Daisy and the Phantom Nurse
Note from the Authoress: I had hoped to keep working on “Lanterns' ' but a sudden onset of a later Summer Cold has caused me to pause it. I will keep working on it, but progress is slow. The illness is retreating. But as I laid resting in bed, high on antibiotics, sweating out the fever as the seemly never ending heatwave, ruins crops, dried out creeks and keeps reducing my little corner of the earth to dust, but anyway, as I lay recovering this idea popped into my head and refused to leave. So I hope you enjoy it. I think this story will be told in four parts. The first part will be an introduction, though a short one. The second one will focus on the main conflict of the story, the third part will be the falling acting. And the fourth and final part will the main character reflecting on the events of the story.
According to the date that was written on the dry erase board that I was looking at, today was October 31, 2023. It was a Tuesday and it was also Halloween and right now I was sick, well not really sick, according to the doctor I was mending, but still I had not been deemed well enough to be released and so it seemed I would spending this fable holiday in room 412 on the fourth floor of Mississippi Medical Center. Enduring the last waning effects of pneumonia and drinking every color of Gatorade known to man.
I was beyond disappointed. I had hoped to spend the holiday cuddling with my girlfriend, or spending the night with my arm wrapped around, while we roasted marshmallows for s'mores and washed it down with cups of strong black coffee. And while we snacked on our s'mores and sipped our coffee we would swap stories of the supernatural. Instead I was stuck in bed, feeling like crap.
But there was a silver lining to this. I now had the chance to prove once and for all that all this talk about a phantom nurse was a load of rubbish. My sudden illness had given me a once in a lifetime chance to prove once in for all that the accounts my friends had told me of a phantom nurse that was supposed to roam this hospital was nothing more than a byproduct of fever and illness.
And according to my girlfriend, Cerridwen, there was suppose to a evil nurse. One who was supposed to be the good nurse's counterpoint. And I for one did not believe those stories. And in fact I had a plan to prove those stories were just stories. For that I had enlisted the help up a friend, who I will not mention by name. But let call them friend 'J'. 'J' was a cheerleader, and so was her older sister, and though she had looked at me funny when I asked for one of her old cheerleading uniforms, she had agreed, though not before calling me a 'Damn fool' when I told my plan.
My plan? Oh yes, see I did not plan on going ghost hunting wearing a paper thin hospital gown. Nor did I plan on being caught without my phone. So my plan was simple, and if I do say so myself it is daring and one of the finest schemes ever hatched by man. The plan was simple enough: I would put on a cheerleading uniform, a red one, complete with sport's bra and bloomers. And let's not forget white shoes too. Style my hair in pigtails and then when the hospital had settled in for the night I would sneak out of my room and roam the halls looking for Nurse Mindy. I might even venture down to the hospitals more because that is said to the lair of the fable 'Nurse Spooky'.
Now where was I? Oh yes, the plan. You see 'J' and her sister dropped out the uniform and the required items earlier today. It being Halloween and all, the wonderful nurses and doctors wanted to do something special for us poor souls who would be spending the most hollow of nights as guests of Mississippi Medical Center. That something special included handing out buckets of candy.
I was quite flattered when they handed me a classic orange, plastic Jack O' Lantern candy bucket. You know the one with black triangle eyes and a grinning mouth. It is the universal symbol for Halloween and for the most cherished pastime of that holiday Trick or Treating. Mine was filled with bite size pieces of candy and a few king size candy bars.
In all honesty, the staff went out their way. I think my bucket held at least seventy or eighty pieces of good chocolate with a few king size candy bars. My cousin Dawn, who is also a nurse on this ward also decided to treat me to pizza. Two personal pan pizzas from the local Pizza Hut and enough soda to float a battleship, add in an order of cheese sticks and was in hog heaven.
I really mean that, try living off of hospital food for a few days. It is worse than the food they serve at Scout Camp. And that is saying something. At least they season the food there. The cooking staff of Mississippi Medical Center must have never heard of salt or pepper. And must only know how to boil, broil, steam, and bake the foods they are given. Then again I must have been spoiled.
My girlfriend Cerridwen Circe Whitethorn, a true Southern Belle in the finest tradition of the word, has spoiled me on such superb southern dishes as fried catfish, battered and fried till golden brown with a highly seasoned crust that would put any Michelin star restaurant to shame. Or crispy, fried chicken, soaked in buttermilk for hours and then floured in a seasoned flour and then fried up golden brown, a honey colored crust on the outside, and juicy, moist and tender chicken on the inside. The belle's of Kentucky can never hope to match their sisters in Mississippi when it comes to frying chicken.
Or shrimp! Fried to golden brown. A favorite of the gulf region. Wonderful when paired with a steak or fried by themselves or mixed with grits. And let not forget that most wonderful creole dish, Crayfish Etouffee. And last but not least the most decadent desserts possible, turtle cheesecake with ribbons of caramel and topped with chopped pieces of pecan or moist and rich chocolate cake, topped with chocolate icing. Or warm apple pie topped with a scoop of ice cream. Such food's I'd enjoyed on a daily basis before the onset of my illness.
