Chapter 3 - Trust is always the Truth

  The hallway seemed very long.

  Bright lights buzzed above as Sarah ran.

  Her hospital gown swung.

  Her feet hit the cold floor.

  People stared.

  Nurses whispered.

  Patients looked confused.

  She did not care.

  She only cared about one thing.

  The desk.

  She reached it and slammed her hands down.

  "Where is Robert?!" she shouted, almost out of breath.

  The receptionist jumped.

  "Mr. Robert? He is in the staff room… but it is his break."

  "Call him. Now."

  The man stepped back.

  "I… I can’t. It is his break."

  Sarah’s voice became calm.

  Too calm.

  "Fine. Then I will go myself."

  "Wait, Dr. Wilfer!" the receptionist called, but Sarah was already walking fast.

  She reached the staff room and pushed the door open.

  Inside, the room was small and dim.

  Two couches faced each other.

  A table sat between them with half-empty glasses.

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  Robert leaned back with a drink in his hand.

  Two other staff looked surprised.

  Robert’s eyes narrowed.

  "Robert. We need to talk," Sarah said, her voice firm.

  "Now?" he asked, confused.

  "Yes. Please."

  Robert sighed and stood up.

  "Sorry, guys. I have to go."

  He grabbed his drink and walked to her.

  They left together.

  The receptionist watched them go.

  "Mr. Robert, I tried to stop her."

  Robert’s voice was cold.

  "It is fine. Go back to work."

  The man froze, quiet.

  Robert and Sarah walked side by side.

  After a while, Robert said,

  "Is this about what we talked about before?"

  Sarah gave a small smile.

  "You caught me."

  "I did not expect you to make such a scene," Robert said, but he seemed curious, not angry.

  "It is complicated. But something is wrong. Even I do not understand it."

  "I trust you," he said, stopping her.

  Sarah paused.

  "Thank you. I guess."

  They reached Room 7.

  Sarah unlocked the door with shaky hands.

  Inside, they sat across from each other.

  Silence filled the room until Robert spoke again.

  "So. Tell me what happened."

  Sarah took a deep breath.

  "After I left Room 1, I came here.

  Then you called and said a patient was on the way.

  Soon, they knocked.

  I opened the door.

  A boy walked in. Maybe nine years old.

  He said his stomach hurt.

  His father came with him.

  At first, it seemed normal.

  But the father said the boy kept saying he felt like he was going to die.

  That is when it started.

  My stomach twisted.

  The pain was too strong.

  I fainted.

  But it felt strange.

  My head tilted back, but my body did not fall.

  It was like something else was controlling me.

  When I woke, fifteen minutes were gone.

  The boy and his father were gone too.

  The chairs were back in place.

  It was like nothing had happened.

  No one remembered it.

  But I know it happened."

  Robert stared.

  "So you blacked out."

  "Maybe."

  "But it did not feel like losing control."

  "It felt strange."

  "And no one remembers?"

  "Yes!" Sarah said, her voice louder than she wanted.

  Outside the door, in the shadows, a man stood.

  Black hair covered part of his face.

  His phone buzzed.

  He answered.

  "Patient 17. Report."

  A woman’s voice.

  Calm. Cold.

  "She just had her first Try." the man whispered.

  "And someone trusts her."

  "Things are getting interesting."

  "Stay with the plan. Do not interfere," the woman said, then ended the call.

  The man sighed.

  "Jeez."

  He walked away into the dark.

  Inside, Robert leaned forward.

  "I have an idea."

  "Let’s check the security camera."

  Five minutes later, Sarah’s laptop showed the video.

  The screen showed Sarah walking into her room.

  She hung her coat.

  She lay on the bed for thirty minutes.

  Then she sat at her desk, looking lost.

  She picked up her phone, made a call, then threw it on the bed.

  A moment later, she rushed out of the room.

  No boy.

  No father.

  No patient.

  The hallway camera showed the same thing.

  Sarah ran like she was scared.

  Alone.

  Sarah’s face turned pale.

  "That is impossible."

  Robert leaned back in his chair.

  "Strange. But very interesting."

  Sarah turned to him.

  "If I were you, I would not believe me either."

  Robert gave a small laugh.

  "Believe you or not, it does not matter.

  I was bored.

  This is the most interesting thing I have seen all week."

  Sarah smiled a little.

  "I will take that as a compliment."

  His watch beeped.

  Break time was over.

  Robert stood.

  "Sorry, Dr. Wilfer.

  If something strange happens again, call me."

  "I will," Sarah said softly.

  He looked at her one last time, then left, closing the door.

  At the front desk, Robert walked past the receptionist.

  His eyes lifted.

  Dr. Sanchel stood at the end of the hall.

  In front of Room 1.

  Watching.

  Their eyes met.

  Dr. Sanchel smirked.