A Slip in the White Room

Samuel Terrason was staring at my photo with love and wistfulness. Tears shimmered in his eyes before he leaned down and kissed it like something sacred. "Please, wait for me. You can do anything to me."

I was pulled back into my memories.

It was our fifth anniversary, and I was driving to the date. Samuel called me while I was waiting for the green light.

As usual, he said gently, "Don't go too fast, Rachel. I've got your favorite cake and a surprise in store."

It sounded like any ordinary day between us. I smiled, warmed by it. "I know."

I hung up and prepared to move when the light changed, but the sharp roar of an engine exploded from my right. I turned just in time to see a truck loaded with rebars barreling straight toward me.

Before I knew it, my world went black, and all I could hear was the screech of something coming to a halt. A loud thud thundered. Pain tore through my body as if a brutal force was ripping me apart.

Voices swirled around me. Someone was speaking, but the words were muffled and distant.

"Rachel? Rachel…" My name. The voice was low, panicked. I tried my hardest to open my eyes, but I was drowning in the darkness. My body was too heavy to even move.

Sounds of conversation reached my ears, though they were distant. "The ER is ready, Mr. Terrason."

"Move it along."

Samuel's voice. Cold and detached. My heart trembled, and a part of me woke up. 'ER? What ER?'

I tried to call his name, but my thoughts were tangled, thick as if my skull had been filled with lead.

"Must we do this, Mr. Terrason? Your wife is…" The man hesitated. I sensed the unease in his voice.

"Just proceed as planned. No questions."

I couldn't breathe. Something was crushing my chest. What was Samuel talking about? What plan?

The air reeked of antiseptic.

I was on a hospital bed, harsh lights stabbing through my closed eyelids.

Samuel held my hand tightly. The wedding ring pressed painfully into my palm, as if he meant to brand it there.

"It'll be over soon. Once the transplant's done, we'll go home." He kissed the top of my head. The woody scent of his cologne mixed with the coppery smell of blood.

The ER doors burst open. The sharp click of heels snapped through my haze. I forced my eyes open a fraction.

Meredith Shawlesque's sickly sweet voice slithered into the room.