The Winter Clock

CHAPTER 18 – SLEEPING PARALYSIS

“The superior mesenteric artery is severed,” Ryther said and gulped. “How many minutes left?” He asked Reina and Reina looked at her forehead.

“Thirty minutes.”

Ryther hissed. Are thirty minutes enough? He shook his head. It must be more than enough.

The intern and the nurses who were assisting Ryther exchanged glances, asking themselves what does the two meant about thirty minutes. “Dr. Ral, close these parts,” Ryther said and Ral nodded but then she stopped.

“Doctor, I cannot close this one.”

Ryther looked at where she pointed and hissed. “So this is why her abdomen became swollen. What an unfortunate accident you encountered.” Ryther shook his head. “Let’s stop the bleeding first.”

Suddenly, the Holter Monitor released an eerie sound. “Her vitals are dropping,” Reina announced and injected something on the hose. She then stopped upon seeing the woman’s forehead. “T-Thorn, her time dropped to five minutes.”

Ryther’s eyes widened. “How did that happen?!”

The nurses and intern removed everything and Ryther aimed to conduct the CPR but stopped upon seeing the patient’s open abdomen. His eyes widened. “Why is it bleeding too much?!” He exclaimed and looked at the wall clock.

“Thorn, four minutes!” Reina announced and injected something again.

“S-Sorry, Doctor. I pierced the-“

“Defibrillator” Ral hurriedly prepared the defibrillator and poured gel into it. “150 joules, clear!”

The woman’s body leaped from the table but her vitals were dropping. “200 joules, clear!” Still, no response. “For Pete’s sake, come back!” Ryther pumped the woman’s chest up and down but still, no response.

“D-Doctor, the bleeding worsens!” The nurse announced and Ral felt her hand tremble.

“250 joules, clear!” Despite her trembling hands, Ral shocked the woman.

“She’s back!” Reina announced then looked at the woman’s forehead. “One minute, Thorn.”

Ryther quickly jumped down the table. “Suction!” The blood was sucked and in just a few seconds, the blood was removed. Ryther’s hand quickly moved and repaired what Ral damaged. “Don’t die!” Ryther exclaimed and quickly closed the deep wound. Reina’s heartbeat followed the rhythm of the clock ticking. Reina bit her lower lip and injected something when the Holter Monitor sounded monotonous again.

Ryther jumped on top of the woman again and pushed her chest up and down. Reina’s eyes never blinked as she focused on the woman’s forehead. Will they succeed?

4, 3, 2

“She’s back!”

Reina flinched with Ral’s announcement. She quickly checked the vitals. It’s really back to normal. She felt her eyes moist as she looked at the woman’s forehead. The numbers were gone. Reina felt her knees tremble so she sat on her chair.

“Let’s wrap it up. Good job everyone,” Ryther said but his eyes focused on Reina who looked up the ceiling for her tears not to fall.

***

As soon as Reina reached her room in the hospital, she slammed herself and tightly closed her eyes.

“How did that happen?” She asked herself. “Why didn’t she die?”

She felt her eyes become heavy and after a few deep breaths, her vision turned dark. It was a long night. Reina opened her eyes upon remembering to check the other patients but as soon as she decided to stand up, her body won’t move. She tried to open her mouth but it won’t move as well. Her eyes widened.

“What’s happening?” She asked herself. She tried to roll down the bed but she can't even lift up her finger. Suddenly, she felt something move on her back. Her hair stood and she felt her body tremble. It was cold.

“Reina” The voice whispered and she felt the person’s finger slowly brush her nape. She shivered. It was really cold. “Reina.” The voice called again.

Reina tightly closed her eyes upon feeling something getting close to her face. “L-Lord!”

“Dr. Rein!”

Reina flinched and she felt her heart pound loudly. Her body was now covered with cold sweats as she breathe rapidly.

“What’s wrong, Doctor?” Ral asked worriedly and handed Reina a handkerchief.

“S-Sleeping paralysis,” Reina answered and wiped her sweats. She then reached for her bottled water.

“Are you okay? You look so pale.” Ral asked again and Reina nodded reluctantly. “Dr. Ryther called you multiple times yet you did not answer. So, he asked me to check you.”

Reina checked her phone and sighed deeply. 58 calls from Ryther.

“I see. Sorry to worry you. I’ll go check the patients now.” Reina said and massaged her stiff neck. Reina was about to leave but then she saw Ral’s face. “Hey, it’s okay. What happened awhile ago was not your fault.” Reina said and Ral’s eyes widened.

“H-How did you know I was worried?”

Reina chuckled. “It’s written all over your face. You’re like someone I knew.” Reina said and Ral stopped.

“Is it Ms. Natalie?” She asked carefully and Reina nodded with a faint smile. “It’s late, but I’m sorry for your loss.”

Reina nodded. “Our job is to save lives. But not all the time, we succeed. So, learn to make that failure as the stepping stone to reach success.” Reina patted Ral’s shoulder and quickly left the room.

"Where have you been?" Ryther fumed as soon as Reina reached the corridor. “Patient four is awake now and she wanted to see you.”

Reina’s head tilted. “Patient four? The woman with the pierced tube?” Ryther nodded and walked, leading the way to Patient’s four room. He tapped his I.D before the door opened, revealing a frail woman with an oxygen hose on her nose.

“Good evening ma’am, have you eaten?” Reina greeted and gave her a small bow before walking towards her. The woman smiled.

“I did. Thank you so much for saving me, Doctor.” The woman said and held Reina’s hand. “I hope I can repay you soon.”

“No, ma’am. My co-doctor did the job. I only assisted him.” Reina replied politely and the woman squeezed her hand.

“Please express my gratitude to your team. I heard that eight of us were brought here and I’m sorry if I disturbed your rest, but I really wanted to thank you in person.”

Reina and Ryther smiled at her. “If you are really grateful, then be healthy,” Ryther said and winked at her. The woman chuckled.

“I will, Doctor.” She said. “I am a teacher. I don’t know how I can repay you but if you need something, feel free to tap me.” She handed Reina a small card. “Contact me with that.”

“T-thank you so much, ma’am”

~ Not all the time we succeed. So, learn to make that failure a stepping stone to reach success. ~