Unknown POV
The staff of Gaza Hospital were thrown into a state of celebration when after several months of being unconscious, Williams Smith suddenly slipped out of unconsciousness.
While they talked and laughed with relief at Williams' resuscitation, news of Kate's resuscitation came in, doubling the happiness they now felt.
Both Williams and his wife Kate had been brought to the hospital, unconscious, and soaked in their blood by passers-by who had witnessed the deliberate ramming of their vehicle.
For months, both Williams and his wife, Kate had been in a coma, after a series of operations performed by the medical experts in Gaza Hospital. William had for a brief moment slipped out of unconsciousness, and muttered "Stuart" to the clueless doctor who was present at the time.
He soon slipped back to unconsciousness after a little while and remained lifeless afterward.
Kate on the other hand showed no sign of life all through the duration of her unconscious state, and the doctors and nurses feared she might not make it.
Now both husband and wife had strangely regained consciousness just a few minutes apart, and the staff of Gaza Hospital couldn't be more satisfied.
The head doctor of Gaza visited William in his room for examination and was surprised to find him near perfect in health just a few minutes from regaining consciousness.
He left afterwards to Kate's room, after assuring William of his wife's stability.
The results of Kate's examination weren't as pleasing as Williams'.
In his capacity as an experienced medical practitioner, he knew better than to disclose the news to her.
"Is William okay?" Kate asked, ready to panic. Although she was entirely grateful for her life, she couldn't bear the thought of losing William so soon after Stuart.
Yes, Stuart. She remembered vividly how they ended up in the hospital.
"William is stable, but not strong enough to visit you at the moment. The doctor explained in a comforting voice. He still couldn't understand what the couple did to deserve being rammed into by a van intentionally.
"Do you feel pains in any part of your body?" The doctor asked, taking a close look at her.
He was pleased to observe that the bruises on both William and Kate which had been very serious had healed, leaving nothing but painless scars.
"Yeah, I feel a very sharp pain in my lower abdomen. Is it something serious?" Kate asked, concern written all over her face.
"I'm not sure yet, but I will let you know as soon as I'm sure. Meanwhile, a nurse will be here shortly to administer antibiotics to you. It will help your aching stomach." The head doctor explained to Kate who only nodded absentmindedly.
He stepped out of the room a little while later, and a nurse came into the room right after to administer some medications to Kate who had begun to cry.
"It's alright. Don't cry." The nurse whose name is Tina comforted Kate, patting the small of Kate's back with her tender hands.
When nurse Tina left the room moments later, Kate was fast asleep.
Dr Anderson's POV
I received a beep from my laptop as I prepared for work.
I was tempted to ignore it at first, but the possibility that it is from Crawford prompted me to rethink.
Strange! I muttered to myself when I read the heading of the message.
It wasn't from Crawford as I had thought, but from St Louis hospital.
It was a mail that acknowledged my letter of resignation.
The fuck!
I didn't write any damn letter! I unconsciously said loud while I had my hand in a tight fist.
I opened the resignation letter which was attached to the mail, wondering what was going on, and there it was!
The letter was written under my name and signature, and there was no way I could argue the facts as my signature was accurate.
Only one person has ever forged my signature - Dr Sofia.
I returned my gaze to the body of the mail, and read through slowly, taking in every detail. My presence wasn't needed for the exit interview, and final pay benefits as they offered to do it online.
I fished out my phone from my pants pocket and dialed Sofia's number.
She picked at the second ring but said nothing.
"Don't you go all quiet with me after what you did," I screamed into the phone, even though there was no sign of her at the other end.
"Is this about seeing me at MEDCORP after I reported sick yesterday?" I asked again even though she made no move to provide any answers.
"Anderson," Sofia called in a voice that sounded too weak to be hers.
Despite my anger, I was taken aback by this show of weakness from Sofia who showed strength in the worst moments.
"Are you okay?" I asked her. I couldn't help being concerned about her at this point.
"I am fine." She replied.
Was that a sniff?
"Are you crying right now?" I heard myself ask her.
"I didn't do this, Anderson. It's entirely Crawford." She explained, and disconnected the call right after, leaving me in a deeper web of confusion.
Why is she sounding scared and weak? Why did she lower her voice when she mentioned Crawford? I asked myself these questions as I headed to my garage.
I needed answers, and only Sofia could help with that.
I drove out of my compound, trying to figure out where Dr Sofia was at the moment.
She couldn't possibly be at the hospital, I reasoned and opted for the route that led to her house.
*********
I parked at a distance and walked through Dr Sofia's gate. When I saw all five of her cars in the garage, I knew my guess was right.
I rang the doorbell immediately, and when I got no response after the fourth ring, I began to wonder if she had not left the house without any of her cars.
The entrance door suddenly pulled open, and I almost laughed out in excitement but stopped when I took in the image of Sofia.
Her initial shock on seeing me wasn't lost on me, plus she cautiously inspected the area before turning to face me.
"Did you come alone? She asked in a hushed voice, then on second thought she asked again
"What are you doing here?"
Her baggy eyes revealed long hours of crying and sleeplessness.
"I came alone. Can I come in now?" I asked her and watched as she gave way for me rather reluctantly.
She shut the door once I stepped in, and turned the locks.
Strange!
"Is something going on?" I asked, now fearful myself.
"No." She said and turned to face me rather too quickly.
"What happened after I left you at Crawford's office yesterday?" I asked, suddenly recalling the last time I saw her.
Her reaction was strange, her eyes seemed like they would pop out of their sockets, and her mouth was suddenly agape.
When she finally got hold of herself, she managed a smile that came out weak and sad.
"Nothing happened. I pleaded with Crawford to get me back on the mission but he refused. He instead ordered that I relieve you of your duties at St Louis hence the letter.
"Surely my transition from St Louis Hospital to MEDCORP isn't the reason behind your tears and sleeplessness." I bluntly said.
"You shouldn't have come here, Anderson. You should head back now. They must not see us together." She fearfully said.
"Who are they? I asked.
It now seems like I'm getting a lead.
"I can't tell you that." She replied, dashing my glimmer of hope.
"In that case, I will make a report on your behalf at the police station," I said, rising from my seat.
"No, Anderson. Please don't involve the police." She said with so much fear that I was forced back in my seat.
"I would, if you don't tell me what is going on," I replied, not looking at her.
I heard her sigh several times before she started to speak.
"It's Crawford. He decided against killing me last night just a few seconds before the gun went off." She explained, looking as fearful as ever.
I watched her from the corner of my eyes, wondering whether or not to believe her.
"But the other men weren't so lucky." She continued, sounding as though her whole life depended on my faith in her.
"What other men?" I asked, curiosity set in.
" You should leave now." She suddenly said rising while I did the same.
She sounded like one who just returned from a faraway Dreamland.
She held the door to me, her fears had now given way to cold stares. She had probably seen my disbelief through my eyes.
"Don't come back." She said with all seriousness she could muster at this point, and then she shut the door with a bang.