But putting that aside, I need to make myself ready for tonight. The pizza has filled my tummy, and the shot I was just given is making me sleepy, no doubt I will soon drift off and for a spell visit that fable land of Nod. But until then, I must make myself read. And so with help from one of the nurses I walked toward the bathroom. A nice warm bath is made ready for me, I shave my face, shave my legs, and under my arms. I even try my best to trim the hair in my nether region. My goal is to pass as much as possible for a girl. The nurse tending to me does not question this.
And thankfully she does not question why one of my friends from my hometown of Benton would bring a cheerleading uniform complete with sports bra and panties. I guess she is just ready to go clock out and go home for the day. Because as soon as I've finished my shower, she puts me straight to bed. She dims the lights of my room and like that, I feel my eyelids starting to grow heavy. And soon I feel myself drifting off to the land of Nod.
But I do have one final thought before I drift off, is this what death feels like? A gentle stillness of the soul, as my breathing eases up and my eyelids start to close. And the world around me turns into shadows. Is death just falling asleep and entering into a dreamless sleep until we reawaken in this world again? That is the last thought I remember thinking before the Sandman, that sneaky old fellow sneaks into my room and throws his magical sand into my eyes.
End of Act I.
Daisy And the Phantom Nurse
Act II
Night has now fallen, the hallway outside my door is as quiet as the grave. The harsh white light from the light bulbs above that somehow filters through the crack of the doorway into my room is the only hint of any sign of life. Outside my window, I can hear the wind starting to howl, big, fat raindrops the size of pennies are falling down by the trillions. I can hear those fat, drops of rain splashing upon the window.
It's now or never. The night nurse has just checked on me, she says I'm doing good and that my fever has broken and she expects the doctor to discharge me any day now. Until then she says I just need bedrest and plenty of it. And plenty of fluids. I nod my head and fake going back to sleep as she leaves my room. Once I hear the door close, I toss the rough, white, woolen blanket to the side and slip out of bed. I shiver as I touch the ice cold title of my room.
This must have been how Cesar felt when plunged across the shallow Rubicon River and decided then to march on Rome! Or how General Washington felt as he ferried his rag tag army of Continental soldiers across the ice choked Delaware river to attack the township of Trenton. An overpowering sense of dread and that feeling that at any moment your luck would or could just run out. But no matter what, I had to press on and so I took a deep breath and tossed the hospital gown over my head and threw it across the room.
Then standing as naked as the day I was born. And hairless too from the neck down, I slipped on the white cotton bloomers and the matching white cotton sports bra. I then slipped on the fire red skirt. Once the skirt was on, I reached over and piled up a handful of tissues. I stuffed the tissue into the bra and sighed. It would have to do, it would at least give me the appearance of having somewhat of a bust. At least I would not be flat as a board cheerleader.
Then I slipped on the sleeveless shell top and then the white socks followed by the white shoes and then quickly I went to the bathroom to brush my hair. Pigtails are simple, you brush the hair out, then part the parted my hair down the middle and brushed out each section. The first pigtail went in smoothly, and because I felt a bit bold I decided to braid it. Braiding was a pain in the butt, but the finished product was both stylish and adorable. The second one was easier than the first.
Dressed I then slipped my phone into the pocket of my skirt and pushed open the door of my room. The first thing I noticed was the lack of nurses patrolling the hallways. Which was a good thing, all things considering. Taking a deep breath I stepped into the hallway and started toward the lobby at the front of the ward that held the elevators. I knew I would have to pass the nurse at the front desk, but according to all the stories I heard, both from 'J' and Cerridwen the nurse that was stationed at the front desk normally catnapped between the hours of twelve till two. And with the time being twelve fifteen, or fifteen minutes into the witching hour. I was hedging my bets that she was fast asleep.
Anyway, I should explain why I was wearing a cheerleading uniform instead like the others a normal hospital gown. You see I've heard from three different people, the first one being 'J' the second one being a girl named 'M' and from my dear Cerridwen that all three encountered Nurse Mindy wearing hospital gowns. But it was Cerridwen's report that had piqued my interest and at the same time had aroused my curiosity.
That being, when she had encountered 'Nurse Spooky' in the hospital's elevator she had asked her one simple question that had stayed with her well after their encounter had ended. That question had been a very straight forward question that had haunted her well after their encounter was over. That question was, 'So how did you die?' Of course Cerridwen refused to answer; she was very much alive at the time and thought the nurse was pulling her leg and joking with her. But there was something telling about that question. So, to test my own, personal theory, not that I believed in any of this nonsense to begin with. But in order to test my own personal theory, I decided that I would 'fake' my own death.
