The Watcher On The Ward (updated weekly)

Chapter 1- A New Dawn

The sun had barely risen, casting a pale golden hue across the sprawling complex of Westbridge General Hospital. Nestled in the heart of the city, the hospital was a towering structure of glass and steel, a beacon of hope for countless patients who passed through its doors every day. It was a place of healing, and for the doctors who worked there, it was a second home.

Karla Holt stood at the entrance, gazing up at the imposing building. She had only been a junior doctor at Westbridge for a few weeks, but the weight of the job already pressed heavily on her shoulders. The early morning air was crisp, and she could see her breath misting in front of her as she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

The young doctor adjusted the stethoscope around her neck as she entered the bustling emergency department. With her black hair pulled back in a neat ponytail and a light tan that seemed to glow even under the harsh hospital lighting, she carried an air of confidence that belied her status as a junior doctor.

The reality of it all was beginning to sink in. The corridors were already alive with activity—nurses wheeling patients to and from, doctors calling out orders, and the steady beep of monitors creating an almost rhythmic backdrop to the chaos.

Karla took another deep breath, letting the controlled chaos wash over her. This was where she hoped to belong—in the thick of things, where every decision could mean the difference between life and death. She had worked hard to get here, and now that she was finally standing on the other side of the medical school doors, she was ready to face whatever challenges came her way.

"Dr Holt?" a voice called out from behind her.

She turned to see Dr Sarah Foster, the most senior physician in the emergency department, walking toward her. Dr Foster was a no-nonsense woman in her late forties, with sharp eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. She was known for being tough but fair, and Karla had been hoping to learn under her guidance.

"Yes, Dr Foster," Karla replied, standing a little straighter.

"You're with me today," Dr Foster said, handing her a clipboard. "We've got a case coming in that I want you to be a part of. It's going to be a challenging one, so I hope you're ready to get your hands dirty."

Karla nodded, her pulse quickening with a mix of excitement and nerves. "I'm ready."

"Good. Let's get to it, then."

As they walked through the corridors, Dr Foster quickly briefed Karla on the case. A middle-aged man named Mr Samuel Thompson had been brought in with severe abdominal pain and a history of liver disease. He was in critical condition, and his symptoms were rapidly worsening. The initial tests suggested a possible perforation in his intestines, which could lead to sepsis if not treated immediately.

Karla listened intently, her mind already racing with possibilities. This was the kind of case she had trained for, the kind that required quick thinking and decisive action. But as they reached the trauma bay, she couldn't ignore the knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. This was real—no more simulations, no more theoretical discussions. This was a man's life hanging in the balance.

In the trauma bay, two other junior doctors were already waiting- Jason Hayes and Cameron Ellis. They had formed a team in the few weeks since they'd started their placement working under the supervision of Dr Foster.

Jason was a man of striking contrasts. He was tall, with dark brown hair that fell in casual waves around his ears and was slightly tousled, giving him a boyish charm that belied the depth of his character. His friendly smile, which usually came easily, was absent this morning, replaced by a look of quiet determination. He was charismatic, the kind of person who could light up a room with his presence, but beneath that exterior lay a man who constantly doubted his abilities as a doctor. It wasn't that he didn't know what he was doing—he had excelled in medical school, after all—but the enormity of the responsibility often left him feeling insecure in his own abilities.