Death of the Vanguard

Chapter One

At exactly two o' clock in the morning, my shift would end.

At 1:36, I checked my watch, because I had recieved an important letter.

"Dear Amelia," the letter began. I frowned. I hadn't seen anyone come in to put this letter in my inbox at the hospital, much less someone I knew. I sighed, and rubbed my eyes. Standing up from my seat at the table in the doctor's lounge, I walked over and shoved the letter in the pocket of my coat that was hanging on the rack. I checked my watch again.

1:40. 20 minutes left in my shift. My fingers tingled, and I was tempted to read the letter instead. But I walked past it and out of the lounge to do my last rounds, thinking about the thin pieces of paper in my coat the entire time.

"2:13." Read the clock above the front desk. I stiffled a yawn as I checked off of my shift. It was early.

The cold wind outside was a slap to the face, jolting me awake. I shivered, wrapping my coat around myself to ward off the bitter chill. Fumbling for my car keys in my pocket, I almost lost the letter that I had almost forgotten about.  I managed to grab it from the wind's unrelenting fingers while unlocking my car.

Climbing into the seat offered protection from the biting wind. I was still clutching the letter in my frozen fingers. Staring up my car, I blasted on the heat, and the ice from within my skin started to thaw.

Placing the note back in my pocket, I shifted into reverse, and backed out of  the parking spot. By the time I shifted into drive, I was already tapping my fingers nervously on the steering wheel.

It was only ten minutes driving home from work, but it felt like forever, so weighted down was I by the letter. Who could have given it to me?

I was shaking so hard that I almost dropped my key trying to unlock the door. The wind whipped around me, trying to steal the letter once more, as the door finally shoved inwards.

Stubbling into my living room, I fumbled for the light switch. Finally getting it, I shrugged off my coat. Groaning, I tossed it onto a chair, and went to the kitchen. Opening the fridge and then a drawer, I grabbed a yogurt and a spoon.

I went back to the living room, and put them both on my end table and grabbing my coat. I hung it up on the closet, and grabbed the letter. Sitting down on my couch I grabbed my yogurt and spoon and opened it, starting to eat. Reopening the letter, I started to read again.

"Dear Amelia," it read. "It's come to my attention that you've become an esteemed cardiologist. Impressive, especially since you're so young. To the point, you're invited to a medical confrence. By the time this letter reaches you, it will be in two days. And I've already told your hospital to cancel your shifts for the next two months. Don't worry. Your patients will be okay. The other recipients of these letters will be assured that their paychecks will be continued. But you were always the one to care about the people, not the money, weren't you? That's how you were always different. Well. I'll see you there Amelia. You'll be among the brightest young minds in medicine. So Doctor, welcome to our circle."

The letter isn't signed, and I collapse back against my couch in silence.

An unsigned letter, a mysterious conference, and someone who apparently knows me.

I look at the letter again. Turning it over, I see an address on the back. Picking up my phone, I look it up on Google Maps. Looking at the directions, I sigh. I guess I start on my way there tommorow.

I stand up, and flick off the light. While I get ready for bed, I think about the letter. As soon as I plug in my phone and step into bed, I fall asleep. My dreams are filled with faces I can't quite see, and unreadable letters that always fly just out of my grasp.