The Winter Clock

CHAPTER 26 – LAST WISH

“P-Put me down,” Reina said faintly, but Mr. A shook his head. “No, I won’t run away, I promise. So, please.” Reina started to panic. Her head tilted where the sound’s source was. It was very near and the ticking of the clock sounded unusual.

“I said no-“

“Put me down! Someone might die tonight!”

Vander stopped and his eyes fixed on Reina. He frowned not because he cannot see Reina’s face, but because of her words. “Someone might die?” He asked himself.

Mr. A and Ryther glanced at each other. Both are hesitating to put her down. But seeing Reina’s eyes traveling everywhere, and her uneasy breathing, they slowly put her down. Reina quickly walked, following the sound. The two silently followed her. Vander, on the other hand, curiously followed the three.

Reina felt her palm sweat as she listened to the sound. She checked the first room and saw the patient sleeping. It’s not him. Reina quickly went out and went to the second room.

“Hey, Dr. Ryther, what’s with her?” Ryther flinched when Vander whispered in his ears.

“You’re still here, Doctor?” Ryther whispered back.

“Shhh.” Mr. A put his index finger on his lips, shushing the two. “Dr. Reina felt something bad so she wanted to check the patients” He answered Vander’s question. Vander nodded but deep inside him, he knew something was up.

Reina came out of the second to the last room. She enter and leave without saying anything, so the patients were either shocked or anxious with what she did, making the three talk to them and reason out. Reaching the last door, Reina felt her hand tremble and the sound was so loud, she knew it was the room. She took a deep breath before tapping her ID and opening the door.

As soon as she entered the room, the frail-body young girl with a storybook in her hand greeted her. She looked at Reina with a smile plastered on her face.

“Good evening, Doctor. How may I help you?” The girl said, unable to properly pronounce the words. Reina covered her mouth as she swallowed the lump on her throat. Reina forced herself to smile as she walked towards the girl. She checked her forehead, and her heart sank. 3:15:07 hours left.

“I-I’m here to check you, my dear. Are you hurt? Do you feel anything bad? Please say it to me now.” Reina said with a soft tone. Her voice sounded husky as she tried to swallow her tears. The girl slowly shook her head and put her storybook aside.

“I feel better, Doctor.” She said and held Reina’s cheeks. Reina flinched because despite the warm room, the young girl’s fingers were cold. “But you know what Doctor? I feel so better I’m a little scared.”

“Why?” Reina managed to ask and held the girl’s cold hands.

“I can feel that my time is coming.” Reina’s eyes widened upon hearing the little girl’s words. She felt her hand tremble again as a tear escaped her eyes. Reina shook her head.

“W-Why? How can you say that?”

The little girl smiled sadly. “I don’t know, it’s just… I can feel it.” She whispered. “Isn’t it like that, Doctor?”

“Hmm?”

“I often see people live this world. My grandmother said she can feel that her time is running out, then after a day, she left me alone.” A tear escaped the little girl’s eyes, but her eyes transferred to the door that opened.

Mr. A, Ryther, and Vander finally managed to enter the room after talking with the patients Reina disturbed. They stopped upon seeing Reina and the little girl tearing up.

“A-Are we disturbing something?” Vander asked, but the girl shook her head.

“You’re all Doctors, am I right?” She asked cheerfully and the three nodded their heads in unison.

“What’s your name?” Ryther asked and walked towards the two. He saw Reina secretly wipe her tears and smile.

“Please call me ‘Jenny.’”

“Jenny? You’re name’s as cute as you.” Ryther flashed his sweet smile and sat beside Jenny. “Are you hurt or something?” Jenny shook her head.

“I’m okay, Doctor.” She smiled. “Can I ask you my last wish?”

Ryther’s eyes widened with her words and he threw Reina a look. Reina’s tear escaped again, but she wiped it and swallowed her saliva. “What do you mean ‘last’?” Ryther asked curiously.

“Doctor, the four of you are Doctors, right? And you can say if your patient is leaving this world.”