Hence the costume. If I encountered 'Nurse Spooky' and I was asked such a question, I would say I was in a fatal accident that resulted from a cheerleading stunt gone wrong. I'd had my neck snapped or something. I would spin a tragic yarn about a tragic cheerleading stunt gone wrong and how I'd been cut down in the prime of life. And how I was just going down to the morgue to say good-bye to my body and give my grieving, and heartbroken family, one last tearful goodbye before departing to the afterlife.
See that was the creative spark the others had lacked when they had set out on their adventure. And as luck would have it, the nurse watching the front desk was indeed fast asleep. Her head was resting on her desk and the smell of strong coffee surrounded her. Smiling, I slipped past her, and soon I was standing in the lobby where the elevators were. Blushing a little I pushed the down button and then I stepped back.
A few seconds passed before a stainless steel door appeared in front of me, the door slid open and I stepped inside. Without thinking about it I pushed like Cerridwen had done the night she herself had encountered the nurse, the 'B' button. A tense thirty seconds passed before the stainless steel door closed and the lift started to move down. It was a silent ride.. till we reached the third floor and much to my surprise the elevator door stopped and slid open a few seconds later a woman, dressed in all black stepped in.
The woman had jet black hair, and coal black eyes, her dress was also black, and seemed to be made of leather. Her fingernails seemed to be also black, and her face was white as flour. She looked Gothic, like the old school kind of Gothic. Not the modern day Hot-Topic reject Gothic. But then again tonight was Halloween and I guess she was getting into the spirit of the holiday.
As the door closed she looked over at me, and then transfixed her eyes to the door. I said nothing. Because I was a little taken back by the nurse's appearance and vibe she was giving off. But as we sailed past the second floor and past the first she turned at long last said.
“What a dreadful night for you to pass.” She said, “I can only think of one other night, Christmas, it's always sad when a poor soul passes on around Christmas time.” She seemed to almost purr as she said that.
“We all gotta go sometimes.” I said, smiling a little. “I just hate that I won't get to be crowned homecoming queen. But I guess Bridget Bridges would get the crown now, though I hate that little bitch. Since I bet she is the one who made me fall.” I said, sighing.
The other nurse blinked.
“I mean, Bridge Bridges thinks she is such a little Miss. Perfect. Because her daddy owns the local Jewelry shop and her mom is an office worker for Warren Chemical. But really, between you and me, she is just part of the nova rich. Her family has only been wealthy for a generation or two. Like, there are not even members of the Vicksburg Country Club and the Bridges have never held any political offices in town. And because Andy Bridges does not have, like a son to carry on the family name, and stuff. I think their wealth is going to dry up soon.” I said, sighing a little.
The nurse blinked and blinked again. Clearly she was lost for words.
“I mean, my family is Vicksburg royalty. We can trace our roots to the first settlers of this town.” I heaved a sigh and looked down at the ground. “But I guess, that does not matter now. Oh life is so unfair. I was going to be crowned St. Katherine's Homecoming Queen! But that little slut, that little gold digger had to give out and cause me to roll and break my neck!” I said as I folded my arms across my chest and to drive my point home I stomped on the floor and peered up at the sky.
The nurse who was dressed all in black, blinked again as she peered at me with those solid black eyes. It was hard to tell what she was thinking about. And if I'm honest I felt a little on edge as she peered at me. I felt myself starting to tremble a little under her gaze. But instead of giving into fear, I just took a deep breath and looked backed at her, peering into her eyes.
“St. Katherine's?” She said, finally turning away from me.
“Of course, anybody who is anybody knows that St. Katherine's Episcopal School is the premier private school here in Mississippi. Way older than St. Andrew's private school, and way prestigious too.” I said turning my nose up into the air and for added flare I flipped my braided pigtail over my shoulder and smiled a little.
The nurse grinned a little and turned toward me.
“I bet the whole school will be mourning you.” She said smiling. “After all, you were a cheerleader. And they did elect you homecoming queen!” She said as she started to drum her long black fingernails on the wall.
“Oh yes! They will, I'm sure. I'm sure St. Katherine's Episcopal Church would be filled with mourners, as the commoners of the school mourn the passing of their queen! I was the most popular girl there after all! I was the queen of the school. And I'm sure my mommy would see it fit for them to have me buried in my new gown.” I said pouting a little. “Beautiful in life and beautiful in death!” I added.
The nurse blinked or so I thought she blinked. It was hard to tell, she seemed though to grow reckless and a bit on edge. As she kept drumming her fingernails. She then looked at me, and then she grinned again. I'm not sure why she was grinning. Again at this point I was not sure if she was really a nurse. If she was a nurse was act mighty nice playing along with my little act.
“Hey!” I said as I reached into my pocket. “I would like to take a selfie. A memento to remember the kind nurse who kept me company in my last fleeting minutes on earth.” I said smiling as I showered her my phone.
“Oh sure.” She said, smirking a little.
A few seconds later I felt her arm loop around my neck, it was the most dreadful feeling I have ever felt. I could not believe how sharp her fingernails were, they seemed to almost poke my neck. And the coldness, the coldness I was getting from having that strange nurse so near me was beyond words. It was like I was hugging a sheet of solid ice. Quickly I took the photo and then another one. And a few more.
