Whirlwind

CHAPTER 1

Sirens filled the humid night on the highway where people had already begun gathering in torrents at the scene.

It was a horrific sight; in the driver's seat of the ruined car was a man strapped in a seatbelt with his head hanging loosely over the steering wheel. The passenger door was ajar and just outside, lying in a pool of blood was a young woman, probably in her late twenties, motionless!

Someone in the crowd had called for an ambulance and the police who had both arrived with deafening wails of sirens.
                     
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Doctor Brad sat in his office looking through his emails when one caught his attention.

A reply from the Stellenbosch Hospital!

Quickly reading it, his features softened and joy made his heart swell. He'd applied for a transfer and finally it was about to happen. He's been working at the Memorial Hospital right out of college but he felt it was time for change.

Since his father's death and his broken engagement, he yearned for a change of scene. He needed it. Even though his mother was sure to be distraught, he had to do this for himself.

This calls for a celebration. Plus, I'm off duty. He thought to himself with a smile, already planning to go to one of his favourite clubs in town to celebrate and blow off some steam.

Phew!

He still couldn't believe he was leaving for Stellenbosch in just a few weeks.

Matt is sure going to be envious.

Matt! Dammit! He hasn't told him about transferring. You know what they say about counting your chicken before they hatch and all.

"Err, sir! There's an emergency! We need you in OR four now!" Jennie's panicked voice rang loud over the receiver of his desk phone.

Hastily, Doctor Brad threw on his white coat and rushed out of his office to the operating room, momentarily forgetting about Stellenbosch.

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Hugs and pats were shared in the operating room just after the final stitch was in place and the patient got wheeled to the intensive care unit.

Although it had taken longer than expected, the surgery was a success. Well, the patient was still in a coma but all looked promising and everyone was happy as they shuffled out of the room. It had been one of the most complicated surgeries.

Down the hallway to the parking lot, Doctor Brad left the hospital with eyes drooping in exhaustion.

His mind kept drifting back to the surgery - or rather, the patient from the surgery.

She'd been covered in shards of broken glass, one pierced close, very close to her heart. Thank God that it missed because... A heart surgery? Even more complicated!

But who was the man she'd been brought in with? Her boyfriend? Relative? he wondered feeling an unknown jealousy. No! That's none of my business. I'm just exhausted and... When did I last get laid? I should probably get some action and stop lusting after patients. She's in a coma for crying out loud! Geez, Brad!

Parking his car in his detached garage, he dragged himself into the house and straight to bed, skipping a shower.

Doctor Brad woke with a start, his heart beating a mile per second. He looked around his room to see what had jerked him awake when his eyes landed on the clock on his bedside table.