THE K1LLER'S KNIFE
The K1ller's Knife - Episode 5
Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw was the white ceiling, and the strong smell of drugs filled my nose.
My eyes scanned round my present environment and although I haven't been to a hospital before now, with the patients laying at different corners of the room and the equipments I saw everywhere, I could tell it was a hospital
How did I even get here? I asked myself trying to regain my memories of what transpired before I lost consciousness.
I remember trying to rush Erica to the hospital. I also remember how I stepped on a slippery path and lost my balance with Erica on my back.
But I was still very much conscious, I recall how I got back on my feet again and immediately tried to get Erica on my back again.
So what exactly happened to get me here? I was still confused and unable to remember anything else
I heard footsteps approaching the door to my room and the moment I heard my mother's voice, I shut my eyes closed and pretended to be deeply asleep.
I wouldn't want my mother or whoever she's conversing with to know that I am now awake and conscious, else they are likely to end their discussion
" How are my children doing..? are they fine now...? Where is my daughter...?" I heard mother asking pleadingly and with the tone of her voice, I could tell that she will soon break down in tears. I know her too well. She's so sensitive.
I stylishly opened one of my eyes to check out who she is talking to. I saw a man wearing a white overall, dark in complexion, and slightly taller than mother who is average in height.
There's a name my teacher in school taught us that there are called.
Uhmm...I think she called them nurses.
No I don't think so. She said nurses are the female ones.
Could it be the ones she said they are medical scientists..? I asked myself inaudibly whilst still battling with my thoughts and the memories.
No it's still not it. My teacher said medical scientists are meant for the laboratories. I rebuked myself
I sighed as I slowly gave up and just at that exact moment, the memory clicked.
Yes! Yes! I remember now. She called those who wear white overalls to treat sick patients medical doctors.
I wondered why I'm so forgetful or could it be because I'm trying to regain myself.
What mother said next, further affirmed that I'm right.
He is indeed the medical doctor who is in charge of treating Erica and I.
" Doctor why aren't you saying anything to me..? How is my daughter and my son...? what's their condition like...? Please talk to me doctor... anyhow it is, believe me I will shallow it.." I heard mother say to the doctor as she sniffed.
I know mother is hurting deep down and that she is probably blaming herself for what happened to me and Erica.
And from her puffy eyes, I could tell that she's been crying a lot but yet she's still trying to be strong for us; her children.
" Your son is perfectly okay ma'am. Thankfully the fall wasn't too fatal and he didn't hit his head on any dangerous object...or else it would have been a different story..." The doctor said as he stopped at the center of the room
From his facial expression and body language,
I think he is contemplating if he should first check up on me or he should check up on the other patients before me
"...the nurse gave him the necessary medications and I'm certain he'll regain consciousness anytime soon. So please keep calm ma'am!" The doctor said reassuringly but mother wasn't having it
" What about my daughter...? Why am I not allowed to see her yet...? You said that after the deposit payment for the surgery that needs to be performed on her...that I will be allowed to see her..so why are you stopping me now...?!"
The doctor looked at mother for a second, and then he heaved heavily. It was as though what he is about to say is going to be heavy for mother to hear
On the other hand, just like mother and I were also very eager to know how Erica was doing. Is she okay now? Will we be able to go home together? Will I be able to see her beautiful smiles again?
So many puzzling thoughts and questions were on my mind but there were no answers.
I almost blew my cover when I could no longer cope with the doctor's silence. I wanted to open my eyes, get up, and openly implore him to spill the beans already instead of all this back and forth
Thank God I didn't, else I would never have found out about my sister's true condition. I know how protective mothers can naturally be, and I'm very sure mother would have hidden all of the news from me in other to protect my mental health and well-being
The man whose name I later got to know as doctor Stanley heaved heavily for the second time, before he finally gave his response.
" I won't lie to you ma'am. Your daughter's condition is critical. I'm scared we might lose her because of her young age and how late it was before she was brought in here for treatment"
" Doctor what do you mean we might lose her...? I thought you said the surgery was a success...? So what are you now saying to me...?" Mother queried feeling deeply worried. I am feeling worried for Erica as well
" The surgery was a success ma'am but there's no guarantee for life and sound health. The hit on her head were too much for a child of her age..." The doctor said and paused to take a deep breath
"...as doctors, we've done our own part... now it is left for God to do his. So please, excuse me ma'am!" The doctor said in conclusion as he walked away from mother, to one of the beds in the room.
I was devastated when I heard the news. Tears involuntarily rolled down my eyes as I tried to come to terms with the fact that it is more or less a 50 50 percent of seeing Erica alive again.
Then I heard mother's stifled cries. I opened my eyes to see that she was now sitting on the floor crying her eyes out.
Mother needed me at this point in time and I know that I have to be strong for her. She has suffered enough already.
I thought inwardly as I wiped my tears, came down from the bed and walked over to where she was sitting in the middle of the room crying in torments
I knelt behind her and I wrapped my hands around her as I placed my head on her shoulder, hoping that this act of mine would provide her a little comfort.
With her teary eyes she looked at me and tried to clean her tears, to act like everything was alright.
" Jacob you're awake. Ah! Thank goodness. What exactly happened to you..?"
" I've tried but I can't really remember mother..I don't know"
" Anyways it doesn't matter anymore..at least you are awake now. Jacob I was very very worried about you that I had to shed tears. I thought I had lost you but now I'm seeing you....I feel much more relieved that you're fine and well!" Mother said in an attempt to cover up
" It's okay mother. Honestly you do not have to lie or pretend in front of me. I heard everything the doctor said about Erica's condition. I want you to know that I am here for you mother...so you are never alone in this..." I said gently and meant every single word I uttered.
Mother nodded in understanding and she bursted into tears again while using her hands to stifle the sound, so as not to disturb the patients in the room.
Just then, a nurse barged into the ward calling out to the doctor with a vivid tone of urgency and desperation
" Doctor Stanley please we need you in ward 032 right now... it's a matter of urgency please.."
" Nurse Cindy it's not too long I left that room. What's happening there...?" Doctor Stanley asked calmly, as he lifted up his head to look at the nurse's face
" Doctor the youngest patient over there is convulsing...she's bleeding from her head..I think it's blood clotting...by the time I left she was none responsive to any of my touches. I don't know if she's déâd doctor...we need to hurry!" Nurse Cindy explained to the doctor all at once
Doctor Stanley nodded in trepidation and together with the nurse, he ran out of the room in quite a hurry.
So sad! I thought in my mind.
I shrugged my shoulders as I prayed in my heart for whoever the patient was, not until mother jerked suddenly.
She stood up abruptly and before I could comprehend why she was this way. Mother started shaking in fear
" Ward..032...? Did I hear her properly...? Is that what the nurse mentioned...?" Mother asked stammering and still acting like she had just seen a ghost
" Yes mother. The nurse said the youngest patient in that ward is convulsing. Why..? What happened..?" I asked nonchalantly, and then it stuck!
Wait! I hope it is not what I'm thinking it is...? I thought within me as I kept my eyes fixated on mother.
Mother further confirmed my thoughts and fears when she kept muttering my sister's name as she ran out of the room
" No..no..no..it can't be... Erica... Erica..."
Without wasting time, I straightened up from my kneeling position and immediately ran after her.
Thankfully I caught up with her before she arrived at the said Ward 032. She stopped by a white door and hurriedly pushed the door wide open.
Mother entered the inner room and I followed behind her, only to be greeted by the doctor's sorry face and then what we heard next was..
" I'm sorry ma'am...but..."
(Do not take credit or Plagiarize AMAH'S HEART stories)
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