Then ear splitting ding filled the air as the lift touched down. The stainless steel door slid open. Revealing a long, darkened hallway that was filled with long shadows and cluttered junk, things like old hospital beds. Old rusting respirators, dust covered ventilators, old IV poles, and stuff that just made me shutter.
“Well.” The nurse said. “This is where we get off.” She said, pushing me out of the lift. “So, before we part ways. Can I at least know your name?” She said as she pulled me down the hallway till we reached two double doors. Quickly she pushed the doors open and before I could utter a word of protest she pulled me inside.
I then found myself standing in a room that was painted a lime green color, the smell of bleach hung in the air and dozens and dozens of metallic rolling tables were scattered about the room. One one side of the room, there seemed to be a massive filing cabinet with large square doors. The coldness of the room took my breath away.
“Charlotte!” I said, taking a deep breath. “Charlotte Emma McRaven” I stuttered out.
The nurse gave me a funny look. But only smiled. “Well.” She said as she reached down and placed her hands, her hands were ice cold, she then lifted me up and placed me on one of the tables. “Miss. McRaven. It was a pleasure.” She then gently pushed me down and then before I could utter a word I found myself being pushed head first into an empty space that had just opened up inside the filing cabinet.
“Wait! Wait!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.
“SILLY BOY! Did you think you could really fool me! Did you think you could have really fooled the supernatural! Didn't your mommy and daddy ever teach you not to play with fire!” She cackled as she slammed the door closed sealing me in.
“Don't worry 'Charlotte Emma McRaven' I won't keep you waiting long.” I heard her cackling. “I just need to go fetch some tools. Since you want to be a girl so bad you have to dress like one, and prance around like one. I'll be sure to make you one before enslaving. Oh yes, you will make such a pretty little slave. But fear not.. When I'm done with you, old age will not touch you, nor would your beauty fade as the years roll by. You will not grow old.. oh yes, you will forever be sixteen.”
“This is not funny!” I yelled as I kicked the door. I kicked with all my might. “Let me out right now! I swear to God if you don't let me out this instant I will sue the shit out of this hospital!” I said as I tried and tried to pound the door open with my foot.
“Oh you fool! You fool!” I heard her bellowing on the other side of the door. “You're already crossed the threshold! You're in my world now. It's been so long since somebody has been foolish enough to come into my world. I'm going to enjoy torturing you till your spirit breaks. So Charlotte Emma McRaven, if that is your real name.. allow me to say this.” She paused and drew in a deep breath.
“Your time among the living is over. As soon as you left that lift. You entered into my world. You have transcended if you can wrap your tiny pea size brain around that word, the boundaries between my world and the world of the living. When dawn breaks, they will find your hospital room empty. They will of course launch a search for you, they will search this whole hospital. But they will not find you.” She paused. “Because you will forever be trapped down here with me, helping me to lure more children into my web. Now spend your last few fleeting minutes among the living crying, praying, doing whatever you please.”
And with that.. she left me..
Daisy and the Phantom Nurse
Act III
As I laid there, in total darkness, feeling the cold air running across my exposed skin. I started to reflect on my life. I was sixteen years old. And about to meet my maker. This was not how most horror movies ended and this was not how my adventure was supposed to end. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my racing heart. Getting mad now would not solve a damn thing. Instead I focused on the good things that had happened in my life. I had been born premature and neither the doctors, or the nurses that had tended me figured I would live for a week.
Mom was heartbroken, she felt like she had failed my dad. Dad was brought to the verge of tears. My older sister, Sue, short for Susan only remembers being told her baby brother might not make it home from the hospital. It had been my late grandmother who had broke the news to her. Susan was three at the time, and really did not understand the cycle of life or death. But somehow, I won out for that week, and then for two, then for three. My frail body fought on and in the end I was discharged from the hospital, a bit underweight for a baby my age. But healthy enough.
Mom and dad of course showered me with love and affection. My older sister, Susan became my best friend. Sure we fought like brothers and sisters often do. But she is the one who took me on childhood adventures. Susan was a tomboy, and excelled at sports and at scouts. Sue knew all the hidden nooks and crannies of the old family farm. She knew the names of all the creeks, hills, hollows and vales that dotted the landscape of Vicksburg. She knew the location of the hidden springs too.
I closed my eyes and released my breath. I felt a deep sleep starting to come over me, a heavy sleep, maybe this would be how my life came to an end. Maybe as soon as I closed my eyes, I would wake up standing in front of the gates of Heaven. Maybe, the good Lord would give me a nice pair of wings, maybe even give me a body that matched my soul. Maybe I will be reborn as a girl?
I was just above to fall into that peaceful sleep when the door to the can I'd been sealed in opened and the table I was sitting on was pulled out. And once more I found myself in that strange, lime green room. The evil nurse returned and she was holding a knife in her hands and she had a twisted grin plastered across her face.
