City of the Dead

Part 1: The Student; Chapter 1

"Code Blue in room two-o-eight." announced the overhead speaker.

I was working on my charts when I heard the code. My body tensed, my heart racing, and my focus was just on the task at hand. I had never felt more alive. Dropping everything to grab the crash cart that was sitting in the hallway. I rushed over with the wind under my feet that I flew past Dr. Robinson, who was leaning against a counter at the nurse's station. In what appears to be a lousy attempt to flirt with the new nurse who had just started this week. The old man can never give these women a break.

"Dr. Robinson! I need you in room two-o-eight for a code blue, stop flirting and get over there!" He turned from the brown-haired brunette with his fair skin obviously turning red from embarrassment. Following behind him, I took notice of the brunette having a blank expression when Dr. Robinson left. Her sky blue eyes were as wide as a deer in headlights.

Dr. Robinson being the resident and owner of S.C. General Hospital, he also happens to be my mentor. But after working for him for the past few months, he was probably one of the biggest flirts I have ever met. I only took notice of his affliction with his female staff, probably a couple weeks after being hired into this externship. But being the owner of a hospital, he always had an opinion on who he was interested in hiring. Which explains the vast majority of his nursing staff were young women, desperate for marriage. But they knew from the start what they were getting themselves into. After all, with his chiseled jaw, well-groomed hair, and seductive voice, how can any woman resist.

I guess I'm the exception. My hiring was unexpected. After many failed attempts at applying to any well established hospital, I was beginning to lose hope in becoming a doctor. So when Dr. Robinson had reached out to me, I didn't expect him to hire me on the spot. I guess my features were my only saving grace. But I did not care, my focus was only on my studies. Prioritizing my efforts in obtaining enough clinical hours for my schooling, so that one day I can be one of the first women to have M.D. next to their name. 'Annabelle Cambell M.D.', that's my goal.

Although Dr. Robinson can be a flirt, he is one of the best doctors that Silver City has to offer. I only hope that I can endure his pursuit for me for a little while longer. Just until I can obtain enough hours to qualify to take my Licensing Exam. God help me.

We turn into room two-o-eight, where a nurse has already given epinephrine in his IV line. I brought the end of my stethoscope to Mr. Porter's chest as I tried to find any sign of life still in this eighty year old man, but there was no indication of a heart beat. "We need to start compressions," I stated.

Dr. Robinson then proceeded to get on top of Mr. Porter's limp body and started to give compressions. Dr. Robinson has been practicing medicine for about ten years. Being the top of his class during medical school and as the lead physician of the hospital within five years of practice, I admired the man's accomplishments. Being in my third year in medical school, I soon realized how tough it is being the only female to pursue the title of 'Doctor', especially in this day of age.

"Two minutes," I announced. To which Dr. Robinson's rhythm in his compressions grew faster. It was another minute after, that Dr. Robinson's compressions had stopped.

Although we administered CPR in a timely manner, we were unsuccessful. The man once named Alfred Porter was deceased. Dr. Robinson hoists himself off of Mr. Porter's corpse, as I release a sigh. Soon after I felt Dr. Robinson's hand on my shoulder as he commented, "We can't save them all, Anna." I gazed over to the clock above Mr. Porter's bed as I stated, "The time is three, thirty seven AM. I'll note it in the chart."

As we all stumbled out of Mr. Porter's room, I informed Dr. Robinson that I would be taking a short break. I made my way to the west wing exit where I could collect my thoughts. As soon as I opened the doors, a gust of warm spring air hit my face, flushing my cold cheeks with its warm embrace of the night. I sat down on an empty wooden bench, gazing up at the night sky to see all of the shining stars above Silver City, New Mexico.