The Winter Clock

CHAPTER 16 – TIRED

“Now tell me everything.” Mr. A said as soon as the three of them reached his office. Reina was still lost in her thought. How did it happen? How did they manage to stop the death time of two people? Ryther was also lost in his thoughts. How come he saw what will happen though he is completely awake? That never happened before.

“Hey!”

The two flinched when Mr. A slammed his hand on his desk. “Do I have your attention now?” He asked with a low voice and the two nodded reluctantly. They then sighed deeply and sat on the couch. “Tell me everything.”

Ryther looked at Reina and she got the message. She spoke first.

“I heard the faded sound of the ticking of the clock when the eight patients were brought in. I checked their foreheads yet none of them have numbers. But it became louder when the old lady burst inside. I saw her forehead and it was more than fifteen minutes left.” She started and Mr. A nodded his head in response. “But then, Vander managed to save her. Afterward, I heard another faded sound of the clock, and the man entered. But I did not see any numbers on his head. Instead, the numbers were present on your finger, Mr. A”

Mr. A remained calm as Reina explained seriously. Little did the two know how his heart beats so fast. Reina then looked at Ryther and he started to speak.

“I felt Silver’s cold finger touch me and the moment I did, flashes of images flashed in my mind. That’s how we managed to save you, Mr. A.” Ryther explained and Mr. A’s head tilted.

“Since when can you see what will happen though you are not asleep?” He asked curiously.

“Since Reina was being followed in our hometown in the countryside.” Ryther answered and Mr. A. nodded.

“I see. So everything is new, huh?” He said in a low voice. “As much as I wanted to uncover the mysteries, I cannot. But I am happy for the two of you.” He added with a cheerful tone.

“Happy?” They both asked in chorus and Mr. A nodded his head playfully.

“I’m happy for you, Silver Rose because since you can see death time, you can save many lives. I’m happy for you, Thorn because just like her, you have a higher chance to save lives. That’s what you are working for as Doctors, right?” He explained with a huge grin plastered on his lips.

“You have a point,” Reina said between her yawn and she rubbed her eyes.

“Let’s solve this tomorrow so go to bed now, you two. It was a long day and I know you’re tired.”

Reina nodded her head obediently and yawn again. They quickly went to their locker room to take their things and Reina felt her eyelids starting to be heavy. She walked out of the woman’s locker room and her car keys slipped out of her hands. She rubbed it and was about to kneel to get the keys but stopped when her chin bumped into a stone.

“Ow!” Ryther exclaimed. No, it was not a stone. It was Ryther’s head.

“S-Sorry.” Reina said and massaged her chin. Ryther rubbed his head as well.

“I’ll take you home. You cannot drive in that state.” He said and slipped Reina’s keys inside her bag. Reina shook her head.

“It’s okay, I can drive.”

“No.” Ryther said firmly and took Reina’s bag from her shoulder. “I’ll drive.” He added.

Nope, Reina indeed bumped into a stone head. Reina rolled her eyes.

“Whatever. I’ll still drive.” She said with a hoarse voice and she cleared her throat.

“You really are out of your mind when you’re sleepy.” Ryther shook his head. “I took your bag and your keys are in here so you can’t drive.” He said and started to walk away. “You’re too slow.” He added and Reina rolled her eyes before following him. She is too tired to argue.

As soon as Reina sat on the passenger seat, her sleepiness took over her without even securing her seatbelt. Ryther swiped their I.D’s to inform the hospital system that they left before he walked to his car. As soon as he entered his car, Reina’s soft snores filled his ears. He looked at her, amazed.

“How can you manage to sleep so fast?” He asked and secured her seatbelt. “Don’t drool, okay?” He said jokingly but Reina did not respond. She was totally knocked down. Ryther hissed and secured his seatbelt before driving away. It was not a long journey since it was two in the morning and the traffic was not intense. Ryther decided to go to their Head Quarters since Reina was already asleep and it will be a burden to press her finger for her fingerprint just to open her penthouse.

“You’re not light, okay?” Ryther murmured before locking his left hand behind Reina’s legs and his right hand-assisted her back, carrying her like a bride. Ryther walked through his room since Reina’s room needs her iris for iris recognition. And as soon as his door closed, he gently lay Reina on his bed. “You sleep like oil.” He grumbled and covered her with his blanket.

He was about to walk through his closet when Reina’s weak hands grabbed his hand. He stopped and waited for several moments. Unfortunately, no images flashed before his eyes. Ryther held Reina’s hands tightly but still, nothing happened.

“Is it a coincidence?” He asked himself, fully aware that he does not know the answer.

The room was dark and cold. Reina tried to move but something was holding her back. Ropes. She scanned her whole body. She was naked and the only thing that covered her parts that needs to be covered was a thick rope, tied around her body. She shakes her body wildly and tried to release herself from the rope but it was no use.

“Help!” She shouted but flinched when cold hands covered her mouth. Her eyes widened and her eyeballs trembled. She felt the hairs of her body stand when an eerie laugh echoed through her ears.

“L-Let me go!” She shouted but the cold hand slid from her mouth down her chin and neck, rubbing it gently. Reina felt her eyes moist. “W-Who are you?!” She shouted and heard the eerie laugh again.

“Shhh” The voice said.

“Stop!”

“Silver!”

Reina’s eyes almost popped out of her eyes and she felt her head spins after she sat up from the bed. “Argh.” She groaned and pulled her hair.

“What’s wrong?” Ryther asked worriedly and wiped Reina’s sweats from her forehead. Reina shook her head.

“Bad dreams.” She whispered and lay on the bed again. Her headache started to fade away. “It was horrible.” She added and her eyes scanned the whole place. “I’m not in my room.” She said with a frown.

“You’re such a pain when you’re tired, do you know that?” Ryther asked and ruffled his hair. “I need to stay awake all night and grab you because of your bad habit of rolling out of the bed.” He seethed and Reina felt embarrassed.

“Psh. As if you were sleeping.” She murmured and fixed her pillow but stopped when her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“D-Doctor! I need the help of the two of you!”

~ Be thankful for every ability you have. ~