“No, no.” She said as she looked down at me. “I'm not going to let you off that easy!” She said, smiling a little as she rolled me toward the center of the room. “Now, where should I start.. I think I will remove your eyes first and replace them with some blue ones.” She paused. “Because your hair is blonde, and your pinkish eyes don’t really go well with blonde hair. I think then I will slice off your penis. You won’t be needing that soon! Oh yes, this is going to be fun!”
You know at this moment I think most people would be freaking out and screaming their head off. Instead I just peered at her and used what remaining strength I had to lift my leg up. Once my leg was lifted up, I shoved my foot into her face. I heard her nose crack and she stumbled back. Stunned I'm sure. And I hoped her nose was broken.
“Oh you fucking bastard! I'm going to really fuck you up for that!” She yelled as she stumbled around the room. He boney hand holding her nose. Her eyes were no longer black but red and they burned like the embers of Hell. I saw the fires of the underworld flicking in her eyes and I knew then that the story Cerridwen had told me was not a story at all. No matter, if I was going to go down, I was going to go down fighting. Because I’m a Bell, and Bell’s don’t go down easy. Also I’d been bullied all of my life. And I was no stranger to brawling. And right now, I was not seeing the buggyman of the hospital, the fable ‘Nurse Spooky’. No, right now I was peering down at the bully of the schoolyard. And I knew only one way to deal with a bully. That was to beat them to a pup.
“Go to Hell!” I yelled as I rolled over the table. By the grace of God I landed on my feet. The strange nurse was still stumbling around the room, holding her nose that seemed to trickle a small stream of what appeared to black puss.
“You're already in Hell.” The nurse said as she glared at as she seemed to regain her composure. “You entered Hell the minute you entered this room. There is no escape for you.” She said as she started to move toward me. “So stop fighting! And just accept your fate! If you do that and get down on your knees, and beg and plead and tell me how sorry you are for hitting me, I might still grant you your wish and try to make you a girl. If you keep fighting. I promise you, when I’m done with you, you will look like something from an Wade H. Garrett story!”
I said nothing. Instead I took the metal table I'd just been laid upon, the one I'd just jumped off of a few seconds ago and I pushed it toward the nurse. Well I shoved it toward her, the table spun around and smashed into knocking her against the wall of the room. All of this seemed so easy. I could not believe I was winning? Or was I winning? Had it just been the element of surprise that had caused me to gain the upper hand?
I pushed those thoughts out of my mind and started to run. I mean I dashed out of that room and dashed down the hallway. Those objects that littered the hallway, I pushed them behind me as I made my mad dash for freedom. I could feel the evil nurse running after me, she was cursing up a storm, hollering as she rushed after me.
I was within sight of the lift when I felt something take hold of me. I spun around and noticed the evil nurse had taken hold of one of my braided pigtails. She grinned as she held me by the braid. I then noticed the gleam of something sharp in her hand. She seemed to be holding a knife of some kind. My face drained of color as she raised the knife, and started to lung toward me.
Thinking quickly, I stepped to the side and spun around with me, she still held tightly to my braided pigtail. Using all the wit that God had seemed fit to give me, I reached over and picked up the first thing that I could lay my hands upon, an old walking cane. One of those wooden ones, that the one good thing about hospitals, so many of the items that you find lying around could be used as a make-shift weapon if you were creative enough. Or blood thirsty enough, or crazy enough.
Cane in hand, I swung it like one swings a baseball bat. I heard something crack as the crook of the cane smashed into the nurse's head. Blackish blood seemed to spray in all directions. The nurse howled in pain and stumbled a little. She then dropped her knife, but her hold on my braid still held.
It was then I made the most heart rendering decision I ever had to make, I reached down and picked the knife up and cut the section of braid she was holding.. the braided section of hair fell down on the floor. The nurse at this point was drunk on pain and stumbling around, still holding that cut section of braid.
“I'm going too..”
That was the last thing she said as I then reached down and picked up the knife, it seemed to be a surgical knife and with pure hate rushing through my heart I drove into her belly. A few seconds later an ear splitting scream filled the air and as she dropped to the ground. She fell in front of me, going down to her knees, black blood seemed to be pouring from the wound and dropping down on the ground, her face seemed to be covered in blood, her claw-like hand seemed to still be clutching my braided pigtail like it was a cherished item.
I wanted to say something. Instead I picked up the cane and smashed it across her face again and again until it broke, no splintering into a million little pieces, drops of blood, pieces of broken teeth flew in all directions as I smashed at her face. Then.. then I rushed toward the lift and as soon as the metal door opened I rushed inside and pressed the button for the first floor.
A few minutes later. The stainless steel door to the lift was opening on the first floor. I stumbled out of the lift and into the hallway. And like an aimless traveler I stumbled around in a daze till I came into the lobby. An onrush of doctors and nurses filled the lobby. Some were clocking in for the day, some were clocking out. I watched them from the shadows before I stumbled toward the hospital's cafeteria. I paused as I stood before the door. I had no money..
