I slid out through my window. Looking at this bike, it was not something I wanted to run away with but it would make my flee faster.
I breathed out and hopped on it.
I paddled as fast I could without stopping or turning back. I finally escaped.
Welcome to New Jersey; a sign read.
At that point I knew I was far enough, this was going to be my new city. I stopped my bike and left it next to the sign.
I didn't want to be followed or traced by anyone.
"Excuse me", I approached a stranger.
"Yes, can I help you?", he asked.
"I'm lost and I need to find my way to the general hospital please", I said to him.
After giving me a clear direction, I began to walk in the direction.
I saw it.
The big general hospital. Last time I was at a hospital was when my parents passed away.
I walked, looking both in fascination and lost.
"Hi, can I get a doctor", I asked a nurse at the reception.
She looked at me as if contemplating what to say.
"You can not just walk in here and demand for a doctor like you put food on our tables", she said rudely.
"Nurse Belle, what is going on here? I could literally hear your voice from the hallway", a man in lab coat spoke as he approached us.
The nurse became quiet.
He ignored her and turned to me, "are you alright young girl?", he asked.
"Yes, I was just asking her if I could get a doctor", I responded.
He looked back at the nurse, "oh, is that so? Come with me", he said, leading the way. I made myself comfortable on a chair as we entered into his office.
"I am a doctor, how can I help you?", he asked.
I raised my hair, revealing the device that had been in my neck for years.
"Look, this has been here since I was ten. I made researches and discovered that it was deadly", I explained.
He stood up from his seat to have a closer look, "and how did it get here?", he asked.
I shook my head, "I don't know", I said.
"It is actually deadly. You want it removed I suppose", he stated and I nodded in affirmation. "
How old are you", he asked.
"Sixteen", I replied.
"You are too young to undergo this kind of surgery, plus the price for the surgery is on the high side and you also need a guardian", he said.
"I'm an orphan and I have enough money for the surgery".
He sighed.
"I'd only let you undergo surgery because this device is way deadlier than it seems", he announced.
"Thank you so much", I said in elation.
After running few tests, he met me in his office with a frown.
"I'm afraid there's a problem".
My heartbeat increased.
"What is it?", I asked.
"Life chances are fifty-fifty", he answered.
"Meaning I may survive it or may die right?", I asked and he nodded.
I weighed it.
If I don't undergo the surgery, I will be caught and taken back to hell, but if I undergo it, I will be free from my misery either way.
"I'll do it", I said.
He looked at me.
From his looks I knew all he saw in me was pain and what he felt for me was pity.
"I'll have a nurse to get you ready", he said and left me alone once again.
After getting dressed for my surgery, I sat on the operation bed without any emotions in me.
The only thing I was worried about was if I die, I wouldn't be able to make my parents proud or successfully achieved anything.
I sighed.
The surgery began after giving me me a paralyzer which added to the numbness I already felt.
Suddenly, my body became weak and my eyelids heavy.
All I could hear the nurse in front of me say was 'stay awake', which my body was disobeying.
Every sound became distant and my eyelids finally fell over my eyes.
I woke up in a dark place.
It wasn't a room or house or any confinement, it was a large endless place, like a desert. I looked around trying to figure out how I got there or at least, where I was.
Nothing in anyway seemed familiar.
"Where am I?", I asked myself.
"A place between life and death", someone spoke from behind.
I turned abruptly.
"You are between life and death", the person said, standing next to me.
It was a pregnant woman.
I looked at her carefully before realizing that she was bleeding.
"Who are you?", I asked her, still looking at the blood that wasn't dripping.
"I'm Martha, I am in the labour ward but there's no hope of me making it out", she replied.
"And how do you know that?", I asked again.
"I've been here for seven minutes, it takes ten minutes to know where exactly you'd be, the land of the dead or land of the living. I have been bleeding since I arrived here, I've lost a lot of blood, I can't make it", she explained.
_______
Thank you for reading.
YOU ARE READING
ALONE
Mystery / Thriller"Calm down", she said and embraced me. When I was calm enough, she withdrew from my embrace and looked into my eyes. I couldn't miss those words her eyes spoke. "Run away!", they screamed at me but I couldn't move. This time they really meant for me...
