Towards the Farthest Side: A Collection Of Sci-Fi Short Stories And Novelettes

"Abomination Part 9"

Alison had many held backs on giving me information about which hospital I was confined here in Santa Briga, saying it's no longer important. But she doesn't know how important it was for me.

If only my last moments depressing in my deathbed were clear enough, but everything was foggy and unclear.

I remember I was in and out of consciousness during my last moments alive. I insisted that I should know, to be at peace with myself, but in truth it was for Abigail. Alison had no choice but to agree. She drew directions on the map and named landmarks for me to remember.

St. Francis Memorial was the name of the hospital and it's a bus ride around the city. Alison told me that my attending physician was Dr. Teresa Helnora, she might know what truly happened to me.

Alison said she could accompany me, but I insisted on going alone. Whatever I discover may not be good for her, I need to check first.

"Will you be coming back?" Alison asked when I exited the apartment door.

"Of course I will." I nodded. "I promised I won't leave you again, right?"

Alison smiled, but I can see the sadness in her eyes. I was not able to see my children during my dying hours years ago. I never even remember dying. I could feel hurt building in my insides. But I need to know, I need to.

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I arrived at St. Francis Memorial around noon time, a slick five storey building, it has the same aura as that of a corporate building: well-polished tiled floors and glass doors. The smell of chlorine and medicine hangs in the air, and you can hear the soft, distant hum of telephone dial tones in nurse stations and taps of shoes on the floors inside the hospital.

I asked around for information about Dr. Teresa Helnora. I found out from the information office that Dr. Helnora no longer works there in the last nine years ago and they have no idea about her current whereabouts.

Great. Now where should I look?

Then I remember that hospitals keep records of their patients. I tried to ask the information personnel about my own medical records. At first, they were doubtful of my identity, but right after I told them I was a daughter to the patient, the staff finally gave in, muttering that hopefully they will not be sued for any criminal offense by doing so.

They gave me a folder of all my medical records.

Lorens Martinez Terona. Diagnosed of Lupos syndrome. Expired on complications of the previously recorded diagnosis.

Attending Physician during the moment of death; Teresa B. Helnora P.h. Md.

So, I did die. If this is credible document, then there's no doubt about my death. But what about my resurrection?

I tried scanning the documents but there's no hint or any lead that would tell me why I was alive again.

"Are you okay, ma'am?" The information personnel asked. She could see the trouble in my face.

"I'm---" I swallowed. "I'm okay."

I was about to return the folder to the information personnel when I noticed something on the record; Philip Terona's signature.

A sudden memory flashed in my mind's eye. I remember myself lying on the bed in the master bedroom inside my house in New Jacinto. Philip was writing something on his writing desk lit by a table lamp. Then he showed me the document he was writing, it was a blur, but I could remember the feeling and sense of security. I saw his own signature at the bottom part of the parchment, then he stuffed the parchment inside a hidden vault behind our wedding picture.

That document could be important.

I asked the Information Personnel if I could get a copy of my own death certificate, but she refused, I had no choice but to run away with it. Some hospital staff ran after me. Luckily, I was nimble enough to stirr them away from my tail and I got on a bus. I refused the urge of going back to the apartment of Alison.

I need to check this first, in my own manor in New Jacinto, that's where I needed to be again.

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What could the recent flashback mean? What are your theories?

Please let me know in the comments!

-MAA