Sighing I reached into the shallow pockets of the skirt and to my amazement I found a handful of dollar bills and one five. And a dogeared ten. I shrugged my shoulders and made a mental note to repay 'J' as soon possible and with that I stumbled in. I wanted food.. I wanted coffee.. I looked like hell I know. And I knew that I would need a haircut. I just hoped enough of the length would be saved so I could still kind of pass like a girl.
“I need coffee.” I said, taking a deep breath, as I pushed open the door that led to the cafeteria. I knew sooner or later that one of the staff would come and find me, they would tell me off because I had snuck out of my bed. Mom would tell me off, dad would tell me off. I’m sure they would ground me from the playroom or some kind of punishment. But I could deal with that and I would deal with that when the time came. Right now, I just wanted the warm comfort that only a home-style Breakfast would offer me.
Once I entered the cafeteria I paused and looked around. I then closed my eyes and slowly opened them. I was ready for a nap, but food had to come first. So shrugging my shoulders I walked over and joined the line for the hot food. The other doctors and nurses in line only peered at me, none of them said a signal word. I guess most of them wanted to eat and go home. Which suited me just fine. Or on the other side of the coin they wanted to get a quick bite of breakfast before starting their day.
As the line inched along, I found myself piling my tray high with stables found at any Southern table. Jumbo buttermilk biscuits, smoked sausage, grits, eggs, french toast and scrambled eggs, sausage patties, a hash brown patty and a small bowl of oatmeal with chocolate chips added in. I shrugged my shoulders and paid for the stuff and filled a glass up with ice and sweet tea. I then found a table and started to eat. Oh, were you expecting me to get coffee or hot chocolate? I’m afraid not honey bunches of oats, this the deep south and we drink sweet tea no matter the time of day. Be it breakfast, lunch, supper, and or dinner where we are going to drink our sweet tea. Is it healthy for you? No, but then again most of this food on my tray contains enough salt and fat to give a sumo wrestler a bloody heart attack. Judge if you want, just remember this is the south.
I figured, once I was done eating, I would walk back to my room, crawl into bed and fall asleep. And wait for the nurse to come around and give me my morning injection. Maybe they would say I was well enough to go home and start on the paperwork to discharge me from this pill pushing mother fucker.
Sighing I started to attack my food. I must have been thirsty because I swallowed my first glass of sweet tea and got up to get a refill. When I returned I noticed a nurse was peering right at me. She had a scowl across her face and her arms were folded across her chest.
“Morning.” I said as I sat down and started to eat a little slower this time.
“James.” She said, taking a deep breath. “We need to talk.” The nurse said.
“Later. I'm drowning my sorrows in food and sweet tea.” I responded as I started to spoon some big spoonfuls of oatmeal into my mouth. “Besides, I've been through hell and I don't care to revisit it. So like if you're going to tell me off for sneaking out of my room. I'm sorry.” I said swallowing. I then finished off my third glass of sweet tea and went to get another one.
“You drink a lot. That's good, though you need water instead of sweet tea.” The nurse said. “Good to see you eating again.” The nurse also said as she looked down at my plate.
“Well, this is the south and as a true born southerner I'm supposed to drink sweet tea with every meal. And yes, after what happened last night down in the basement of this place, I figured I could use the extra boost. After all, I'm sure you're short of a nurse this morning. She is down in the basement with her head bashed in and a knife to gut.” I added as I made a sandwich from the biscuits and one of the eggs and one of the sausage patties.
“We can afford to lose her. But she'll be back. You really have no idea who I am, do you?” The nurse seemed amused as she peered at me.
“I take it your the good phantom nurse?” I said as I took a big bite from my sandwich. “Because for one you have blonde hair and blue eyes like the good phantom nurse is supposed to have, and number two, you are wearing a white dress while the other nurses are wearing scrubs, and three your name tag says 'Mindy' on it.” I said, swallowing the bite I had taken from my sandwich. I then took another bite.
“You are correct..” The nurse said in a flat tone of voice.
“Self appointed guardian of this hospital, locked in a never ending battle of cat and mouse with the evil nurse. You also usher the souls of children who pass away in this hospital to the afterlife. You also help your fellow nurses when things get busy. You do a lot.” I added as I swallowed another bite.
“I'm flattered you know so much about me. But how do you know?” Nurse Mindy said as she peered at me. “I've never encountered somebody so well informed as you.”
“My mom was a nurse here back in the early nineties. She started shortly after you passed away and recorded your first appearance according to her research. You first appeared on Halloween of two thousand. If I'm not mistaken.” I said as I took another bite of my sandwich.
“Close enough.” Nurse Mindy rolling her eyes. “What was your mothers maiden name?”
“Isabella Mari Upton. Her grandmother Sarah Elizabeth Upton was ward manager I think when you were hired. And retired one year before you passed. You know, we southerners love to collect family lore. She married a man out of Vicksburg named William Bell, and they had two children, a girl and a boy, the girl was named Susan Elizabeth Mari Bell and the boy was named James Donald Bell,” I said, giving her the best half smile I could muster.
