The Winter Clock

CHAPERT 33 – LET ME SLEEP!

The new morning finally started, and Reina barely fell asleep. She tried, but every time her clock ticked, her eyes opened unconsciously, and her heart started to beat faster unless she confirmed that it was the clock on her table, not the death clock of other people. That’s not the only thing that bothered her. As soon as she closed her eyes, she couldn’t see the phosphene. What she can see are Ryther and Vander’s faces popping out.

“Arrghh!”

Reina rolled for the nth time and kicked her duvet, exposing her long, porcelain legs. She hugged her soft, huge pillow tightly and closed her eyes, thinking of other things only for her not to see Ryther and Vander’s faces.

She imagined going to the countryside. Reina looked around the hills covered with meadow. The fresh air and cold breeze, the wildflower petals flying along with the wind. The place was peaceful, with only the soft waves and singing birds being heard. Slowly, Reina fell asleep… That’s what she thought.

Tit! Tit! Tit!

Reina’s eyes wide opened as her phone’s loud alarm covered her entire room. Since her phone was beside her, her soul almost flew out the window. “Good heavens!” Reina shouted and slid her finger to her phone screen, turning the alarm off. “What a great way to start my day.” She whispered and ruffled her blonde hair.

Ryther parked his car to his usual spot and saw Reina’s car neatly parked beside his car. He thought she would take a day off because of what happened last night. Ryther took a deep breath and exhaled deeply. “Let’s start this day right.” He encouraged himself and shook his body before walking inside the lift.

“Good morning, Doctor. This way, please.” One of the staff said and led him to the conference hall. As soon as he stepped inside the lift, he saw Reina walking while the head nurse discussed something with her. Her eyes were deep, and she looked so tired she did not even do her makeup properly. He flinched when Reina’s sharp eye met his, but Reina quickly averted her gaze and walked away with the nurse.

“Didn’t you sleep last night?” Ryther whispered, and the staff looked at him.

“Pardon, Doctor?” He asked and pointed his index finger to himself. Seeing his reaction, Ryther waved his hand and shook his head.

“No, no, sorry. I’m talking to myself.” He reasoned out and smiled awkwardly. Finally, the lift opened, leading them to the conference hall. Vander was outside the double door, waiting for the cue to enter. He shakes his trembling hands and looks at the lift, only to meet Ryther’s empty gaze.

“Good morning.” Vander greeted coldly, and Ryther only nodded his head, still in a bad mood after what happened last night. Vander cleared his throat and fixed his necktie. As soon as the double door opened, endless flashes of cameras greeted them. Vander and Ryther never tried to hide their frown as they walked through the platform with composure. Mr. A was there, waiting for them. Then, the unfamiliar war began.

***

After visiting all the patients, Reina tiredly put her things down on the table and slummed herself on the settee. She was too tired to even lift a finger to make her coffee. She looked at her phone that vibrated and saw Mr. A’s name on the screen.

“Hmm?” She answered lazily.

“You really won’t come? There’s still time.” Mr. A said in a low voice. “What on earth really happened? I can feel the two’s cold war here. I’m shivering.” He added and looked around to check if the two heard him. Fortunately, they were busy listening to the reporter’s questions and silently formulating answers.

“Nah. I’ll sleep now. Bye.”

Reina did not wait for Mr. A to answer, and she quickly hung the phone and threw it to the table. Her eyelids were so heavy, and her mind was now flying in the clouds. As soon as she closed her eyes, her dreams began. It was not long sleep, though.

“Doctor! Something happened!”

Reina’s soul almost flew away when Ral banged the door open and shouted without even knowing where Reina was.

“Arrgh! Let me sleep for everyone’s sake!” Reina shouted angrily and stood up, making her head spin.

“S-Sorry, Doctor, but an accident happened, and we need you in the E.R. now,” Ral reported, panicking, and checked her phone. “Dr. Harthorne and Dr. Winston are on their way there.” Reina’s sleepiness quickly left her by hearing her additional information and dashed out of the break room.

“Status?”

“The motorcycle driver that hit the truck was now unconscious but still breathing. He gained multiple fractures, including his neck. The truck driver only was also unconscious. We were now waiting for the result of his X-Ray and C.T. Scan, Doctor.” Ral reported while running with Reina through the Emergency Room. Reina bit her lower lips. One is physically critical, and the other might have received hemorrhage or brain damage.

“Two more innocent victims were caught in the accident, Doctor. There gained milder injuries than the two, making our patients four in total.”

Reina nodded her head and fished for her hair tie, tying it to a high bun. She quickly checked the motorcycle driver. He looked devastating. With the first look, you can be able to conclude he will not reach tomorrow. But Reina sighed in relief. There was no time of death yet. She then checked the truck driver and the two other victims. All of them have no death time yet. She couldn’t even hear any ticking of the clock.

“What’s the status?” Vander and Ryther asked in chorus as soon as they entered the Emergency Room. Paramedics and nurses were running here and there like flashes of flashes of lightning. Ral explained everything swiftly, and the two removed their coats.

“How’s everything?” Ryther asked Reina whose intubating the motorcycle driver.

“No one will die. Take your own patient, and I’ll prepare the O.R.” Reina said calmly and stood up after successfully intubating the first patients.

“You’ll assist me?” Ryther asked breezily.

“No. I’ll assist Dr. Roffer. Dr. James will be your Anesthesiologist.” Ryther frowned with her answer but did not argue anymore.

“How about me?” Vander bumped in.

“Dr. Jack. He’s waiting in the O.R. 4 now. Dr. James is waiting in O.R. 2.” Reina removed her gloves and walked towards Dr. Roffer. “I’ll prepare everything in O.R. 3.” She said and walked away. Roffer blinked a couple of times, unable to believe Reina’s words. It was his first time tagging with Reina since her teams were Ryther and Vander.

~ Start your day right, and you will end up right. ~