It was an understatement to say Chell was nervous. In fact, she was terrified and she hated it. Feeling weak and vulnerable was NOT a feeling she was used to. Snuggled in the spotless white sheets of the rolling hospital bed (quite comfortably, she might add), she was beginning to lament on her decision. Sure, she had agreed to the gall bladder surgery, but only because the pain just under her left breast had become unbearable. Even though she had now been administrated painkillers, Chell rubbed the spot tenderly. The doctor had told her something about “gall stones” although she had no idea what those were, really. The doctor had said the simplest solution was to limit her diet or have surgery to remove her gall bladder. Chell had gone for the latter, she defiantly wasn’t about to give up her weekly tub of ice cream.
Unfortunately, now that she was minutes away from being rolled into surgery, she was having second thoughts. Chell wondered if maybe eating just a little less ice cream would have been easier. A group of nurses came in then, fussing over her, making sure her blankets were right and murmuring encouragements for the surgery ahead. Chell’s forehead creased deeply, determined to keep her fear hidden, although the nurses kept tutting, telling her she was staring or her pupils were dilating.
Finally, she was rolled out down the hallway, and hurried down a labyrinth of corridors. Chell couldn’t help shaking slightly as she was turned into her room attached to drips and operating equipment so sharp it made Chell shake just looking at them. Squinting intently at the glazed ceiling, a nurse patting her curled fist, assuring her one last time it would be all right before she stepped aside to wait for the doctor. Another nurse leaned over her, administering to her the anaesthetic. Her eyelids seemed to drop almost immediately as her whole body relaxed. She distantly heard the sound of the door opening and the nurse’s chorus of “Hello doctor.” Through some sheer force of willpower, Chell managed to force her eyes open slightly more, although her vision was incredibly blurred, she caught the glimpse of a sadistic grin and a flash of yellow that brought her close to retching, despite her drowsiness.
That was defiantly not her doctor.
Chell was jolted awake by a horrible, stabbing pain in her side. Gasping loudly, her hands shot to the tender spot, pressing down intently, as much as it intensified the pain. Her instincts forced her to treat it as one would a bullet wound or snake bite. Gritting her teeth, she breathed hard through her nose until the pain died and Chell flopped back, exhausted and confused. They said the pain would be gone, she didn’t understand why she should have another attack. That and her limbs felt oddly heavy,, like she was dragging a ton of metal. Suddenly, there was a low chuckle that made Chell’s blood run cold,
“I decided to leave that there. Think of it as a…hindrance. Which is what I intended it as anyway. Chell swallowed, trying to sit up, but falling back as she suddenly realized she wasn’t breathing. Making great heaving motions, she desperately tired to force air back into her lungs. The sound of pristine fingernails tapping against a dashboard was heard, as well as the soft ticking of heels against clear tile, “I wouldn’t bother with breathing. I realize it is an unnecessary human function.” Chell’s mind raced as she thrashed weakly in her hospital bed, wondering what could have possibly happened. The voice let out a strangely familiar robotic sigh, “I suppose we should cut to the chase.” Chell was immediately attentive, wondering what the hell happened to her. The voice sounded amused and suddenly, Chell was certain the person was somewhere in the room, but no matter how hard she strained her vision, she couldn’t see anything.
“Let’s just say I made a few…improvements.”
