The Whispers

1

The hospital was in chaos; babies were crying, doctors went this way and that way, the patients mourned in agony, electric power was cut out and everything rattled.

In her office, Beatrice's door slowly swung opened and she waited for someone to walk in but no one did. She was about to go close the door when a girl walked slowly in the dark office.

"You're wondering what's going on, right, doctor?"

Hairs on the back of Beatrice's neck stood on end. "Who are you?"

"Ah, doctor!" there was a slight pause. "Let's see... How do I answer?"

"Who are you?" Beatrice's voice betrayed a slight quiver.

"Oh, yeah," the girl walked closer now. "My name is Rebecca."

"What's going on?"

"I'm a ghost whisperer and another death from an angry patient is what's going on."

Ghost whisperer? Pinching her arm to rouse herself from the nightmare, Beatrice winced in pain - proof that she wasn't dreaming.

What in Jesus' name is happening? Maybe this was a trick and it'll be over soon.

"Come on, it's not a trick and Jesus' name can't help you out of this, I'm afraid."

Did I say that aloud? I'm pretty sure I didn't.

"Doctor, you can sit here and freak out or you can try to remedy the incompetence that's in this hospital."

"Look, if your plan was to scare me, congratulations! You've accomplished your mission." Beatrice was trembling now. "Now leave!"

"You're sure you want me to leave?" She smirked. "Because the worst is yet to happen."

"Wh-what do you mean?"

Rebecca came forward and sat on the chair opposite Beatrice.

"A woman just died in labour and she's filled with wrath because one of your nurses didn't help her." She looked straight at her. "Judith. You know her?"

Beatrice still felt like she was in a dream and hopefully she'd wake and none of this would have happened. "Judith is one of my trusted nurses."

With an eyebrow raised, Rebecca asked, "You still think so?"

The door that had been left ajar swung close in a rattling slam.

"What was that?" Beatrice inquired looking around for anyone or anything that could've closed that door because so far what Ribek - or whatever her name is - was saying didn't make any sense.

"She's here," Rebecca smirked at a slightly terrified Beatrice.

"What? Who's here?" Beatrice looked about like a madman and the light flickered a few time before the room went back into darkness. The only light was from the moon shining through the open shutters of the office.

"Well, doctor, you can maybe start by going to the operation theater."

Beatrice looked at Rebecca, eyes wide with fear. "We can't do much if there's no electricity. Please tell..."

"Beth. And she can hear you."

"Yeah. Okay. Beth, I need you to please calm down and bring back the electricity so we can help... Well, so we can remove the baby from..." She let her words trail.

"Come on, Beth. Beatrice isn't exactly to blame, you know? She'll help you with anything you want. Anything." She had been talking 'someone' on her left side but now she turned to Beatrice. "Right, Beatrice?"

Nodding violently, Beatrice answered. "Anything, yes."

God! She was mad to even entertain this!

At that moment, the overhead light blinked a few times before bathing the room in light. If this was a trick, she had to give it to her, Rebecca was good. Awesome, in fact.

"Now let's go to the theater. Well, I'm actually going back to my room because I'm not allowed in the OR, but be sure to expect Berth."

"I'll do whatever I can, I promise."

"Mmm," Rebecca grunted and walked out.

What in God's name just happened? A sheen of perspiration shone on her forehead. None of what has happened made sense. She must have imagined it all. But it felt so real.

One of the two things was for sure! One, she was going completely out of her mind. Two, Rebecca must be psychic.

Nonetheless, Beatrice rushed to the theater where a bunch of doctors and nurses had gathered.

The operation lasted just a few minutes and the corpse was taken to the morgue.

Then Beatrice called am emergency staff meeting in the great hall.

"I'm so disappointed to know that a woman in labour died because of neglect, selfishness and incompetence. Anyway, I just came here to let you know that anyone who's found incompetent will be fired with immediate effect. Judith! In my office, now! The rest of you may go back to work. And I mean work!"

Everyone shuffled out in loud murmurs while she stayed behind for a few minutes to compose herself.

"Wow! That was badass!"

Beatrice gave a yelp of fear at the little girl's unwelcome voice. "Not now, Rebecca." She rubbed her temples.

"What's wrong, doctor?" The little girl smiled wickedly. "Can't handle a little pressure?"

"You think this is little?" Beatrice was practically shouting.

"Compared to what I endure everyday when everyone enjoys a good night's sleep, this is nothing." Rebecca spun on her heels and walked out.

Phew! What is happening?

She slowly made her way to her office where Judith was waiting.

"Do you want to tell me what happened today, Judith? Why a patient died on your watch?" Beatrice said in a cold stern voice.

Judith sat up straight. "I'd just checked up on her and her contractions were mild. I told her to wait for a few minutes and went out for coffee. Then when I came back she had fallen from the bed and..."

"How long did you take for 'coffee' "?

"I don't know. Thirty minutes?"

What? "You're kidding, right?" Beatrice was fuming now. "Is that what they taught you at Med School? From what I hear she called out for help but you ignored her," she regarded the nurse in disgust. "I'm afraid I have to let you go. Immediately."

"What? You can't do that!"

"Who says so?"

Judith stood from the chair that was opposite Beatrice's and leaned over the table separating them on her hands. "I know my rights. I'm going to sue you and this hospital!"

Beatrice didn't like how Judith was looking down at her seated form, so she too stood up to lean closer to Judith. "Make sure to find a good lawyer. You were one of my trusted nurses, but I guess you never really know a person." She sat back down. "I'll email you your expulsion letter." She booted up her laptop to resume her work.

Her nostrils flaring, Judith glared daggers at Beatrice. "You'll regret this." When her threat was met with silence, she stormed out of the office, swearing profanities at Beatrice.