What A Fool Believes

Chapter 2: A Day At The Office

The hospital room was hauntingly silent. Every so often, the dripping of an IV would disrupt the quietness of the room. It was fairly limited, having just one hospital bed and two chairs. A Person pulled one of the chairs up beside the bed, taking a seat.

Lying there, a young frail woman. She looked to only be in her early forties, with flowing dark hair reaching down her back. She was ill, it was clear from the darkened circles under her amber colored eyes. They seemed to be the only sure sign of life left in her, but they too were growing dim.

The Person next to her reached out, taking her feeble hand. She looked up at the Person, giving them a warm smile. That happiness, that small bit... It made her seem less sickly.

"Another day closer to graduation. I was wanting to throw you a party... How does that sound? Maybe after we get out of here."

She began to cough violently after she spoke. Her breathing was uneven and she had to wait and catch her breath before speaking again. The Person got up from the chair, lying down beside the woman. They caressed her head as they pulled her towards them, embracing her in a hug.

"I'm fine, I'm fine... I was just a bit over excited, seeing you fully grown. No matter what, I know you'll do good things. I know you'll make me..."

There was silence again, she spoke not another word. That warm smile was still there, it was reassuring. She closed her eyes slowly as the heart monitor started to alarm. It's piercing sound, continuously blaring. The Person held her tightly, their cries falling deaf from the chaos around them.

____

Daniel abruptly sat up in bed, his body drenched in cold sweat. His breathing was out of control, with tears emanating in the corners of his eyes. He takes the blanket that was covering him, tossing it off the bed. Taking hold of his knees, he pulls them closer to his chest.

"Why... Why the same damn dream... Why!"

Below him, he heard a loud thumping. It was followed by muffled swearing and shouting. He rolled his eyes, knowing it had to be his blind neighbor, Ms. Hearts.

He looked over at the clock on his nightstand, it read 5:48 AM. He leaned back on the bed, rubbing his eyes. He knew it wouldn't be long before he had to wake up anyway. That dream, no! That nightmare. One that had been terrifying him over and over. The ill woman's face, those loud noises. They all seemed too real and that disturbed Daniel, more than anything.

The phone rang, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was awfully early. He couldn't think of anyone who would contact him at this time, making it very strange. He reached over to his nightstand, picking up the corded phone.

"Hello?"

"Daniel! How are ya?"

The voice was familiar. Raspy, with a deep tone. A voice you'd hear from a veteran smoker.

"Oh, Mr. Brooks..."

"Now I realize the time, but I need you to wake your ass up! How soon can you be down here kid?"

"Um... Give me twenty minutes."

"Great! I have a big project for you."

With that the man hung up the phone. The last thing he said caught Daniel's attention. Saying it in this rather "giddy" like tone. This was the same man that yelled and threatened to kick his ass just last night. It led him to believe that maybe they had a new assignment, possibly a controversial one.