Mated by fate

Tammy's POV

I rejoice internally that my shift has finally ended, and begin packing up my things before I go to change back into my normal day's outfit.

"Tammy," our head nurse, Mrs Roseline calls to me as I walk towards the changing room. Dread spreads through my body on hearing the tone of her voice. I really hope it's not what I'm thinking.

"Yes, Mrs Rose?" I respond, crossing my fingers behind my back, as some form of prayer.

"I know your shift has ended, but I'd need you to stay behind for another shift," she tells me, confirming my suspicions.

Dang. Exactly what I thought and prayed against.

"I don't think I can do that, ma'am. I already had plans for tonight," I say as I move my head slowly from side to side, trying to reason with her. Although, the only plan I have for tonight is sleeping. But it should count, right?

"I'm sorry, Tammy, but your plans would have to be put on hold," she replies, her lips turned downwards and her expression stern.

Fuck. I should have said that my pet dog died or something, maybe she'd have agreed. I don't have a pet, but she doesn't have to know that part.

"Can't any one else stay?" I ask her, hoping she would give a positive answer.

"No, Tammy. I don't trust anyone else but you to do the job," she replies.

I should feel flattered by the confession, but right now it only annoys me because it means I don't get my sleep time. "Thanks, ma'am, but I really don't think I can stay for one more shift," I tell her with a pleading look in my eyes.

"It's not a question, and you don't have a choice either." I open my mouth to protest, but the next words that come out of her mouth makes me stop and rethink my wanting to leave. "If you do this, I'll put in a good word for you to get promoted as my assistant," she offers.

A very tempting offer. I have been working hard to get promoted to assistant head nurse. if just looking after this patient can get me there, maybe it isn't so bad after all. "Fine," I mutter, feeling defeated.

The lady has the impudence to smile. "I knew you'd budge," she says, like it's a huge achievement. "Now, the patient was just admitted tonight and he has been showing strange symptoms. He was diagnosed with a mild case of fever, but his reactions say otherwise. I just need you to keep an eye on him and try noting any significant changes." she pauses and looks intently at me. "Do you understand?"

'I understand that part. What I don't understand is why I have to be the one staying just to look over a patient with just a mild fever that would probably pass soon enough,' I want to say. Instead, I nod.

"Good," she responds. "I don't think I have to explain anything more to you. You know how to do your job well."

"I really wish I didn't," I mumble to myself. luckily, she doesn't hear, or maybe she does and chooses not to answer.

Nurse Roseline hands me a file and pats my arm softly, before proceeding down the hallway.

'Well, there goes my sleep.' I huff.

Working at a hospital can be really draining. I sometimes wish I could resign but this is what I went to school for, and I doubt I would be able to be as good in another job. Plus, being an orphan who lives alone and has bills to pay, there's not much I can do.

Which is why as much as I hate the stress that comes with the job, I love and appreciate the paycheck. Being in a position to help save lives is also an added benefit, I guess.

I locate the room the patient was brought to, room 103, and enter inside. Everything with him seems totally normal, and it looks like he's sound asleep, a huge contradiction to what was described to me. I check his temperature for added precaution. It seems quite alright for someone with a fever.

I look up from the patient and immediately my eyes land on the open window. That's not safe. We've had cases of some weird and disturbed people entering patients' rooms through the window. I wouldn't want that to happen while it's my turn monitoring a patient.

I go to close it and then walk out of the room.

That should be enough inspection for one night.

I begin walking to the hospital's reception when I hear noises coming from the room, mostly sounding like a creaking bed.

Redirecting my steps, I walk back towards the patient's room and let myself in.

The sight that I'm met with leaves me totally confused and wondering if I was just imagining things. It can't be.

The noises sounded like they were coming from in here. But right now, everything looks totally normal. There's no single trace of unusual activity.

The patient looks still. Suspiciously still.

I go closer to the bed to inspect the patient closely. On touching his head, a coldness shoots through my spine, causing me to shiver slightly.

No no no. It can't be.

Placing my hand on his chest, I check for a pulse. I don't feel a beat.

Panic spreads through me, as it is the first time I've had a casualty when I'm on duty.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, to calm my racing nerves, I pick up my phone and place a call to the reception, informing the person at the desk of the new development.

On looking away from my phone, I'm left questioning my sanity once again.

The window I had closed earlier is now open.

'why do all these weird things have to happen to me?' I swear I had closed them.

I go to close it once again, looking outside for any suspicious movements.

Instead of finding someone I could pin the issue to, I feel a heavy presence on me, like I'm being watched. There's no one outside, or inside either - other than the dead man. Shaking off the feeling, I turn to close the window and walk away, but my movement is stilled and my breath is caught in my throat as my eyes make contact with a pair of piercing gold orbs.

They are as captivating as the hue that envelops the sky in the sunset, burning bright as a flame captured in a glass. I will myself to look away, but am unable to, the beauty of this creature's eyes rooting me in place.

I stand transfixed, my gaze locked with the creature's - or person's - until finally, it moves away, enveloping itself in a shadow of the darkness. Only then, am I able to come out of the enchantment that it seemed to have cast around me.