The Watcher On The Ward (updated weekly)

Chapter 6- Echoes From The Past

Five years later

Much time had passed since the turmoil of their early days as junior doctors. Westbridge General Hospital had seen Karla Holt and Jason Hayes grow from eager interns into confident, skilled registrars. Their hard work had paid off, earning them new responsibilities and a higher level of respect among their colleagues. The Emergency Department, once a place of overwhelming chaos and uncertainty, was now a familiar battleground where they both thrived.

Karla had embraced her role as a more senior member of the team, no longer required to wear scrubs like she used to. Now she opted for smart business attire, which gave her an air of authority that matched her position. Today, she wore a tailored navy dress, paired with a neat pair of black heels. She moved through the ED with the confidence of someone who knew her place, respected by the nurses and younger doctors who looked to her for guidance.

Jason, too, had traded in his scrubs for business dress, favouring a crisp white shirt and dark slacks, his matching blazer jacket draped casually over his shoulders. He had grown into his role, his natural charisma making him a favourite among patients and staff alike. Despite his friendly demeanour, there was an edge of seriousness to him now—a resolve that had been honed by years of experience and the challenges that came with the job.

The day was busy, as usual. The ED was never quiet, and today was no exception. Karla moved between patients, her mind sharp as she made quick decisions, comforted worried families, and coordinated with the rest of the medical team. Jason was by her side more often than not, their partnership as seamless as ever. The two had become an unbeatable team, complementing each other's strengths and compensating for each other's weaknesses.

During a brief lull, Karla took a moment to review a particularly complex case—a young woman in her early twenties who had been admitted with severe shortness of breath and chest pain. The patient, Sophie Smith, had a history of asthma and recent viral infections, but her condition had rapidly worsened. Karla was concerned that there might be an underlying issue beyond her known conditions.

As Karla bent over to assess her patient, she heard the familiar, singsong call of her name and looked up to see Dr Emily Carter heading her way. Emily, with her long blonde hair tied back in a neat ponytail, had that effortless kind of energy that could brighten even the most chaotic day in the Emergency Department. Her green eyes sparkled with a natural warmth, and a constellation of freckles dotted her nose, giving her an almost youthful charm despite the seriousness of their job.

Emily and Karla had grown close over the years, the long shifts and late-night chats in the staffroom forging a strong bond. Emily was the bubbly counterpart to Karla's calm demeanour, always quick with a joke or a light-hearted comment to lift the mood. Today, as she approached, her expression was one of curiosity and concern, but Karla knew that within moments, Emily would find a way to inject some levity into the situation, as she always did.

Emily appeared at Karla's side, glancing over her shoulder at the charts she was studying. "How's it looking, Dr Holt? Or should I say, Dr 'I-haven't-slept-in-three-days'?"

Karla chuckled, though the worry in her eyes remained. "Sophie's condition isn't improving with the usual treatments. Her oxygen levels are dropping, and she's showing signs of respiratory distress that don't quite match up with her asthma. I'm worried there might be something else going on."

Emily's playful grin softened, and she leaned in with interest. "Okay, serious face on. What are you thinking?"

"I'm considering a CT scan to rule out any serious complications," Karla replied, her fingers tapping lightly against Sophie's bed. "But we need to stabilise her first. I'm thinking of increasing her corticosteroids and adding a bronchodilator to the mix."