“I see..” Nurse Mindy said as she peered toward me. “I remember encountering a nurse named Isabella Mari Upton. Flaming red hair, blue eyes, kind of a firecracker. She was in love with a man named William Bell who was an upcoming lawyer who had a law practice in Vicksburg. Does he have a younger brother?” Nurse Mindy asks.
“Yes.” I said. “Who has spotted you from time to time.” I added as I finished my glass of ice tea and went to get another one. After a few seconds I returned to find Nurse Mindy peering at me. Her arms were now folded behind her head and she seemed to be thinking.
“Okay! So this is not normal for me! So how much do you know about the supernatural.” She said as she peered at me. “And don't worry about time, I'm going to milk that clock for as much over time as possible.” She added.
“I know based on what I've gathered from reading my uncle's notes, that there are two different worlds that run parallel to ours. One is a light world. The light world is often called 'Heaven' and the dark world is often called 'Hell'. And at certain places, the dark word often overlaps our word. Place's like graveyards, hospitals and old battlefields. Here 'Demons' come through and torment the living that are foolish enough to venture into those places. At each given place there is a guardian. For example you, that is the position there to guard those overlapping places and to save mortals who have strayed into them.” I said, taking another sip of my tea.
“Correct.” Nurse Mindy seemed to be growing annoyed.
“In Benton is the graveyard that is haunted by the spirit of a bride who killed her husband and her sister. The so called 'Bloody Bride' there the guardian is a woman by the name of Gwendoline Potter who is training somebody else to take over when she is too old. She is helped by my uncle who is a priest in the Episcopal Church.” I said as I finished off my sandwich. “Hey would you mind since you're quizzing me and stuff getting me another sausage and biscuit?”
At that moment I thought the nurse was going to reach across the table and slap me right across the face. Instead she sighed again, got up, walked over to the woman standing behind the hot bar, she whispered something, the woman nodded her head and a few minutes later she returned with a hot sausage and biscuit. She placed the sausage and biscuit down in front of me and I just smiled as I got up and fixed myself another glass of sweet tea.
“Okay.. how did you know about me though, I mean beside the notes your mother left.” She added. “And how did you know about Spooky?”
“I have a cousin who lives in Benton, her name is Madeline. Madeline encountered you one night in this very hospital. And later when she published her first collection of ghost stories and urban legends about Benton, she included her encounter with you in them.” I said.
“I remember encountering a girl named Madeline...” Nurse Mindy said. “She lost her mother in a car wreck and was struggling with something. All I did was take her by my side and show her some tender affection and promised her everything would turn out okay.”
“She is about to start college now. She is going to major in Nursing and has published three short collections of ghost stories. She credits you with showing her the right path to take. And I guess because you were a nurse she wants to be a nurse too.” I added.
“I'm flattered.. okay.. still..” She said getting a bit annoyed.
“Also my cousin Jamie, a blonde haired, blue eyed girl who is also transgender encountered you a few years ago. She told me about her encounter and how you pulled her across your lap and tanned her bottom because you caught her out of bed and she almost ended up going down into the basement. Or something to that effect.” I said as I finished off my second sausage and biscuit. I then got up to get more sweet tea.
“You drink a lot... maybe too much..” She said, sighing. “That is going to be murder on your blood sugar.”
Once I refilled my glass I sat back down and then started to attack my bowl of grits. After a few spoonfuls the nurse just arched an eyebrow and peered at me and motioned with her hands for me to keep talking and so I did.
“Well, the last person who told me about their encounter with you was my girlfriend. Cerridwen. Short girl with coal black hair, blue eyes, petite, wears a bunch of pride bands on her arms. Peppery. Tends to shout a lot. And then tends to pout.” I said smiling.
“I remember her. She was the last one I'd encountered. She barely escaped Nurse Spooky.” Nurse Mindy paused. “So your telling me, you had three people tell you about me, all three were people were people who had no reason to lie to you, and yet you could not accept their stories stories and you had to push your luck and see if you could encounter the fabled 'Nurse Spooky' despite being warned and told otherwise.” Nurse mind said as she unfolded her hands and placed her head on the table.
“Yep.” I said as I finished off my grits and started on the oatmeal.
“I have a headache..” The nurse said.
“Can a ghost get a headache?” I asked as I finished the oatmeal and tossed the empty bowl aside.
“I don't even know.” Nurse Mindy then looked at me and then she pointed to the braid that I had to cut off. She then shook her head and placed her head down upon the table.
“Okay what happened to your hair?” She sighed as she rolled her head around the table.
“I cut it, it's the newest style. I hope you like it?” I said draining my glass again. I then got up and walked over to get a refill of sweet tea and to get something else to eat. I returned a few minutes holding a plate that held another sausage and biscuit.
