The Winter Clock

CHAPERT 34 – BE WATCHFUL

“W-Wait! Dr. Rein!” Vander ran to follow Reina on her way to the Operating Room and grabbed her hand. Reina quickly pulled it away. “Look, I’m sorry for what happen-“

“We’re dealing with critical patients here, Dr. Vander. Please refrain from talking about personal matters. This is not the right time.” Reina aimed to turn around, but Vander did not let her escape.

“I am the team leader here, Dr. Rein.” Vander said firmly, making Reina’s eyebrow raised.

“I respect your opinion as the team leader. But what’s the use if the patients are at risk?” Reina seethed and walked swiftly to prepare O.R. 3, leaving Vander behind.

“Doctor! The X-Ray and CT scan results are out. The truck driver was experiencing Intracerebral Hemorrhage.” Coleg hurriedly reported, catching his own breath. Vander hissed angrily and ran back to the Emergency Room.

Ryther and Vander’s eyes met each other, but they quickly averted their gaze.

“Vitals?” Ryther asked as he intubated his patient.

“80 and 40. Heart rate is 60.” Ral answered swiftly, and Ryther nodded.

“You’ll conduct the surgery, and I’ll assist you.” Ral stopped for a moment with Ryther’s words. Until now, she is not yet confident with her abilities as a General Surgeon. “It’s okay, you can do it. Let’s move now.”

Ral took a deep breath before responding. “Yes, Doctor.” With that, they moved the patient to O.R. 2.

Reina checked their patient’s forehead for the last time before cueing Roffer to start.

“Complex fractures and broken leg and arm. Dr. Rein, are you sure he will not die? This is more than critical.” Roffer sighed deeply as his voice faltered at the end of his sentence. He looked at Reina full of hesitation. “He was barely breathing. Without the intubation, he will probably die-“

“Dr. Roffer,” Reina called in a calm yet cold tone, making Roffer flinch. He felt his finger tremble a little. “Aren’t you a Doctor?” She asked firmly. “Will you surrender your patient just like that?”

Roffer gulped, and the nurses exchanged glances, fully aware of the rising tension.

“You’ll operate now, so don’t jinx anything. You got it?” Roffer felt as if Reina was superior to him despite her younger age, making his ear burn in embarrassment.

“S-Sorry, Dr. Rein.” He whispered and looked at his pitiful patient. As a surgeon, it is his job to take his patient out of suffering. He took a deep breath and exhaled deeply. “Scalpel.” The nurse handed him the scalpel, and his fingers stopped trembling. Reina smiled.

“Let’s do this.”

***

Reina yawned several times as she walked through her car. After hours she couldn’t even count appropriately due to exhaustion; the surgery finally ended successfully. She yawned again before opening the door of her car but stopped when her eyes caught something. A paper was clipped on her wiper. Reina slowly walked towards it and picked the paper.

BE WATCHFUL!

Reina quickly scanned the whole parking lot and felt her hair stands without even knowing the exact reason why. Only registered Doctors and nurses are allowed to enter here. Who on earth will warn her like this? Such an ancient way. Reina walked around the huge parking lot. Suddenly, she felt it again. The feeling was as if someone was watching her from afar.

Reina stopped and looked behind her. Someone was there, hiding behind the pillar. Her fingers slowly rummage inside her bag without taking her eyes away from the post. Who is that person? When she managed to touch her gun, the lights were turned off, making her more alert.

The place was dark, and her heart pounded heavily. Reina quickly took her gun and positioned herself. When her eyes fully adjusted to the darkness, the emergency lights were turned on, making the whole parking lot dim. Reina flinched when the person moved. She changed her position and followed the running man.

“Scumbag!”

Reina clicked the trigger but hissed when the man dived on the floor, and the bullet hit the wall, bouncing elsewhere. She clicked the trigger again multiple times, making the alarm sound. “Arrgh!” Reina shouted frustratedly, then clicked and clicked the trigger of her gun. Good thing the parking space was huge, and most of the car spots were empty.

“Silver!”

Reina flinched when a pair of hands held her shoulders. She quickly shifted her position and pointed her gun to Ryther, who promptly threw his hand on the air.

“Hey, hey! It’s me!” He said panicky and raised his hand higher. His eyes then transferred to the metal door that banged close. Hearing it, Reina hissed and stomped her feet angrily, then the lights came back.

“Great. Thanks a lot, electricity,” Reina murmured sarcastically and rolled her eyes. “What are you doing here?” She asked and hid her gun inside her bag. Ryther observed her every move.

“I was about to go home, but when I stepped out of the lift, the lights were off, and after a while, I heard multiple gunshots.” He explained briefly. “Who’s your enemy?”

Reina shrugged her shoulders amiably and shook her head. “I’m not sure. Probably Carter or some people who hold grudges against me.” Reina fished for her hair tie and gently tied her long, blonde hair, exposing her long neck. “Good job for today.” She said sheepishly and walked towards her car. She expected Ryther to grab her hand like Vander did, but instead of grabbing her hand, Ryther walked to follow her.

Reina did not mind him and continued to walk until she reached her car but was taken aback when Ryther opened the passenger seat and slipped himself inside, then waited for Reina to enter, making her blood start to boil.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Reina asked in a low voice.

“Waiting for you? Come in now and drive.” Ryther said and started to laugh.

“And who gave you permission-“

“You said it yourself. You don’t know who that man is, so I will not allow you to travel alone from now on until we capture Carter. Only then will I feel at peace.” He explained breezily and clicked one button, making his seat’s backrest turn into a small bed. Reina grinned her teeth but did not argue anymore. She knew she wouldn’t win.

~ Don’t give up on helping people despite their critical situation. You may not know that probably, God assigned you to help that person.”