Premonition

Chapter #2: The Woman with the Puzzles

***Mecha Station Hospital, Wing 4***

Sarah walked through the starkly lit hallways of wing 4 where they held her brother. Parts of the hallway contained see through glass, for patients and visitors to see out into the station. However, this was more for effect during the day and morning. At night, the station’s ceiling would make the darkness five times darker – to discourage people going out after curfew. The light that could seen through the glass shone like a beacon of hope for all to see. It was comforting that the hospital’s architecture allowed this, Sarah thought. For space was already an unforgiving, dark vacuum – light and power became a necessity for people of Mecha Station. It was one of few comforts that one could have – this deep into space.

Sarah looked out into the artificial night of the station and heaved a heavy sigh. As thankful as she was for the hospital to keep housing her brother – it was time to go. She knew deep down, that he wanted to stand on his own, despite his Alzheimer’s. Keiji had so much potential when he was younger, which is why he and Sarah were selected to work at Mecha Station. But life happens, and not everything is sunshine roses. Sarah knew this, and was now desperate to help him.

She stopped walking now and peered into her purse. NX7 was a new drug that was developed on earth ten years before the creation of Mecha Station. However, because of its side effects, it was cancelled and its distribution to the public botched. But low and behold, people had brought the drug with them onto Mecha Station, being sold exclusively in black market avenues. Sarah had heard of the side effects of NX7, but ruled them out as outliers. Her brother’s memory was deteriorating daily and NX7 was the only thing powerful enough to stop that.

Closing her bag now, she continued walking until she reached the room of her brother – room number five. As she entered, she ran into his doctor.

“Ahh, Ms Duranheim,” said the doctor who greeted her. “He’s doing well today. You might be able to get a decent conversation out of him.”

“Thanks Doc,” Sarah said as she sat down next to her brother who was lying in the bed. As the doctor left, Sarah pulled from her purse a crossword puzzle first and began it. As she got halfway through, she heard stirring from the bed.

“Hey, I know that one….” Keiji said.

“You do? Great, show me Keiji,” Sarah said with absolute calmness. She handed him the puzzle and he filled out the rest extremely quickly. Sarah smiled as her brother was busy with the crossword. Keiji was had been one of the smartest analysts to come from Earth. Originally, he worked on the fourth floor, which was only for top analysts. Their job was to measure the output of the light from the quasar and make projections to convert it into the biological energy needed from Earth. Keeping her brother busy, was about all Sarah could do these days, but today she would try a conversation. As Keiji finished the puzzle and handed it back to Sarah, she turned to face Keiji.

“Hey there little bro, do you remember me?” Sarah asked.

“I do!” Keiji said as his eyes lit up. “You’re the woman with the puzzles!”

“That’s right Keiji,” Sarah said gently. “I have another surprise for you today though.”

“What’s that?” Keiji asked.

“I have special medicine for you today,” Sarah said. “It should help a lot. Do you want some?”

“Sure!” Keiji said. Keiji then opened his mouth and waited for Sarah to administer the new medicine. Sarah reached into her purse and pulled out one pill of NX7. She popped it into his mouth and prayed he would be ok. After a few moments, Keiji put his head onto his pillow and fell asleep. Sarah looked at her little brother peacefully sleeping and, decided to take a small nap as well.