“Be honest with me please.. I have a killer headache going on right now trying to wrap my head around all of this. And the last thing I need is some added shark, because trust I'm a hair's breadth from pulling you over my knee right here in this crowded dining room and lifting up your skirt, lowering your panties. And trying to pap some sense into you!” She muttered.
“I had to cut it, Spooky was holding on to it.” I said, shrugging my shoulders.
“This just keeps getting better and better. Now the evil bitch has something personal. I'm sure she is going to stroke herself while she holds it and thinks about torturing you while she climbs space mountain and then right before lift off she is going to smell it.” She said, sighing.
“I'm trying to eat here..” I said glaring.
“I think you've eaten enough. If you keep this up you're going to get as big as a house!” She said, sighing as she placed her head back down on the table. “I have a massive headache too! And all I want to do is clock out and go home.. maybe take a holiday from this damn place and haunt somewhere else for a while.” Nurse Mindy said as she released a sound that sounded like a groan.
“Can ghosts get headaches? Also do you really sleep? Also where is home? Your grave?” I said between bites.
At this Nurse Mindy lifted her head and peered at me.
“What with all the questions? Normally I'm the one asking questions!” She said, sighing. “Damn, the tables have turned on me.” She said placing her head back down upon her table. “Jesus kid, what are you a lawyer or something?” She added.
“My dad is a lawyer.” I said, smiling a little. “His father was a lawyer, his father before him was a lawyer, and his father before him was a lawyer. I think the whole Bell family was nothing but lawyers. We became planters when after the Civil War my great-great-great-great grandfather started getting paid in land when money was scarce.” I said, smiling brightly.
“Oh good! And I guess you want a lawyer too?” Nurse Mindy said signing.
“It is either law school or the priesthood.” I said finishing my meal and then my tea.
“... You know.. I'm done..” She said standing up. “I could tell you the type of person who thinks too much, who listens too little and will debate the fact that the sun is in the sky and the sky is blue. I'm just going to come out and say it. Nurse Spooky has a section of your hair. She is not dead, you just wounded her. She can use that section of hair to conjure your soul at will to her lair. But knowing you, I'm sure you thought up a plan! So let me hear this brilliant plan before I will myself to the afterlife..” She paused.
“And why are you dressed like a damn cheerleader!” She yelled. Though it seemed I was the only one who could hear her yelling. Because nobody turned around and peered at us.
“I'm dressed like this because based on what Cerridwen said I thought a dead cheerleader or the soul of a dead cheerleader would be the perfect bait to draw Spooky out from hiding and it worked!” I said as I stood up and walked and refilled my glass with sweet tea I then sat back down.
“... I'm shocked beyond words right now. You think too much you know that, you think way too damn much and what you think about is 'How do I get myself killed' instead of I don't know 'How not do I encounter this demonic nurse!'” She bellowed. “Oh Goodness me! Why! Why! Why! Now every time you're here in this hospital I have to keep my eye on you.”
“Why?” I asked. At this point I think the breakfast hour was over because the line cooks were taking up the trays and collecting the trays.
“Because you could be visiting your damn girlfriend! And she can now snatch you as you exit the lift! You could be visiting your first born child here and boom she will snatch you. DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND YOU DIM WITTED BOY. As long as she holds that piece of hair she can snatch you and will, you can be visiting your child here at the hospital, some twenty or thirty years from now and boom, she can snatch you. This is not some game you foolish boy, this is a fucking war!” She bellowed.
“Why would she snatch me then? I thought by then I would have aged out of her strike range. She is not known to go after adults much less twenty something years old; she only known to target children and teenagers. I'm sixteen now and in about two years I would have aged out of her strike range.”
“Bullshit your fourteen.” She said, sighing. “I know because I remember the day you were born. The bitch tried to take you twice!” She said holding up the two fingers. “First when you were born because you had the 'shine' about you as the gift. Your sister had the 'shine' about her. But you have the greater shine! Also that true she stops going after people when they turn eighteen. But here the thing you kicked her ass. So it a matter of pride”
“oh..”
“Here is what I will strongly suggest you do. First take communion and then consider the priesthood both will give a measure of protection from her. Take communion daily, if possible, weekly at least and best of all stay in your room! She can't enter your room! All rooms are blessed! That's why she sticks to the hallways! If you get caught here at night, stick to your room or one of the play rooms.”
“What if I have to pee..” I said I knew now I was just taking the piss, but I had too.
“Then piss in one of the pots they have plotted plants in ! Anyway, all the time I have for you this morning,so take my advice, and get back to your room and stay there.. there still is fifteen minutes left on her 'watch' no.. stay here until one of the nurses finds you and then stay in your room till they discharge you.” And with that she vanished.
And yes I waited until somebody came to collect me. And the very next day I was discharged. And no, unlike Madeline I did not get a book! I'm sorely disappointed. And overall I consider this whole adventure a bust. I had escaped without earning an ‘Red Badge’ of courage was my intention from the start. The only thing I had to show for this little adventure was a selfie with Nurse Spooky.
The End.