CHAPTER 1 | THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Angela was very happy that day. Finally, her dream to become a doctor came true. Angela always dreamed of becoming a doctor & helping people ever since her childhood. After finishing studying for years, she was about to start her career as a doctor in a small town hospital. In Angela's family, almost all of her family members were doctors. So, naturally, Angela wants to become a doctor too. It has become a tradition in her family. Her job was in one of the small towns, in We Care Hospital in Perry, Florida. Her flight is tomorrow morning. Angela was so excited. She couldn't wait to get there and start her career!
The day before the flight, Angela went shopping with her best friend, Tracy. They went to buy plane tickets at the airport. Once back home, they went out to dinner in a nice restaurant where Tracy works part time. The two girls had an enjoyable evening together reminiscing about old times. After the meal, they walked down the street and talked some more before going home. Then Angela said goodbye to Tracy & went home.
That night, Angela was busy packing her things. She was not only excited about going to be a doctor but also feeling nostalgic. So many memories are here. Angela felt very upset because from tomorrow, she had to leave without her mom. After finishing the packing, Angela went to bed & fell asleep.
The next morning, Angela woke up with a fresh mind. She freshed up & got ready for the flight. Angela's mom made her favorite 'Italian Cheeze Pasta' for her.
"Oh my God, mom! You made my favorite pasta? Thanks mom, I don't know how long I have to go without eating food cooked by you, mom. I will really miss you mom.
"I miss you too, my baby. But don't worry, that's why I bought that small house for you to live in. If you live in the quarter of the hospital, I will be so worried about you because there will be so many strangers. I can't let my daughter live with strangers! I am gonna visit you whenever I get the time my child. You don't worry."
"Ok mom. Now let's go. now. Otherwise we will be late. I finished my breakfast."
"OK dear, just give me 2 minutes. You go & wait for me in the car."
Angela picked up all her luggage & put it into the car. Then she gets into the car & wears the seatbelt. 2 minutes later, Angela's mom comes & gets into the car in a rush.
"Angela, honey, have you checked all of your things? Did you forget to take something?"
"No mom. I checked everything last night. Everything is perfect."
"Fine, then let's go honey."
Angela started to drive. It will take 30 minutes to reach the airport. Angela & her mom started to gossip.
"Mom, can you please turn on the radio. James is about to start his morning podcast."
"Oo... James, isn't he your crush?"
"What! No mom, I just like to listen to his motivational podcasts. His podcasts are really meaningful. Especially for me, you know mom, when I have the attacks... "
" Yeah honey, I know that. Please don't think about it right now. You have big responsibilities. By the way, did you take the pills with you? Don't forget to take your pills quickly honey. If the doctors find out that you have that problem, they never let you become a doctor."
" I took it with me. Don't worry, I will take care of it. Oh, it looks like we've reached the airport."
Angela & her mom got down from the car & walked into the airport. Angela finished her checking & waited for her flight. 5 minutes later, Angela heard an announcement.
"All the passengers of 'Flight 783' attention please! The flight is about to start in 5 minutes. So please get onto the flight as soon as possible."
All the passengers started to go. Angela also picks up her luggage & says good bye to her mom.
"Huh... Okay mom, I am leaving now. Please take care. I love you." Angela hugged her mom with tears.
"Don't cry honey. Take care of yourself too. And always remember, be honest & kind to people, okay?"
" Yes mom I will."
" Don't forget to face-time me when you get there."
" Okay mom. Good bye."
" Good bye, my child. Have a safe journey, God bless you."
Angela found her seat & sat down. She really liked window-seats, she didn't feel suffocated sitting on window-seats. Otherwise...
An airhostage comes & starts giving instructions. Angela listened to them carefully. The flight becomes full-filled by the passengers one by one. The plane is about to take off. Angela has a seat at the back with several empty seats in front of her. She pays attention to the announcements and signs posted throughout the cabin, as well as to the safety procedures displayed on each door's overhead panel.
" Okay, it looks like we've all the passengers here. The flight is about to start now. Have a safe journey everyone."
Angela was very excited about going to Florida & starting her career there. But little did she know that her life was about to take a new turn. Something very big was waiting for her.
It was lunch time. The air hostage came again & gave another announcement.
" Hello, everyone, it's lunch time."
Angela was sleeping, after hearing that she had woken up. An airhostage come & say
" Hello, mam! Are you okay?"
"Yes, I was just sleeping. Thanks for asking. What do you guys have for lunch?'
" We have a special meal today. Fried rice with chicken steak and vegetable curry."
" Wow, that will be great. Give me a plate of it." Angela started to enjoy her meal.
After 4 hours of the journey, finally the destination came. Angela got off the flight. It's 5 pm now. Angela wanted to travel some places but she changed her mind. Because it was better for her to go to her new home & take some rest after the long journey. Angela didn't want to ruin her first impression tomorrow. Angela went to the taxi station & found a taxi there. The driver was an old man wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. The taxi was waiting for its next customer.
Angela told the driver that she was going to "Boat Street". He agreed readily enough, and asked for $7.
The taxi started to move. Angela was enjoying the beautiful scenery of the evening. The sky was orange & blue. The sunset looked very delightful. It was a perfect day for a drive. Angela was in the middle of a country road on the outskirts of town. The sun had almost set and there wasn't so much traffic on the road. Angela could see some small farms to the east and a few houses scattered around here and there. About 20 minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of Angela's house. Angela paid the driver & searched for the key. Then she opened the door and...
"Oh my God! This place looks amazing. I just can't believe it. I should call mom & thank her immediately."
Angela's mom was waiting for her video call. When Angela calls her, she picks up the call quickly.
"Hi honey. I was waiting for you. Tell me, do you like that..."
" Yes mom, yes! I just love the house. Everything is arranged here. The furniture, the appliances, everything."
"Yeah my child. I made all the arrangements for you, so you don't have to worry about anything. Just focus on your carer. You have to be a successful doctor."
" Thank you mom. You have done so much for me. Now it's my turn. I love you mom."
" I love you too, honey. Now just fresh up & have a deep sleep. Call me in the morning if you have time. Good night."
"Okay mom, I will. Good night"
It was almost 9 o'clock. Angela was watching TV. Then she remembered that she had to order something for dinner.
"What should I order for dinner? Today I already ate too much. If I don't control my eating, I will get fat. So, it's better to order a salad for now & a sandwich for breakfast."
Angela ordered her food. 15 minutes later, a delivery man came & delivered her food. Angela finished her dinner & went upstairs, into her room. Her bedroom was bright pink with white curtains hanging from the window. Her bed was covered by a pink sheet and pillows. A small lamp was on top of her desk in the corner of the room. Angela was so exhausted all day, so she took a shower. Then she took her medicine & went to bed.
"Oh no! It's 11 o'clock at night. I have to sleep as soon as possible."Angela set the alarm for 6 am. She was really tired, so she fell asleep very quickly.
It was midnight. Angela is in a deep sleep. She was having a dream:
Angela was going to the hospital. There was an old road & a broken building. The building was attracting Angela very much. She said "Driver, please stop the car." The driver told Angela that this place was not safe, but Angela didn't listen. She went inside the house. Then Angela woke up.
"What a strange dream! Why did I see that? Maybe because of..."
Angela didn't understand why she saw something like that in her dream. She thought that it was a normal dream like every day. Then she drank a glass of water & fell asleep again.