Ice on Records

Chapter one: Gwen

To the girls who know the real penalty isn't on the ice—it's the way he fucks them in the locker room wall after.

Running like I was in a marathon was a habit to me for the past three years. I graduated from nursing school at the age of twenty-two. Since then, I have been one of the top nurses in Cypress Luxe-Presbyterian Hospital.

I have the power of life or death on my patients. Staff from the hospital often doubt me as human; which is ridiculous.

"Code blue, code blue!" The voice rang on the team's ears as I ran from corridor to corridor to reach the room number.

The nurses and doctors all rushed to the room number, making it extremely occupied.

I managed to slip through the number of people watching the scene unfold in the hospital room, my nursing scrub clunging on my small frame as I stepped to intervene.

"How many minutes have passed since the cardiac arrest, Vee?" I asked my best friend who was almost on the brink on going crazy.

"Two minutes, we've tried everything—"

"Even defibrillator?" I inquired, my voice hushed and barely could make five people hear.

"Well, we did—"

"On max?"

"No. The moment we tried the defibrillator machine, you already came." Vee remarked in an urgent tone.

I grabbed the nitrile gloves from a nearby tray while my thoughts were calmly grouping all the things I had to do.

I have been experiencing this kind of situation for many months, and I managed to keep every single patient alive.

"Prepare the oxygen concentrator and the defibrillator to a thousand volts. Now." I dictated, my eyes glued on the patient whose heart monitor is on flatline.

More nurses and doctors filled the room, their moves urgent and occupied. Vee stood by my side as I tried to stabilize the patient, even when it had been five minutes since he had been in cardiac arrest.

"Where's Dr. Lee?" I asked while I ran gel on the paddles.

"On the third floor dealing with another patient." Vee responded as she pumped the oxygen concentrator.

I positioned the paddles on the patient's chest, my thumbs on the activator, while the other nurses worked on the various machines.

"Everyone clear?"

"Clear."

In one click, the shock had its effect. I quickly settled the defibrillator paddles aside when his heart monitor remained flatline.

I performed CPR while Vee continued to pump up the oxygen concentrator at every stop I took.

"C'mon man, I can't lose my job." I mumbled each word as I pounded my hands on his chest, trying to return his beat back.

Vee and the other nurses were helpless, watching me performing CPR at the last minute. They all stood there, watching the scene unfold.

"Gwen, you have to—"

Just as Vee tried to stop me, the flatline showed a weak, fragile beat. It was there. He was alive.

The nurses' eyes widened in disbelief before snapping out and plugging back various machines to keep his stability on check.

I let out an exhale of relief and tiredness as the beat continues to be monitored. Another save, check.

The doctors escorted the patient to the ICU soon after, not wanting to fuck up again.

I walked to the halls with Vee and to the cafeteria, my blonde hair in a messed up bun.

"Nice strike you got there," Vee remarked, nudging my arm with her elbow.

"It's just like any normal day would happen, Vee." I whispered, which made her giggle.

"Gwen, c'mon. Aren't you supposed to be married by now? I mean, you're already twenty-five, and still not married?" Vee questioned, her voice betraying the curiosity she was currently gulping down to her veins.

I closed my eyes after I sat down with a cup of hot coffee on my hand, trying not to remember the past.

Eight years ago...

****

"Are you fucking serious, Gwen? I trusted you, I loved you so fucking much! And this is how you pay me?!" Xayl's voice thundered with anger as he caught me with his hockey rival, making out like a married couple.

I took a deep breath, not wanting to ruin my plan.

I have to do this, so his family would appreciate it.

"Get the fuck out of my sight, Xayl. I don't love you." I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper.

No, I didn't lose my feelings. I still love him, but it's for the best.

"Fuck you!" Xayl roared before storming out of the parking lot, leaving me there drenched in the rain.

****

"Uh, Gwen?" Vee shook me back to reality, her doe eyes narrowing on my face.

I adjusted on my seat, straightening my composure and trying to build tranquility on the both of us while avoiding the question.

Vee's eyebrows furrowed, her bottom lip sticking out.

"You're not answering my question, Gwen." She pouts before nudging my nose. I glared at her, my insides wanting to punch her fucking face.

"Bitch, stop being such an inchoative that makes me just want to quit my lodgement. Shut up." I dictated while my hands secretly gripped on the edge of the seat.

"Fine, whatever." She replied before slumping back to her seat, her legs spread slightly before fishing out her phone.

This crazy ass fucker always tries to make my silhouette rise on its own.