TRAPPED

34

Celine

They connect an IV drip to my hand and explain that it's something that will thin out my blood in order to avoid blood clots. I'm dressed in an ugly, uncomfortable hospital gown, but they give me comfortable socks.

Scarlett brought Elias a few minutes ago, and he's sitting beside me. Diya brought Zavian too, but he fell asleep before he even came in.

     My dad is trying to put a smile onto my face when the nurse comes in. I stiffen, nervousness rolling through me, and lean back on the bed, and start playing with my hands.

"Hi, Celine." The nurse says. "Are you ready to be taken to the operating theatre?"

"People are gonna watch?" I ask.

She furrows her eyebrows. "No, honey, that's just what it's called."

Julien smirks.

"Oh." I whisper.

"Do you want your dad to come in with you while you're being put to sleep?" She asks, pulling a wheelchair over from the corner of the room.

A wave of nausea rolls through me and I glance over at my dad, who smiles at me.

"No, it's okay." I say reluctantly.

His lips slowly tilt downwards, and I start to feel guilty. But I don't want anyone to see me being put to sleep.

"Okay." She replies. I shuffle to the edge of the bed, beginning to feel dizzy again, and get onto the wheelchair.

I look over at my dad warily, but he sends me another reassuring smile and leans down to press a kiss to my forehead. "I'll see you soon, baby."

"Where's CeCe going?" Elias asks, looking up at Nicolas.

"She'll be back soon, bud." My oldest brother tells him calmly. I meet his eye and he smiles at me too. I get reassuring smiles from everyone and a few more kisses on the cheek before the nurse wheels me out.

"Are you nervous?" The nurse asks me.

"A little bit." I whisper.

"We have excellent surgeons and Anaesthetists that'll take very good care of you." She assures me.

I nod, exhaling a shaky breath. We get to the surgery room, and I'm welcomed by a man who looks to be on the older side. He has a kind smile on his face as he straps on a pair of gloves.

"Hello, Celine." He says. "My name is Doctor Jones. I'm gonna be the one putting you to sleep for your operation." He continues talking as the nurse guides me onto the table. "Have you ever had surgery before?"

"No." I whisper.

"Alright." He replies. "What will happen is I'll put this mask over your face and it'll emit an anaesthetic that'll put you to sleep. It'll take about a minute to kick in."

"Does it hurt?" I ask tentatively.

"Not at all." He says. "It'll probably have the opposite effect. It'll keep you asleep the entire surgery and for an hour or two after it." He grabs a mask from a case and walks beside me. "Do you have any more questions?"

     I shake my head.

     "Are you sure?"

     I nod.

     "Alright." He says. "I'm gonna put the mask onto you now. Just try to take even breaths."

     And then he covers my mouth and nose with the mask, and I begin to regret not asking my dad—or anybody—to come in with me.