumped against the bed the of the MRI scanner as she stepped backwards.

"You don't recognize me?" The girl said in a deep Scottish accent.

"I have seen you in my dreams." Kiera remembered the dreams of her playing games as a five year old with a girl who looked exactly like her. "Are you me?"

A wicked smile spread across the girl's face, which caused the blood to drain from Kiera's face.

"I am the part of you that has yet to come, but soon I will be you." The girl spoke in a quiet disturbing voice, which sent chlls of ice up Kiera's back. "Soon everyone will know Mia Nightingale."

The girl giggled lightly, but it was not a sweet giggle of a young girl. It had a sinister tone to it. Kiera stood frozen in place as the girl took a slow step towards her. Until this time, Kiera did not notice the girl had her hands behind her back. Now she saw the girl's hands move from behind her back.

"Dear god." Kiera said in a hushed whisper.

She saw that Mia was holding a scalpel in right hand. Kiera also noticed a plastic band around her wrist, similar to the one Kiera worn when admitted to the hospital today.

"What are you going to do with that scalpel, Mia?" Kiera asked.

"What this scalpel?" Mia asked looking down at the scalpel pretending to notice it for the first time, but Kiera knew the girl was playing with her, "I'm going to kill you with it." Mia said with malice in her voice as she looked up from the scalpel to Kiera. She stepped closer to Kiera.

Kiera's brain yelled at her to run, but her body stood frozen in fear. As Mia stepped closer, Kiera noticed that the dark stains on the nightgown as Mia stepped into the dim light of the room.

'It is dried blood.' Kiera thought as she shook in fear.

"Yes, I'm going to add your blood with the blood of those who have betrayed me." Mia said in a dark voice as if reading her mind. She took step closer to Kiera.

"Why do you want to kill me, Mia?" Kiera asked.

"Oh, you have to figure that out for yourself." Mia replied, "You destroyed my life!" Mia shouted as she lunged at Kiera, thrusting the scalpel towards Kiera's throat. Kiera screamed as she felt the scalpel pierce her throat.

Kiera opened her eyes wide, exhaled loudly and grabbed at her throat.

"Kiera are you okay?!" She heard Ryan shout next to her.

Kiera looked around the room quickly for the girl as she felt her throat. Monitors beeped wildly as Kiera kept feeling her throat and scanning the room.

"Where is she?" Kiera spoke in a panicked voice.

"The nurse?" Ryan asked confused by the question.

"No the little girl," Kiera said sitting up, "The little girl where?"

"Kiera, what little girl," Ryan asked again, "There is no little girl."

Kiera felt Ryan place his hands on her hands and slowly lower them into her lap. At the same time, a nurse entered the room.

"Is everything okay in here?" The nurse asked.

"Everything is okay," Kiera heard Ryan tell the nurse, "My fiancée had a nightmare."

"Okay, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help." The nurse said and left the room.

Ryan waited until the door closed and then turned to Kiera, "Kiera what happened to you?"

Kiera looked up at Ryan, "I woke up in the MRI room and this little girl came out of the computer room." Kiera took a deep breath and swallowed, "She was dirty as if she had not showered in weeks. The strange part was she looked like me at the age of five."

"What does it all mean?" Ryan asked and Kiera saw he looked confused.

"I don't know Ryan, she said her name was Mia Nightingale and I destroyed her life." Kiera answered, "The gown looked like something you wear in a hospital. Not like the one, I am wearing but I am sure I have seen that kind of gown before. Also, she had a plastic wristband similar to this one." Kiera held up her wrist to show Ryan her hospital wristband, and then she continued, "Suddenly she wanted to kill me with a scalpel and I woke up."

Kiera shuddered and hugged herself tightly. Ryan wrapped his arms around her and held her.

After a while, when Kiera felt better to leave, Doctor Hakim entered the recovery room. Before he entered, Ryan explained how after the scan, the nurse felt that Kiera needed some rest since she did not wake up. They moved her to a recovery room to let her rest.

"We will transmit the data to Melissa Cohen and she will discuss the findings with you." Doctor Hakim explained as he stood, "She had strict instructions about the data and I am not one to argue with that woman."

Kiera who sat propped up in the bed. Listened to Doctor Hakim explain, but her mind kept drifting back to the little girl called Mia.

"Kiera do you understand everything?" Kiera heard Doctor Hakim ask her.

"Yes, I'm sorry, I don't feel like myself right now?" Kiera said apologetically.

"That is okay, Kiera," Doctor Hakim said, "The MRI scanner can have that effect on some people. It will pass. The vibrations or the sounds of the thumping can sometimes affect people."

Kiera thought about that for a moment.

"Well thank you for doing this for me." Kiera said and held out her hand.

Doctor Hakim took her hand in both of his, "I was my pleasure." Doctor Hakim said in an overly cheerful voice.