The Patient

1. EMPTY

Mindy arrived just in time to receive the endorsement of the charge nurse about the patients staying the night on their unit.
Mindy barely assimilated the gist of the evening endorsement report.
"Total number of patients - 18
Room 408 - ready for admission
Room 409- ongoing terminal disinfection...." the charge nurse droned on...
A mysterious smile lingering on her face, a tell tale sign of the what took place during her date that evening. Too bad that she still had to go on night duty ! Who knows what wonderful things more could have happened if she chose to stay for a drink or more?
But she had to go on duty from midnight to noon next day yet, so she has to keep sober. Still this emotional state she is in now cannot be considered stable and sober either! She stifled a giggle which almost escaped from her , to the consternation of her co staff nurses. The charge nurse looked inquiringly.
" I'm so sorry, " Mindy excused . " just remembered something.. ."
" Better focus, " warned her superior. " or you'll be making another incident report!" with this she slapped close the kardex and prepared to go home.
But this admonition did not dampen Mindy's mood. She had enough loving and joyous boost from Keith, her new boyfriend, to last her the night.
Her smile widened at the memory of his fascinating, exhilarating, and exciting personality. And the sweet, loving, tender and lingering kisses they have exchanged before they separated that evening, with a promise of more, sweeter tommorrow!
And then suddenly, RRRIIINNNGGG!!!
The misty glaze in Mindy's eyes was replaced with annoyance as she noted the room number and remembered the patient now pressing that buzzer. That crazy old man! Wasn't he the one who warned her against Keith?
" Keep away from that guy! He's already a married man with kids ! He will not just break your heart but leave you and your family with great problems !"
And to think that he doesn't even know who Keith was! Even Keith appeared mystified when she mentioned the incident to him!
"Yes, sir? How may I help you?!" Mindy pulled herself together to reply, but there was only a static noise on the other end. And so,
Mindy slowly got up and walked the corridor to answer the call, dreading another confrontation with the old man, but loathe to be considered amiss on her nursing duties.
She knocked then opened the door of room 409, bracing herself to another knowing stare of the old man.

But what she saw made her hair stood on its ends! She stared, blinked, and opened her eyes wider and stared again...
The room was
EMPTY!!!
(*£*)