“N-No. It’s not us who decide.” Vander bumped in. “It depends if the patient will fight or not. Or if God says 'it’s time.'”

“I see. I want to go back to God now.” She said and took the storybook beside her.

“What’s your last wish?” Reina asked with a squeaky voice, unable to completely swallow the lump on her throat. Jenny handed Reina the storybook.

“Mt family left me early because of the accident.” She started. “So I’m alone now and no one will read me bedtime stories. So… can you please read it for me until I fall asleep?”

Reina bit her lower lip and nodded her head. “Please, if ever I fell asleep tonight, don’t wake me up.” Jenny added and lay comfortably on her bed. Reina blinked a couple of times to clear her eyesight before looking at the storybook.

“D-Do you want anything to eat?” Mr. A asked between his sobs.

“Don’t cry, Doctor. You look ugly.” Jenny chuckled and gave Mr. A a peace sign with her fingers. Mr. A nodded and wiped his tears like a kid. “I don’t have money for it, so I’m good.” Jenny puffed her cheeks.

“No, I’ll pay for it. It’s my simple gift for a cute girl like you.” Mr. A said with a hoarse voice, and Jenny’s face brightened.

“Really?!” She exclaimed and Mr. A nodded. “Milk and chocolate chip cookies, please!” She shouted happily. Ryther and Reina exchanged glances as both felt their hearts sting.

“Okay then. I’ll buy a lot of cookies and milk for you so just hang on and wait for us.” Jenny nodded her head full of excitement. Mr. A grabbed Vander and pulled him out of the room, leaving the three.

“Doctor, what are your names?”

“I’m Reina, he’s Ryther, the man who asked what food you want to eat was Doctor Arden and the one with glasses is Vander.” Reina answered swiftly and they talked randomly. Mr. A and Vander did not take a long time before coming back with a bunch of different flavored cookies and milk. Jenny’s eyes widened and her mouth started to water.

“Eat as much as you want, young one. These are all for you.” Mr. A said and put the bed table on top of Jenny then displayed everything they bought.

“Thank you so, so much, Doctor!” If only everything was cartoonize, Jenny’s eyes were heart. She prayed then started to dig in. “Please eat with me.” She said and put a cookie on Reina and Ryther’s mouth. Reina chummed the cookie and opened the storybook.

“Storytime!” Jenny shouted playfully.

“Once upon a time, there was a man who pitied humanity…”

Jenny silently listened as she enjoyed the cookie and milk in front of her. Mr. A’s tears slowly betrayed him again but managed to wipe it away. Vander, despite his confusion, felt pity for Jenny.

“So, He chose to sacrifice Himself to save His people…”

As Reina continued, Jenny felt her eyes becoming heavy. As soon as she finished her snacks, Vander removed the table and Ryther fixed Jenny’s blanket.

“He died, but after three days, He rose again.” Reina finished the story and Jenny slowly felt her breath leaving her.

“I believe that as I open my eyes, I will rise again. Thank you for spending time with me, Dr. Reina, and Dr. Ryther. I feel as if my mom and dad are with me.” Jenny giggled. Reina smiled and looked at her forehead. A few minutes more.

“It’s our pleasure.” She whispered and kissed Jenny’s forehead.

“Thank you as well, Dr.r Arden and Dr. Vander. I feel like my grandpa and uncle are with me as well.” The two smiled and Mr. A elbowed Vander.

“I’m the uncle.” He whispered, but Vander shook his head.

“Sorry, Doctor. But you’re the grandpa.”

“I’m very happy. Goodnight, everyone…” Jenny’s voice started to falter and a tear escaped her eyes as she closed them. “Thank… you”

Reina’s tears slowly rolled down her cheeks as she stroked Jenny’s hair. The laughter and soft noise that filled the whole room cannot be heard anymore. A soft sob escaped Reina’s mouth as the four heard the silence. Jenny stopped breathing.

~ Our days are numbered and not everyone has the same digits to enjoy. Therefore, stop living in darkness as if you’ll stay here for a thousand years. Live without regrets. ~